I know that this thread has drifted off the original posters subject a bit an I apologize for that but it has been very interesting for me.

My next question is that if the handshake symbol does not shake in the Manual Mode does that mean that it is not working in that mode. I don't know why they would have done that but maybe that's what they did. Since I shoot in Manual almost 100% o the time then it would seem to indicate that maybe I don't need it. What's the real story.

CHOLLY,

Thanks for sending along the nice comparison in size. If SONY switches to IBIS will the current lenses with the stabilizer built in still work on the new camera. It sounds like it would since the new camera would probably not be looking for or even recognize the current lenses. Am I right about that?

Well, I finally got this handshake symbol issue straightened out and the info comes straight from SONY. My biggest confusion was that it doesn't work (doesn't flash) in either the Manual or Shutter Priority mode.

The second thing I learned, according to SONY, is that the reason to put the OSS device in the lens is to make the camera smaller. They claim mounting it in the camera would require additional space. Knowing how SONY has historically been inclined to make their devices work only with proprietary accessories I think that might be the real motivation but I can't prove that.

I have no credible reason other than my adding up the costs of the rumored advances on the new camera but I feel pretty confident myself that the replacement for the A6000 is going to be noticeably more expensive. If it is it will be a long time before I move on. Some of the chief reasons I have bought the SONY to begin with is because it is so powerful yet very small, lightweight and affordable and I primarily planned use mine while traveling long distance with my wife on my motorcycle. as it is, we've ridden in good weather, bad weather and everything in between including the worst rain storm I have ever been in in my life. It lasted three days along the Gulf Coast. Even with water resistant motorcycle luggage everything got wet including the camera. My computer got so wet it never started again. The camera didn't miss a beat though.

We had to stay on schedule to make this trip work so we were forced to continue, though slowly, in the downpour.

The point of this is that even if had I could afford to replace it and would have it gets in over the $1,000.00 range that would be more difficult. Knowing that we will be traveling again I would worry that the new camera might see the same conditions down the road. As a result I would be looking for a much cheaper, high quality point and shoot.

I am sure others who use this camera on outdoor trips or under less than ideal conditions appreciate my point.

Then there's the fact that, even though I have worked at it, the A6000 is technically sophisticated enough that after a year I am still learning how to better use the camera. I am going to make every effort to master this camera before I move on.

Actually I think I have figured this out. The camera has to have the ability to stabilize the lens rather than just informing you that the current settings will not provide a stable photograph. The first thing that is wrong with that conclusion is that there would be no reason to be able to switch that feature off and on since it doesn't do anything. Beyond that, both the manufacturer and others knowledgeable about the camera instruct you to turn that feature off when you mount the camera on a tripod since the image stabilizer (said to be some sort of motor) can introduce camera shake once the camera is truly stable.

I just set the camera on a tripod on a concrete floor with no wind and could not find any setting or combination of settings that would turn that feature (the hand in the display) off. Tell me where I am going wrong.

Wait a second. If all that OSS does is let you know that the camera is shaking too much what good is that? I hope that is not correct. I have never heard anyone make that claim before. Does anyone know where I can I can look to get this straightened out?

You are not alone in applying that technique.

I use the Zeiss lens cleaners as well. They work good, are easy to use and easy carry with you in your camera case. Sort of a no brainer product.

gemlenz,

Are you going to wait for the newer A6100 release or jut get the current model.

I'd love to know why you sold the first one. Every once in awhile I see a post from someone who bought an A6000 only to sell it rather quickly. With all of the additional features and capabilities of the A6000 that is hard to imagine for me.

I am still pretty new to photography and went from cheap point and shoot models to the SONY Nex 5T so I didn't have any experience with other brands. Nowadays I am much more familiar with the Canon's and Nikon's but I still haven't seen anything anywhere near the price of the A6000 that really gets my attention. For my purposes I chose the A6000 because of it's popularity, review ratings and it's size since I use it a lot when I am traveling on my motorcycle.

My guess for those that buy it but don't care for it is that they mat be coming from another camera brand and the SONY A6000 is a bit of a hill to climb to learn it's features but that is only my best guess.

Agreed, the topics can sometimes drift pretty quickly on this and almost any forum like like this. They can also get downright mean sometimes. I belong to another unrelated forum and no matter what you post it is certain to eventually drift off into politics if it goes on for very long. I have since quit that forum.

Anyhow, good talking to you and enjoy your camera.

Don,

I've somehow missed the arguments on this site over JPEG versus RAW so I am not aware of the apparent contentious history on the subject. As I have already explained I use both depending on what I plan to do with the photo. As it is, I myself resisted learning to use RAW but, in the end, I am glad that I did. My only intention was to help you get the best results from your camera.

Don, Your comparing shooting in RAW to work is a very good one but you missed the most important point. Most people don't like working and it stays that way all week until Friday when they get paid. RAW is the same way. No one would fool with it if it didn't pay to do so. The results are very rewarding.

As it is, my camera will shoot both at the same time. I don't think that is a unique feature just on the Sony cameras but maybe it is. When I look at my pictures I look at the jpeg to see if it is a keeper or something I want to save just as a snapshot of something interesting. If it's a "keeper" I throw the jpeg away and work on the RAW file. I am still pretty new to working in RAW bu I don't see me going back.

In the not too distant future cameras will proabably be able to post process even RAW files to a certain extent and leave the rest up to you. We are not there yet though.

Snapshot sure got my attention with this comparison. I'd never take them seriously again.

Incredibly they have the A6000 picked #1 for best mirrorless camera but they somehow found a way to significantly downgraded it compared to the Nikon D5500. If you look a the two cameras feature for feature I just don't know how you could come to a conclusion like that. As a result of this I am going to downgrade the value of their comparison charts in the future.

I agree that the Sony A6000 is a different kind of camera and requires some additional effort to learn. If you are coming from another brand of technically sophisticated camera you will still be able to easily operate the A6000 in a matter of minutes but once you try to get beyond that level and truly use all of the features available on the Sony you are going to have to work at it a bit. If you have never owned a full feature camera it's not going to make any difference since everything will be new to you. Either way the differences aren't huge and mostly point to the fact that the Sony has a lot of features that simply aren't found on other cameras.

Ultimately, I don't want to be in the position of defending the A6000. I own one but I am sure that I would be very happy with the D5500 as well. I say buy whatever you want that suits you. However, if you are considering the A6000 get on the Facebook page for the A6000 Photography Group and look at what people are doing with this camera. It is truly mind-blowing.

You might also want to look on Youtube for all of the guys, including professionals, that have happily switched from Nikon and Cannon to the Sony cameras including the A6000.

Another camera you might want to consider is the Samsung Mirrorless cameras. The top of the line has a lot to offer. Like the Sony it has a lot of features not found on other cameras and it has its own way of going about getting it to operating. As it is now, Samsung is probably only one more upgrade way from becoming serious contender in the mirrorless camera market.

Anyhow, good luck with your camera selection.