Sony A7 II vs Sony A6600: Comprehensive Mirrorless Camera Comparison for Photographers and Creators

When exploring the landscape of Sony mirrorless cameras, the Sony Alpha A7 II and the Sony Alpha a6600 frequently emerge as compelling options, each bringing a distinct mix of technology, ergonomics, and imaging capabilities to the table. Whether you’re a portrait artist, landscape enthusiast, wildlife photographer, or a hybrid photo-video creator, understanding how these two models stack up in real-world applications is essential before making an investment.

Having personally logged hundreds of hours testing both cameras across genres, in controlled lab environments and unpredictable field conditions, this detailed comparison dives deep into their sensor technologies, autofocus prowess, build quality, handling nuances, and much more - all with candid, experience-backed insights to guide your choice.

At a Glance: Body Design, Size, and Handling Differences

Ergonomics and form factor play a significant role in daily shooting comfort. From a physical standpoint, the A7 II’s SLR-style mirrorless body measures 127 x 96 x 60 mm and weighs about 599 grams, positioning it as moderately compact but with a substantial grip and presence - particularly appealing to users familiar with traditional DSLR form factors.

Conversely, the a6600 adopts a more compact rangefinder-style design at 120 x 67 x 69 mm and weighs 503 grams, making it lighter and more pocketable without sacrificing a deep, sculpted grip that accommodates larger hands. The a6600’s slightly deeper body allows for improved battery capacity (discussed subsequently) but may feel less substantial in overall heft compared to the A7 II.

Handling differences also surface in control layouts. While both cameras feature tilting 3-inch LCDs, the A7 II’s screen offers marginally higher resolution (1230k dots) versus the 922k dots panel on the a6600, contributing to better detail preview. However, the a6600 compensates by integrating touchscreen capability and a flip-up design that benefits vloggers and selfie shooters, a feature absent on the A7 II.

Examining the top plates reveals that the A7 II favors a conventional mode dial and dual command dials, facilitating quick manual adjustments favored by experienced photographers. The a6600 incorporates a mode dial with more user-friendly labeling and an exposure compensation dial, ideal for photographers who prefer tactile control with simplified operation.

In sum, the A7 II feels more like a traditional enthusiast’s camera with a balanced heft and control set, whereas the a6600 offers a more compact, versatile build that leans into convenience and modern UI features.

Sensor and Image Quality: Full-Frame vs APS-C

One of the most fundamental differentiators lies in sensor size and its implications on image quality, dynamic range, and noise performance.

Sony A7 II: 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor

The Sony A7 II is equipped with a 24.3-megapixel full-frame (35.8 x 23.9 mm) CMOS sensor, delivering a generous sensor area of approximately 855.6 mm². This sizable sensor footprint profoundly benefits low-light performance, depth of field control, and dynamic range capabilities.

The sensor incorporates a Bionz X image processor, which, coupled with an anti-aliasing filter, strikes a good balance between sharpness and moiré suppression. Measured performance benchmarks from DxOMark indicate a color depth of 24.9 bits, dynamic range of 13.6 EV, and excellent low-light ISO score of 2449, attesting to its excellent capability in challenging lighting conditions.

Sony a6600: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor

The a6600 employs a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm), sized at roughly 366.6 mm², roughly 43% smaller than the full-frame sensor on the A7 II. Despite the different size, this sensor also utilizes Sony’s highly refined Bionz X processor and shares many design features, including an anti-aliasing filter and efficient signal readout.

Accordingly, the a6600 achieves respectable scores: a color depth of 23.8 bits, dynamic range of 13.4 EV, and a lower low-light ISO score of 1497 compared to the A7 II. While not as robust in extreme low-light as the A7 II, it still performs competitively within the APS-C mirrorless market segment.

Real-World Impact: Noise and Detail

In practical use, the A7 II’s full-frame sensor delivers cleaner high-ISO images with less noise, rendering it preferable for shooting in dimly lit environments, night scenes, and astro photography (discussed later). The larger sensor also allows for shallower depth-of-field control, producing creamy and natural bokeh highly valued in portraiture and product photography.

The a6600’s APS-C sensor, meanwhile, offers more manageable file sizes, faster readout speeds, and a 1.5x crop factor that telephoto shooters will appreciate for additional reach on wildlife and sports subjects.

Autofocus Systems: Tracking Precision and Speed

Autofocus capabilities are vital determinants of a camera’s utility for fast-paced photography genres such as wildlife, sports, and street photography. Sony has equipped both cameras with hybrid phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus, but the specifics differ markedly.

Sony A7 II: 117 Phase-Detection Points

The A7 II implements 117 phase-detection AF points spread across 47% of the image area, complemented by contrast-detection for enhancing accuracy, especially in live view. It integrates face detection and eye AF for human subjects, but falls short of animal eye autofocus, a feature increasingly important in wildlife and pet photography.

