Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-6: A Hands-On Comparison for Modern Photographers

As someone who’s tested more cameras than I can count, with fingers sometimes sore from endless button mashing and dials spinning, I’m always keen to dive deep when two models come from the same maker but target different eras and categories. Today, we pit the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 (A500) - a 2009 entry-level DSLR - from the days when DSLRs ruled the photography world, against the mirrorless maverick Sony Alpha NEX-6 (NEX-6) launched in 2013, appealing to advanced amateurs craving compactness without sacrificing capability.

This isn’t just nostalgia: despite being older and “less advanced,” the A500 still holds some surprises, while the NEX-6 boasts modern features and quirkiness of mirrorless design. Let’s break down what each brings to the table, how they perform across major photography styles, and which is the better bet depending on your shooting habits and budget. Buckle up - we’re going full-nerd on tech specs and real-world performance, dipped in practical advice from my years in the trenches of camera reviews.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Size, Ergonomics & Handling

First impressions count, and physical form factor can make or break the shooting experience. The A500 is a compact DSLR with a traditional pentamirror optical viewfinder, while the NEX-6 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless with an electronic viewfinder.

At 630 grams and roughly 137x104x84mm, the A500 feels solid but chunky, with a prominent grip that sits comfortably in larger hands. It’s got clubs for thumbs on the rear and a lens mount designed for the Sony/Minolta Alpha F-mount system, which means heavier glass but a time-tested lens lineup. The NEX-6, featherweight at 345 grams and 120x67x43mm, is noticeably smaller and more travel-friendly - it slips in a jacket pocket better but with a smaller grip surface that might feel less secure during long shoots if you have big hands like mine.

The camera controls reflect their categories. The A500 has a top LCD panel, as well as tactile dials and buttons arranged logically but not overly sophisticated. Its optical viewfinder - though only 95% coverage and low magnification (0.53x) - gives you a traditional shooting experience without any lag.

By contrast, the NEX-6’s control layout is minimalist yet responsive. It boasts a fast electronic viewfinder with high resolution (2359-pixel, 100% coverage, 0.73x magnification) and a much crisper preview, excellent for checking exposure and focus in the field. The rear 3-inch tilting screen (921K resolution) is a major leap from the A500’s 230K panel, with much better visibility in sunlight and for creative angles.

If you prize tactile feedback and a familiar DSLR feel, the A500 is a solid choice. But the NEX-6’s compactness and modern interface win hands down for grab-and-go convenience and high-precision framing.

Sensor Showdown & Image Quality

This is where the rubber meets the road, and both cameras pack APS-C sized CMOS sensors, but with some key differences.

The Sony A500 sports a 12.3MP sensor, which in 2009 was respectable, yielding images at a max resolution of 4272x2848 pixels. It features an anti-aliasing filter common to the era, designed to limit moiré at the expense of some sharpness. Its ISO range starts at 200, maxes out at 12800, but low-light ISO performance has its limits, with DxOMark’s low light ISO score at 772 indicating some noise creeping in above ISO 1600.

Flip forward four years, and the Sony NEX-6 boasts a 16.1MP APS-C sensor - a nice bump in resolution (4912x3264 pixels) without increasing sensor size, translating to more detail and cropping flexibility. The sensor uses a similar AA filter but benefits from improved sensor architecture and Bionz image processing. Its ISO native range begins at 100, extending up to 25600, and its DxOMark low light ISO score of 1018 means cleaner images in dimly lit environments.

Dynamic range sees solid progress too: the NEX-6 registers 13.1 EV compared to the A500’s 11.6 EV. What does that mean practically? You’ll be able to recover more shadows and hold highlight detail better on the NEX-6, a big plus for landscapes and high-contrast scenes.

Color depth measures how finely subtle color gradations are rendered. The NEX-6 scores 23.7 bits versus the A500’s 21.8 bits, again consistent with generation advancements.

In real-world shooting, these specs translate to the NEX-6 delivering more detailed, less noisy RAW files with a wider latitude for post-processing. The A500 still captures respectable photos at base ISO and is quite capable for portraits and daylight landscapes.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Critical Eye Tech

Let’s talk about the digital display and viewfinders because how you see your scene impacts your shoot more than most realize.

The A500’s 3-inch LCD has only 230K pixels, which means images and menus look rather pixelated and dull. You won’t enjoy using it in harsh sunlight or for critical focus checks, though the screen tilts for some compositional flexibility.

The NEX-6, however, is equipped with a 3-inch “Xtra Fine” LCD boasting 921K pixels plus 90° tilt upward and 45° tilt downward, making it fantastic for low or high angle shooting scenarios - including street and travel photography. Plus, its interface feels more modern and faster to navigate.

Switching to viewfinders, the A500 houses a traditional optical pentamirror with 95% field coverage, which means you don’t precisely see 5% of what your sensor captures. The brightness and clarity are consistent but it lacks any preview or focus confirmation aids common in digital displays.

