Canon 750D vs Sony A6000: Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When I test cameras, I dive in deep - from technical details to how it genuinely feels in your hands on a photo walk, portrait shoot, or wild chase after wildlife. Today, I’m putting two popular APS-C contenders head-to-head: the entry-level Canon 750D DSLR and the mirrorless Sony A6000. Both cameras carved out strong fan bases in their day, but which one really holds up better for various photography disciplines in 2024?

I’ve spent weeks shooting both in my travels, in portrait studios, on mountain hikes, and in fast-action conditions to uncover where each shines - and where compromises show. Here’s my detailed, no-nonsense breakdown based on extensive hands-on use and technical testing.

A Matter of Size and Design: DSLR Bulk Meets Mirrorless Compactness

The physical feel of a camera is often underestimated but crucial - How it sits in your hand, weight, button layout all affect your creative flow.

The Canon 750D is unmistakably a DSLR with a solid grip and robust build. At 555g and a chunkier 132x101x78mm body, it offers excellent handling for those who prefer a traditional form factor and optical viewfinder. Especially for portrait or studio photographers who value stability and a pronounced grip, it feels reassuring.

In contrast, the Sony A6000’s mirrorless skillet-sized body is a whisker lighter at 344g and much sleeker at 120x67x45mm. This makes it far more pocketable and travel-friendly without compromising build integrity. The smaller dimensions shine for street photographers and travelers needing discretion and light packs.

The Canon’s larger body helps support heavier lenses without balance issues - something I noted when using telephotos for wildlife shooting. Sony’s smaller frame benefits from the evolving E-mount lens line but can feel front-heavy with big glass.

Ergonomically, Canon leans on tradition - generous grips, well-spaced tactile dials and a fully articulated touchscreen that’s both intuitive and fluid for creative angles. Sony, while compact, has smaller buttons in a different layout. Controlling exposure and focus requires a short learning curve but rewards with minimal bulk.

In my experience, Canon’s layout suits photographers who adjust settings on the fly via physical controls. Sony’s top controls are fewer but paired with quick-menu access. For beginners, Canon might feel more instantly accessible; for mirrorless enthusiasts, Sony appeals to those wanting streamlined controls.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Processor: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras feature APS-C sized sensors with 24 megapixels, but notable distinctions emerge under the hood.

The Canon 750D uses an APS-C CMOS sensor sized 22.3x14.9mm, coupled with DIGIC 6 image processing. The A6000 sports a slightly larger 23.5x15.6mm CMOS sensor with Sony’s Bionz X processor. This difference may seem subtle on paper but reveals itself in image texture and dynamic range.

Measured against DXO Mark scores, Sony leads with an overall rating of 82 compared to Canon’s 71 (see below). Specifically, Canon's color depth is 22.7 bits against Sony’s 24.1, while dynamic range stands at 12.0 EV versus 13.1 EV. Low light sensitivity is also noticeably superior on Sony with ISO performance up to 1347 vs Canon’s 919 threshold (ISO 12800 max for Canon, 25600 max for Sony).

In real shoots, this translates into Sony capturing richer shadow details and smoother gradients in challenging lighting. I found Canon’s images to have excellent color fidelity and pleasing skin tones but slightly less ability to pull detail from shadows in landscape and night scenes.

The Canon’s anti-aliasing filter gently blurs to reduce moiré but can soften fine detail; Sony’s similar filter performance was balanced by sensor design resulting in crisper resolution in high-frequency details like foliage and textures.

The Viewfinder and Screen: Optical vs Electronic

Deciding between an optical and electronic viewfinder can define your shooting style.

Canon 750D employs a pentamirror optical viewfinder covering 95% of the frame with 0.51x magnification. It delivers a natural, lag-free view that I found especially immersive for portraits and outdoor photography but less precise in framing due to 95% coverage.

Sony A6000 uses a vibrant 0.7x electronic viewfinder with 100% frame coverage and a detailed 1440k-dot resolution. It enables real-time exposure and white balance previews - invaluable for landscape work and fast-changing lighting. The EVF also had excellent visibility in bright sun, surpassing the optical finder in accuracy and framing confidence in my tests.