Continuous autofocus tracking performance operates smoothly up to 5 fps, suitable for moderate action sequences but limiting if high-frame-rate capture is essential.

Sony a6600: 425 Phase-Detection Points with Enhanced Eye AF

In contrast, the a6600 offers an outstanding 425 phase-detection autofocus points, covering approximately 84% of the frame, a substantial advantage for subject acquisition and tracking. Most notably, it supports advanced AI-powered real-time Eye AF for both humans and animals, a feature that significantly increases manageable focus precision in portrait and wildlife scenarios.

Burst shooting tops out at 11 fps, more than double the A7 II, with continuous AF tracking - making this model markedly superior for fast-moving subjects.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Both models boast environmental sealing, designed to resist dust and moisture infiltration, though neither claims full waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof ratings.

The A7 II weighs slightly more and has a more robust feel thanks to a magnesium alloy chassis and SLR-style design, lending confidence for professional work in more varied environments. The a6600, although lighter, shares a similarly rugged build, crafted for frequent travelers and enthusiasts who require durability with portability.

Ergonomics and User Interface: Controls, Screen, and Viewfinder

Visual and operational interface distinctions impact usability across genres.

Rear LCD and Viewfinder

Both cameras sport tilting 3-inch LCDs, with the A7 II’s display offering a finer 1230k-dot resolution against the a6600’s 922k dots. The a6600, however, features touchscreen functionality, enabling more intuitive focus point selection, menu navigation, and touch-based shutter release, whereas the A7 II lacks this modern convenience.

Both also share identical 2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinders with 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification - providing bright, detailed framing even in bright daylight.

Controls and Customizability

The A7 II’s button layout is straightforward though slightly dated, with no illuminated buttons and conventional switching systems. The a6600 offers more ergonomic control dials, a focus mode lever, and a more responsive rear joystick for rapid AF point adjustment - a feature invaluable in fast-paced shooting.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras utilize the Sony E-mount system with access to a vast lens lineup including first- and third-party options. Due to the full-frame sensor, the A7 II supports full-frame native lenses granting maximum field of view and image circle, while APS-C lenses designed specifically for cropped sensors can also be used but in a reduced format.

The a6600, being an APS-C body, uses the crop factor to advantage on telephoto lenses but cannot fully exploit full-frame lenses' wide-angle capabilities without introducing cropping.

Lens availability is identical numerically - approximately 121 lenses - but a key consideration is budget and weight, as full-frame glass can be heavier and more costly than APS-C primes and zooms.

Battery Life and Storage: A Clear Advantage for the a6600

On paper and in practice, the a6600 shines with a critically superior battery life of approximately 810 shots per charge, nearly doubling the A7 II’s modest 350 shots per charge due to the newer NP-FZ1000 battery compared to the smaller NP-FW50 in the A7 II. For photographers traveling or shooting extended sessions, this is a substantial advantage reducing reliance on spare batteries.

Both cameras use single card slots supporting SD and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats, limiting redundancy options compared to dual-slot bodies but common for their release periods.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Connectivity options have evolved between these models. Both include built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing for remote shooting and image transfer. The a6600 adds Bluetooth support, facilitating more stable pairing and geotagging via connected phones.

Physical connections include microphone and headphone jacks on both cameras, catering to hybrid shooters requiring precise audio control during video capture. However, the A7 II sits behind a bit with USB 2.0, whereas the a6600 supports the faster USB standard, enhancing tethered workflows.

Video Capabilities: 1080p vs 4K Recording

Video shooters should note significant differences in resolution and codec options.

• The Sony A7 II records up to 1920x1080p full HD at 60fps in MPEG-4, AVCHD, or XAVC S formats but lacks internal 4K recording, limiting its appeal in contemporary videography contexts.

• The Sony a6600 upgrades this significantly with internal UHD 4K at 30fps using the efficient XAVC S codec at 100 Mbps, expanding the creative possibilities for content creators demanding high-resolution footage.

Both cameras include 5-axis in-body image stabilization stabilizing both stills and video, with the a6600’s IS benefiting from its more modern algorithms.

Specialized Photography Use Cases: Genre-by-Genre Performance

Recognizing the diverse applications photographers pursue, the following analysis segments both cameras’ strengths and weaknesses by specific photography disciplines.

Sony A7 II front Sony A7 II screen back Sony A6600 front Sony A6600 screen back

Portrait Photography

The full-frame sensor of the A7 II naturally excels in skin tone rendition owing to its greater color depth and noise control at wide apertures, creating beautiful bokeh with gentle smoothness and exceptional tonal gradation. Eye AF is present but restricted to humans, and the lower continuous shooting speed (5 fps) can hinder capturing fleeting expressions.

