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Insta360 Flow Pro review: the dream iPhone gimbal
11:00 am | September 12, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Insta360 Flow Pro: Two-minute review

You'll likely know Insta360 for its diverse array of cameras, many of which you'll currently find on our shortlists of the best action cameras and best 360 cameras, but last year the company branched out into a new product category: gimbals.

The Insta360 Flow broke onto the scene with an impressive feature set, especially for the company's first attempt at a phone gimbal. Just over a year later and we have its successor; in the Insta360 Flow Pro. Not only does it address key limitations of the original, but it also sets itself apart from the competition by being the first gimbal to market with Apple DockKit support.

While there's a lot more to the Flow Pro than tighter Apple integration (despite the bias, this gimbal does still work with Android phones), it's hard to overstate just how much DockKit support expands the Pro's versatility; for the first time gaining the ability to track subjects in third-party apps. Everything from FaceTime to Zoom, WhatsApp, Filmic Pro and beyond, can now benefit from the Flow Pro's three-axis stabilization.

A near-identical design to its predecessor, the Flow Pro packs down impressively small and yet can be setup in seconds; thanks in-part to its magnetic mounting system. The gimbal's overly-stocky handle is one of its weaker design elements, but it does, at least, once again conceal a tripod and selfie stick; making it a more versatile self-contained offering than the likes of the Hohem iSteady M6, for example.

10-hours of run-time from an integrated 2,900mAh battery is respectably middle of the pack on paper, but proved more than ample for the gimbal-specific shots I wanted to capture during testing. What's more, the use of dual USB-C ports adds extra convenience, as it doubles as a power bank; not only extending shooting time, but also as a back-up, if you're ever caught short with low battery on your phone.

Between its slick design, holistic capture, organization and editing experience (provided by Insta360's companion app), and the wealth of additional functionality the Flow Pro delivers, it's hard to argue with this successor to the brand's debut gimbal.

DockKit support is a little limited in its implementation right now, but that's something Apple needs to work on, not Insta360. Otherwise, the Flow Pro is an incredibly competent smartphone gimbal that offers more value than its predecessor and serves as a more unique proposition compared to what else the market has to offer.

Insta360 Flow Pro review: Price & availability

Insta360 Flow Pro review deployed angled

(Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)
  • Announced 6 July 2024
  • $149 / £139 / AU$229 list price for standalone kit 
  • $10 / £6 / AU$10 cheaper than the original Flow

Unveiled a little over a year on from the company's debut gimbal, the Flow Pro manages to offer greater functionality than its predecessor at a lower starting price of $149 / £139 / AU$229. It's admittedly not a lot lower (only $10 / £6 / AU$10), but a reduction is a reduction that amounts to more for less.

Insta360 also serves the Flow Pro up with a tripod bundle that – for a little extra – nabs you a threaded tripod accessory too. You can pick the Pro up (as well as its respective bundles) directly from Insta360's site or third-party retailers like Amazon for the same price.

The Flow Pro's most established rival – the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 – launched in late 2022 for $159 / £145 / AU$239, but has since dropped to $139 / £125 / AU$204. The far more recently released Hohem iSteady V3 costs $149 / £129 / AU$219, while the updated Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI comes in at: $169 / £169 (it's not available in Australia at the time of writing, but based on the trajectory of previous models, will be soon) or $219 / £219 if you want the additional magnetic AI module, which provides more comparable tracking to the Flow Pro.

All in, the Flow Pro seems fairly priced at the middle of the pack with regards to features and value against the competition.

  • Value score: 4.5 / 5

Insta360 Flow Pro review: Specs

Insta360 Flow Pro review: Design

Insta360 Flow Pro review logo

(Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)
  • Integrated tripod, selfie stick and cold shoe
  • Tracking ring light is a great addition
  • Handle is on the short side

Despite packing a near-identical design and similarly-sized 2,900mAh battery as its predecessor, Insta360 has managed to make the Flow Pro a fraction lighter (by three grams), clocking in at 366 grams, unladen.

