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Sony A9 vs Sony A6500

Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
67
Features
85
Overall
74

Sony A9 vs Sony A6500 Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Launched April 2017
  • Replacement is Sony A9 II
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Announced October 2016
  • Superseded the Sony A6300
Photography Glossary

Sony A9 vs Sony A6500 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Sony A9 vs Sony A6500, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are designed by Sony. The resolution of the A9 (24MP) and the A6500 (24MP) is fairly comparable but the A9 (Full frame) and A6500 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The A9 was unveiled 7 months later than the A6500 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the A9 matches up against the A6500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony A6500

 A9 A6500 
AnnouncedApril 2017October 2016More recent by 7 months
Display resolution1440k922kSharper display (+518k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Sony A9

 A6500 A9 

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony A6500

 A9 A6500 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Sony A9 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Sony A9 has got outside measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) whilst 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 A9 vs Sony A6500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the A9 compared to the A6500.

Sony A9 vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A9 and A6500 is 65 and 81 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The photograph below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A9 and A6500.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor measurements. The A9 provides the larger sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult. The fresher A9 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A9 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 Portrait photography details
Sony A6500 Portrait photography details
83
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
80
focusing manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 Street photography details
Sony A6500 Street photography details
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
includes focus via touch
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
85
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
has touch to focus
environment proofing
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 Sports photography highlights
Sony A6500 Sports photography highlights
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery power (650 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
77
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (350 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Travel photography camera
73
better than average battery power (650 per charge)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes focus via touch
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
74
environment proofing
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
MP count good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery pack (350 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 Landscape photography details
Sony A6500 Landscape photography details
85
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
low battery pack (350 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 Vlogging highlights
Sony A6500 Vlogging highlights
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
39
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Sony A9 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony A6500
 Sony Alpha A9Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A9 Sony Alpha a6500
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2017-04-19 2016-10-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 51200 25600
Max enhanced ISO 204800 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 693 425
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,440 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000s 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 673 gr (1.48 lbs) 453 gr (1.00 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 92 85
DXO Color Depth score 24.9 24.5
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 13.7
DXO Low light score 3517 1405
Other
Battery life 650 photographs 350 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FZ100 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Two One
Retail cost $4,498 $1,298