I agree -- seeing the settings is a useful learning experience for many of us. There is certainly no harm in posting them, or the gear used for that matter. The latter may be helpful for those thinking about getting new equipment. The bottom line is that this forum is used by a lot of us for learning from others who have more, or simply different, experiences to share.

The shipping weight should be pretty close, and the additional tax on the extra $100 shouldn't break the bank (hopefully).

I don't do selfies or video podcasts, so I don't need the forward-facing LCD. I do take a lot of photos in bright sunlight, however, and based on my earlier experience with a Sony NEX C3 (which was a great camera, but had no EVF), I would never buy a camera without an EVF.

I mentioned extra batteries because the a5xxx and a6xxx series are notorious for running down their batteries, which are quite small.

Either way, you'll get a good camera, especially if you do much travel.

I recommend spending the extra $100 for an a6000, which is a superb camera. The EVF alone is worth it, especially on bright, sunny days. The a6000 has a movable LCD screen that can face up or down, but it cannot face forward for selfies. Whichever camera you get, I suggest getting an extra battery or two.

You can't go wrong with either camera. I've traveled extensively with a Sony a6000 which, like the a6300, is lightweight and has great IQ. The menu system gets a bad rap, but once you've figured out which adjustments you tend to make most often, it is easy to assign them to the custom keys and quick functions menu. Shooting then is a breeze, and I rarely go into the menu system -- just for the occasional need, such as a card format.

I don't think the a6300 offers dual slots, and don't know whether the Fuji does. Hopefully a future a6xxx will.

The lenses I most often use when traveling are the 16-70 (which normally stays on my camera), a 12mm prime (for inside cathedrals, narrow alleys, etc.), and a 55-210 for longer shots. All are light and well-balanced on the a6000 body, and fit easily in my LowePro backpack. I have fairly large hands, and have found the a6xxx series very comfortable to hold.

One other nice thing about small mirror-less cameras is that you can take photos pretty inconspicuously on the street or elsewhere. A large DSLR can be off-putting for many would-be subjects.

Enjoy your trip to France -- a beautiful and highly photogenic country!

Did the same when I moved the focus to a back button -- used a dot of the soft side of velcro, making it easy to find with my thumb while using the EVF. Your red jewel is more attractive, though.

I like Sony's hybrid, which is also available in other makes. Once you figure out what settings you are most likely to need to change while shooting, you assign them to the 12 function buttons and the several custom keys. Except for a few things, such as formatting the card, I rarely go into the menu system.

My only gripe is that because I shoot only manual, the mode knob (M,P,A,S, etc.) is a waste of prime real estate on the top of the camera (an a6000 in my case). Would rather have the knob available for aperture or shutter, as Fuji does, and consign mode selection to the menu system.

I'm a big fan of Consumer Reports and always check their ratings and reviews before making a major purchase. That said, however, I never treat their recommendations as the only and final word. Common sense dictates checking a variety of sources, and as mentioned in other posts, the reviews of professionals/specialists in publications and on the web, as well as consumer reviews at B&H, Adorama, Amazon, Best Buy, etc., can provide a better all-around picture of product capabilities and user experiences. The more information, the better.

As another poster pointed out, CR is often available for free through your library, either in hard copy or via your home computer using your library card number. Lynda courses and other useful services can be accessed the same way.

The front sensor is useful for group shots you want to be included in and, I'm told, for such things as light painting. I have an inexpensive remote that I got on Amazon for about $10 that works well and, as mentioned above, can be used when pointed at the sensor from the side. For behind the camera triggering, I use the 2-second or 10-second timer to avoid camera shake when it is on a tripod. The timer can also be used for group shots, if you're quick! You've got a great camera, and there are lots of books (Busch, Friedman) and Youtube videos that explain how to get the most out of it. Enjoy!

I agree that there is nothing wrong with posting negative feedback or contrary opinions, but comments should focus on the substance of the topic, IMHO, and avoid the occasional personal attacks. The latter are never constructive for the OP, and are better suited for other forums where nastiness is expected (and considered part of the entertainment).

Often it is more the tone in which an opposing view is voiced that is offensive and detracts from the dialogue (and maybe that is sometimes unintentional). This is particularly egregious when a newbie asks a question that is very basic or has been aired in older threads. There are respectful, welcoming ways to deal with those questions -- the snarky ones just put the UHH forum in a bad light. Fortunately, it is relatively few UHH members who tend to attack -- the vast majority are positive and earnestly want to help.