Even with a phone attached (mine spent most of its time connected to a 187-gram iPhone 15 Pro), wrist fatigue was minimal for the lengths and styles of shot I was capturing. Unless you plan on capturing a Kubrickesque number of takes without a break, it shouldn't prove cumbersome in normal shooting scenarios.

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Insta360 Flow Pro review phone mounts

(Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)

Included clamp magnetic mount (left) and MagSafe-compatible mount (right), sold separately.

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A photo of the Insta360 Flow

(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)

The magnetic clamp mount launched as part of the original Insta360 Flow (pictured).

Attaching a phone is simple enough, with an included sprung clamp that grips your phone tightly and snaps on with impressively strong magnets to the head of the Flow Pro. Work has been done to the clamp's design in order to avoid it pressing the buttons located towards to center edges of most devices, but in practice erroneous presses seemed unavoidable, in spite of the thoughtful design.

The silver lining is a new MagSafe-compatible mount, which Insta360 launched alongside the Flow Pro. It works with any of the best iPhones that are MagSafe-compatible, as well as cases for other phones that also support the standard, and was my preferred mounting method. Just note that this isn't included with the Flow Pro, it doesn't allow the attachment of accessories like the Insta360 Spotlight (which snaps neatly onto the included clamp mount just fine), and it will set you back an additional $19.99 / £19.99 / AU$34.99.

Insta360 Flow Pro review magnetic phone mount deployed

The MagSafe-compatible mount for the Flow Pro costs extra but is worth it if you don't need to attach the Spotlight accessory. (Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)

The Pro is clad in nicely-finished light gray plastic, with a smoky translucent spine to the gimbal's main arm (which Insta360 sells inserts for, should you wish to give your Flow Pro a more unique look), that also conceals a cold shoe; a rarity on most gimbals of this caliber that gives the Pro an edge; ideal for mounting accessories like a mic receiver. What's more, an integrated selfie stick (that although stiff to extend) allows for a more ergonomic angled grip on the handle, also providing up to 215mm of additional reach.

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Insta360 Flow Pro review integrated tripod deployed

(Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)

The included tripod is convenient, if a little flimsy.

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Insta360 Flow Pro review tripod thread

(Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)

If possible, pair the Flow Pro with a dedicated tripod, for maximum stability.

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Insta360 Flow Pro review selfie stick

(Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)

The selfie stick is difficult to extend on a box-fresh Flow Pro, but undeniably useful.

At the other end of the handle is a concealed tripod, which pulls out and splits apart. Despite being more robust than the spindly legs of the equivalent system on the Hohem iSteady V3, you still need a stable, flat surface (and calm conditions, if you're shooting outside) to use it reliably; as it's not the most sturdy foundation.

The base also features a standard tripod thread, which when you consider that Insta360 also sells the Flow Pro as part of a tripod bundle, suggests that the company knows the built-in option should be considered a fallback.

Insta360 Flow Pro review handle split screen

Partially extending the Flow Pro's integrated tripod is the easiest way to improve the grip offered by its short handle, but it's not perfect. (Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)

For everything that the Flow Pro's handle manages to contain (all of the gimbal's physical controls live there too), like the last model, it's on the short side; meaning you need to keep a really firm grip on what little purchase it does provide, in order to wield it securely. Extending but not separating the integrated tripod (see image above), or attaching separate tripod legs via the provided thread goes some way to help extend the handle, but neither augmentation really solves the problem completely, ergonomically speaking. The Flow Pro does at least come with a silicone handle cover (as seen in all the pictures in this review), which adds a notable amount of grip.

Controls consist of a trigger on the back of the handle, while on the front of the handle you'll find three buttons, a four-way joystick and a jog wheel. What isn't immediately obvious is that the black circular control panel is itself also a touch surface, and the most tactile way two switch between four of the gimbal's main modes.

Insta360 Flow Pro review controls

(Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)

Don't been fooled by the Flow Pro's seemingly minimalist control scheme, though. Practically every one of these physical elements works double or triple duty, based on the number of presses used or mode set. Learning how to navigate all of them effectively takes some getting used to, with the touchpad proving the least elegant and ergonomic.

On balance, the addition of a green LED ring just above the control panel that lets you know when tracking is engaged from almost any angle is an ingenious addition, which helps you know what's going on when shooting solo and unable to view your phone's screen.

