• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Canon 70D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 4.11 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More dynamic range
    13.1 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    469g vs 1233g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.7 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.8 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Canon 70D advantages over Sony NEX-6

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 920 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    65 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    14 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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

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.

  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.

  • Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Sony NEX-6
Nikon D7100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon 70D
Nikon D7100
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro1

Sony NEX-6
Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
Canon 70D
Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-F3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Canon 70D
Sony NEX-F3
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-5R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Canon 70D
Sony NEX-5R
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony NEX-6
Sony A77 II
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 70D
Sony A77 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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