Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Detailed Comparison

The Sony a6500 is a mirrorless camera while the Canon 70D is a DSLR and in this article, you get to see how they stand up against each other. At least, that is the basic idea of this Sony a6500 vs Canon 70D article.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D
What Camera
Get the Sony a6500 now!Get the Canon 70D now!

We’ve put together in this one article all the features of each camera. You get to see what these features do and even see what feature gives one camera the upper hand over the other.

However, in the event that you do not have enough time to go through the entire article, we’ve got something for you. The comparison overview and comparison table sections contain the basic information in this article in very quick details. You can quickly peruse them and make that quick decision.

One last thing. Check out some of our other Sony-Canon comparisons like the Sony a6000 vs Canon M5 and the Sony a6000 vs Canon M50.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Comparison Overview

Here is a quick overview:

Overall Rating Of The Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D

Both cameras take their jobs seriously and do them well to a considerable extent. For photos and videos, you’ll be satisfied with either camera.

Now specifically, the Sony a6500 does have a higher max resolution than the Canon 70D. And this tells us that Sony a6500 photos will have more details than Canon 70D photos.

For the videos, each camera has an area where it outshines the other. For the Sony a6500, it is in the video quality. The Sony a6500 can take videos in 4k while the Canon 70D cannot.

Now for the Canon 70D, it is in convenience. The Canon 70D has a fully articulated screen that can be swiveled to allow you record yourself by yourself. Overall, both cameras are decent semi-pro cameras.

Ratings Of The Features Of The Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D

The Sony a6500 is a mirrorless camera while the Canon 70D is a DSLR and they both have features that are in keeping with the kind of camera they are. For one, the Sony a6500 has an electronic viewfinder (which has a 100% coverage) while the Canon 70D has an optical viewfinder (which has a 98% coverage).

Furthermore, the Canon 70D has the more impressive battery life, allowing for 920 shots before it needs to be charge. On the other hand, the Sony a6500 can only allow for 350 shots which is not up to half of what you can get with its opponent.

There is also the weight. Neither camera can compete for the lightest or heaviest camera out there. However, the Canon 70D, which is the DSLR, is significantly heavier (0.7 pound heavier to be precise), than the Sony a6500’s 1 pound.

Now, this does not say that they do not share a couple of features. You’ll find out that both cameras are actually weather sealed, have inbuilt wireless connection, an articulating screen which is also touch sensitive and a microphone port.

However, the Sony a6500 still one ups the Canon 70D with its continuous shooting (11 frames vs 7 frames) and its ISO range (100 to 25600 vs 100 to 12800), the Canon 70D one ups the Sony a6500 with its flash coverage (12 meters vs 6 meters) and its shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s).

Price/Value Ratio – Sony a6500 vs Canon 70D

The Sony a6500 costs significantly more than the Canon 70D and we believe it is justified. After all the Sony a6500 can boast of a few more features than the Canon 70D. Plus, it does better in some common features too.

That said, we reckon that whichever camera you decide to settle for, you’ll be getting the value for your money.

About The Brands

Sony

Being a Japanese conglomerate, Sony does have its hands in a wide range of ventures. From entertainment and gaming to electronics and even finances, you’ve probably heard the name Sony mentioned a few times.

People have now come to appreciate the Sony brand, not just for its diversity in product and prices but also for the quality it brings to the table.

Canon

Here is another Japanese company that is known for its diversity and quality. However, unlike the Sony brand’s diversity which is spread among many waters, Canon’s diversity is more centered with focus on the imaging and optics industry.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Comparison Table

 

Sony a6500

Canon 70D

Weight 1 pound 1.7 pounds
Dimensions 4.7 by 2.6 by 2.1 inches 5.5 by 4.1 by 3.1 inches
Battery Life 350 shots per charge 920 shots per charge
Continuous Shooting 11 frames per second 7.0 frames per second (fps)
Image Stabilization Yes No
Articulating Screen Tilting Fully articulating screen
Viewfinder Electronic Optical
ISO 100 to 25600 and can be expanded to 51200 100 to 12800 and can be expanded to 25600

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – A Comparison Video

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D
What Camera
Get the Sony a6500 now!Get the Canon 70D now!