Insta360 Flow Pro review collpased

(Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)

For all the Flow Pro offers in addition to its fundamental gimbal components, it packs down impressively small, and can be collapsed or redeployed in sections, with a self-balancing setup that makes the process of being stowed to ready-for-action impressively quick and easy, and a far cry from higher-end offerings, meant for dedicated cameras used by professionals.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Insta360 Flow Pro review: Features

Insta360 Flow Pro review NFC

The new integrated NFC tag makes initial pairing and setup with an iPhone a cinch. (Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)
  • Unlike predecessor, supports 360-degree infinite pan
  • 2,900mAh battery can double as a power bank
  • First gimbal to market with Apple DockKit support for 200+ apps

Perhaps one of the bigger limitations of the original Insta360 Flow was its range of motion. With the Flow Pro, the horizontal pan motor has been redesigned to allow for continuous 360-degree rotation. You could theoretically rotate the Flow Pro clockwise or anti-clockwise as many times as you like, adding greater versatility to the kinds of shots capable; especially when capturing using automated tracking, timelapses or 360 photos.

The Insta360 app is where you can access the bulk of the Flow Pro's functionality, with ten dedicated shooting modes; ranging from simple photo and video capture, to Hoop Mode (specialized basketball game recording), timelapses and more. You can also drill down and – depending on the mode – access additional features like HDR capture or Apple ProRes recording, on iPhones that support it.

These capture modes work in tandem with the gimbal's six modes of stabilization:

  • Auto – follows your pan and tilt movements, with automated adaptive sensitivity.
  • Follow – follows your pan and tilt movements, with high sensitivity.
  • Pan Follow – follows your pan movements, while keeping the tilt and roll axes locked.
  • FPV  – follows movement on all three axes. Jog wheel now controls roll axis instead of zoom.
  • Lock  – ignores movement through all three axes while trigger is held.
  • Active Plus – brings increased sensitivity and responsiveness to Auto, Follow, Pan Follow and FPV modes, by pressing and then quickly pressing again but this time holding the trigger.

The Insta360 app also contains tutorials, its own album and an impressively powerful editor, with predefined themes to make cutting clips together as painless as possible. You do also have the option to edit manually, if you prefer, with the ability to add music, effects and more, all provided in-app. Insta360 has clearly worked hard to build a robust production pipeline for its products, and the result is impressive, even if it comes with a learning curve.

There's also the matter of the Flow Pro's currently-unique party piece: Apple DockKit support. Provided you're OK leaving the depth of the Insta360 app behind, DockKit delivers native face tracking across approximately 200 apps, with a list that continues to grow all the time. It's a truly impressive bonus that grants extra utility to the Flow Pro over its competition; making it a great tool for everything from video conferencing via Zoom, to motion-tracked footage while recording via the BlackMagic Camera app.

Insta360 Flow Pro review app screenshots

The Insta360 app is feature-packed (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

As is stands, DockKit tracking is only available when capturing video, which means you can't use it to frame a time-delayed photo, for example, but for the first of its kind, this new support means the Flow Pro is suddenly far more competent outside of its native app than any of its respective competitors.

To clarify, DockKit is an Apple-owned technology, meaning Android phones are left out in the cold when it comes to the same third-party support (and remain confined to the Insta360 app which, admittedly, isn't much of a hardship). Provided you have an iPhone 12 or newer – running iOS 17 or newer, you should be good to go for DockKit.

Pairing for DockKit support takes place by a new integrated NFC tag, right above the gimbal's main controls. When tapping your iPhone to it for the first time, you see an AirPods-like card pop up to initiate pairing, after which point the gimbal will forever whir into action when it's switched on while you're in a DockKit-supported app; a truly snappy and seamless setup which Android has no direct comparison for.

Insta360 Flow Pro review USB-C

(Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)

Beyond its fundamental function as a three-axis smartphone gimbal, even when powered off, the Flow Pro's design also means you're carrying around a selfie stick and a tripod too, not to mention the keen-eyed amongst you who spotted the gimbal's pair of USB-C ports; one near the physical controls, used for power in (i.e. charging the gimbal), and one hidden underneath the shorter tilt axis arm of the Flow Pro.