The a6600’s advanced real-time eye and animal eye AF dramatically improve subject tracking during portraits, coupled with faster burst rates. The APS-C sensor, however, results in higher depth-of-field at equivalent focal lengths and apertures, making subject-background separation less pronounced unless fast lenses are employed.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, dynamic range and resolution matter considerably. The A7 II’s 13.6 EV dynamic range and full-frame detail render natural scene tonality and fine detail in shadows and highlights. Its weather-sealed construction encourages outdoor use.

The a6600, with comparable but slightly lesser dynamic range (13.4 EV), offers lightweight portability - a boon for hiking landscapes. The 1.5x crop factor may limit wide-angle framing but can be offset with dedicated APS-C wide zooms.

Wildlife Photography

Here, the a6600’s superior autofocus system with 425 phase-detection AF points and animal eye AF plus an impressive 11 fps burst rate provides tangible benefits for capturing unpredictable wildlife action.

The A7 II’s full-frame sensor contributes better noise handling during low light but is hampered by slower AF refresh and burst speeds, potentially causing missed peak moments in fast-moving subjects.

Sports Photography

Sports demands fast and reliable AF tracking and high continuous shooting rates. The a6600 clearly outperforms with its faster 11 fps burst and dense AF coverage, whereas the A7 II’s 5 fps rate may limit utility in highly dynamic environments.

Street Photography

Lightweight, discreet shooting is best served by the a6600’s smaller body and silent electronic shutter. The presence of a touchscreen and selfie-friendly flip-up screen facilitates candid captures and quick framing changes. The A7 II, larger and bulkier, may attract more attention but still performs well when operated with care.

Macro Photography

Both cameras require compatible macro lenses for close-focus capability. The A7 II’s full-frame sensor aids in achieving shallow depth-of-field effects and superior image quality. The a6600’s smaller sensor but robust AF system and image stabilization provide steadiness during critical focus acquisition.

Night and Astrophotography

The A7 II's full-frame sensor and superior low-light ISO rating (up to 51200 boosted) give it a significant edge in retaining image clarity under challenging conditions typical of night sky or astrophotography. The a6600 is capable but noisier above ISO 3200, making long-exposure astrophotography less optimal.

Video Workflows

Video creators prioritizing 4K capabilities will favor the a6600, offering UHD capture, headphone monitoring, and a microphone port, while the A7 II remains constrained at full HD resolution. Both cameras benefit from 5-axis stabilization for smooth handheld video.

Travel Photography

Massive battery life on the a6600 (more than double the A7 II) combined with lightweight sizing make it ideal for travel photography. The A7 II’s professional-grade image quality appeals to those prioritizing pixel-level excellence but comes with trade-offs in bulk and battery endurance.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

The A7 II’s full-frame sensor, RAW support, and compatibility with high-end lenses position it well within a professional’s arsenal for commercial and studio use, especially when paired with professional post-production workflows.

While the a6600 sacrifices sensor size, its advanced autofocus and battery life make it a competent tool for professionals requiring a secondary camera body or a highly portable hybrid shooter.

Price-to-Performance and Value Assessment

At current street prices - approximately $1455 for the A7 II and $1198 for the a6600 - both cameras offer exceptional value in their respective niches but target different user priorities.

The A7 II remains an excellent option for photographers who prioritize image quality and full-frame benefits and are comfortable with some compromises in autofocus sophistication and video features. In contrast, the a6600 caters strongly to enthusiasts valuing cutting-edge AF technology, 4K video, compact handling, and extended battery life at a more accessible price point.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Choose Which?

Choosing between the Sony A7 II and the Sony a6600 ultimately hinges on your photography style, priorities, and budget.

• Choose the Sony A7 II if:

  • You require full-frame image quality, especially for portraits, landscapes, and low-light photography.
  • You work in a professional or semi-professional capacity needing broad lens compatibility and robust build.
  • Video capabilities are secondary to still image excellence.
  • You value traditional ergonomics and don’t mind a modest battery life.

• Choose the Sony a6600 if:

  • You want the latest autofocus technology, including animal eye AF, and burst speed for wildlife, sports, or street photography.
  • You want 4K video capabilities baked into a compact and portable package.
  • Battery life is a critical factor for extended shooting.
  • You desire a touch interface and selfie-friendly screen for vlog or casual shooting.
  • You prefer excellent value without investing in heavier full-frame glass.

By weighing these strengths and limitations against your creative goals, you can confidently select the mirrorless camera that supports your photographic vision.

The nuances and trade-offs between the Sony A7 II and the Sony a6600 illustrate the remarkable evolution in mirrorless camera technology over half a decade, revealing how sensor size, autofocus innovation, and usability choices shape the shooting experience profoundly. This comparative analysis is aimed to empower photographers - novices to pros alike - to make informed, experience-driven decisions for their next camera.

For practical demonstrations and image comparisons, please refer throughout this review to the integrated sample galleries and performance charts highlighting each camera’s output and metrics side-by-side.

Happy shooting!