When it comes to the LCD screen:

Canon’s 3” fully articulated touchscreen at 1040k-dots is a clear winner for versatility - I loved tilting it around for low-angle wildlife shots and selfie compositions. Touch gesture autofocus and intuitive menu navigation give Canon an edge in live view shooting and video control.

Sony’s 3” tilting screen at 922k resolution is sharp but lacks touch. The absence did slow some workflow aspects for me during street or event shoots where quick point-and-shoot was preferred.

Autofocus Systems: Precision vs Speed and Coverage

This is where the cameras truly diverge given their different designs and eras.

Canon’s 750D has a 19-point all cross-type phase-detection AF system, augmented by contrast detection in live view. Its Dual Pixel AF tech was not present here, meaning live view autofocus was adequate but slower compared to modern standards.

Sony’s A6000 packs a whopping 179 phase-detection points across the APS-C sensor combined with contrast detection - making it one of the fastest focusing systems of its generation. I tested AF lock speed under varied conditions and Sony consistently nailed fast-moving subjects, tracking with resilience in sports and wildlife.

Burst shooting at 11 fps on Sony combined with this AF performance makes it ideal for action photographers. Canon’s 5 fps is respectable but noticeably slower for capturing dynamic moments.

Face detection was reliable on both but Sony’s broader AF coverage made it easier to track subjects off-center. Canon’s AF assist light helped in dim conditions, but overall Sony had the edge on focus precision and tracking agility.

Image Stabilization, Shutter, and Burst Rates

Neither camera has in-body image stabilization, so lens IS is critical. Canon’s extensive EF/EF-S lens lineup includes many IS lenses, while Sony E-mount lenses increasingly feature OSS (Optical SteadyShot).

Shutter speeds max at 1/4000s on both cameras with an identical minimum of 30s - typical for APS-C consumer cameras. Sony offers silent shooting which benefits street and wildlife shooters needing discretion; Canon lacks electronic shutter options.

Burst rates are a clear advantage for Sony at 11 frames per second versus 5 fps for Canon - beneficial when filming sports or chasing wildlife.

Handling in Different Photography Disciplines

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh & Eye Detection

Canon’s color science has long been praised for natural, flattering skin tones. I found the 750D produced pleasing, warm skin colors out-of-camera. Its 19 cross-type points sufficed for single-subject focusing, but absence of eye detection autofocus was a downside in close portrait shots.

Sony’s multiple focus points let me lock precisely on eyes even off-center, enhancing critical focus for portraits. Colors were somewhat cooler and more neutral, often needing slight warmth tweaks in post. Bokeh quality depends mostly on lens choice; Sony’s E-mount offers decent fast primes, but Canon’s EF-S lineup is unrivaled for affordable portrait lenses with creamy background blur.

Landscape: Dynamic Range, Resolution, Weather Sealing

With 13.1 EV dynamic range, Sony’s sensor held a clear advantage capturing deep shadows and bright highlights simultaneously. Its larger sensor area accounts for some of this edge.

Canon’s 12.0 EV is still solid but I noticed more clipping in skies and less shadow recovery in challenging lighting. Both cameras deliver 24 MP detail adequate for large prints. Neither sports weather sealing, limiting outdoor shooting in adverse conditions.

Wildlife & Sports: Autofocus Speed, Telephoto Performance

Sony’s 179-point fast AF and 11 fps burst blew past Canon’s 5-point slower system. For fast action and erratic wildlife subjects, Sony dominated with reliable tracking and quick-focus lock.

Canon’s DSLR advantages include optical viewfinder clarity and superior balance with heavier telephoto lenses in hand, essential for field comfort over long periods.

Street Photography: Discreteness, Low-Light, Portability

Sony’s compact size and silent shutter make it a street shooter’s dream - easy to stow and unobtrusive while snapping candid moments. Lack of touchscreen is a mild irritation for some.

Canon’s size and shutter noise make it less discreet, but the articulating screen lets you shoot from creative angles in tight situations.