This second port is actually a power-out, meant to keep accessories like the aforementioned Insta360 Spotlight shining. However, it also allows for power bank-like functionality, meaning your phone can keep itself topped up from the Pro's 2,900mAh internal battery, be it as a means to extend shooting time, or simply for those times when you need to recharge your phone after a long day.

  • Features score: 5 / 5

Insta360 Flow Pro review: Performance

  • 2,900mAh 10-hour battery
  • Control ergonomics could be better
  • Control over tracking experience within DockKit remains limited

Besides the learning curve demanded by the multi-functional hardware controls, the Flow Pro's improved range of motion, compared to its predecessor and whisper-quiet brushless motors – on top of the Swiss Army Knife of additional functionality it already offers – render it an incredibly competent option, if you're in the market for a smartphone gimbal, right now.

Despite the cited two-hour reduction in battery longevity versus the original Flow, it took three days of real-world usage to see the battery percentage drop down below 75% charge, during my time with it, meaning most will find the Flow Pro's battery life wholly reliable on shoot days. Fast charging to storm past the current two-hour full recharge time would be one area of improvement Insta360 should consider going forward, but rivals are generally slower, while also falling short on use-time per charge.

There are also promised features that suggest the Flow Pro is actually going to continue to improve over time, with iOS' Cinematic Mode reportedly set to work with the Apple's DockKit protocol by the time iOS 18 rolls around.

Its ergonomics aren't perfect, with Hohem's iSteady V3 letting you pull the controls out of the gimbal completely for more comfortable and remote operation, while DJI managed to include rotation speed control within the OM 6's joystick (speed for the effect of the Flow Pro's joystick can only be altered in the Insta360 app).

As the video above highlights, the stability provided by the Flow Pro is a clear step-up from even the best iPhone's in-camera stabilization system, however, it doesn't iron the bounce of regular footfall completely. So, as numerous experienced gimbal users have suggested already, considered physicality to optimize the smoothness of final footage is still recommended (Google 'gimbal ninja walk' for more insight on this).

The test footage also highlights Insta360's Deep Track 3.0 technology, which does a stirling job of keeping tabs on people, pets or objects as set up, but is more likely to throw in the towel when tracking conditions become less than ideal, when shooting handheld (if tracking was lost while I used the gimbal freehand, rather than on a stable surface, object tracking would disable itself after losing the target for mere seconds, while it proved far more tenacious when set down on.

  • Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Insta360 Flow Pro?

Buy it if...

You want the best gimbal for iPhone
The Insta360's first-to-market position as a gimbal with DockKit support grants it far more utility for iPhone users than its competitors.

You like to travel light
As well as acing its duties as a smartphone gimbal, the Insta360 Flow Pro's ability to double as a selfie stick, tripod and power bank, while also neatly collapsing down making it a perfect companion for travelers who want to up their shooting game.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best ergonomics
If you're looking for a gimbal to accompany you on long shoot days, the short handle and awkward touch controls mean this Flow Pro is far from the most comfortable gimbal out there.

You want the best gimbal for Android
While the Flow Pro is positioned as one of the best-placed gimbals for iPhone users right now, functionality for Android users is more in-line with the original Insta360 Flow and many other rival gimbals.

Insta360 Flow Pro review: Also consider

While it's easy to see the benefits of the Insta360 Flow Pro, there are identifiable shortcomings that rivals below address in one area or another.

How I tested the Insta360 Flow Pro

Insta360 Flow Pro review tripod mounted

(Image credit: Future| Alex Walker-Todd)
  • Review test period: three weeks
  • Tested with: iPhone 15 Pro, Google Pixel 7 Pro, Insta360 app + various iOS apps w/ camera support
  • Test conditions: Carried the Insta360 Flow Pro around with me and used it to shoot the test footage featured in this review, as well as additional unfeatured footage, plus use in apps like Facebook Messenger

Having picked the Insta360 Flow Pro up from TechRadar's offices, I immediately set about familiarizing myself with the hardware, how it collapses down and deploys, how the additional accessories Insta360 had sent as part of the review functioned (and how they differed from the in-box contents) and then started to film with it.

