In this review, we do a detailed Sony a6500 vs Canon 60D. The basic idea of this article is to help you decide which of the cameras has the right combination of features to meet your specific needs.
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| Get the Sony a6500 now! | Get the Canon 6D now! |
This is the reason why what you’ll be seeing in this article is a side by side comparison of the features of both cameras. You’ll also get to see our opinion on what each camera’s strengths and weaknesses are.
Here for quick information to make a quick decision? We’ve got you covered. Just head on over to the comparison overview and comparison table sections as they contain the basic ideas of this review in bite sizes.
We do recommend though, that you read through the entire article, especially if you are new to the whole camera scene. Also, we think it would be a good idea for you to check out some other Sony-Canon comparisons like the Sony a7R vs Canon 6D, for a broader frame of reference.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Comparison Overview
Here is a quick rundown of the basic facts of this article:
Overall Rating Of The Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D
In our opinion, both the Sony a6500 and the Canon 60D are decent cameras. They have a good number of features in common while also having a couple of individual.
As you’ll get to see soon enough, the Sony a6500 has more of those individual strengths. However, we still consider the Canon 6D a decent camera.
Rating Of The Features Of The Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D
Let’s start with the features that they have in common. Both cameras have a viewfinder (that of the Sony a6500 being electronic and that of the Canon 6D being optical) and the Auto Exposure Bracketing feature.
Furthermore, they both have an external flash port, a microphone port and an inbuilt wireless connection. Also, they both can shoot in RAW, detect faces, be controlled using a smartphone and are partially weather sealed.
Both cameras have a decent sensor resolution. However, we must point out that the Sony a6500 has a 24 megapixel sensor which is 4 megapixels more than what the Canon 6D offers.
Now to the Sony a6500 specifically. One of the immediate things you’ll notice is the tilting screen. Then there is the in body image stabilization, Near Field Communication connection and the ability to record 4K videos.
Other interesting features that this camera has include a touch sensitive screen, an impressive number of focus points (425 as against the Canon 6D’s 11), an impressive continuous shooting rate (11 as against 4.5 frames per second) and an inbuilt flash.
As for the Canon 6D, you get an inbuilt GPS, time-lapse recording (without needing to download an app), a top LCD screen and the more impressive battery life (1090 as against 350 shots per charge).
Price/Value Ratio — Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D
While the Canon 6D is affordable, the Sony a6500 isn’t. However, we still consider the price the Sony a6500 not too extravagant for all the features it comes with. But then again, we consider the Canon 6D as giving one better value for money.
About The Brands
Sony
The Sony brand is popular for a lot of things because it has its hands in a number of different ventures from entertainment to electronics.
Specifically though, its cameras are known for having an impressive sensor and a not so impressive battery life.
Canon
On the other hand, Canon is specifically an optical and images company and happens to be the leading producer of DSLRs, alongside Nikon. Canon has a way more impressive arsenal of lenses and other accessories which can be attributed to the fact that it has been producing cameras for quite some time.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Comparison Table
Sony a6500 |
Canon 6D | |
| Weight | 1 pound | 1.7 pounds |
| Dimensions | 4.7 by 2.6 by 2.1 inches | 5.7 by 4.4 by 2.8 inches |
| Sensor Resolution | 24 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
| Battery Life | 350 shots per charge | 1090 shots per second |
| Continuous Shooting | 11 frames per second | 4.5 frames per second |
| Image Stabilization | Yes | No |
| Video Resolution | 3840 by 2160 | 1920 by 1080 |
| Screen Type | Tilting screen | Fixed screen |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical |
| Inbuilt Flash | Yes | No |
| Touch Screen | Yes | No |
| Near Field Communication | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| GPS | No | Yes |
| ISO | 100 to 25600 and can be expanded to 51200 | 100 to 25600 and can be expanded to 50 to 102400 |
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – A Comparison Video
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| Get the Sony a6500 now! | Get the Canon 6D now! |
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Which Is Better For What?