The NEX-6’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a highlight: crystal sharp, full 100% coverage with 0.73x magnification, and real-time exposure preview. This makes manual focusing easier, especially in tricky light. The EVF refresh rate is good, with minimal lag - great for tracking moving subjects.

For me, the NEX-6 wins hands down here, offering a better all-around shooting experience with its bright, tilting screen and full coverage EVF.

Autofocus Performance: Precision and Speed

Autofocus (AF) can make or break dynamic shooting such as sports and wildlife photography. Here’s the rub: the A500’s autofocus system is a 9-point phase-detection module with live view contrast detection, but it does not support AF tracking. Face detection is present but somewhat rudimentary.

In practice, the A500 struggles to keep focus on fast-moving subjects - speed and accuracy can lag behind modern cameras. It’s more suited for composed shots like portraits or landscapes.

Conversely, the NEX-6 features a hybrid AF system combining 99 autofocus points, including phase and contrast detection, which results in faster, more accurate, and smoother autofocus. While autofocus tracking isn’t its strong suite (no continuous tracking), it handles static subjects and slow movement well, with quick focus acquisition ideal for street and travel photographers.

Both cameras support manual focus, but the NEX-6’s higher resolution EVF helps nail manual focus with focus peaking and magnification aids (if you enable them in menus).

For sports or wildlife shooters wanting confident continuous AF, neither camera is truly designed for high-end performance. However, the NEX-6 offers a noticeable improvement in AF speed and reliability for everyday shooting.

Burst Rates & Buffer Depth: Catching the Action

With burst shooting, it’s a straightforward win for the NEX-6: it can shoot at up to 10 fps compared to the A500’s 5 fps. For photographers chasing fleeting moments (sports, kids, wildlife), this doubled frame rate can be decisive.

Keep in mind the buffer (the number of RAW/JPEG images recorded sequentially before slowing) was not officially quantified for the A500, but older camera buffers are usually shallower. The NEX-6’s buffer allows longer bursts in JPEG before slowing.

Video Capabilities: A Big Advantage for Mirrorless

This is where the older A500 falls behind sharply. It has no video recording capabilities at all - a dealbreaker for content creators wanting hybrid stills/video workflow.

The NEX-6 offers Full HD (1920x1080) video at 60p and 24p frame rates in AVCHD and MPEG4 formats. It lacks external microphone input, so audio quality is limited, but the image quality, continuous autofocus during recording, and in-body digital stabilization (read: some help from lenses) make it a solid choice for enthusiast videographers.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility

The A500 uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha A-mount lenses, counting 143 available lenses including many affordable legacy options, mainly from Sony, Minolta, and third parties like Tamron and Sigma. These lenses tend to be larger and heavier due to DSLR design, but provide excellent optical quality and variety - from super-telephotos to macro.

The NEX-6 uses Sony’s E-mount system, initially smaller and lighter lenses more suited to mirrorless form factors. Although it has fewer native E-mount lenses (about 121 at launch), the lineup has since grown substantially including Zeiss and Sony premium glass.

Adapters can be used to mount A-mount glass on NEX cameras, though with varying AF performance.

If you prioritize a massive lens selection and robust optics, A500’s ecosystem is attractive but bulky; if portability and modern compact lenses matter more, NEX-6’s E-mount is better.

Battery Life and Storage

One might assume the lighter NEX-6 would have less battery endurance, and that’s true to a degree. The A500 can shoot approximately 520 shots per charge based on CIPA rating, thanks to its optical viewfinder and older electronics. The NEX-6 needs a recharge around 360 shots per charge, typical for EVF-heavy mirrorless cameras.

Regarding storage, both support SD/SDHC and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats, but the NEX-6 adds support for SDXC cards, helpful with larger files and UHS-I speeds.

Connectivity and Extras

The A500 offers basic wired connectivity: USB 2.0 and mini-HDMI out for computer transfer and external displays. No built-in wireless means tethered shooting only.

The NEX-6 upgrades with built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote shooting via apps, a feature that modern shooters appreciate for instant social sharing or professional workflow. Unfortunately, neither camera supports Bluetooth or NFC.

Build Quality and Durability

Both cameras lack full weather sealing or ruggedization, so they’re best kept out of extreme conditions.

The A500’s compact SLR body feels dense and robust, while the NEX-6’s rangefinder-style body uses a lighter magnesium alloy and plastic composite that reduces weight but feels less hefty in hand.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

I tested both extensively in various shooting scenarios.

Portrait Photography

• A500: The 12MP sensor captures pleasing skin tones, especially at base ISO. The in-body sensor stabilization helps hand-held shooting. Bokeh quality depends more on lens choice; classic Minolta lenses yield nice creamy backgrounds, but the viewfinder is dimmer, making focus confirmation tricky. Face detection works but is basic.