It took a decent amount of time to become au fait with the button combinations needed to quickly move to the modes and setup I typically preferred, but once learnt, it made from an impressively quick way to jump to elevated smartphone videography, quickly.

As well as filming when out and about, with the evidently strong battery longevity, I used the Flow Pro as an elaborate a desktop phone holder, using its DockKit talents to upgrade video calls with colleagues and friends, while also using it as a power bank when I couldn't find my phone charger on a couple of occasions.

As a reviewer with 13 years experience, and having reviewed numerous smartphones, alongside camera-centric smartphone accessories, I felt confident assessing and scoring the Insta360 Flow Pro in the context of the wider smartphone gimbal market in which it competes.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024

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Sony A6100 review
1:23 am | February 20, 2020

Author: admin | Category: Cameras Computers Gadgets Mirrorless Cameras | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Editor's Note

• Original review date: February 2020
• One in a long line of APS-C cameras and it might not get updated
• Launch price: $749 / £830 / AU$1,349 (body only)
• Official price now: $599 / £649 / AU$ not available from Sony directly (body only)

Update: February 2024. Launched alongside the A6600 in August 2019, the A6100 is the entry-level APS-C mirrorless from Sony and was long touted as the best beginner mirrorless camera by TechRadar. It's almost five years old now and technology has moved on, but Sony was ahead of the curve back then and so the tech spec still isn't bad. You get 24MP stills with Sony's phase detection autofocus that still performs well today, but the 1.44m-dot EVF and limited tilt-touchscreen look dated now, plus you don't get in-body image stabilization. Still, there's even more APS-C lenses to choose from now and the A6100's reduced price and good availability secondhand for even less still makes it a compelling choice for beginner photographers. The pricier A6600 was essentially updated by the A6700 as the flagship model in 2023, but there's no sign of a A6100 replacement yet, and so you're still getting the latest entry-level model. The rest of this review remains as previously published.

Sony A6100: Two-minute review

The Sony A6100 is the natural successor to the wildly popular Sony A6000, a beginner-friendly mirrorless camera that is still available to buy new today, five years after its launch. That's the sign of a popular, enduring camera.

Both cameras are the entry-level models in Sony's range of mirrorless APS-C sensor snappers. 'APS-C' refers to the camera's sensor size, which is significantly larger than the ones found in smartphones, but smaller than the full-frame chips found in pro-friendly models like the Sony A7 III.

Much of the A6000’s core features remain in the A6100: there's the familiar body design, a sensor with the same 24MP resolution, a similar EVF and tilting rear LCD screen (though the A6100's screen is now touch sensitive), and an 11fps burst mode. 

However, there are some very welcome improvements in the A6100 too. Overall, this is a much more user-friendly camera. The general handling and performance is enhanced, particularly through its excellent continuous autofocus system.  

We now have a camera that more readily competes with today’s entry-level mirrorless shooters from other brands, of which there are many more since the day the A6000 launched. Despite this, the Sony A6100 is a worthy successor to one of the best beginner mirrorless cameras of all time when it comes to sheer sales.

Sony A6100

(Image credit: Future)

Sony A6100: Features

  • 24.2MP APS-C sensor 
  • 4K video at 30fps, 100Mbps 
  • Slow and quick motion Full HD videos 
  • Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

Sony sticks with a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, which is the same as the one found in the more expensive Sony A6400 and Sony A6600 cameras. Its resolution is par for the course and plenty for an entry-level camera. 

Sony A6100 key specs

Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS
Lens mount: Sony E-mount
Screen: 3-inch 922K-dot tilting touchscreen
Burst shooting: 11fps
Autofocus: 425 selectable points
Video: 4K/30p
Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Battery life: up to 420 shots
Weight: 396g

While the A6100 can shoot 4K at 30fps, it does this with a slight crop – shoot 4K at 25fps, though, and it uses the full-width of the sensor (which means full pixel readout with no pixel binning), and fills the 16:9 rear LCD display. There is an S&Q setting (Slow & Quick Motion videos) that captures Full HD slow motion videos up to 100fps (4x) or quick motion videos down to 1fps (25x).

