Sony Alpha 5000 with 16-50mm lens £300 / $450
All powered up and better connected
ony’s entry-level CSC has a couple of features unique to this test group. First, the 16-50mm kit lens (24-75mm effective) has a power-zoom function instead of a manual zoom ring. It’s operated via a switch on the lens barrel or from the zoom lever around the camera’s shutter button. Those who have
Sgrown up with power zoom functions on compact cameras should feel right at home, but setting precise focal lengths can be fiddly.
The A5000’s other claim to fame is that it’s the only camera in the group with Wi-Fi connectivity, with apps for remote control from phones and tablets, plus the ability to upload photos for sharing online.
A selfie-friendly tilting LCD is the star of the show At its heart, the A5000 has a 20.1MP APS-C format sensor, coupled to a late-generation Bionz X image processor. The latter is also featured in the top-notch, full-frame A7 and A7R cameras. A generous sensitivity range stretches to ISO 16,000 but the maximum burst rate is just 2.5fps, rising to 3.5fps in Speed-Priority mode, which lacks autofocus between successive shots in a sequence.
The Sony feels solidly built. The deeply rounded finger grip area enables a natural hold, despite the camera’s small size. Most shooting settings are consigned to menus, but navigating them is mostly straightforward. There can be frustrations, however, like the laborious procedure required to change the active autofocus point.
PERFOR MANCE
During our tests, autofocus speed proved the slowest in the group and the Sony’s contrast-detection system struggled more than others in low light. Once focus is achieved, however, image noise is remarkably wellcontrolled under low lighting conditions at high ISO settings. Image quality for typical outdoor shots is good overall but can lack vibrancy.