Sony a6100 captures the gold in Tom's Guide Awards 2020

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Sony a6100 remains the best camera you can buy

Sony a6100
(Image credit: Tom's Guide/Sony)

Sony has made a name for itself making some of the best mirrorless cameras, and nowhere is that typified more than with the Sony a6100. This camera isn't the flashiest — it doesn't have a full-frame sensor or in-body image stabilization — but what it does have is a solid feature set ideal for a wide range of photographers. And that makes it an easy pick for the first-ever Tom's Guide Award for best camera.

The a6100 is part of the latest generation of Sony's APS-C mirrorless cameras, bringing with it many of the features found in the previous top-end cameras. That includes a comprehensive autofocus system with 425 phase and contrast detection points, real-time tracking, eye autofocus, and even the ability to use an animal's eye for autofocus. 

It has a three-inch touchscreen display that tilts up 180 degrees and down 74 degrees, and can also record video at a resolution of 4K (there's even an external mic jack for capturing better audio). And, with the exception of the a6600, which costs $500 more, it has the best battery life of all of Sony's cameras in this class. 

In our Sony a6100 review, we were impressed with the camera's ability to capture excellent photos in a variety of conditions, as well as its super-fast and responsive autofocus system. We also appreciated its solid magnesium-alloy frame, as well as its somewhat dated, but still functional, compact design. And, with the ability to use the camera in full-auto mode, or customize the buttons to your exact specifications, this camera has something for photographers of all skill levels.

For all these reasons, the Sony a6100 gets our nod for Tom's Guide's inaugural cameras award. 

Mike Prospero
Mike Prospero
U.S. Editor-in-Chief, Tom's Guide

Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.