You do get a lot for your money with the Sony A6100. There’s the same 1.44 million-dot EVF, hotshoe and pop-up flash, all squeezed expertly into what is a very compact body. Plus, that LCD screen is now touch sensitive and can pull out and up into a selfie position. 

Images can be captured and shared wirelessly using a smartphone or tablet connected by Wi-Fi through Sony’s app called ‘Imaging Edge Mobile'. An easy connection can be made using NFC, or via the usual QR code method as well.  

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Sony A6100

(Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

(Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

(Image credit: Future)

Sony A6100: Build and handling

  • Small and solid polycarbonate build, with reasonably-sized controls 
  • Solid 420-shot battery life 
  • USB charging 
  • Tilt-touch screen with selfie mode 
  • Single SD UHS-I card slot 

Overall, we really enjoyed our time with the Sony A6100. We paired the camera with a couple of slightly higher-end lenses – the FE 24‑70mm f/4 and FE 35mm f/1.8 – which are both a sensible size and weight match. 

Depending on the lens, the A6100 is small enough to fit into a jacket pocket. This is thanks to its form factor – it stands at just 67mm high and has a very flat profile without the pentaprism 'hump' seen on rivals like the Fujifilm X-T3.

The polycarbonate body feels solid and the external controls are robust, while the textured hand and thumb grips provide a firm hold. Praise be for the slightly larger grip than the one in the A6000. 

Considering the compact size of this camera, a mighty number of controls and features are packed in. You get a pop-up flash that can be tipped back by hand for indirect fill light. There’s a hotshoe to attach optional accessories such as an external microphone, which is then connected via the microphone port on the side. (Unsurprisingly, there is no room for a headphone jack).

There's also a built-in EVF, which is a plus for a camera at this price. It’s not the easiest to use and the resolution remains at an average 1.44 million-dots. To get the latest high-resolution EVF, you’ll need to fork out extra for the Sony A6400 or Sony A6600.  

The tilt LCD touchscreen can be pulled out and up, and then flipped vertically above the camera into selfie mode. By today’s standards, the 3-inch screen has a relatively modest 920,000-dot resolution. It’s a 16:9 screen too, meaning that full resolution 3:2 photos do not fill the display and therefore appear on the small side – a similar scenario also happens on the 16:9 display on the Fujifilm X-A7.   

Given the A6100 is an entry-level camera, it is perhaps a little counter-intuitive that its touchscreen functions are so limited. The screen can be used to select the AF points and track subjects, plus pinch-to-zoom and scan an image in playback. But you can't navigate menus or make setting selections. Still, AF selection is arguably the most helpful touch function. 

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Sony A6100

(Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

(Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

(Image credit: Future)

Tiny, fiddly buttons are often a pitfall of such small cameras, but not so here. All of the buttons are clearly labeled and reasonably sized. There are two control dials – both are on the rear and naturally controlled using your thumb. Another dial on the top front would have been very welcome to bring your index finger into play instead.  

A 420-shot battery life is very competitive at this level. We used the camera during cold winter months and found that battery life drained a little quicker than expected. However, USB charging is massively helpful. It's worth noting here that there is no battery charger included with the A6100, just the USB cable.

With the camera continuously connected to a power bank, the battery tops up every time the camera is switched off, which proved very handy during our wintry outings. On-the-go charging for mirrorless cameras is a true solution for their more limited battery lives.  

The A6100 records images onto a single SD card, but isn't compatible with the latest UHS-II cards that possess superior read and write speeds. It’s no surprise, yet the result is some functional lags when using the camera for continuous shooting. 

One handling issue worth mentioning – which is not unique to the A6100 but quickly noticeable on a camera like this – is how 'Auto ISO' favors a lower ISO setting over a quicker shutter speed when shooting in Aperture priority mode.  

For example, with the lens set to a 24mm equivalent focal length, auto ISO will naturally select a shutter speed of around 1/30 sec, no matter what scene is being captured. That’s fine for static subjects, which will remain sharp, but any movement from people will be blurry.   

