SONY Cameras
Sony a6300 Review
Sony a6300 was the first upgrade to the extremely popular a6000. It used a similar 24 MP sensor with most specs remaining the same, but added features such as the electronic shutter, a better EVF, a new weather resistant body and the option for oversampled 4K video recording.
The a6300 is no longer in production, but it remains popular on the used market, especially among beginners. It was replaced by the Sony a6400 released in 2019.
SONY E-Mount
Sony introduced the E-mount in 2010 alongside their first mirrorless cameras, giving them a huge head start. Over a decade later, there are over 100 native lenses and more than 200 if you include third-party options. Because the mount hasn’t changed, old lenses still work with newer cameras, creating a huge second-hand market. Compare that to Canon and Nikon, which only introduced new mounts in 2018, Sony users have had years to build and upgrade their kits without starting from scratch. For beginners entering the Sony system that means more options and much better prices.
SONY a6300 Price
Sony a6300 Specifications
General
Sony a6300 features a 24.2 MP APS-C sensor paired with Sony’s BIONZ X processor. The sensor is similar to the one used in the original a6000, but according to Sony it’s slightly improved, resulting in better low-light performance.
The body is still very compact, extremely similar to the original a6000, but unlike the a6000 this camera is weather sealed. The tilting screen is still the same and it’s still not touch-sensitive.
There is no in-body image stabilization (IBIS).
The a6300 has just one card slot, which supports only older and slower UHS-I SD cards. Battery life is still very poor, so users need to purchase a few additional batteries for prolonged shooting.
Autofocus
Sony a6300 features Sony’s ‘Fast Hybrid AF’ system. A similar system was already used in the a6000 in 2014 and it was one of the best autofocus systems in the industry at the time. In the a6300, it’s further improved, offering 425 phase-detection AF points and 169 contrast-detection AF points.
Face detection and eye-detection are available for humans and autofocus tracking works well even when the subject is moving. Continuous autofocus is also supported in video mode.
Photography
Image quality was impressive for the time. It was an improvement over the original a6000 and even today you can still get great results in good conditions. That said, image quality from newer models, a6100, a6400 and a6600 is definitely better. They do still use the same sensor, but have a much better processor.
14-bit RAW is available only in Single Shot mode and the quality drops down to 12-bit RAW when shooting in any kind of continuous mode. Some reviewers note that there is little to no noticeable loss of image quality between 14-bit and 12-bit RAW files.
Sony a6300 is capable of shooting at up to 11 fps in 12-bit RAW with autofocus tracking, but the buffer is very limited (due to the UHS-I SD card). After just 2 seconds of continuous shooting (about 21 frames) the shooting speed drops to about 1 fps and it takes a while for a buffer to clear, even more than 30 seconds in some cases. If you don’t mind shooting just JPEGs, then the buffer capacity roughly doubles, but so does the clearing time. You also cannot change settings or review images until the buffer has fully cleared.
Live View is still available at up to around 8 fps.
Shutter options include mechanical and electronic front-curtain (EFCS) modes. Sony a6300 does not have a true fully electronic shutter mode like more recent models. A silent shooting mode is still available, but only in 12-bit RAW and it’s limited to 3 fps. The use of the silent shutter causes rolling shutter distortion, low-light performance and dynamic range are reduced and banding may occur under certain lighting conditions, especially with flickering lights.
Video
Sony a6300 introduces 4K recording to Sony’s APS-C line. It can record oversampled 4K at up to 30 fps using full width of the sensor, producing quite detailed footage considering its APS-C sensor size, though rolling shutter is noticeable.
Full HD (1080p) recording is available at up to 60 fps with full sensor readout and up to 120 fps with an additional 1.15x crop and reduced detail.
Picture profiles include Sony’s S-Log 2 and S-Log 3. Recording is limited to 8-bit.
There is no built-in image stabilization (IBIS) and no electronic stabilization, instead the a6000 relies only on optical stabilization featured in certain lenses.
