When I first began this blog way back in January 2014 I had no clue about photography and also no real camera. Any photos I took came from my trusty iPhone 5, and things continued this way all the way up until January of this year.
But one of the most enjoyable parts of this blogging journey has been improving my photography. And while they say a good picture is down to the photographer and not the camera, if I wanted to take the next step I would need to invest.
Enter the Sony a5000
And all for just £300!
^ Shot with the Sony a5000 in the Gorges du Tarn, France
6 reasons Why The Sony a5000 Is The Perfect Travel Camera For Solo Travellers
1. The price
For around £300 (that’s less than 400 in USD and EUR) the Sony a5000 is an incredible bargain for budget solo travellers looking for their first decent interchangeable lens camera.
I was determined to take a proper step away from my iPhone 5 in order to produce better quality images for you in my hostel reviews. But while I love sharing the hostel world with you… well it doesn’t pay so well.
In my opinion, this camera is a bargain!
2. The size
Even with the addition of the lens, the camera is so compact that it even slides snug into my city break bag along with my bulky purse and other essentials.
Another bonus – it’s also pretty light which is a dream when I have so many electronics to lug around. While I would love a camera as light as my iPhone, I’m aware this is near on impossible when it comes to quality of equipment so I’m content enough knowing that I’m not carrying a heavy DSLR everywhere whilst still getting great quality shots.
While I would love a camera as light as my iPhone, I’m aware this is near on impossible when it comes to quality of equipment. So I’m content enough knowing that I’m not carrying a heavy DSLR everywhere while still getting great quality shots.
3. The LCD tilt screen… aka the selfie screen!
Yes… the Sony a5000 has its very own selfie screen! I’m very aware this isn’t the technical term but I’m not a technical person.
This is by far the most useful part of the camera for solo travellers everywhere. And I’m not saying this because I am a selfie queen. I promise…
^ Road trip into the desert in Morocco!
The tilt screen is just incredibly useful. Not only for hand-held ‘selfies’, but also for setting up a shot from a distance with the 2 or 10-second timer. I rarely have someone else around to take the picture, so for solo
I rarely have someone else around to take the picture, so for solo travel it definitely helps to be able to see the shot on the screen before it’s taken.
4. Wireless transfer… aka the Instagram cheat button!
I have a confession guys. Sometimes I post photos taken on my Sony a5000 to Instagram rather than using my iPhone 5 camera.
Why? Because this camera makes it so damn easy!
I hope every camera has wireless transfer now because it’s one of the best features I’ve ever come across.
I had to install a free app on my phone (Sony PlayMemories app) but now all I have to do is choose the photos I want to transfer on the camera, link my phone wifi to the camera wifi name… and bingo!
5. Detail
The big upgrade I noticed from shooting with the Sony a5000 was the detail. The standard image size is 5,456 x 3,632 which is far larger than I would need but lets me edit the image without losing any of the clarity.
Much to the displeasure of this Moroccan stall owner…
6. High video quality
Thanks both to the selfie screen and the auto-focus in video mode, I’ve found the Sony a5000 to be the perfect camera for recording video and Youtube vlogs.
The camera is great at auto-focusing on the foreground and blurring out the background. And while I think the stabilisation could be a little better when I’m recording without a tripod, all in all its so good at everything else I need it for that I don’t really mind!
Here’s a sample of the vlogging quality below, just click play!
Travel Photography Samples From The Sony a5000
READ NEXT: 2016: A Year in 50 photos!
Sony a5000 Camera Specifications
- Camera type: Interchangeable lens camera
- Lens mount: Sony E-mount
- Shutter speeds: 1/4000 to 30 seconds
- Self-timer : 2-sec. or 10-sec. delay
- Focus features: Auto-focus, focus Lock
- Video format: AVCHD / MP4
- Weight of camera: With battery and without lens approx. 270g
- Dimensions: Approx 109.6 x 62.8 x 35.7mm
Where To Buy The Sony a5000
As I knew near to nothing about cameras, I visited my local London Camera Exchange store where the staff were fantastic at talking through all the pros and cons of the cameras I had my eye on. If you’re from the UK it’s worth checking out their website as you might be able to find the Sony a5000 on their secondhand stock page.
Alternatively, and as I’ve told you pretty much everything I was told plus my own personal experience, you can head straight to Amazon where they have great deals on this camera.
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I hope this has helped a few of you who have been asking questions about my photography gear!
I’m in no ways an expert on the topic, but I searched high and low for the perfect travel camera for budget solo travellers and I really think this one has so much to offer!
47 comments
This takes really great shots for a $400 camera! I’ve been hunting for a smaller camera I could fit in my purse lately because my DSLR is just so bulky and heavy. I’ll check into this more!
Glad I could offer another option for you other than your DSLR! This one is a really good size – otherwise I wouldn’t carry it around everywhere haha. Good luck with your camera search!
