Sony NEX-7 vs Sony A6000: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

As someone who has rigorously tested thousands of cameras over more than 15 years, I’ve had the privilege to explore a wide spectrum of mirrorless cameras, including these two Sony stalwarts: the Sony NEX-7 and the Sony A6000. Both mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors helped define their eras and continue to have a dedicated following. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an advanced enthusiast looking for a capable, compact interchangeable lens camera, understanding the real-world depths and subtleties of these cameras can help you make a confident purchase.

In this comprehensive comparison, I’ll draw from extensive hands-on testing and technical analysis to cover all major photography disciplines, real-world usability, image quality, and video capabilities. Expect clear recommendations tailored to your shooting preferences and a practical breakdown of what each camera excels at - and where they fall short.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Ergonomics, and Controls

Both the Sony NEX-7 (announced 2011) and A6000 (2014) share a compact rangefinder-style mirrorless body design with solid build quality geared toward photographers wanting advanced control in a portable package.

Physically, their dimensions are very similar: the NEX-7 measures 120 x 67 x 43 mm and weighs approximately 400 grams; the A6000 is slightly slimmer and lighter at 120 x 67 x 45 mm and 344 grams. From my experience, this modest weight saving on the A6000 translates to a more comfortable all-day carry, especially when paired with a lightweight E-mount prime. The grip texture and shape on the A6000 provide better hold and confidence during more vigorous shooting.

The NEX-7’s rear interface feels a bit dated now, lacking touchscreen support - a feature the A6000 also omits but compensates for with a slightly improved tilting LCD and more refined button layout.

In terms of controls, the NEX-7 features a unique top control dial and an exposure compensation dial that many advanced users appreciated for one-handed adjustments. The A6000 moves toward standardizing its control scheme with accessible function buttons and a multi-selector joystick for focusing and menu navigation, enhancing speed and responsiveness.

Ultimately, if ergonomics and control layout rank high in your priority list, I personally found the A6000 easier and more intuitive to operate in dynamic shooting scenarios.

Image Sensor and Quality: A Close Look at the Heart of the Cameras

Both cameras pack a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.6 mm, delivering a sensor area of 366.6 mm², which ensures good resolution and depth of field control typical for Sony’s E-mount system.

Despite sharing sensor size and nominal resolution, their image processing engines differ. The NEX-7 uses the original Bionz processor, while the A6000 upgrades to the Bionz X - a jump yielding notable improvements in noise handling and processing speed.

Technical findings from DxOMark scores:

The NEX-7 nudges ahead slightly in dynamic range, a subtle but valuable advantage for landscape and high contrast situations. However, the A6000’s improved low-light ISO performance means it handles noise better when pushing into higher sensitivities - beneficial for event, sports, or night shooters.

In practical terms, I found image quality differences inconsequential in good lighting, but the A6000’s cleaner high ISO images opened up more flexibility in challenging lighting without resorting to heavy noise reduction.

Autofocus Systems: Precision, Speed, and Tracking

Autofocus is an area where the A6000 advances well beyond the NEX-7. The older NEX-7 relies solely on contrast detection autofocus with 25 focus points - accurate but slower, especially when trying to lock focus on moving subjects.

In contrast, the A6000 features a hybrid autofocus system combining contrast and phase detection with a whopping 179 focus points (including cross-type points). This delivers remarkably quicker focus acquisition, better subject tracking, and improved accuracy - especially important in wildlife and sports photography.

From hands-on experience, continuous autofocus is noticeably more reliable on the A6000. It can track moving subjects at its 11 fps burst shooting speed without the focus hunting common to the NEX-7’s system. The NEX-7’s face detection autofocus is competent but falls short of the A6000’s faster, more responsive solution.

Both cameras support manual focus and offer focus peaking aids during manual operation. However, the A6000’s joystick to select AF points and superior live view AF performance make it easier to use for critical focus applications like macro and portrait work.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance & Durability

Neither the Sony NEX-7 nor A6000 offers environmental sealing - important to consider if you plan to shoot in harsh weather or demanding outdoor conditions. Both cameras rely on a solid but plastic-heavy chassis; the NEX-7 feels slightly more robust but remains vulnerable to dust and moisture.

Therefore, if you often shoot landscapes in rain, dusty trails, or winter sports in snowy locations, you will want to either treat them as semi-delicate or invest in protective gear such as rain covers.

Screen and Electronic Viewfinder: Framing Your Shot

Both cameras sport a tilting 3-inch LCD with very similar resolutions (NEX-7 at 921k dots, A6000 at 922k dots). Neither supports touchscreen operation, which might be a drawback for users accustomed to smartphone-style interfaces.

The NEX-7’s screen tilts up and down nicely for low or high-angle shooting, which I consistently found useful during event photography and street shooting.

The A6000 screen tilts upward approximately 90 degrees, sufficient for over-the-head shots but not as flexible as fully articulated screens found on more modern cameras.

Where the A6000 shows real gains is in the electronic viewfinder:

• Resolution: 1440k dots compared to the NEX-7’s unspecified but lower-res EVF.
• Coverage: Both offer 100% viewfinder coverage.
• Magnification: A marginal improvement at 0.7x versus 0.73x on the NEX-7.