The camera has a 30-minute maximum clip length, which was standard for most cameras at the time.
| Feature | Sony a6300 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | February 2016 |
| Megapixels | 24.2 MP |
| Image Resolution | 6000 × 4000 |
| Sensor Size | APS-C |
| Sensor Type | CMOS |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X |
| IBIS | No |
| Weather Sealing | Yes |
| Lens Mount | Sony E |
| Body Type | Mirrorless |
| PHOTO | |
| Native ISO | 100 – 25,600 |
| Expandable ISO | 100 – 51,200 |
| Shutter Speed | 1/4000 – 30s |
| Burst Rate (Mechanical) | 11 fps 12-bit RAW (14-bit RAW only in 'Single Shooting' Mode) |
| Burst Rate (Electronic) | 3 fps RAW (12-bit) |
| Buffer | 21 RAW |
| Shutter Types | Mechanical, Electronic, EFCS |
| Silent Shooting | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation | ±5 EV |
| High-Res (Sensor Shift) | No |
| Pre-Capture Mode | No |
| VIDEO | |
| 4K Video | 4K 30fps (oversampled from 6K) |
| Max Frame Rate | 4K 30fps / 1080p 60fps / 1080p 120fps (1.15x crop) |
| Bit Depth | 8-bit |
| Recording Limit | 29m 59s |
| Timelapse Recording | No |
| AUTOFOCUS | |
| AF System | 'Fast Hybrid AF' |
| AF Points | 425 |
| AF Coverage | ~ 90% Frame Coverage |
| AF Joystick | No |
| DISPLAY / VIEWFINDER | |
| Articulated Screen | Tilting |
| Touch Screen | No |
| LCD Size | 3.0" |
| LCD Resolution | 921,600 |
| EVF Resolution | 2,359,296 |
| EVF Refresh Rate | 120 fps |
| EVF Coverage | 100% |
| EVF Magnification | 1.07× |
| MORE INFO | |
| Card Slot 1 | SD (UHS-I) |
| Card Slot 2 | / |
| Sensor Protection System | No |
| USB | Micro USB |
| USB Charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Type D (Micro HDMI) |
| Microphone Port | 3.5 mm |
| Headphone Port | No |
| Built-in Flash | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Battery | NP-FW50 |
| Battery Life | ~ 350 frames |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 120 × 67 × 49 mm |
| Weight | 404 g |
Understanding Sony's APS-C Camera Lineup
Sony’s modern APS-C camera lineup, commonly referred to as the a6000 series, includes some of the most popular beginner and hobbyist cameras on the market. They’re compact, lightweight and offer fast autofocus, great image quality and excellent value. They benefit from Sony’s long-standing E-mount ecosystem and there are plenty of affordable used options available since they are very popular and has been around for quite a while.
Sony a6000
2014
Sony a6300
2016
Sony a6500
2016
Sony a6100
2019
Sony a6400
2019
Sony a6600
2019
Sony a6000 was released in 2014. The mid-range Sony a6300 and the high-end Sony a6500 were released in 2016. Most notable improvements over the original model are the slightly upgraded sensor design, an even better AF system, higher-quality video recording options, the addition of 4K video recording and a weather-resistant body. The high-end a6500 also added IBIS, an improved buffer, a touch screen and a more rugged weather-sealed camera body.
Sony a6000, a6300 and a6500 are considered the 1st generation of a6000-series cameras. They are no longer in production, but can be found at an affordable price on the used market.
Sony a6100, a6400 and a6600, released in 2019, are the 2nd generation of a6000-series cameras. They basically serve as updated successors to their respective 1st generation models: the entry-level a6000 was replaced by the a6100, the mid-range a6300 was replaced by the a6400 and the high-end a6500 was replaced by a6600.
All 2nd generation models still keep the same 24 MP APS-C sensor, but they upgrade to a much better processor taken from the Full-Frame Sony A9 (a new version of the BIONZ X processor). This led to even better autofocus performance, noticeably better color science and more natural-looking skin tones. They all also gained a tilting flip-up screen (instead of a basic tilting screen), improved eye autofocus, a new menu system, a 13 hour video recording limit (instead of 30 minutes) and more.