Hi Katie. Awesome review!! I’m thinking of buying this camera so that I can take high quality photos for my blog. Your review is very helpful. Thank you!!
Hi there – so glad it’s been a helpful review! I don’t know where I’d be without this camera so I hope you get the best from it as well! 🙂
Thanks so much for a brilliant review! I’m looking into this camera and you shots really have sold it to me! Looks like it will be perfect for what I’m looking for!
Sarah 🙂
Saloca in Wonderland
Hi Sarah – that’s great to hear! It really is a great camera and I haven’t needed to upgrade yet 🙂
Hi Katie! I recently purchased the camera and wanted to know what video settings you used to record the Souvenir Travel Haul video. I’m still getting used to the settings and could use some tips. Love your Blog xoxo
Hi Lizbeth! I filmed that video way before I attempted fiddling with the manual settings so it was actually filmed on the factory settings! I think a lot of how it turned out had to do with the great lighting (I was sat by large window during the day) and the camera was pretty close to my face to allow for the shallow focus 🙂 Sorry I can’t help more with that specific video but I hope you love the camera as much as I do 🙂
I have this camera too and love it!! What video editor do you use to edit your videos? I’m trying to get into vlogging too and what file type is the video in? mp4? 🙂
Hi Miriam! Yes, I use MP4 (took me a while to figure out that I needed to change the format on the camera!) and I edit with iMovie. It does everything I need it to do at the moment and is great for getting started 🙂
Sorry for the very stupid question… I just purchased this camera and I am struggling with the quality of the videos shot outside. Your footages look nothing like mine. What am I doing wrong? I know it must be a simple setup that I missing but everything is so horrible looking it is almost unwatchable. What is the trick? Could you please help?
Hi Anna – not a stupid question at all and I’m sorry that the quality for your videos isn’t quite right yet. The only option I can think of is to try different shoot settings (i.e. Automatic or Scene settings) to find the best ones. I almost always use the autoshoot if I’m honest! You’ll also want to check the camera settings (page 2) to see if your videos are saving as MP4 or AVCHD as MP4 is much easier to edit for beginners. You also have an option under this for ‘Record Setting’ and I shoot with 1440×1080 12M rather than VGA 3M if that helps? Finally, I have the SteadyShot switched on. You can find all these settings in the Camera Settings space of the menu.
I really hope that helps! My best tip always would just be to take the time to practice 🙂 Or join a photo workshop so someone can help you play around with the camera in different settings – the walkshops I’ve written about on the blog really helped me. Good luck!
Looking at this review is making me excited to finally purchase this camera!
Woo I’m glad I could help you in your decision! There really are so many fantastic cameras out there but this one does everything I need!
Hello Katie, I wonder if the photos are without filters? (which are in this review)
Thank you so much
Hi Roxane! Good question! All the photos in this review are edited either in Lightroom or Photoscape X (which is a free editing software for Mac). But I think they still show how detailed the camera can be (I hope!) 🙂
Thanks for the review. I’m just planning to buy a new camera for starting my travel blog. You didn’t upload the night shots. How is the response of the camera in dim light?
Please help me one among these cameras:
1) Sony RX 100 ii
2) Sony Alpha 5000
3) Sony Alpha 5100
4) Canon G9X
5) Canon G7X
I look forward to hearing from your side. Others are also welcomed to share their insights.
Hi Shristi,
I’m glad you’ve found the review helpful but I can’t help you decide between the other cameras you listed as I’ve never personally used any of them! Perhaps it is best to check a camera review blog? But good advice on uploading some night shots – I will see what I can do 🙂
Hi Shristi. Here are some links to photos I’ve taken with the camera at night – although there aren’t many I’m afraid!
https://www.facebook.com/thehostelgirl/photos/a.1417008555238310.1073741829.1416772565261909/1620568061549024/?type=3&theater
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCZ768oOBoW/?taken-by=the_hostelgirl
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBp_YR5uBmV/?taken-by=the_hostelgirl
There aren’t many I’ve published and I can’t upload photos directly in the comments – but hope those help!
Thanks from the bottom of my heart for sharing these photos. It means a lot.
Now, I have to decide between nikon d5300 and sony alpha 5000.
Good luck! And I’m sorry I can’t give any advice on he Nikon!
Hi love the review! Im thinking about purchasing this but could you tell me if on the selfie screen does is save how you see the picture (like snapchat) or does it flip it like the iphone does? Hope this makes sense.