Sony a6500 |
Canon 6D |
| The Sony a6500 has a more impressive continuous shooting rate than the Canon 6D. This makes it the better camera for wildlife photography, sports photography and generally any kind of photography where time is of the essence. | On the other hand, this camera has a way better battery life than the Sony a6500. And as a result, you’ll be able to use it for longer periods at a time than the Sony a6500. |
| Also, this camera records 4K videos. There isn’t much to be said about. | Also, this camera has an inbuilt GPS feature. With this one, you’ll always be reminded of your shooting locations. |
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| Get the Sony a6500 now! | Get the Canon 6D now! |
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Common Features
1. Viewfinder
The viewfinder is that feature on a camera that is used to frame a shot. That is, looking through it, you get an idea of what the picture will look like when it has been shot. It is actually more than just seeing the subject, you also get to see what the settings are and all that stuff.
Now, the LCD screen could actually try to do the work of the viewfinder, as is the case with certain mirrorless cameras that do not have a viewfinder. However, the viewfinder is always a better idea as under the sun, you would struggle to see what’s on the screen.
That said, there are two kinds of viewfinders. The optical viewfinder is what you’d usually find in a DSLR like the Canon 6D. As the name implies, it shows you images optically and can work without battery power. It basically shows you the subject the way your lens sees it which is kinda like looking at your subject through a window.
On the other hand, the electronic viewfinder is what you’d usually find in a mirrorless camera like the Sony a6500. The electronic viewfinder is basically a small LCD screen so what you see on it are digital images. It basically shows you the subject the way your sensor sees it.
2. Auto Exposure Bracketing
This feature allows your camera automatically take the same shot in different exposures. A camera’s exposure is what determines how bright or dark the photos shot will look. And you cannot use the same exposure all the time because there will definitely be different lighting situations.
The exposure of a camera is set by adjusting the ISO, the shutter speed and the aperture. However, there are times when it could be pretty difficult to determine what the right exposure should be.
With either the Sony a6500 or the Canon 6D, you can switch on the Auto Exposure Bracketing mode and let the camera do its thing. You can then decide which of the exposures is right.
3. Sensor Resolution
The Sony a6500 and the Canon 6D do not have the same exact sensor resolution. However, things are really close which is why this feature has made it to our common features section.
First off, the sensor resolution is something you want to be particular about if you do a lot of cropping or blowing up as you process your photos. The reason is, when you crop or blow up your photo, it loses some of its details which translates into it losing some of its quality.
However, if your camera has a decent sensor resolution, you’ll have enough details left (after the photo has lost some from being copped or blown up) that the photos are still a decent quality. So, the more megapixels your camera’s sensor has, the more room you have to crop and blow up.
That said, the Sony a6500 has a 24 megapixel sensor resolution while the Canon 6D has a 20 megapixel sensor resolution. So, while the Sony a6500 offers more room for editing and stuff, the Canon 6D offers ample room too.
4. Wireless Connection
Both the Sony a6500 and the Canon 6D have an inbuilt wireless connection. The implication of this is that they both can connect to the internet.
The reason you’ll need an internet connection for your camera is to serve as a wireless means of transferring your files out of the camera. You could also, via the internet, download some interesting apps for your camera.
In addition to that, both the Sony a6500 and the Canon 6D can be controlled using a smartphone. You’ll have to download the camera app on the phone and then establish a connection between the phone and the camera via this app.
The advantage of this feature is that you can take shots in comfort or in safety as the case may be. So, if you want to shoot in a place where you are not exactly sure about, you could just put your camera where it will capture the shots then go somewhere safe to take your shots. You’ll be able to see what your camera sees right there on your phone screen.
5. ISO
A camera’s ISO is what determines how much light it will let in as it shoots. As is probably common knowledge, if there is anything that could be said to be the most important thing to getting the right shot, it is light.
Too little light or too much light could be a problem; light has to be just right. This is why you want to pay attention to the ISO. Every camera has a minimum and maximum that their ISO can go. And the reason is that you won’t be using the same ISO for every lighting situation.