All 6 models can shoot at 11 fps with the mechanical shutter. Video recording is always limited to 8-bit and all cameras (except the original a6000) can record high-quality 4K video at up to 30 fps oversampled from 6K. Image quality is comparable across the entire lineup since all six cameras use a very similar 24 MP APS-C CMOS sensor.
A few key differences worth noting:
– a6000 and a6100 are entry-level models with a cheaper body without weather sealing and IBIS.
– a6300 and a6400 both have a weather-sealed body, neither has IBIS.
– a6500 and a6600 both have IBIS and a durable weather-sealed body, a6600 also adds a larger battery.
Sony a6100 and a6400 are still in production and serve as entry-level and mid-range APS-C models. Sony a6600 replaced the a6500 in 2019 and it served as the most advanced APS-C model until the release of the new a6700 which completely replaced the a6600 by introducing a new sensor and processor.
Sony a6700
Sony a6700 (2023) is Sony’s most advanced APS-C model featuring a new 26 MP BSI sensor paired with Sony’s new BIONZ XR processor and Sony’s AI processing unit. It features several notable upgrades like a fully articulating screen and an even more advanced AF system with an AI-based deep-learning engine for enhanced subject recognition and tracking. It offers continuous shooting at up to 11 fps, it can record 4K video at 120 fps and oversampled 4K video at up to 60 fps in 10-bit. It has IBIS and a weather sealed body.
Alternatives to the a6300
Sony a6100
Sony a6400
Sony a6100 (2019) is Sony’s modern entry-level APS-C camera. It uses the same 24 MP sensor, it offers excellent autofocus performance, it can shoot at 11 fps with the mechanical shutter and it can record oversampled 4K video at 25 fps and at 30 fps with a 1.2x crop. Video recording is limited to 8-bit and the maximum clip length is set to 13 hours. The a6100 uses the same non-weather-sealed body as the original a6000.
Sony a6400 (2019) is Sony’s modern mid-range APS-C model also featuring the same 24 MP sensor. Most specifications are similar to the a6100, but the a6400 uses a weather-sealed body and doesn’t apply a crop in 4K 30 fps recording. Video recording is still limited to 8-bit, but the a6400 includes Sony’s higher-quality S-Log 2 and S-Log 3 picture profiles.
Nikon Z50 II
Nikon Z50 II (2024) could be considered a competitor to the newer a6400. It has a 21 MP BSI sensor and uses a new version of Nikon’s hybrid AF system. It can record 4K video at up to 30 fps and at 60 fps with a 1.5x crop in 10-bit, but the footage is not oversampled. It can shoot at up to 11 fps in RAW with the mechanical shutter and up to 15 fps in RAW with the electronic shutter (30 fps in JPEG). The body is weather resistant.
Canon R10
Canon R50
Canon EOS R10 (2022) is a mid-range APS-C camera. It has a 24 MP sensor. It offers continuous shooting at up to 15 fps with the mechanical shutter and 23 fps with the electronic shutter in 12-bit RAW. It can record 4K video at 60 fps with a 1.6x crop and oversampled 4K video at up to 30 fps without a crop, but video recording is limited to 8-bit. It has no IBIS and no weather-sealing.
Canon EOS R50 (2023) is Canon’s entry-level APS-C model. It has the same 24 MP sensor and the same processor as the R10, but it doesn’t have the mechanical shutter. It can record oversampled 4K video at 30 fps. It can shoot up to 12 fps with the EFCS and 15 fps with the electronic shutter in 12-bit RAW, but the buffer is extremely limited (only 7 RAW images) since the R50 accepts only slower UHS-I SD cards. It has no weather sealing and no IBIS. The R50 is clearly inferior to any other camera on this list.
SONY a6300 Price
Final Verdict
Sony a6300 was a significant upgrade over the original a6000, with the most notable additions being weather sealing and 4K video recording. However, the a6300 has since been surpassed by newer models in Sony’s APS-C lineup, which introduced a more advanced autofocus system, improved video features and support for 14-bit RAW during continuous shooting.
If you are looking for an affordable APS-C camera, the newer entry-level a6100 and the mid-range a6400 are more compelling alternatives. Both are also widely available on the used market at attractive prices.