Sony Alpha a6500 Black 2016
The 24.2MP APS-C sensor and BIONZ X processor deliver 11fps bursts with a deep buffer and internal 4K30 video using full pixel readout, while 5-axis in-body stabilization provides 5 stops of shake correction. Its dense 425-point phase-detection autofocus system with High-density Tracking AF reliably locks onto fast subjects, and the weather-sealed magnesium alloy body keeps the package durable at 757g. This camera is best for hybrid shooters who split time evenly between sports photography and handheld 4K video production.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong build (98th percentile) 98th
- Strong af (88th percentile) 88th
- Strong social proof (87th percentile) 87th
- Strong sensor (86th percentile) 86th
Cons
- Below average user sentiment (7th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 16 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Sensor
| Type | Exmor CMOS |
| Size | aps-c |
| Megapixels | 24.2 MP |
| ISO Range | 100 |
| Processor | BIONZ X |
Autofocus
| AF Points | 425 |
| AF Type | Phase Detection: 425Contrast Detection: 169 |
| Eye AF | Yes |
| Animal AF | Yes |
| Subject Detection | Yes |
Shooting
| Burst (Mechanical) | 11 |
| Max Shutter | 1/4000 |
| Electronic Shutter | Yes |
Video
| Max Resolution | 4K |
| 4K FPS | 30 |
| 1080p FPS | 120 |
| 10-bit | No |
| Log Profile | Yes |
| RAW Video | Yes |
| Codec | XAVC S |
Display & EVF
| Screen Size | 3" |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Articulating | Yes |
| EVF Resolution | 2.36 M dots |
Build
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 kg / 1.7 lbs |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| USB | Micro-USB |
| HDMI | HDMI |
| Hot Shoe | Yes |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sony Alpha a6500 | Canon EOS R6 Mark III R6 Mark III | Fujifilm X-H2 X-H2 | Nikon Z Z9 | Panasonic LUMIX GH7 GH7 | OM System OM-1 Mark II OM-1 Mark II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless |
| Sensor | 24.2MP aps-c | 32.5MP full-frame | 40.2MP aps-c | 45.7MP full-frame | 25.2MP micro-four-thirds | 20.4MP micro-four-thirds |
| AF Points | 425 | 1053 | 425 | 493 | 315 | 1053 |
| Burst FPS | 11 | 40 | 20 | 30 | 75 | 120 |
| Video | 4K @30fps | 6K @120fps | 8K @60fps | 8K @120fps | 5K @120fps | 4K @60fps |
| IBIS | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 757 | 609 | 579 | 1160 | 721 | 511 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Evf | Build | Burst | Video | Sensor | Battery | Display | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha a6500 | 88.1 | 83 | 98 | 69.3 | 81.8 | 86.1 | 44.9 | 83.6 | 6.9 | 81.1 | 87.4 | 84.7 |
| Canon EOS R6 Mark III R6 Mark III Compare | 98.5 | 87.8 | 94.7 | 92.8 | 89.3 | 58.5 | 96.5 | 98.9 | 93.4 | 93.4 | 89.6 | 99.5 |
| Fujifilm X-H2 X-H2 Compare | 88.1 | 95.6 | 89.4 | 85.1 | 95.3 | 97.4 | 96.9 | 83.6 | 83.7 | 93.4 | 92.4 | 93.6 |
| Nikon Z Z9 Compare | 90.6 | 89.4 | 99.6 | 96 | 99 | 64.5 | 97.3 | 83.6 | 97.8 | 93.4 | 92.4 | 84.7 |
| Panasonic LUMIX GH7 GH7 Compare | 84.5 | 87.8 | 97.6 | 95.1 | 97.3 | 56.1 | 89.3 | 83.6 | 93.4 | 93.4 | 77.6 | 96.1 |
| OM System OM-1 Mark II OM-1 Mark II Compare | 98.5 | 90.2 | 88.9 | 99.8 | 84.4 | 41.1 | 94.3 | 83.6 | 0 | 93.4 | 76.2 | 99.5 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
