• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Sony A6500 advantages over Nikon Z6 II

  • Less expensive
    $1598 vs $2197
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    53 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    453g vs 705g
    Lighter weight

Nikon Z6 II advantages over Sony A6500

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    3 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 fps vs 11.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable, premium body with good controls; Touch-screen for subject selection; Hybrid image stabilization system; Excellent image quality; Better high ISO JPEGs than the A6300; Extremely fast 11.1 fps burst capture; Very deep buffers for raw and JPEG alike; 4K video capture with no pixel binning

  • Pricey for an APS-C camera; JPEG colors aren't the most accurate; Very slow buffer clearing; Laggy touch-pad AF function; Poorly-placed movie button; No headphone jack; Mediocre battery life

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX500

Sony A6500
Samsung NX500
  • $1303
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Nikon Z6 II
Samsung NX500
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Sony A6500
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1303
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • More dots on screen
Nikon Z6 II
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A6300

Sony A6500
Sony A6300
  • $1303
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Nikon Z6 II
Sony A6300
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon R6

Sony A6500
Canon R6
  • $1303
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2066
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6 II
Canon R6
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More pixels
  • $2066
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon Z5

Sony A6500
Nikon Z5
  • $1303
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon Z5
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
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