Sony A6100 Sony Alpha A6100 Mirrorless Camera Review

The Sony A6100 is a speed demon in an entry-level body. Its autofocus lands in the 96th percentile, which is just a fancy way of saying it locks onto subjects faster than almost any other camera you can buy. That 0.02-second claim isn't just marketing fluff. For a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, it's a solid performer too, sitting comfortably in the 88th percentile. This camera knows what it's good at: grabbing sharp shots of moving things, whether that's a kid playing sports or a pet running around the yard.

Let's talk about that autofocus. With 425 phase-detect points covering 84% of the sensor, it's incredibly sticky. Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals means you can basically point, shoot, and trust the camera to find the eye. It's a huge deal for beginners. The 11fps burst shooting is no slouch either, putting it in the 85th percentile. You can hold down the shutter and get a sequence where every frame is in focus. The trade-off? There's no in-body stabilization (41st percentile), so you'll need steady hands or fast shutter speeds in low light. And the video performance is its clear weak spot, down in the 33rd percentile, so it's not the pick for serious video work.

At around $698, the A6100 offers an insane price-to-performance ratio in one key area: autofocus. You're getting a focusing system that competes with professional gear for the cost of an entry-level camera. The catch is you're making sacrifices elsewhere, namely in video and stabilization. If your primary goal is capturing sharp stills of anything that moves, this is arguably one of the best values on the market. If you need a balanced all-rounder, that money might go further with a competitor.

Compared directly to its sibling, the Sony a6400, you're giving up weather sealing, a slightly better EVF, and professional video features like S-Log profiles to save a chunk of change. The Fujifilm X-S20, while more expensive, completely outclasses it in video and has in-body stabilization, but its autofocus isn't as relentlessly quick. The Canon EOS R7 is in a different league for sports with faster bursts and pro-level build, but it's also in a different price bracket. The A6100's play is simple: beat them all on AF speed and simplicity for stills at this price.

The Sony A6100 is a one-trick pony, but my goodness, it's a fantastic trick. If you're a beginner, a parent, a pet photographer, or anyone who needs dead-reliable autofocus above all else, this camera is a no-brainer. The data backs it up—96th percentile AF is exceptional. Just go in knowing its limitations: the video isn't great, and you'll need good light or a steady hand without stabilization. For stills-focused shooting on a budget, it's incredibly hard to beat.