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Sony A7 vs Sony A6500

Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74
Sony Alpha A7 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
67
Features
85
Overall
74

Sony A7 vs Sony A6500 Key Specs

Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7 II
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Revealed October 2016
  • Succeeded the Sony A6300
Photography Glossary

Sony A7 vs Sony A6500 Overview

The following is a complete comparison of the Sony A7 and Sony A6500, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and they are both created by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A7 (24MP) and the A6500 (24MP) is very close but the A7 (Full frame) and A6500 (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

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The A7 was revealed 3 years before the A6500 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a brief summation of how the A7 matches up vs the A6500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony A6500

 A7 A6500 
Display resolution1230k922kCrisper display (+308k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Sony A7

 A6500 A7 
RevealedOctober 2016January 2014Newer by 32 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony A6500

 A7 A6500 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony A7 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and volume. The Sony A7 features outside dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) while the Sony A6500 has sizing of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

Check out the Sony A7 and Sony A6500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the A7 versus the A6500.

Sony A7 vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A7 and A6500 is 78 and 81 respectively.

Sony A7 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing specs. The picture here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the A7 and A6500.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature the identical megapixel count but different sensor dimensions. The A7 comes with the larger sensor which will make getting bokeh simpler. The more aged A7 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Sony A7 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A7
Portrait photography with Sony A6500
82
focusing manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
80
manual focus
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 Street photography factors
Sony A6500 Street photography factors
79
has a tilting screen
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
lighter than competition (474g)
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
85
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch focus
environment sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 Sports photography advice
Sony A6500 Sports photography advice
66
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (340 per charge)
77
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7 Travel photography factors
Sony A6500 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competition (474g)
weather sealing
MP count good (24 megapixels)
terrible battery (340 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
74
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch focus
decent megapixels (24MP)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 Landscape photography advice
Sony A6500 Landscape photography advice
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (340 shots)
79
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery life (350 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 Vlogging information
Sony A6500 Vlogging information
35
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic support
lighter than competition (474 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
39
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic port
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Sony A7 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 and Sony A6500
 Sony Alpha A7Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7 Sony Alpha a6500
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2014-01-22 2016-10-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 117 425
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 474g (1.04 lb) 453g (1.00 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 90 85
DXO Color Depth rating 24.8 24.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.2 13.7
DXO Low light rating 2248 1405
Other
Battery life 340 images 350 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $798 $1,298