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Which Is Better Under What Circumstance?

Sony a6500

Canon 70D

The Sony a6500 actually records 4k videos. So, if you are looking for the camera with that will give you the better video quality, this is it. First off, it is more convenient to record personal videos or take personal pictures with this camera because of the articulated screen. So, consider getting this camera if you do a lot of that for your vlog and such.
Also, this camera comes with the inbuilt image stabilization. No need to get extra lenses for that. Also, if you are on a tight budget, consider getting this camera as it is the more affordable camera.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D
What Camera
Get the Sony a6500 now!Get the Canon 70D now!

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Common Features

The idea of this section is to see how the Sony a6500 and the Canon 70D are. To do that, we’ve put together those features that you will find in both cameras. The features could either be exactly the same in both cameras or just slightly different.

1. Articulating Screen

Both the Sony a6500 and the Canon 70D come with an articulating screen. An articulating screen is basically the kind of screen that can be moved in certain directions without having to move the camera body.

There are basically 2 kinds of articulating screen; the tilting screen and the full-flex screen. The tilting screen can be moved upward and then back down again while the full flex can be rotated to be forward facing.

The basic idea of an articulating screen is for you to be able to take shots from varying angles by just changing the direction of the screen. In fact, depending on the angles your articulating screen can be twisted to, you could even turn your camera to a selfie camera.

That said, the screen of the Sony a6500 is tilting while that of the Canon 70D is fully articulated. As a result, the Canon 70D is the better camera for selfies and recording personal videos.

Since we are discussing screens, we need to quickly point out that they screens of both cameras are 3 inches and touch sensitive.

2. Flash

This is one feature whose importance you’ll come to appreciate if you try to take a shot and realize the lighting is just poor. We wouldn’t go as far as saying the in-built flash is the solution to all your bad lighting problems but it sure does help.

Both the Sony a6500 and the Canon 70D come fitted with their own flash. In addition to that in-built flash, they also both have an external flash shoe.

Now, that external flash shoe could give you that extra light boost that you need. And in addition to being used as an extra light source for when the light is just too poor, you could break out your external flash if you need to do something kinda intense like flash photography.

3. Wireless Connection

In these times, it is almost impossible to find a device that cannot be used in some way to gain access to the internet and cameras are not left out.

Both the Sony a6500 and the Canon 70D come have an in-built wireless connection. As a result, they can both be connected to the internet without the need for an external device or some such thing. You basically just need your camera and a Wi-Fi connection.

In addition to having access to the internet, the wireless connection allows you to transfer files via same wireless connection.

One other thing. Both cameras can be controlled via a smartphone, all you need do is set up a connection between said smartphone and camera. To do that, you need to download the appropriate app. It is via this app that you set up the connection and do all the controlling.

Once the connection has been set up, you can take shots and view images before taking the shots from the comfort of your smartphone.

4. Picture Resolution

This is one of those features where there is a slight difference between what you’ll get with the Sony a6500 and what you’ll get with the Canon 70D. Now, with both camera, you can be sure of getting pretty decent picture quality.

The Sony a6500 has a max resolution of 24 megapixels while the Canon 70D offers 20 megapixels. We already said that there is a slight difference.

However, you can still be sure of getting detailed pictures in large prints, whichever camera you choose. We have to point out, nonetheless, that the Sony a6500 obviously does it better.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D
What Camera
Get the Sony a6500 now!Get the Canon 70D now!

5. RAW Support

First off, like with basically every digital camera, there is the option of your photos getting saved as jpeg. The jpeg format while having to kinda compromise on the quality of the photo does have its good side. Images saved as jpeg usually do not take up so much space.