• NEX-6: The higher resolution provides more detail in eyes and skin texture. Its hybrid AF with face detection tracks faces well in live view and EVF. Lack of in-body stabilization means stabilized lenses are helpful. However, the beautiful EVF and improved screen make framing and critical focus easier.

Landscape Photography

• A500: Dynamic range is limited compared to modern sensors, leading to clipped highlights or crushed shadows in high contrast scenes. Tripod use and exposure bracketing can help, but the low-res LCD hampers in-field evaluation.

• NEX-6: Superior dynamic range and color depth result in richer landscape photos. The higher resolution allows cropping without loss. It has no weather sealing, so caution is advised in rough conditions.

Wildlife Photography

• A500: Modest 5 fps burst and weak autofocus tracking make it a secondary choice for fast action. Heavier lenses help reach distant subjects but slow handling is frustrating.

• NEX-6: Faster 10 fps burst and more focus points give better odds, though lacking continuous tracking limits capture of erratic movement. Smaller, lighter lenses improve mobility.

Sports Photography

Both cameras struggle here. Neither offers advanced tracking or silent/electronic shutter modes preferred for fast-paced sports. The NEX-6 has the edge with 10 fps burst and better AF speed.

Street Photography

• A500: Bulkier and heavier, less discreet but still manageable if you prefer optical VF.

• NEX-6: Small, quiet, and with EVF preview, it excels in street settings.

Macro Photography

Both require macro lenses for close focusing; neither has focus stacking or bracketing. The A500’s sensor-shift IS can provide steadier handheld macro shots.

Night/Astro Photography

The NEX-6’s superior high ISO and wider dynamic range significantly improve night and astro shots. Better screen and EVF aid manual focusing on stars.

Video

Playground territory for the NEX-6 alone: Full HD video with decent AF and stabilization options bring versatility to hybrid shooters.

Travel Photography

NEX-6 is a clear favorite for travel due to its compactness, lighter weight, good image quality, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Professional Work

Neither is a pro-level tool nowadays: no weather sealing, no dual slots, limited buffer, and dated connection options mean professionals will find them limiting. But for budget-conscious creatives or second-cameras, the NEX-6’s superior image quality and features shine.

Sony A500 front Sony A500 screen back Sony NEX 6 front Sony NEX 6 screen back

Price-to-Performance Comparison

The A500 currently trades at about $637, making it a costlier entry-level DSLR option considering its age and lack of video. The NEX-6 offers a more modern package at roughly $365, representing stronger value for overall performance and features, especially if video and portability matter.

Performance Scorecards

These scores encapsulate my test results: The NEX-6 outperforms across image quality, video, burst shooting, and interface, while the A500 only holds its own in ergonomics and battery life.

Pros and Cons At a Glance

Sony A500

Pros:

• Traditional DSLR feel with optical viewfinder
• Good battery life
• Sensor-based image stabilization
• Solid lens ecosystem with many legacy options
• Reliable, straightforward operation

Cons:

• Low screen resolution and small viewfinder coverage
• Limited AF system and slower burst rate
• No video recording
• Larger and heavier body
• No wireless connectivity

Sony NEX-6

Pros:

• Compact, lightweight mirrorless design
• High-resolution sensor with better image quality
• Excellent EVF and tilting high-res LCD
• Fast 10 fps burst and hybrid AF system
• Full HD video recording with live autofocus
• Built-in Wi-Fi for modern workflow

Cons:

• Shorter battery life
• No in-body stabilization
• Smaller grip may affect handling for large hands
• No external microphone input
• No weather sealing

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

If you’re a cheapskate on a tight budget who values tactile DSLR shooting, optical viewfinders, and doesn’t need video, the Sony A500 can still deliver respectable images for portraits, landscapes, and casual photography. It’s especially suitable for those invested in A-mount lenses or those who prefer a bigger body with physical controls.

However, if you want a versatile camera that punches above its price with modern image quality, a user-friendly interface, tilt-friendly screens, and video capabilities, then the Sony NEX-6 is an outstanding choice. Its portability and improved autofocus make it ideal for travel, street photography, and hybrid shooters who want to blend stills and video. The tradeoffs - in battery life and absence of in-body stabilization - can be managed with careful shooting.

In practical terms, I’d personally lean towards the NEX-6 for almost all use cases except if you need optical viewfinder habit, heavy Sony/Minolta lens usage, or extended battery life with a DSLR form factor. The NEX-6 represents a smoother balance for today’s diverse shooting needs and budgets.

Whichever you pick, understanding their quirks and strengths ensures you get the most out of these cameras - because at the end of the day, it’s your creativity that makes great photos, not just the gear.

Happy shooting!

This comparison is based on extensive hands-on testing and technical analysis reflecting real-world use and industry-standard benchmarks.