• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Sony A1

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 4.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Sony A1 advantages over Sony NEX-6

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    No vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/400 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    3 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.73x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.1 vs 16.1 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 JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 9.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    165 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 9.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    155 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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

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.

The Competition

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
Sony A1
Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Sony A1
Sony NEX-F3
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $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
Sony A1
Sony NEX-5R
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon R5

Sony NEX-6
Canon R5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $3549
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony NEX-6
Nikon Z7 II
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $2730
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A1
Nikon Z7 II
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $2730
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Top deck display
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