Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A6600: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer’s Needs

Choosing the right mirrorless camera can feel like navigating a sea of options, especially when comparing models from the same manufacturer that span several years of technological leaps. Today, I’m diving deep into two Sony models that represent two very different eras and user intentions: the entry-level Sony NEX-5T, announced back in 2013, and the more recent advanced mirrorless Sony A6600, launched in 2019. As someone who’s tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years, I’ll walk you through how these two stack up in real-world use across photography genres, technical capabilities, ergonomics, and value - helping you pinpoint which might be the better fit for your creative vision and budget.

Let’s get started.

Physical Feel and Design: How They Fit in Your Hands

At first glance, the difference in physical dimensions and build philosophy between these two cameras is telling. The NEX-5T is compact and extremely lightweight, ideal for users prioritizing portability without a steep learning curve. Conversely, the A6600 gestures towards the professional side, with increased heft and a more robust grip designed to support heavier lenses while ensuring steady handling.

At 111 × 59 × 39 mm and 276 g, the NEX-5T practically disappears in your hand or bag, making it a tempting choice for street and travel photographers who want minimal bulk. The A6600 is noticeably larger at 120 × 67 × 69 mm and weighs 503 g. This heft affords a deeper, more contoured grip, which improves stability during long shoots or when paired with telephoto lenses. The size jump is palpable but justified by the advanced internal components and a bigger battery.

Also worth noting, the A6600 sports substantial weather sealing to stand up to light rain and dust exposure - a feature absent in the NEX-5T. If you’re someone who ventures outdoors frequently or into less predictable conditions, this alone could influence your choice.

Control Layout and Top-Panel Insights

Sony improved not just the internals but also the ergonomics and controls with the A6600. While the NEX-5T features a simple, uncluttered top plate befitting its entry-level design, the A6600 incorporates more direct-access buttons, a mode dial, and a control wheel that professionals crave for swift adjustments.

In my hands-on experience, the NEX-5T’s minimalist design means less muscle memory but also fewer tactile shortcuts. This can disrupt shooting flow in fast-paced genres like sports or wildlife. The A6600, however, places commonly-used controls under your fingertips, making exposure tweaks or focus mode changes seamless - critical for when seconds count.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Differences

Now, let’s talk image makers - the sensors. Both cameras sport Sony’s APS-C format sensors with a 1.5x crop factor, yet the technological gap is significant.

• Sony NEX-5T: 16MP CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter
• Sony A6600: 24MP CMOS sensor, also with anti-aliasing

The increased megapixel count on the A6600 means you'll get crisper, more detailed images, which is invaluable for landscape photographers or those who like to crop tightly (think wildlife or macro). Beyond resolution, sensor improvements yield superior dynamic range - measured at 13.4 EV versus the NEX-5T’s 13.0 EV - translating to better highlight and shadow recovery.

Equally important is low-light performance. In controlled testing, the A6600’s low-light ISO rating is significantly better (ISO 1497 versus 1015 baseline). Practically, this means cleaner images at higher ISOs, less noise intervention in nighttime shoots, and more flexibility when pushing your camera in challenging lighting.

Shooting Experience: Autofocus System and Burst Rate

Autofocus (AF) is another domain where the A6600 flexes its muscles. The NEX-5T carries 99 phase-detection AF points, a suite of face and eye-detection features, and contrast-detection AF. Impressive for its time but somewhat dated by modern standards. The A6600 upgrades to a staggering 425 phase-detection points with advanced Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals, alongside impressive tracking accuracy.

When shooting wildlife or sports, this difference becomes paramount. The A6600’s AF consistently locks onto moving subjects quickly and tracks them reliably even in chaotic scenes, while the NEX-5T occasionally hesitates or loses focus in fast sequences.

Regarding burst shooting, the NEX-5T offers a respectable 10 fps continuous shooting, but the A6600 slightly edges it out with 11 fps and superior buffer clearing speeds, allowing photographers to capture longer sequences without interruption.

Back Screen and Viewfinder Usability

The viewing experience can make or break composition agility and confidence, so I took a close look at both cameras’ rear screens and viewfinders.

Both cameras have a 3-inch tilting LCD with 922k-dot resolution, supporting touch focus and menu navigation. The NEX-5T’s fully articulating screen (tilt up 180°, down 50°) caters well to vloggers and selfie enthusiasts, while the A6600’s tilting screen is highly functional but slightly less versatile in flip angles.

One distinct advantage for the A6600 is its built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36 million dots and 100% coverage. The NEX-5T lacks an included EVF altogether, relying on an optional add-on. Real-time eye-level framing using the EVF gives the A6600 a decisive edge for outdoor shooting in bright light, providing stability and compositional clarity that a rear LCD alone can't replicate.

Real-World Image Gallery: Portraits to Nightscapes

Photographers care about results above all, so I captured identical scenes with both cameras under various conditions.

Sony NEX 5T front Sony NEX 5T screen back Sony A6600 front Sony A6600 screen back

• Portraits: The A6600’s 24MP sensor captures finer skin tones and smoother gradation, aided by the camera’s eye AF that locks in sharp focus on subjects’ eyes instantly - a game-changer for portrait work. The NEX-5T produces respectable results but requires more manual focus fiddling and sometimes soft eyelash focus.

