Sony is renowned for producing some of the best mirrorless cameras around, and none more so than the Sony a6100. With neither a full-size sensor nor in-body image stabilization, this camera is not flashy, but it has a solid feature set that is ideal for a wide range of photographers. As such, it is an easy choice for Tom's Guide Award's first Best Camera.

The a6100 is part of the latest generation of Sony's APS-C mirrorless cameras and offers many of the features found in previous top-of-the-line models. These include a comprehensive autofocus system with 425 phase detection and contrast detection points, real-time tracking, eye autofocus, and even the ability to use animal eyes for autofocus.

It has a 3-inch touchscreen display that tilts 180 degrees up and 74 degrees down, and can record video at 4K resolution (there is also an external microphone jack for better audio capture). It also has the best battery life of any Sony camera in its class, except for the a6600, which costs $500 more.

In our review of the Sony a6100, we were impressed by the camera's ability to capture excellent photos in a variety of conditions and by its ultra-fast and responsive autofocus system. They also appreciated its robust magnesium alloy frame and its somewhat dated but functional compact design. The camera can also be used in fully automatic mode or customized with buttons to one's own specifications, making it suitable for photographers of all levels.

For these reasons, the Sony a6100 was selected for the inaugural Tom's Guide camera award.