The darker the place you’ll be shooting, the higher the ISO you want to choose. This way, the camera can let in as much light as is needed to see the subject you want to shoot. It then follows that the brighter the place you’re shooting, the lower the ISO you want to use.
Now that that’s settled, both cameras have the same ISO range which is between 100 and 25600. However, both cameras can have their ISO ranges expanded and therein lies the difference.
For the Sony a6500, its ISO range can be expanded to between 100 and 51200 while that of the Canon 6D can be expanded to between 50 and 102400.
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| Get the Sony a6500 now! | Get the Canon 6D now! |
6. External Flash Port
Both the Sony a6500 and the Canon 6D have an external flash port. And the implication of this is that one can use an external flash with either of the cameras which is always a better idea than the inbuilt flash.
The function of the flash (inbuilt or external) is to be a source of light. So, you put it on and as you shoot there is an immediate burst of light that lightens up the immediate area.
Now, while the inbuilt flash has a few things going for it (as we’ll soon see), we prefer the external kind as it has a longer and wider range and is generally a better light source. In fact, if you’ll be doing flash photography, your best flash bet is the external flash.
7. Weather Sealing
Now, when you hear that a camera (or any device for that matter) is weather sealed, you have to be careful to know that it doesn’t always translate into being waterproof.
In fact, in the case of both the Sony a6500 and the Canon 6D they are dust and water resistant. What this means is that they are not fully weather sealed and so should not be subjected to intense weather conditions.
The resistance quality allows both cameras be able to stand some light dust and water conditions. And trust when we say that any kind of weather sealing is better than nothing.
8. Microphone Port
Like most other cameras, both the Sony a6500 and the Canon 6D have their own inbuilt microphone because cameras are designed to shoot both photos and videos. However, the inbuilt microphone doesn’t always do a good job of recording audio as they usually end up capturing a lot of environmental noise.
This is why cameras like the Sony a6500 and the Canon 6D have an extra something in the form of a microphone port. You can now pick a microphone that will allow you record in comfort and will also deliver good audio quality.
9. RAW Support
What it means for a camera to have RAW support is that the camera is able to shoot in RAW.RAW is a format in which photos are stored, another of which is jpeg.
To understand either of those formats, one has to do it in comparison with the other. So, jpeg is the format that basically every camera comes with which is one way that it differs from the RAW.
However, the most important way these two formats differ is in how they save photos. Jpeg compresses the photos which reduces their file size and allows the camera fit more photos in storage a time. On the other hand, RAW saves photos as they are.
We like that both cameras can shoot in both formats. This way, you have the freedom to choose at every point in time whether you want to save space or want all the quality the camera can afford. That is, bearing in mind that compressing the photos reduces the quality of them; just like cropping and blowing up.
10. Face Detection
Finally, both cameras are able to detect human faces among a number of different elements. When the faces have been detected, the cameras lock on which reduces the incidence of blur. This is why cameras that have face detection are a good idea for shooting portraits.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – A Sony a6500 Demonstration
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Unique Features
1. Mirrorless Vs DSLRs
The foundational difference between the Sony a6500 and the Canon 6D is that while the Sony a6500 is a mirrorless camera, the Canon 6D is a DSLR. And basically, this difference has to do with how light is distributed throughout the camera.
For a DSLR, when light passes through the lens, it gets passes on to the sensor and the optical viewfinder by getting bounced off mirrors.
Now, mirrorless cameras neither have a mirror nor an optical viewfinder. As a result, the light that comes in through the lens heads on straight to the sensor. The sensor then sends a digital image to the electronic viewfinder or the LCD screen as the case maybe.
Now, stemming from the presence/absence of mirrors is the difference in body weight of the two kinds of cameras. DSLRs are usually heavier than their mirrorless cameras even if they are equally matched performance.
Another common difference between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras (which might have something to do with the kind of viewfinder they have) is battery life. DSLRs typically have longer lasting batteries than their mirrorless counterparts even if they are equally matched performance wise.
