My Sony a6000 Settings

I am an absolute photography newbie and have no idea what I am doing when I got my hands on Sony a6000.

The manuals have many technical words I cannot understand so what else to do than head on to YouTube and search for Sony a6000 settings.

I found different channels showing how to set up a Sony a6000. I applied settings that I know I’ll use as a newbie and in the future. Some settings, I skipped . . . for now.

Related Post:

• Why Do I Take Photos Without Lens Hood
• Check Image Stabilization in Sony a6000

Click here for more and recent posts about Sony a6000.

Quick Reference

These are the settings that I don’t want to forget or at least I know where I can immediately find.

• Menu > Menu 6 > Tab 6 > Setting Reset > Initialize
• Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 3 > FINDER/MONITOR > Auto (eg. Viewfinder and Monitor)

Alex Zhang – Optimize Your Sony a6000 with These Settings

Set the camera in Manual Mode before changing the settings.

• Menu > Menu 1 > Tab 1 > Image Size > L: 24M
• Menu > Menu 1 > Tab 1 > Quality > RAW & JPEG (I previously only selected Fine for JPEG)
• Menu > Menu 1 > Tab 3 > AF Illuminator > Off
• Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 1 > Grid Line > Rule of 3rds Grid
• Menu > Menu 6 > Tab 1 > Audio Signals > Off
• Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 1 > Auto Review > Off (default 2 Sec)

hikyletaggart – Sony a6000 – 5 Things to Know When You Start

1. Set Function Menu

Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 6 > Function Menu Set. > choose features that you’ll use the most in Upper Functions and Lower Functions

Later on you’ll see what are the choices of that1cameraguy.

2. Turn off AF Illuminator – as prevously shown in Alex Zhang’s video

3. Set AEL Button to Eye AF – only works in Focus Mode: AF-S

Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 6 > Custom Key Settings > AEL Button > Eye AF

4. Display Rotation

Menu > Menu 5 > Tab 1 > Display Rotation > Off

5. Clear Image Zoom – only works if Quality is Fine or Standard

Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 3 > Zoom Setting > On:ClearImage Zoom

Note: Kyle’s Playlist of Sony a6000 Tips and Tricks

Tech Through The Lens – Sony a6000 Tutorial for Beginners

Set the camera in Manual Mode before changing the settings.

• Change the Aspect Ratio to 3:2
• For video – Menu > Menu 1 > Tab 1 > File Format > XAVC S
• For video – Menu > Menu 1 > Tab 2 > Record Setting > 60p 50M
• For video – Menu > Menu 1 > Tab 4 > Creative Style > Vivid (I left mine into Standard)
• Menu > Menu 1 > Tab 2 > Focus Mode > Continuous AF
• Menu > Menu 1 > Tab 3 > Focus Area > Zone
• Menu > Menu 1 > Tab 2 > Drive Mode > Continuous Shooting: Mid

Tip: Best ISO for photo is up to 25,000. For video up to 10,000.

that1cameraguy – Sony a6000 Custom Settings Guide (2017)

Some of the settings were already mentioned in previous videos.

• File Format = AVCH S
• Record Setting = 60p 50M
• AF Illuminator = auto
• Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 1 > Focus Magnif. Time > No Limit (default 2 Sec)
• Auto Review = Off
• Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 1 > DISP Button > Monitor > uncheck Graphic Display
• Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 1 > DISP Button > Finder > only Graphic Display is unchecked
• Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 2 > Live View Display > Setting Effect ON (important)
• Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 6 > Function Menu Set. > 1
  • Function Upper 1 – Drive Mode
  • Function Upper 2 – Flash Mode
  • Function Upper 3 – Focus Area (I chose Flash Comp)
  • Function Upper 4 – White Balance (I chose Focus Mode)
  • Function Upper 5 – Smile/Face Detect. (I chose Focus Area)
  • Function Upper 6 – Quality (I chose Creative Style)
• Menu > Menu 2 > Tab 6 > Function Menu Set. > 2
  • Function Lower 1 – Flash Comp. (I chose ISO)
  • Function Lower 2 – Exposure Comp.
  • Function Lower 3 – Metering Mode
  • Function Lower 4 – DRO / Auto HDR (I chose White Balance)
  • Function Lower 5 – Zebra (I chose Lock-on AF)
  • Function Lower 6 – Peaking Level (I chose Quality)

Note: that1cameraguy’s Playlist of Sony a6000

These settings may change later on depending on how I use my camera and skill level which I hope will improve in time and practice.

What Sony a6000 setting you think is important even for a newbie?