We often chose to shoot in full 'Manual' mode with auto ISO, to ensure the desired shutter speed and aperture. However, stick the camera into its Auto mode and scene detection comes into play with more sensible shutter speeds chosen.  

It takes more time to familiarize yourself with what the A6100 can do than most other entry-level cameras. That’s no bad thing, but we’d firmly recommend a little research on ways to set up the camera for quick control and to ensure you are getting the best out of it. For example, customizing the continuous AF settings and adding your most used controls to the main Function (Fn) menu.  

Sony A6100

(Image credit: Future)

Sony A6100: Performance

  • 425-point phase detection autofocus 
  • Excellent continuous tracking autofocus 
  • 11fps mechanical shutter 
  • 1200-zone evaluative metering 

Where the A6100 shines brightest is through its rapid and reliable autofocus system for both photography and video. It has the same AF system as the flagship Sony A6600, a camera that's almost twice the price. 

There are several Focus Modes and Focus Areas to choose from. After playing around with these settings, we settled on continuous AF with the 'Tracking: Expand Flexible Spot' focus area for virtually all scenarios.  

With this AF setup in play, focusing for general action – family shots, a specific subject within the frame – is extremely reliable. Honestly, there were times that we forgot that this is an entry-level camera because the A6100 is so reliable for sharp focusing. 

A burst mode of 11fps is, on paper, solid. However, in use the reality of 'continuous high' shooting is a tad disappointing. In our experience, the length of bursts do not quite match the claims of up to 67 frames. Also, the camera takes time to buffer those sequences before full performance is available again.   

Despite the Bionz X processor, the limitations of a UHS-I SD card slot are clear. We found the 6fps 'Continuous Mid' shooting mode a more sensible choice. The A6100 is still very competitive at this level, but the Olympus E-M5 Mark III is only a little more expensive and offers UHS-II compatibility with unlimited burst shooting.

The A6100 uses a 1200-zone evaluative metering system. In many circumstances – and of course this is to taste – we found exposures a little bright and opted to dial in around -0.7EV exposure compensation.  

For us, the Imaging Edge Mobile app provided a hassle-free connection and worked very well for image uploads and remote control shooting. The same cannot be said for all brands, so kudos to Sony here.  

Image 1 of 5

Sony A6100

A high frame rate like the 'Continuous High' at 11fps increases your chances of capturing the crucial moment. However, the sequences don’t last long before the camera’s buffer is full. Moreover, the camera takes some time to be ready to shoot again. (Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

The AWB: Ambient setting gives pleasing colors while maintaining warm tones. (Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

We found the evaluative metering makes exposures a fraction too bright and often opted to dial in some negative exposure compensation. (Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

If you brighten low key images like this it is clear there is plenty of crisp detail in shadow areas. (Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

Face detection AF works quickly and, for the best part, focuses on what’s important, the eyes. (Image credit: Future)

Sony A6100: Image and video quality

  • 24.2MP resolution holds its own 
  • ISO 100-32,000 (extended to ISO 51,200) 
  • 4K videos look good and helped by reliable continuous AF 
  • Vibrant colors but no flat/natural color profiles

Sony's APS-C cameras have offered a 24MP resolution for almost ten years. Even today, few venture higher or lower than 24MP. It’s a sensible choice in the entry-level A6100, though one has more cause for complaint in the flagship Sony A6600.  

The 6000x4000 pixel resolution equates to an A3-print size at 350ppi, though by reducing the ppi you can make a high quality print up to A2 – that’s surely enough for most photographers. 

Video quality is solid. 4K videos at 25fps are taken from the full-width of the sensor and the quality is helped no end by the reliable and intelligent continuous tracking autofocus.  

Of course, image quality is affected by the lens attached to the camera and the 16-50mm Power Zoom kit lens of the A6100 has a poor reputation. But add a different lens – such as the two we used – and you’ll get crisp images with plenty of detail all the way up to ISO 3200. 