2. Weight
An important one has to take into consideration in choosing a camera is the weight. This way, you know whether to make any special provisions for the camera because of its weight.
That said, weighing 1.7 pounds, the Sony a6500 is significantly heavier than the Sony a6500 which weighs 1 pound. However, we need to look at more than the weight of the camera body to figure out how much the camera weight.
Attaching a lens to either camera will definitely make that camera heavier. However, what we want to know is whether attaching a lens will affect the weight difference between the cameras seeing as this is a comparison article. And to find that out, we look to the sensor size.
If one of the cameras has a larger sensor, it would generally need larger and heavier lenses than the other. That said, looking at the sensor size, the Canon 6D actually has the propensity to be even heavier than the Sony a6500.
This is because the Canon 6D has a full frame sensor which is larger than the Sony a6500’s APS-C sensor. As a result, the Canon 6D will need larger and heavier lenses than the Sony a6500 for the same focal length and aperture.
3. Image Stabilization
Of the cameras, only the Sony a6500 has the in body image stabilization feature. The function of this feature is to remove the possibility of the camera producing blurry photos even if said photos are taken when the camera is jostled.
The Canon 6D doesn’t have this feature and so you have a few options. You could try to be as steady as possible with your hands or place the camera on a sturdy surface. However, the most reliable option is to get optical stabilization lenses. They do the exact same thing as the in body kind but for an extra cost.
4. Articulating Screen
An articulating screen is basically that kind of screen that can be turned in certain directions without having to move the camera body. The idea of this kind of screen is for one to be able to take shots from what might be impossible angles for a fixed screen.
There are different kinds of articulating screens but the Sony a6500 has a tilting screen which can be moved upward and then back down again. On the other hand, the Canon 6D has a fixed screen. We should also point out that while the Sony a6500’s screen is touch sensitive, that of the Canon 6D isn’t.
5. Continuous Shooting
This tells of how many consecutive shots a camera can take in just one second. The idea is for one to be able to take as many shots as possible in as little time as possible.
This feature is usually favored by wildlife photographers, sports photographers, the paparazzi and generally people who shoot fast moving subjects or have a really short time to do their shooting.
That said, the Sony a6500 has a more impressive continuous shooting rate than the Canon 6D. While the Sony a6500’s 11 frames per second is definitely impressive, the Canon 6D’s 4.5 frames per second is average at best.
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| Get the Sony a6500 now! | Get the Canon 6D now! |
6. Video Resolution
This is another area where the Sony a6500 does better than the Canon 6D. The Sony a6500 has a 3840 by 2160 video resolution while the Canon 6D has a 1920 by 1080 video resolution.
We have to say that 1080 videos (videos shot with cameras that have a 1920 by 1080 video resolution) are actually decent quality and you might not miss 4K.
However, we do concede that 4K videos (videos shot with camera’s whose video resolution is approximately 4000 pixels across) are very good quality and you’ll love it if you have it.
7. Near Field Communication (NFC) Connection
Of the two cameras, only the Sony a6500 is NFC enabled. The Near Field Communication allows the camera connect with another device that is also NFC enabled. This connection forms a means via which files can be transferred from the camera to the connected device.
Aside from NFC being a wireless transfer medium, it can also be operated without any internet connection. We should mention that this camera also has the Bluetooth feature which could also serve as an offline wireless transfer means.
The Canon 6D, on the other hand, has neither of these features. As a result, to do your transfers, you’d always have to be connected to the internet or have to invest in a number of adapters which has defeated the whole wireless thing.
8. Inbuilt Flash
Yet again, it is the Sony a6500 that has the inbuilt flash. We already mentioned that we consider the external flash the better light source than the inbuilt flash.
However, we also said that the inbuilt flash has a number of things going for it and chief of them is that it is always available. You can always count on the inbuilt flash because it is in the camera and cannot be removed, except you dismantle the camera.
9. GPS
The GPS feature is one that isn’t really common among cameras. And in our opinion, it is one of those features that you do not exactly miss if it you’ve never had it but come to really depend on if you have.