On the other hand, the RAW format allows for better quality as pictures retain their original quality. However, the drawback to this is that the pictures saved will take up quite some space in storage.

6. Face Detection

Both cameras have this feature that allows them focus on faces when they are detected. Of course, we refer to human faces here and this makes both cameras good options for taking portraits.

7. Microphone Port

If you need a camera for just photos and you are sure you won’t be needing the audio for anything, then you might not miss this feature. But it is sure one important feature if you ask us.

Now, basically any camera you’ll ever come across comes with an internal microphone. The basic reason is most cameras are designed to do more than take pictures.

However, the internal microphone you’ll find with most cameras are not exactly the stuff that dreams are made of. They, more often than not, pick up unwanted sounds from the environment. As a result, audio recorded using the internal microphone usually ends up sounding quite noisy.

Now, if you want to do serious video recording, you’ll need to get an external microphone that can pick up specific sounds, blocking out noise. To be able to do that, the camera needs to have a provision of some sorts for that. Thankfully, both cameras come with a microphone port.

8. Weather Sealed

When we say that a camera is weather sealed, it usually means one of three things; dust resistant, water resistant or waterproof. Sometimes, it could mean all three.

Now in the case of the Sony a6500 and the Canon 70D, they are both dust resistant and water resistant. This means they are both protected against a little dust attack and can both be used in light drizzle. However, you do not want to use either camera in heavy rain or even in your pool.

The weather sealing feature is a great addition as it allows you use your camera in certain tough conditions. You need not be too picky as to when and where you use the camera.

9. Memory Card Support

Basically every digital camera comes with a memory card(s) slot(s). The idea is to slot it an appropriate memory card, of course, and photos that are taken get stored in there.

Now, there are different kinds of memory cards and not all of them are compatible with all cameras. Anyway, in this review, we are basically concerned with the Ultra High Speed memory cards. These kinds allow for transfer of images in ultra-high speed.

Thankfully, both the Sony a6500 and the Canon 70D allow for the use of the UHS-I memory card specifically.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – A Sony a6500 Demonstration Video

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Unique Features

In this section, we get to see how different the Sony a6500 is from the Canon 70D. hence, we’ve put together those features that you’ll find in one camera but not the other. This section also contains those features that are in both cameras but are really different.

1. Mirrorless Vs DSLR

Probably the most important difference between the Sony a6500 and the Canon 70D is the type of camera they are. The Sony a6500 is a mirrorless camera while the Canon 70D is a DSLR. Now, how are these two types of cameras different?

The basic difference between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera is the presence/absence of a mirror and an optical viewfinder. Typically, the DSLR has both features while the mirrorless camera doesn’t.

Now here is how things work. With the DSLR, light passes through the lenses and hits the mirror. The mirror then bounces of said light to the optical viewfinder and to the Autofocus Sensor.

As for a mirrorless camera, the light passes through the lens quite alright. However, because there is no mirror, the light hits the sensor straight up. Now the sensor sends a digital image straight to the electronic viewfinder (which is the alternative to an optical viewfinder) or the LCD screen.

The type of camera a camera is usually accounts for a number of things chief among them being the weight. Mirrorless cameras are usually pretty lightweight and this is usually attributed to the absence of a mirror.

2. Viewfinder

First off, we’ll start out by saying that both cameras come with a viewfinder and no, it is not something to be taken for granted. We already pointed that the Sony a6500 is a mirrorless camera. However, something else you need to know is that mirrorless cameras do not always come with a viewfinder.

Yup! Some of them come without. In that case, there are two things you could do. One is make do with the LCD screen which isn’t actually the best idea. You could do good with said screen if you are in a dark or covered place. But in an open or brightly lit place, you’ll struggle to see what’s on the screen.

The other option is to get an external viewfinder. This is the better option for the reason we stated above. All that said, the Sony a6500 comes with an electronic viewfinder while the Canon 70D comes with an optical viewfinder. And that is basically in keeping with the kind of camera that they are.