Thanks
Hi Kerry! It saves it how you see the picture 🙂 At least I’m pretty sure it does! If not it’s super easy to flip the picture with free editing apps for smartphones and desktop 🙂
Hi Kat, i just bought a new camera sony A5000, but i got some trouble.
my camera randomly stops recording around 19 minutes. 2nd time, 9 minutes. 3rd time, 17 minutes. The battery was fully charged each time. I’m recording in MP4 format at 1440×1080 25fps. do you know what happen? please share your thought.
thanks
Hi Duway – I’ll admit this has never happened to me. But I did find this thread in which someone has had their recordings stop at exactly the same times. It appears there is maximum storage on the video length which I didn’t know about so thanks for adding that to the comments 🙂
Hey Katie, thanks. I like the honest review. I have some questions.
Is it possible to put other lenses that are made for a dslr on this camera?
How long is the battery life?
Thanks 🙂
Hi Aristide – I’m glad you like the review! I don’t have any other lenses, however from what I’ve heard you need to purchase lenses that will specifically fit as the Soy a5000 has a slightly smaller attachment than other DSLRs. As for the battery life, I shoot a lot of video and photo and I usually get two full days of shooting on on battery charge. It lasts a lot longer if I’m not using it much. I hope that helps!
Hi katie,
I don’t have any cameras and just like you i mostly take photos and vids on my ip5. Now ip5 is not super but it’s got great qualities in there that i really like. The only problem is i want to have a durable camera for filming but also can do the photography from time to time because i hate it when my ip running out of battery. You know what i mean right?
Do you think i should buy a Canon 600D because it looks cool or Sony a5000 with compact lightness ? I’m really confused as to the weight of those two would matter a lot? Since they are at the same price.
One last question do you use Gopro for your trips? Why and why not because i also have my eyes on Gopro but they’re just so expensive and practically i wouldn’t be able to put all the vids into my lap anymore :))) that means i might have to upgrade my laptop when i get a gopro.
Thank you heaps and i wish you well on your journeys!
Hi Phung! I’m afraid I can’t offer a solution between the Canon and the Sony because I’ve never owned the Canon 600D. I will say though that the Canon looks a bit bulkier than the Sony – and if you’re travelling this might be a bit of an issue. The Sony is the perfect size and it’s also very durable – which is perfect because I throw it around in my bag quite a lot!
As for the GoPro – I’ve considered it but as I mostly film city breaks and not so much action I haven’t found that my need for it justifies the price of it yet. It is something I will look to buy in the future, but right now I don’t have one.
I hope that helps!
How is the sound quality? For the videos do you have to use an external microphone? If so, which one?
Hi Aj – I don’t use an external mic at all so it’s best to take a look at my Youtube videos to check if the sound quality is adequate for your needs. However if you do need an external mic, the Sony a5000 doesn’t have the right input to add one on I’m afraid!
Not bad
Magnificent site. Lots of useful info here. I am sending it to
a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you on your effort!
Hey – I’m glad you find the site useful! And thank you for sharing it around 😀
Thanks for all the info! I just bought the Sony A5000 for my upcoming trip to Europe, I am loving the size and weight of it! Much better than my Canon Rebel. I am starting to test it out around the house to get used to it. Do you have any settings that you use all the time? Also, I notice sometimes the screen looks blurry or grainy, but the picture comes out crisp – have you noticed this as well?
Hi Ashley – that’s really strange about the screen. But I also don’t usually look to closely at the screen once I’ve taken the picture, but wait until I can edit the photo on my phone or laptop. As for settings it’s just trial and error with me! Enjoy the new camera and if you share anything on Instagram send me a link o I can check it out 😀
Oh no Katie, I think you’re going to make me make quite an impulsive decision, eek!
Haha… at least it won’t be a ridicuously expensive impulsive decision!
Haha… at least it won’t be a ridiculously expensive impulsive decision!
Love this review! I think it’s convinced me!!
Lindsay | http://www.lindsaydavison.co.uk
Hey Lindsay! Glad you like the review. There are so many great cameras out there. But if this review has convinced you I hope you enjoy using the a5000 as much as I have done for the past two years!
Awesome, you have beautiful pics! I am also a female travel blogger and have just ordered this camera, really excited to play around with it~ 🙂
That’s great to hear Katie! If you have any questions once you start using the camera, just let me know 🤗
Hey,
I just wanna ask about the lens you used. I already have a sony a5000 but i dont know what is suitable lens to be used for a traveller. Can you suggest me the lens for this camera?
Hi Amir! I just use the kit lens, I don’t own any others. This article may help you a bit more than I can: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/first-sony-e-mount-lenses-to-buy/
I’ve got a Canon 600d, which I love, but it can be a bit bulky when you’re travelling and I have dropped it many times. I keep thinking about saving up for a lighter camera like this. The photos are absolutely stunning. I don’t know if it’s just your style or the camera, but I feel it’s picking up so much more detail than mine does.
Hi Rosie! The size is one of my favourite things about this camera. It’s not bulky at all (unless you get bigger lenses!) and it does pick up a lot of detail as you can still shoot in RAW 🙂
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