The function of GPS tagging is to help the photographer remember where a photo was shot by tagging the photo with the location. For those that will be using their camera for really professional reasons, you’ll love this. This is probably why you’d hardly find this feature among entry-level cameras.
10. Top LCD Screen
The Canon 6D has a top level LCD screen. This feature is basically what it says it is; a small LCD screen located on the top of the camera.
The reason it is placed on the top is to offer one the ease of changing settings and such without compromising the position of the camera.
11. Available Lenses
Finally, despite the fact that mirrorless cameras are adaptable and can use a number of different lenses just by using an adapter, it makes sense to know how many lenses are originally available with a camera.
That said, the Sony a6500 has 102 lenses while the Canon 6D has 271 lenses available. Furthermore, because the Canon 6D doesn’t have an in body image stabilization feature, it has 65 optical stabilization lenses available.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – A Canon 6D Demonstration Video
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Unique Pros
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Pros Of The Sony a6500
- First off, the Sony a6500 has an in body image stabilization feature. So, you can be sure that you’ll always get pictures that are not blurry.
- Furthermore, this camera has a tilting screen with which you can shoot from some seemingly difficult angles.
- Also, this camera has a touch sensitive screen which actually allows for swifter navigation through the camera menu.
- The Sony a6500 can record 4K videos.
- Furthermore, this camera has the Near Field Communication connection via which files can be transferred out of the camera even without an internet connection.
- This camera also has the Bluetooth feature.
- The Sony a6500 is basically the faster camera as it has the more impressive continuous shooting rate.
- Furthermore, this camera has way more focus points (425) than the Canon 6D (11). And so it will focus faster and more accurately than the Canon 6D.
- Also, this camera has an inbuilt flash while the Canon 6D doesn’t.
- The Sony a6500 has a better dynamic range (13.7) than the Canon 6D (12.1).
- Furthermore, this camera has a better color depth (24.5) than the Canon 6D (23.8).
- Finally, the Sony a6500 is significantly lighter than the Canon 6D.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Pros Of The Canon 6D
- First off, the Canon 6D has a more impressive battery life (1090 shots per charge) than the Sony a6500 (350 shots per charge).
- Furthermore, this camera has the GPS tagging feature while the Sony a6500 doesn’t.
- This camera also has the wider sensor pixel area of the two cameras.
- The Canon 6D can time-lapse record without having to download any expensive apps, unlike the Sony a6500.
- Furthermore, this camera has the top LCD screen that allows for ease in changing settings.
- This camera also has a better low light ISO performance (2340) than the Sony a6500 (1405).
- Finally, the Canon 6D has more lenses available than the Sony a6500.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Unique Cons
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Cons Of The Sony a6500
- The Sony a6500 doesn’t have a very impressive battery life. But that isn’t exactly a surprise.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Cons Of The Canon 6D
- First off, the Canon 6D doesn’t have the in body image stabilization. Thankfully though, the issue of having blurry photos can be taken care of by any of its 65 optical stabilization lenses.
- Furthermore, this camera has a fixed screen and it could be inconvenient in trying to shoot from certain angles.
- Also, this camera doesn’t have a very impressive continuous shooting rate.
