jakesphere

As a first time camera buyer would I be better off if I bought the Sony A6000 with the 16-50mm power zoom lens or the 16-55mm & the 55-210mm(they come together in a kit) or just the body and a separate lens of better quality? Which separate lens would be the most recommended if I just wanted one "do it all" lens?

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

For more sharp buy the prime lenses

jakesphere

The prime lens being the 16-50 power zoom?

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

No, a prime lens is one, fixed, focal length, contrasted with zoom.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

The 16-50 is a decent lens, but not an outstanding one. Yet it's better than one would think. For some reason, it's gotten a bad reputation. The 55-210 is actually a pretty good lens, if a bit slow. Both lenses give decent images, with the nod going to the longer zoom. As a rule, prime lenses--ones that are fixed focal length--are sharper than zoom lenses. Do some checking on Google and see what you come up with. As an alternative, check out the lens selection on B&H, for Sony E-mount lenses, pick some that look good to you, then check out the reviews online.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Jakespere, this can be a great idea for this camera, particularly on the short end. Try a good quality 18-19 and a 24-28. For telephoto, there are several good zoom lenses; I especially liked Sigma lenses, affordable and high quality.

picturesofdogs Loc: Dallas, Texas.

If you want one good do it all get the 24 to 240mm. It will give you an effective 36 to 360mm on the a6000. A little heavy and expensive but a VERY good lens.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

It depends a lot on what you shoot and what your interests are. If it is any help, when I bought my A6000 the 16-50mm came with it for very little extra and I got a good buy on the 55-210mm so I bought it too. I'm pretty happy with both of them but I find that when walking around, the 16-50mm is on the camera most of the time. On the other hand, I took a cruise last year and while shooting from the ship I had the 55-210 on the camera nearly always.

If you can get a good deal on these pair of lenses with the camera then I'd say start with them. In time you may find you want a faster lens and you you could get by with a couple prime lenses but I'd not go for that until you know exactly what you want.

repleo Loc: Boston

Been there - done that!!! I was in the same position a year ago. I started with the 16-50 kit zoom and added an open box 55-210 zoom shortly after. My advice would be to skip both of these for now and go for the 18- 105 F4.0 G lens. That is the best 'do it all' lens for the A6000. It is a bit bigger and heavier than most of the other aps-c lenses, but it is really nice and not overpriced. It also makes the A6000 look and feel like a 'real' camera if that matters to you. After that I would go for either the 35mm 1.8 prime or the very good value 50mm 1.8 prime. There is no point in going for any interchangeable lens camera unless you include at least one fast prime lens so you can explore the use of depth of field. If money is tight, you can pick up any number of good manual focus 'nifty fifty' lenses on ebay for $50-60 and an adapter for $15. The A6000 excels at making manual focusing and metering a breeze.

Bogin Bob Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

Good advice by all. I have used the A6000 for a year now and enjoy it thoroughly. Went with the two kit lenses originally. My inventory has moved to three lenses
a) 16-55 mm kit (for general group/family events, some street photography when I want to look like a casual photographer)
b) 18-200 mm tele (my most used - always on lens that I can essentially use for any outdoor photography - I lean towards landscape, seascapes, sunsets/sunrise and
building/architecture)
c) 50 mm prime (to have an inexpensive fast lens to control DOF for portraits and flowers)
Also remember, Sony employs software called Clear Image that is an improved digital zoom that allow you to zoom 2x on any lens ... with little to no image degradation.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

The current Black Friday sale at National Camera Exchange has the Sony a6000, 16-50 & 55-210 lenses at $699. Unless you are near there, this is just a guide on expected prices.

Impressionist

Get the whole kit now. There is no better buy or way to start a system. If you have money left over check into the 18-105 G lens. Last isn't necessary if money is really tight. More important will be getting to know your camera. The greatest thing about the a6000 is you can build a terrific system around it and not break the family budget. The right adapter opens other manufacturers lenses to you. The 18-105 G is the lens out of my many I keep on the camera as it is fast, Constant, and covers most of what I run into when just going out or something is happening in or around the house. The kit lens works well when I want to be less noticed. Point being not a bad place to start.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

My choice may not work for you. Or as the car people say "Your Mileage May Vary." LOL

I have hauled an A6000 around Europe last year and Death Valley this. Six months before this, I bought the two-lens kit. Two weeks later I had an invitation to photograph a small conference with about 150 people. I went crazy changing lenses. For several years I had hung an 18-200 Nikon on my D7000 and then D7100. It was the perfect solution. So I sold both the lenses that came in the a6000 kit and bought the Sony SEL18200LE. It was one of my best photographic decisions. I do have a couple other lenses, but they are almost unused.

So, my direct answer is go for the body only and get the SEL18200. Let me also suggest Cameta Camera. I've purchase four cameras from them and they have been an excellent vendor. Easily took back a camera I didn't like. Helped me with some technical photo issues, etc. Like everyone, I buy from Adorama, B&H, but my favorite is Cameta. Also don't even think about buying from 42nd St Camera, even with the enticing bait and switch prices.

Tamron makes a comparable lens for a few less bucks.

The a6000 is a great little camera. My first one had some autofocus problems, but Sony upgraded the firmware and after that it was really fine. I have purchased the a6300, but I don't think the difference was worth the extra $$$.

You will love this camera.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

I bought what you're considering (16-55mm and 55-210mm) and within a month was unhappy with the IQ I was getting from the 16-55mm. I bought a Zeiss 16-70mm and love it. If you're determined to buy the 16-55mm, let me know and I'll sell you one for $25. My advice, however, is don't buy the lens I'm offering; spend the extra bucks--I know they're a lot of "extra bucks"--and get a lens that's sharp enough to take advantage of a great camera.

jmsail365 Loc: Stamford, Ct

I have had both those lenses and used them on the a6000. They are fine for just starting out. However, they are not the best lenses available for this camera. If you are going to want spectacular photographs once you get the hang of this then I would only buy one. If you can afford better lenses check out DXO's ratings of lenses. There are some stronger lenses for the Sony cameras that do a great job on the a6000.