• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX210 IS advantages over Sony NEX-6

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Canon SX210 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 1.43 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.26 vs 0.46 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.7 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-6

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; More consumer-friendly control setup than NEX-7 but more advanced (actual Mode dial) than step-down models; OLED EVF and 3-inch tilting LCD monitor provide viewfinder flexibility; Fast and decisive AF on stationary subjects, and good continuous AF on normal moving subjects; Full HD 1080p video recording at up to 60p.

  • Hybrid AF system speed and accuracy still lags somewhat behind higher-end DSLRs; Wi-Fi features still rudimentary (join the club); LCD is not a touchscreen; User interface foibles.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung HZ35W

Canon SX210 IS
Samsung HZ35W
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less shutter lag
  • More pixels
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
Sony NEX-6
Samsung HZ35W
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Canon SX210 IS
Panasonic ZS8
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • HDMI out
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Sony NEX-6
Panasonic ZS8
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon SX230 HS

Canon SX210 IS
Canon SX230 HS
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Shoots 24p video
Sony NEX-6
Canon SX230 HS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Canon SX210 IS
Sony NEX-F3
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-F3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon SX210 IS
Sony NEX-5R
  • $262
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-5R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
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