Sony Alpha A5000. A 20 megapixels APS-C mirrorless camera introduced back in 2014, and 9 years later, I can still say it’s great. This is an E-mount camera so there is a variety of lenses to choose from, both modern and adapted vintage lenses.
The α5000 can be used comfortably with one hand thanks to the very compact body and the reasonably sized, textured grip. It is bigger than most smartphones, but I can assure you that you’ll have no troubles carrying this camera everywhere with you.
A5000 camera is build around the APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor with 20.1 million effective pixels and the same Bionz X processor as found in the Sony A7, A7R and the A6000. The colors and the details captured with this sensor are rich and accurate. When equipped with a good lens, this camera will easily beat most smartphones. And the feeling of using it, it just cannot be compared to the rectangle touch screens that we carry with us all day. I think that the USB charging is the only common characteristic of this camera when comparing it to a smartphone.
The A5000 uses the AVCHD format for videos. The Video quality is good, crisp, and clear, and the stereo microphone is quite accurate and distinct. The screen is hinged and can tilt all the way forward for vlogging or selfies.
The Sony A5000 can be found for about $100 without any lenses, and at this price I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a cheap APS-C camera that can take high-quality images and decent video.