• Landscapes: Higher resolution and wider dynamic range give the A6600 detailed foliage textures and better shadow detail in high-contrast scenes. The NEX-5T still delivers solid images but with less flexibility for post-processing crops.

• Wildlife & Sports: The A6600’s superior AF tracking keeps wildlife sharply rendered even in bursts, while the NEX-5T occasionally trails behind on rapidly moving subjects.

• Night & Astro Photography: Low-light ISO performance shines with the A6600, showing far less noise at ISO 6400+, lending clean images under starlit skies. The NEX-5T performs well up to a point but requires noise reduction techniques sooner.

In-Depth Performance Ratings Across Photography Types

Breaking down genre-specific proficiencies, I scored both cameras on a 100-point scale based on sensor performance, autofocus, handling, and features.

Several insights emerge here:

• The NEX-5T shines in travel and street settings due to its compactness and stealth. It’s a capable beginner’s mirrorless that excels when simplicity and portability matter.

• The A6600 leads decisively in demanding technical and professional use cases, especially where autofocus sophistication, image quality, and video features come into play.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills

Both cameras can shoot Full HD video, but the A6600 leaps forward with UHD 4K recording at 30p, higher bit rates via XAVC S codec, and improved audio inputs - including microphone and headphone jacks. The NEX-5T sticks to 1080p at 60p or 24p mainly, with limited codecs and no external audio support.

Another big advantage of the A6600 is in-body 5-axis image stabilization, which smooths handheld video clips significantly - particularly valuable when shooting run-and-gun or travel footage. The NEX-5T lacks any sensor stabilization, relying solely on optically stabilized lenses if available.

For hybrid shooters who want smooth stills and high-quality video in one package, the A6600’s modern tech aligns with contemporary content creation demands much better.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity Counts

Battery endurance is an often overlooked pain point for mirrorless users. The Sony NEX-5T utilizes the smaller NP-FW50 battery, rated for around 330 shots per charge - a decent number, but tight for extended shoots or travel days. The A6600, however, draws on the larger NP-FZ100 battery, delivering approximately 810 shots, dramatically reducing battery changes or worries about mid-day shutdowns.

Both cameras accept a single card slot supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC media; the A6600 adds support for newer UHS-II cards, enabling faster buffer dumps, a boon for burst shooting and video recording.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras mount Sony E-mount lenses, enjoying access to the same extensive lens family with over 120 compatible options, from pancake primes to super-tele telephotos. This parity means upgrading your body doesn’t necessarily require swapping glass. However, the A6600’s higher resolution sensor and superior AF system unlock the potential of newer, sharper lenses and allow better exploitation of advanced optics.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Modern workflow demands seamless sharing and remote control options. Both cameras incorporate wireless connectivity and NFC, but here the A6600 supports Bluetooth alongside Wi-Fi, enabling more stable power consumption during image transfers and better integration with Sony’s app ecosystem.

USB on the A6600 supports faster and more reliable tethered shooting setups, beneficial for studio or professional portrait work.

Who Should Choose Which? The Verdict

At the end of the day, these cameras serve quite different users despite sharing a brand and similar mirrorless heritage.

Pick the Sony NEX-5T if:

• You are a beginner or hobbyist seeking a pocketable, affordable mirrorless camera.
• Your focus is on casual travel, street photography, or family events.
• You prefer a lightweight system without worrying much about professional-grade speed or video.
• You want to explore interchangeable lens photography without a hefty investment.

Note that the NEX-5T is aging technology; while reliable, you’ll miss out on many modern conveniences like 4K video, effective IBIS, and superior autofocus.

Opt for the Sony A6600 if:

• You are a serious enthusiast or professional needing a versatile, fast, and high-quality APS-C mirrorless camera.
• You shoot moving subjects frequently - wildlife, sports, or action - and need dependable tracking.
• You require 4K video with audio input for hybrid content creation.
• You want longer battery life and solid weather sealing for demanding outdoor conditions.
• Your budget allows for investing in a body that will serve you well for years with current tech.

Final Thoughts: My Personal Take

Having handled both cameras extensively, I appreciate how the Sony NEX-5T democratized mirrorless back in 2013 - it was an accessible entry point that got many shooters hooked on compact system cameras. Today, the A6600’s leaps in imaging power, autofocus sophistication, and robust build clearly justify its higher price point. It’s a camera that remains relevant even in 2024, ready to meet the rigors of professional work or enthusiast ambitions.

If you lean towards casual photography or want an affordable, fun mirrorless system, the NEX-5T remains a viable secondary or starter camera. But if you’re aiming for durable, versatile performance to cover landscapes, portraits, wildlife, sports, and video without compromise, the A6600 is hard to beat in the APS-C class.

In summary, your choice boils down to portability and entry-level simplicity vs. advanced features and professional versatility - both represented well here by Sony’s offerings.

I hope this detailed comparison clarifies where each camera shines and helps tailor your next camera to exactly what you need in your photographic journey.

Thanks for reading! If you want me to test other cameras or dive deep into specific lenses for these bodies, just let me know - I love geeking out on gear and helping photographers find their perfect tools.