We’ll quickly point out here that the Sony a6500’s viewfinder has a 100% coverage while that of the Canon 70D has a 98% coverage. This means that you are able to see more of your subject on the Sony a6500’s viewfinder than on that on the Canon 70D.

3. Weight

When we were discussing the difference between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera, we said something about the type kinda influencing the weight. That truth is exemplified in this Sony a6500 vs Canon 70D comparison.

Now, the Sony a6500 weighs 1 pound while the Canon 70D weighs 1.7 pounds. That 0.7 pound difference is pretty significant if you ask us. It could be the difference between the camera you take with you while you go on a hike and the one you decide to leave at home.

That said, there is more to determining the weight of a camera than just the weight of the body. The weight of the lens also has to be factored in seeing as you’ll be attaching a lens to your camera to take shots anyway.

Now, because this is a comparison article, it makes sense to ascertain the weight of one camera as it relates to the other. This is why we won’t be going through all the lenses to determine their individual weight.

What you need to know instead, is that both cameras have an APS-C sensor. And as a result, they will both require lenses of the same size and weight for a similar aperture and focal length.

4. Battery Life

The battery life of a camera is determined by how many shots the camera can take before it needs to be charged again. Now, mirrorless cameras are generally known to not have a very long battery life. Some of them do but most of them do not.

That said, the Sony a6500 can only take 350 shots before it needs to be charged again while the Canon 70D can take up to 920 shots. We are looking at a difference of 570 frames which isn’t something to be ignored at all.

However, it sure is different strokes for different folks. Depending on what you need your camera for, you might actually find that 350 shots can stretch for quite some time.

5. ISO Range

Basically, the ISO tells us how sensitive a camera is to light. Now, the more sensitive a camera is to light (which is represented by a high ISO), the more light it is able to capture and vice versa.

Here is what we are saying. If you set your camera to a high ISO, the camera captures as much light as it can. As a result, it makes sense to use a high ISO if you are in a place with low light. This way, the camera is able to make up for the lack of light.

On the other hand, too much light requires a low ISO. This way, the camera tries to manage the light by capture as little as necessary.

Now, the ISO range tells us the upper and lower limits of light sensitivity of a camera. Knowing all that we know, you’ll agree with us that a wide ISO range is necessary as it offers you a wide range of possibilities.

That said, the Sony a6500 has a wider ISO range between 100 and 25600. This range can even be expanded up to 51200. The Canon 70D doesn’t do so badly though. Its ISO range is between 100 and 12800 and can only be expanded to 25600.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D
What Camera
Get the Sony a6500 now!Get the Canon 70D now!

6. Continuous Shooting

This is basically a mode where the camera can take more than one shot with just one click of the shutter button and in one second. The idea of this mode is for you to be able to take as many shots as possible in as little time as possible.

That said, we have to say that both cameras are impressive with the continuous shooting rate. However, the Sony a6500 does it better. With the Sony a6500, you can get 11 frames in one second while the Canon 70D offers 7 frames in one second.

7 frames is actually quite impressive. However, with 11 frames per second, not only do you get to take more pictures in one second, the buffer is able to recover even faster.

7. Near Field Communication

This feature allows a camera (or any device for that matter) that is NFC enabled to connect to another device that is also NFC enabled. Via this connection, files can be transferred wirelessly from one connected device to the other.

Now, of the two cameras in this review, only the Sony a6500 is NFC enabled. In addition to that the Sony a6500 also comes with the Bluetooth feature which you could use to connect to other devices and even transfer files.

This means that with the Canon 70D, you can only do your file transfer via the Wi-Fi connection.

8. Image Stabilization

This is one interesting feature. Now, when you take pictures, there are many reasons why the camera will get shaken. It could be because you are moving a lot or your hands are too tired or someone just jostles you.