- Finally, the Canon 6D doesn’t have the Near Field Communication connection feature or Bluetooth.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Common Pros
Sony a6500 |
Canon 6D | |
| Viewfinder | First off, the Sony a6500 has its own electronic viewfinder. And we prefer it as a tool for framing photos to the LCD screen. | Same as the Sony a6500. However, this camera has an optical viewfinder instead. |
| Auto Exposure Bracketing | This is definitely an advantage as it saves you the trial and error of guessing what the right exposure is, taking a shot and then coming back to tweak the exposure before you shoot again. The feature is especially helpful when it is difficult to decide what the right exposure is. | Same as the Sony a6500. |
| Wireless Connection | The Sony a6500 has an inbuilt wireless connection through which apps can be downloaded off the internet and files transferred from the camera to an online location. Also, this camera can be connected from a smartphone which allows the photographer shoot in comfort and even safety. | Same as the Sony a6500. |
| Sensor Resolution | The Sony a6500’s 24 megapixel sensor resolution offers enough room for photos to be cropped or blown up while still retaining their original quality. | Same as the Sony a6500. However, this camera has a 20 megapixel sensor resolution. |
| Weather Sealing | The Sony a6500 is both dust and water resistant. So, while it cannot survive the toughest dust and water situations, it does hold its own against mild weather conditions. And we have to reiterate that any kind of weather sealing is better than no weather sealing. | Same as the Sony a6500. |
| Microphone Port | Because an external microphone can be attached to this camera, you can be sure of good audio recording quality. | Same as the Sony a6500. |
| External Flash Port | The Sony a6500 is also compatible with external flashes. And you’d really want to invest in a number of them as they have the better reach, are better for flash photography and are generally better light source than the inbuilt flashes. | Same as the Sony a6500. |
| RAW Support | The Sony a6500 can shoot in RAW in addition to shooting in jpeg. It is a nice thing that those two options are available seeing as they store photos differently. | Same as the Sony a6500. |
| Face Detection | Finally, this camera is able to pick out human faces from among a number of other elements. This singular feature makes the Sony a6500 a good idea for shooting portraits. | Same as the Sony a6500. |
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| Get the Sony a6500 now! | Get the Canon 6D now! |
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Common Cons
Sony a6500 |
Canon 6D | |
| Headphone Port | The Sony a6500 doesn’t have a headphone port. And, like the inbuilt microphone, the inbuilt speaker doesn’t offer much in terms of audio quality. You’ll be stuck with managing if you get this camera. | Same as the Sony a6500. |
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – What People Think About Both Cameras
Sony a6500 |
Canon 6D |
| A good number of customers compared the Sony a6500 to its immediate predecessor; the Sony a6300. And those that did seem to be saying the same thing which is that the big difference between the two cameras is that the a6500 has the in body image stabilization feature. They also mentioned other features like the size of the buffer. Apparently, with the a6500 they’ve been able to shoot in continuous shooting mode for longer because the camera recovers quicker. Some people also mentioned that the grip of this camera is deeper than its predecessor which is better. For those who were not comparing though, they seemed to love the quality of images that this camera produces and even the fact that it has some sort of weather protection. Plus, the shutter of the camera is silent as some say. | On the other hand, one of the things that people are excited about this camera for is its build. Apparently, the camera is made of stern stuff. Added to the fact that the camera is weather sealed, this camera is built to last. Some people have said that for a full frame camera, the Canon 6D is actually really affordable. People seem to agree that the camera does not have so many frilly or exciting features. However, the ones it does have function optimally. In talking about this, people mentioned the fact that the camera focuses pretty fast, takes really good photos, has an impressive battery life and even has impressive ISO. A number of people also mentioned that they like the GPS and Wi-Fi features. |
| However, it looks to us like the touchscreen is disappointing to practically everybody. Apparently, the touchscreen could sometimes be unresponsive or slow in response which is really frustrating. Some have also mentioned that for the price of the camera, they would have expected a few more features like a faster shutter and a fully articulating screen. | However, few have mourned the absence of in body image stabilization. |
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| Get the Sony a6500 now! | Get the Canon 6D now! |
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 6D – Our Take
Sony a6500 |
Canon 6D |
| We like the Sony a6500 and why wouldn’t we? It takes really good pictures and videos due to a combination of interesting features. Plus, it has in body image stabilization which erases the possibility of producing blurry photos. Its weather sealing (however partial) is another thing we appreciate about this camera. | We also like the Canon 6D because it also takes really good pictures and records decent videos. It is also partially weather sealed which we very much appreciate. The GPS tagging feature is not a common feature so we definitely appreciate that this camera has this feature. |
| We concede that a couple of things could have been improved or even added. However, if you are satisfied with the camera as is, get the Sony a6500 now! | However, a few more features could have been added or improved. However, if you can work with the camera as is, get the Canon 6D now! |
