In this article, we will compare two mirrorless cameras from the A6000 series – the Sony a6500 and Sony a6600.
As you would expect, these two cameras share a lot of things in common. For example, they both feature a 24.2MP Exmor CMOS APS-C sensor, 4K video, 5-axis image stabilization system, and 11 fps burst shooting speed. Read about Sony A6400 vs A6500 vs A6300 on our website PhotographyTalk.com.
However, the Sony A6600 came almost three years after the Sony A6500, and while it retains all the good things from its predecessor, it also has some interesting upgrades.
Sony a6500 vs a6600 Specs
A6500
Although the Sony A6500 and A6600 have the same 24.2MP Exmor CMOS APS-C sensor, the new camera comes with an updated BionZ X processor, and because of that, it has a wider ISO range.
The Sony a6500 has a native ISO sensitivity of ISO 100 to 25600 (expandable to ISO 51200), while the Sony A6600 has a native sensitivity range of 100 to 32000 (expandable to ISO 102400). This implies that the Sony A6600 delivers much better results in low-light situations, but we are yet to see how this will play out in practice.
Like its older brother, the Sony a6600 features a 5-axis image stabilization which is very useful for handheld shooting. This system reduces or eliminates the blur which comes as an effect of the camera’s motion. At the moment, there are no other cameras from the A6000 series that have this technology.
A6600
As it was the case with its predecessor, the Sony a6600 is very good for sports photography. The camera has 11.0 fps continuous shooting speed and improved autofocus system with 425 phase and 425 contrast-detection points. In comparison, the Sony a6500 has only 425 phase-detection and 160 contrast-detection points.
Additionally, the Sony a6600 has the world’s fastest autofocus system speed since it will acquire focus in around 0.02 seconds. The Sony a6500 also has fast and reliable autofocus system with acquisition speed of 0.05 seconds. However, the new camera also has Eye AF that works in real-time, in video mode, and for animals.
A6600
It is worth mentioning that the Sony a6500 has a bigger buffer than its successor. While the Sony a6600 makes 115 JPG or 46 RAW images, the Sony a6500 allows you to record up to 269 JPG or 107 RAW files.
Sony a6500 vs a6600 Body & Design
All cameras from the A6000 series were designed to be portable and each of them can be a perfect choice for travelers and street photographers.
The Sony a6600 has an almost identical design as its predecessor. The only difference is that it has much bigger grip and more flexible LCD screen.
Because of this, the Sony a6600 is a little bit heavier than the Sony a6500, but it would be hard to notice this difference in reality. The camera measures 4.72 x 2.64 x 2.72 inches and weighs 1.11 pounds, while the Sony a6500 has dimensions of 4.72 x 2.64 x 2.09 inches and a weight of 1 lb.
The new grip is very useful because it will make handheld shooting much easier. Moreover, the bigger grip houses a larger battery which substantially increases the running time of the camera.
On a full charge, the Sony a6500 makes around 300 shots which is nothing in comparison to 800 shots that can be made with the Sony a6600.
Although the Sony a6500 has a tilting screen, it can’t be turned around to face the front of the camera. However, the Sony a6600 now has a fully articulated screen that can be moved in all directions. We believe this option will be of great use for vloggers.
A6600
Finally, the Sony a6500 has a built-in flash, while the Sony a6600 doesn’t have one. Still, you can always attach an external flash through a hot-shoe.
Sony a6500 vs a6600 Build & Handling
A6500
Despite being compact and lightweight, the two cameras are weather-sealed against dust, moisture, and other harmful weather conditions. Both of them are built out of magnesium-alloy, which is lightweight and durable material.
As we already mentioned, the Sony A6600 has a large grip which will make operating the camera a bit more comfortable. However, this is the only significant ergonomic difference. The placement of other controls and dials is almost identical.
A6600
In terms of connectivity, the both of these cameras offer Bluetooth, NFC, and Wi-Fi.
Sony a6500 vs a6600 Video Performance
A6500
Both cameras rate pretty well when it comes to video performance. They both shoot 4K UHD video up to 30p and Full HD video at up to 120 frames per second. However, the Sony a6600 comes with some big improvements over its predecessor.
The Sony A6500 has a 30-minute time limit for 4K video recording while there is no such restriction when shooting videos with the Sony A6600.
Additionally, the Sony A6600 has both microphone and headphone port, fully articulating screen, and HDR video profiles. All of this makes this camera very useful for videographers.
Sony a6500 vs a6600 Price
In conclusion, Sony A6600 has a better autofocus system, improved video features, and enhanced ergonomics. The camera will be available for purchase in November for the price of $1,398.00.
On the other hand, a new Sony A6500 costs $1,198.00. Also, since this camera is now three years old, you can also buy a used Sony a6600. On MPB, you can find one in excellent condition for the price as low as $884.00.
If you're not familiar with MPB, check out our MPB review to learn why it's our top-recommended used gear resource.
For more details about these cameras, check out the video above by Manny Ortiz.
This blog post about "Sony a6500 vs a6600 Review" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/sony-a6500-vs-a6600-review