Whatever the case, if the camera is jostled, the pictures taken could come out looking blurry and we know you don’t want blurry pictures. That said, the Sony a6500 comes with a sensor based image stabilization feature that balances out the lenses allowing the pictures come out good.

There is a solution for the Canon 70D though and it is in form of optical stabilization lenses. These lenses help balance things out. Speaking of which….

9. Available Lenses

This is one area where the Canon 70D one ups the Sony a6500. Both cameras could be said to have a decent number of lenses available to them. However with the Canon 70D accruing 319 lenses to itself and the Sony a6500 accruing 102 lenses, it is pretty obvious that the Canon 70D has a lot more lenses.

Furthermore, because the Canon 70D doesn’t have the image stabilization feature, it comes with 91 optical stabilization lenses. Be sure to get some of them if you decide to go with the Canon 70D.

10. Top Level LCD Screen

The top level LCD screen or top LCD screen is smaller than the actual LCD screen. Now, this smaller screen is basically a control panel from where you can get some vital shooting information. In addition, you can actually do some settings change using this screen.

That said, of the two cameras in this review, only the Canon 70D comes with a top level LCD screen.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – A Canon 70D Comparison Video

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Unique Pros

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Pros Of The Sony a6500

  • First off, the Sony a6500 does have better picture resolution than the Canon 70D. And this invariably means more details with your pictures.
  • Furthermore, The Sony a6500 offers better and quicker transfer of files as a result of the NFC connection.
  • Also, the Sony a6500 has an in-built image stabilization feature.as a result, you can be sure that pictures you take will not come out looking blurry.
  • The Sony a6500 is lighter and more compact that the Canon 70D. As a result, it is easier to transport and takes up less storage space.
  • Furthermore, the Sony a6500 is the better camera for recording videos. Why? It has a better video resolution (3840 x 2160) than the Canon 70D (1920 x 1080). Simply put, the Sony a6500 can take 4k videos while the Canon 70D cannot.
  • Also, the viewfinder on the Sony a6500 has a 100% coverage while that of the Canon 70D has a 98% coverage.
  • The Sony a6500 has a higher continuous shooting rate than the Canon 70D.
  • Finally, the Sony a6500 has more focus points (425) than the Canon 70D (19).

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Pros Of The Canon 70D

  • The Canon 70D has a fully articulating screen that can be swiveled, turning the camera to a selfie camera.
  • Furthermore, the Canon 70D offers a longer battery life than the Sony a6500.
  • Also, the flash on the Canon 70D has twice the reach of that on the Sony a6500.
  • The Canon 70D comes with a top level LCD screen.
  • Furthermore, the Canon 70D has a better shutter speed (1/8000s) than the Sony a6500 (1/4000s).
  • Finally, the Canon 70D is the more affordable camera.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Unique Cons

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Cons Of The Sony a6500

  • The Sony a6500 has a not very impressive battery life. However, this isn’t exactly surprising seeing as the Sony a6500 is a mirrorless camera.
  • Also, the shutter speed of the Sony a6500 is not as fast as what the Canon 70D boasts.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Cons Of The Canon 70D

  • The Canon 70D does not come with its own image stabilization feature. As a result, photos might come out looking blurry if you do not use optical stabilization lenses.
  • Also, the Canon 70D comes with neither the Near Field Communication connection nor Bluetooth. As a result, you’ll have to stick to just the internet connection to transfer your files.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Common Pros

 

