Sony A99 II vs Sony A6500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A99 II vs Sony A6500

35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A99 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A99 II.
Compare Sony A99 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A99 II conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A6500 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A6500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A6500.
Compare Sony A6500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A6500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A6600
Compare A6500 vs A6600
Compare Sony A99 II vs Sony A6600

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Differences

Sony A99 II 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
~ 4.51 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A99 II test data on DxO Mark A6500 test data on DxO Mark

2,317 vs 1,405 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

490 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
42.4 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
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A6500 advantages over Sony A99 II

Less expensive
$1598 vs $3198*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
53 mm vs 76 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
453g vs 849g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
231 vs 61 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
110 vs 25 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
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
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

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A99 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A6500 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm lens

All A6500 Deals

Review Excerpt

Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.
Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.
Read our Sony A99 II Review

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
Read our Sony A6500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Sony A99 II

Canon 5DS R

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1729
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5DS R

Sony A6500

Canon 5DS R

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1729
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A6500 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Sony A99 II

Fujifilm X-Pro2

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$1300
APS-C

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Sony A99 II vs 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

Compare Sony A6500 vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Compared to Sony A6300

Sony A99 II

Sony A6300

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$846
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Sony A99 II vs Sony A6300

Sony A6500

Sony A6300

$1198
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Touchscreen

$846
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony A6300

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2499
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A6500

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2499
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A6500 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D850

Sony A6500

Nikon D850

$1198
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A6500 vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?