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Sony A6100

In general, color rendition is accurate and pictures look great straight out of the camera as JPEGs. (Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

This image is taken at ISO 6400 and detail is still reasonably sharp in the bright areas. (Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

We found the evaluative metering makes exposures a fraction too bright and often opted to dial in some negative exposure compensation. (Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

The APS-C sensor has a wide dynamic range – this unedited image was shot in a standard mode without increasing the dynamic range in any way. (Image credit: Future)
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Sony A6100

The tilt-screen is ideal for clear viewing when shooting at low angles. (Image credit: Future)

For most subjects, the ‘Standard' Creative Style creates realistic tones and accurate colors for JPEG images straight out of the camera. Sony’s color profiles are gradually turning around and indeed we have seen an improvement – those jumping from the A6000 will appreciate the difference. 

For more critically observed subjects, skin tones for example, things are a little too saturated for our liking, even in the least punchy Standard Creative Style (again, that’s down to personal taste). We’d love to see a more natural or flat color profile included for photos and videos here – most other brands offer at least a ‘Natural' profile.  

To get a ‘flatter' tonal range from which to make edits to saturation post capture, your best bet is decreasing the contrast in the Standard Creative Style (or to shoot in Raw format). However, it’s not possible to make any image edits in-camera. 

Dynamic range is very good. A lot of detail can be recovered from shadow areas that appear black, and a reasonable amount can be found in bright highlights. You’ll get notable patches of chroma noise and overall luminance noise in shadow areas of low contrast images taken at ISO 6400 and higher, though.

Sony A6100

(Image credit: Future)

Sony A6100: Verdict

Considering the design, price point and feature set, the Sony A6100 is arguably the most enticing camera in Sony’s A6000 series today.  

Firstly, the body design that's consistent throughout this series does feel more suited to beginners and those growing their skill level.  

Image quality and autofocus are also on a par with the more expensive Sony A6400 and Sony A6600, which is impressive. The main gripes that we have of all A6XXX series cameras – mainly handling and performance limitations – are also less forgivable on the flagship models than they are here.  

So what do the more expensive models have going for them? Well, the flagship Sony A6600 has a much better battery life, in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), a higher resolution EVF and a metal, weather-sealed body. But it’s virtually twice the price. 

Crucially for Sony, the A6100 refreshes the A6000 and holds its own against today’s growing competition. There is class-leading continuous autofocus and in most other areas, such as battery life, the camera is very competitive.  

We expect the A6100 to be the most popular of the current A6XXX series and for good reason – it’s well-priced and is a brilliant little camera once you get to know it.  

Sony A6100: Also consider

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Future)

Canon EOS M50

Perhaps the most obvious direct rival to the A6100, the Canon EOS M50 is a little older than Sony's entry-level camera, but also a lot more affordable. It shows its age in many areas, with the A6100 offering superior autofocus, battery life, video powers and native lens choices. But if you can't stretch to the A6100 or have existing Canon EF or EF-S lens that you'd like to use with the EOS M50 (via an adaptor), it's well worth considering for beginners.

Read our in-depth Canon EOS M50 review    

Image 2 of 3

Nikon z50

(Image credit: Future)

Nikon Z50

It's a fair bit pricier than the Sony A6100, but the Nikon Z50 addresses one of our main complaints with Sony's APS-C cameras – handling. Just like Nikon's DSLRs, the Z50 has a nice, chunky grip and balances better with longer lenses, which is something to bear in mind if you like sports or wildlife shooting. Both cameras can shoot at 11fps continuously and lack in-body image stabilization. Sony has the edge with autofocus and its native lens selection, but the Z50 is a better option for those coming from DSLRs (particularly Nikon ones, as you can use F-mount lenses with an adaptor).

Read our in-depth Nikon Z50 review

Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: TechRadar)

If you don't need a viewfinder and want something a little smaller than the A6100, then the Fujifilm X-A7 is well worth considering. Combining a 24.5MP APS-C sensor, 3.5-inch vari-angle touchscreen and the ability to shoot 4K/30p video, it's a nice little all-rounder that shoots crisp, sharp images and pairs nicely with Fujifilm's range of X-Series prime lenses. 

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-A7 review 

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Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Tags: , , , | Comments: None

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Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Tags: , , , | Comments: None

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