Google searches are instructive, as billnikon suggests, and often the best place to start. But bouncing ideas off this group's members and soliciting their opinions are also useful, especially when differing views are expressed, or when the OPs are confused or just trying to get their bearings. Some experienced members can also help by steering OPs to the most relevant or productive Internet sites, saving the OPs a lot of time and angst -- the Internet can be a frustrating place to try to find the right (or accurate) information.

Just my 2 cents worth, in the holiday spirit!

You're getting a wonderful camera -- I love my a6000. As a beginner, you may want to get the 55-210 telephoto, which is very light, inexpensive (often part of the kit bundle), and reasonably sharp. It is especially good for travel. From what I've read, the 16-50 kit lens is more than adequate for starters, but you may want to invest in a better lens now rather than later. I have the Zeiss 16-70, which is considerably more expensive but an outstanding go-to lens that I don't expect to ever have to replace.

The suggestions already made are good. The Sony manual is tedious to get through, but as already mentioned, there are excellent books and Youtube tutorials available. I have Busch's book on the a6000, which is easy to read and has been very useful for tips and tricks.

The main thing that first-time Sony users find challenging is the menu system -- the camera can do a lot of things, and has lots of settings you can adjust. Once you figure out which settings you are most likely to be using on a regular basis, go to the Custom Keys settings in the menu and customize both your 12 function keys and the three custom buttons. It greatly simplifies picture-taking, and you will rarely have to deep-dive into the menu system after you have set them.

I started on P (Program) mode, which is like point-and-shoot, until I became familiar with the feel of the camera and its buttons, but quickly moved to M (Manual), which gives you full control and, IMO, a much more satisfying photographic experience. You'll probably want to start off shooting jpegs, but again, if you want to get the most out of your camera, you'll want to shoot RAW and do your own processing on your computer. As has been discussed in other threads, there are lots of good post-processing programs to pick from. I recommend Capture One, which has a free Express version for Sony that is excellent. If you really get into post-processing and want to be able to do more extensive editing, you can purchase the Pro version for about $60. To take PP to the limit, you may eventually want to subscribe to PhotoShop, although I've found C1 Pro to be all I need. Again, there are lots of tutorials and webinars on how to use Capture One, or any other software you may choose.

Merry shooting!!

Capture One is a excellent program -- it does not replace all Photoshop's functions, but reviewers often favor it over Lightroom as a raw converter with many editing capabilities. I started with the free Express version for Sony, then once I was comfortable with it, moved up to the Pro version. It is all I use for PP, and I am very happy with it. As with LR and PS, there is a learning curve, but there are lots of very good tutorials and webinars on the Internet. As mentioned already, C1 customer service is also excellent.

Under cover of darkness, I sneak a few photos over to Boberic's driveway. No sales yet, but good for de-cluttering.

I have an a6000 and recommend David Busch's book if you can find it. There are also lots of good Youtube videos on how to set up and use the camera. If you shoot raw, Capture One has a free pp program for Sony that is excellent. The Sony menu system can be a bit intimidating at first, but once you select the setting features you most commonly use, you can assign them to the several "custom" buttons and the 12 "function" settings for quick and easy access. The a6000 is a great camera -- perfect for travel.

Welcome to the forum from a fellow new member. You really can't go too far wrong with any camera in the mirrorless lines of Sony, Fuji, Olympus or Panasonic, especially if you value light weight for travel, hiking, etc. If weight is not a criterion, full-frame mirrorless cameras probably offer the highest quality images, but are also more expensive and require bigger lenses. They can weigh about the same as DSLRs. The Olympus and Panasonic have smaller sensors, but also lighter and smaller lenses, for the ultimate in light-weight gear. While I don't own either one, their lenses are reported to be excellent.

I have a Sony a6000, which I thoroughly enjoy. It was introduced almost 4 years ago, so it does not have all the latest technology, but is a very competent camera. The a6000 body can be found new for less than $500, leaving funds for purchasing the best lenses you can afford. Sony is a leader in camera technology, but has lagged a bit in quality lenses in past years. It seems to be catching up, with the help of its partnership with Zeiss.

As others have indicated, your choice is really dictated by what you plan to use your gear for and your budget. Whatever you choose, keep in mind that you may be signing up for a system for the future. Once you start accumulating lenses and other gear, you will probably find it more difficult to switch brands down the road.

Best of luck.