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 (91st percentile) 91st
- Strong sensor (91st percentile) 91st
- Strong af (90th percentile) 90th
- Strong social proof (90th percentile) 90th
Cons
- Below average user sentiment (8th 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 | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| USB | Micro-USB |
| HDMI | ✓ |
| Hot Shoe | Yes |
vs Competition
| Spec | Sony Alpha a6500 | Fujifilm X-T5 | Panasonic LUMIX S5 II | Nikon Z Z8 | Canon EOS R6 Mark II | OM System OM-1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless | mirrorless |
| Sensor | 24.2MP aps-c | 40.2MP aps-c | 24.2MP full-frame | 45.7MP full-frame | 24.2MP full-frame | 20.4MP micro-four-thirds |
| AF Points | 425 | 425 | 779 | 493 | 1053 | 1053 |
| Burst FPS | 11 | 15 | 30 | 30 | 12 | 10 |
| Video | 4K @30fps | 6K @60fps | 6K @60fps | 8K @120fps | 4K @60fps | 4K @60fps |
| IBIS | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 161 | 557 | 658 | 820 | 590 | 511 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | EVF | Build | Burst | Video | Sensor | Battery | Display | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha a6500 | 90.2 | 86.8 | 90.7 | 76.6 | 84.7 | 90.6 | 46.7 | 87.1 | 8.3 | 87.6 | 89.7 | 88.4 |
| Fujifilm X-T5 Compare | 90.2 | 91.3 | 94.4 | 84 | 93.2 | 99.1 | 97 | 87.1 | 92.3 | 90.3 | 97.7 | 95.1 |
| Panasonic LUMIX S5 II Compare | 97.8 | 90.7 | 96.1 | 91.5 | 94.2 | 55.4 | 92.6 | 99.3 | 92.3 | 95.4 | 93.9 | 88.4 |
| Nikon Z Z8 Compare | 92 | 91.3 | 97.8 | 96 | 99.3 | 71.1 | 91.8 | 87.1 | 62.7 | 95.4 | 97.7 | 88.4 |
| Canon EOS R6 Mark II Compare | 98.9 | 90.5 | 94.8 | 89.2 | 86.2 | 55.4 | 99.1 | 87.1 | 29.8 | 95.4 | 93.9 | 98.6 |
| OM System OM-1 Compare | 95.3 | 98 | 85.1 | 94.7 | 86.2 | 48.4 | 95.9 | 87.1 | 92.3 | 89.2 | 84.4 | 88.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
B&H Photo 5 offers From $690
Amazon 2 offers From $789
Newegg 2 offers From $1,940
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
