• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Sony A7R II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.55 vs 4.51 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Sony A7R II advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    26.0 vs 21.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,434 vs 772 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    60 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    9 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    42.4 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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
    23 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality; Very high resolution; Surprisingly good high ISO performance; Fast autofocus; Compact, comfortable body with lots of customization potential; Bright, roomy and clear viewfinder; Tilting LCD display; Five-axis stabilization; Intuitive Wi-Fi / NFC connectivity

  • Movie button is poorly located; No touch screen; Not as fast to start up or shoot photos as a similarly-priced SLR; Rather slow buffer clearing; No built-in flash; Single card slot; Not weather-sealed to the same degree as some rivals

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax K20D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display
Sony A7R II
Pentax K20D
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
Sony A7R II
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points
Sony A7R II
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A9

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony A9
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A7R II
Sony A9
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More pixels
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony A7R III
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $2526
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A7R II
Sony A7R III
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2526
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Compare Other Cameras?