Sony a6500

Canon 70D

Articulating Screen The Sony a6500 has a screen which can be tilted to certain angles, allowing you take pictures from different angles. The screen is also touch sensitive. Same as the Sony a6500. However, that of the Canon 70D can’t just be tilted but rotated.
Flash The Sony a6500 has an inbuilt flash which will come in handy if you have to take shots in places where the light isn’t so good. It also comes with an external flash port in case you need extra help or need to take flash photography. Same as the Sony a6500.
RAW Support The Sony a6500 allows for photos to be saved in the RAW format which allows pictures retain their original quality. Same as the Sony a6500.
Wireless Connection The Sony a6500 comes with its own inbuilt wireless connection via which you can gain access to the internet. In addition, provide you download the right app and make the connection, you can control your camera using your smartphone. Same as the Sony a6500.
Viewfinder The Sony a6500 comes with its own electronic viewfinder which you won’t necessarily find with every mirrorless camera. The Canon 70D comes with an optical viewfinder and DSLR cameras are generally known to come with theirs.
Microphone Port The Sony a650 comes with a microphone port making it a good camera for recording videos. Same as the Sony a6500.
Weather Sealing The Sony a6500 is both dust and water resistant. As a result, you can use it under certain weather conditions, including a light drizzle. Same as the Sony a6500.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D
What Camera
Get the Sony a6500 now!Get the Canon 70D now!

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Common Cons

 

Sony a6500

Canon 70D

Headphone Port The Sony a65000 does not come with a headphone port. And while this might not be an absolute necessity, you’ll probably miss it if you’ll be using your camera to record videos. Same as the Sony a6500.

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – What People Think About

Sony a6500

Canon 70D

One very common thing that people like about the Sony a6500 is the built in image stabilization. Apparently, this is an improvement on its predecessor and a good number of people are getting onboard the Sony a6500 for this singular reason. That’s not all of course! People also like that the Sony a6500 comes with a large buffer. This way as you take pictures in the continuous shooting mode, the camera can recover pretty quickly. Some even say the camera is good enough to serve as a professional photographer’s back up camera. And one or two people have said that those who wouldn’t have anything but DSLR might like this camera. A good number of positive feedback revolves around this camera’s ability to be used as a selfie camera. A lot of the people that like this camera for this are unofficial videographers and vloggers. And apparently, they like this because of the fully articulated screen that allows them to take videos of themselves by themselves. That’s not all of course. People also seem to like the amount that the Canon 70D goes for. Apparently, with the camera you get a decent photo and video camera without having to break the bank. A few people, especially those who are more used to mirrorless cameras, have a thing or two to say about the battery life. Because, as we said, the idea of the battery life is dependent on what you use your camera for.
However, people do not seem to be excited about the touch screen. Apparently, the touch screen engages pretty slowly. There have also been a few that complained about the battery life. However, if you are going for a mirrorless camera, you need prepare for this eventuality. However, some people are not exactly excited about the continuous shooting rate. Also, some people say that this camera is not the easiest camera to control. But apparently, you’ll eventually get the hang of things.
Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D
What Camera
Get the Sony a6500 now!Get the Canon 70D now!

Sony a6500 Vs Canon 70D – Our Take

Sony a6500

Canon 70D

We like the Sony a6500 and really, why wouldn’t we? The Sony a6500 isn’t exactly the lightest camera in the market but it is also not heavy. We reckon it is just that right weight that allows you feel like you are holding something when you lift it without necessarily tiring your hands. Then there is the fact that it comes with a microphone port and takes 4k videos; the combination of which makes the camera a good video camera. And of course, who wouldn’t like that it has an inbuilt image stabilization feature? We really consider the Sony a6500 a good blend of a photo and video camera. Believe it or not, we also like the Canon 70D; it has its charms. First off, if you are any kind of vlogger, you’ll like this camera. Why? Aside the fact that it takes kinda decent videos, the screen is fully articulated. So, you do not need any help with recording your videos; just swivel the camera screen and do your recording yourself. That said, we also like that the Canon 70D has a pretty decent battery life; you don’t need to run off to recharge it as often as you would with its opponent. And just like the Sony a6500, we consider the Canon 70D a nice blend of a photo camera and a video camera.
There are a number of things we aren’t excited about the Sony a6500 as we have already listed above. However, if those things do not faze you, get the Sony a6500 now! There are features we wish this camera had included being able to record 4k videos. However, if you can work with the camera as is, get the Canon 70D now!

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