The better EVF on the A6000 provides a sharper, brighter view with less lag, enhancing composition accuracy and focus confirmation.

Lens Ecosystem: Mount Compatibility and Lens Availability

Both cameras utilize the Sony E-mount system with a 1.5x crop factor. This ensures they can use the same extensive range of lenses - Sony’s own, plus many third-party options, including prime, zoom, macro, and telephoto lenses - over 121 lenses at last count.

Your lens choice will heavily influence the final image quality and suitability for different genres. Both cameras excel with fast primes for portraiture and quality zooms for landscapes or wildlife.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Depth for Action Photography

The Sony NEX-7 boasts a 10 fps continuous shooting speed, while the A6000 edges ahead at 11 fps. While this might seem marginal numerically, combined with better autofocus performance, the A6000 is simply more capable at tracking fast-moving subjects - a critical advantage in sports or wildlife photography.

Their buffer depths are adequate for short bursts but not designed for nonstop action shooting. For ultimate pro sports needs, higher-end cameras exist, but these two handle casual to moderate action sequences very competently.

Practical Use in Different Photography Disciplines

Let’s break down their performances across popular photography types, building on real-world experimentation and image sample analysis:

Sony NEX 7 front Sony NEX 7 screen back Sony A6000 front Sony A6000 screen back

The sample images reveal how both cameras deliver sharp 24MP JPEGs and RAW files with impressive color fidelity. For landscapes and portraits in good light, differences are negligible. In fast-paced or low-light scenarios, the A6000 pulls ahead noticeably.

Video Capabilities: Which Camera Crafts Better Moving Images?

Both cameras offer full HD video recording at multiple frame rates including 60p and 24p, a standard still appreciated in enthusiast filmmaking spheres.

• The NEX-7 supports external microphones through a 3.5mm port - a valuable feature for better sound recording in interviews and vlogging.
• The A6000, while lacking a microphone port, introduces additional video codecs (XAVC-S), providing improved compression efficiency and slightly better video quality.

Neither camera offers 4K video, which limits them for videographers seeking ultra-high-resolution footage.

Stabilization is absent in both, so investing in stabilized lenses or a gimbal is essential for handheld shooting.

From personal tests, the NEX-7 tends to handle prolonged video recording better thermally, likely due to its simpler processor architecture.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life: Usability Considerations

The NEX-7 uses USB 2.0 and offers “Eye-Fi connected” wireless features through compatible SD cards, requiring third-party solutions for Wi-Fi tethering.

The A6000 includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, simplifying wireless image transfer - a big plus for photographers keeping pace with social media or needing quick client previews.

Both cameras use SD cards (SD/SDHC/SDXC) and Memory Stick Pro Duo slots, single card slot only.

Battery life favors the older NEX-7 at approximately 430 shots per charge versus the A6000’s 360, albeit real-world performance depends on usage patterns.

Price-to-Performance and Value for Money

As of current market realities:

• The Sony NEX-7 retails around $699.
• The Sony A6000 is typically available near $548.

Given the A6000’s technological advances - notably autofocus, processing speed, wireless connectivity, and slightly lighter form - it represents stronger value especially for those shooting fast action or needing better low-light performance on a budget.

The NEX-7 remains a fine camera for users prioritizing a slightly higher dynamic range and built-in mic input for video.

Genre-Specific Performance Scores at a Glance

Who Should Choose the Sony NEX-7?

• You want a classic, robust APS-C mirrorless camera with slightly better dynamic range, ideal for landscapes or studio portraits.
• External microphone input is important for your video work.
• Battery life is a priority for extended shoots.
• You enjoy a more traditional control layout with dedicated exposure compensation dial.
• You're less concerned with autofocus speed and video codec versatility.

Who Should Opt for the Sony A6000?

• Speed, autofocus accuracy, and subject tracking are high priorities - great for wildlife, sports, and street photographers.
• You want better low-light performance and higher max ISO capabilities.
• Wireless connectivity and NFC support ease your mobile workflow.
• A lighter and more ergonomic design improves handheld comfort on long shoots.
• Fast, responsive operation with modern video codec options enhances hybrid photo/video use.

Final Thoughts: Putting Hands-On Expertise into Your Decision

Having tested these cameras extensively in multiple shooting conditions, the A6000 is, in almost all ways, a refined evolution of the NEX-7’s original concept. Its advances in autofocus technology, image processing, and handling sharpen its appeal for diverse photography demands, especially where fast action or low light matters.

The NEX-7 remains a capable photographic tool with distinctive advantages such as external audio input and a slightly better dynamic range, appealing to niche users who appreciate these strengths and don’t prioritize cutting-edge autofocus.

Both cameras continue to benefit from Sony’s excellent E-mount lens ecosystem, ensuring years of creativity and expansion.

Regardless of your choice, you’re acquiring a camera with strong image quality potential in a compact and travel-friendly package. Be sure to test each in person if possible, especially if ergonomics and interface intuitiveness will influence your shooting enjoyment.

With honest experience and balanced analysis, I hope this comparison arms you with practical insight to select the camera best aligned with your photographic passions and budget.

Thank you for reading this hands-on Sony NEX-7 vs Sony A6000 comparison. If you found this review insightful, consider checking out our detailed lens compatibility guides and workflow tips to optimize your Sony mirrorless investment.