Macro Photography: Magnification, Precision, Stability

Both cameras rely on lens choice here. Canon’s extensive macro lens selection and articulated screen give arguably a slight edge for compositional flexibility.

Sony’s nimble autofocus precision helps capture fine detail but still depends on good optics.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Sony’s superior high ISO capability and dynamic range mean cleaner dark-sky images with less noise - critical in night or star photography.

Canon’s relatively higher noise and reduced dynamic range present challenges unless using longer exposures with sturdy tripod setups.

Video Capabilities: Which Film Better?

Both cameras shoot Full HD 1080p but differ in frame rates and codecs.

Canon 750D caps at 30 fps in H.264 format and includes a microphone port but lacks headphone jack or 4K recording.

Sony A6000 supports up to 60 fps in AVCHD and XAVC S offers smoother slow-motion footage but lacks external mic input, an omission for serious videographers.

If video is a priority, Canon’s mic port is helpful for improved audio monitoring, despite lower frame rate caps.

Battery Life, Connectivity, and Storage

Canon’s LP-E17 battery offers about 440 shots per charge; Sony’s smaller NP-FW50 yields 360 shots. In practice, I found Canon’s DSLR longevity better suited to longer shoots without frequent battery swaps.

Both cameras have built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy image transfer, but neither includes Bluetooth. Sony supports Memory Stick formats plus SD cards, Canon uses SD-only.

Lens Ecosystem: EF/EF-S vs Sony E-Mount

Canon 750D screen back Sony A6000 front Sony A6000 screen back

Canon boasts 326 compatible lenses including budget EF-S lenses, pro-grade L-series primes, and telephotos - an unmatched advantage for versatility.

Sony’s E-mount is younger with 121 lenses but rapidly growing. It offers high-quality primes and zooms, though often at higher prices.

For photographers who want lens choice breadth and budget options, Canon leads. Mirrorless users drawn to newer lens innovations may lean Sony.

Overall Performance Ratings According to DXO Mark

• Canon EOS 750D: 71
• Sony Alpha A6000: 82

These scores reflect the clear advantage Sony holds in sensor performance and autofocus agility.

Performance Across Photography Genres

This visual summary aligns with my field experience:

What This Means for Different Photographers

• Beginners or Canon loyalists: The 750D is still a highly capable camera with friendly ergonomics, excellent lenses, and a dependable optical viewfinder. Great for portraits, casual landscapes, and those who prefer DSLR handling.
• Enthusiasts craving speed and compactness: Sony’s A6000 pushes autofocus, burst, and image quality slightly further in a lighter package. Ideal for travel, street photography, and sports.
• Videographers on a budget: Canon’s external mic port and touch screen offer practical tools despite lack of 4K, making it friendlier for entry-level video shoots.
• Wildlife and sports shooters: Sony’s AF area and frame rate make it preferable for fast, unpredictable subjects.
• Landscape and astrophotographers: Sony’s sensor dynamic range and noise handling earn the nod.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Best Fit

Having extensively used both, I recommend matching camera strengths with your shooting style and priorities:

• If you value traditional DSLR experience, broad lens choices, and intuitive controls, Canon 750D remains compelling - especially for portrait and landscape enthusiasts on a budget.

• If you demand speed, cutting-edge autofocus, compactness, and better low-light performance, Sony A6000 delivers and remains a benchmark for advanced mirrorless APS-C cameras despite its age.

Neither has in-body stabilization or weather sealing, so add accessories like stabilized lenses or rain covers if those are must-haves.

Both cameras perform impressively well with RAW support and solid image quality for their class. I appreciate Canon’s warmth and tactile prowess, while Sony’s sensor dynamics and fast AF keep it ahead technologically.

It’s been a pleasure sharing these insights from hands-on testing. I hope this detailed walk-through helps you confidently pick the camera that’ll ignite your passion and suit your craft for years to come.

Happy shooting!

All tests and impressions are from my extensive evaluation sessions in multiple real-world shooting scenarios across disciplines, complemented by DXO Mark technical data. No affiliate links or sponsorship bias influenced this review.