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

Buy From

Differences

Sony A6500 advantages over Sony A7 IV

  • Less expensive
    $1598 vs $2298
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    53 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    453g vs 658g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Sony A7 IV advantages over Sony A6500

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.12 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    3 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    3680k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    33.0 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    828 vs 231 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

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 Fujifilm X-Pro2

Sony A6500
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • More dots on screen
Sony A7 IV
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A6300

Sony A6500
Sony A6300
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $821
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Sony A7 IV
Sony A6300
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $821
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony A6400

Sony A6500
Sony A6400
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO
Sony A7 IV
Sony A6400
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A6500
Nikon Z7 II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display
Sony A7 IV
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Top deck display

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Sony A6500
Nikon Z6 II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A7 IV
Nikon Z6 II
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • On-sensor phase detect
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