Sony a6500 vs Nikon D600
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a6500 and Nikon D600. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a6500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D600 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a6500 were released 2016 and Nikon D600 was released 2012. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a6500 | 2016 |
Nikon D600 | 2012 |
Type of camera
Sony a6500 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D600 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a6500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D600 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a6500 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D600 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a6500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D600 has 24,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a6500 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D600 |
24,3 MP
24160256 pixels 6016 x 4016 |
Nikon D600 has a 1 % larger resolution than Sony a6500. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Sony a6500 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D600. Sony a6500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D600 has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a6500 | 100-25600 |
Nikon D600 | 100-6400 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a6500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D600
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a6500 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D600 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a6500 | 11 |
Nikon D600 | 5,5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a6500 and Nikon D600 can shoot movies.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Nikon D600 weighs 760 gr (equal to 1.68 lb) which is 68% heavier than Sony a6500 and its 453 gr (or 1 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a6500 | 453 gr 1 lb |
Nikon D600 | 760 gr 1.68 lb |
Sony a6500 vs Nikon D600 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a6500 and Nikon D600, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
Name | Sony a6500 | Nikon D600 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
Release Year | 2016 | 2012 |
Release Date | 2016-10-06 | 2012-09-13 |
MSRP | 1399 USD | 2099 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 6016 x 4016 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 24,3 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 8 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 425 | 39 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
FX (Full frame) No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 921000 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.07× (0.71× 35mm equiv.) | 0.7× |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359296 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
Frames per second | 11 fps | 5,5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 6 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC) |
Yes Optional with WU-1B mobile adapter |
Remote Control | Yes (via smartphone) | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless ) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D600 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 350 shots | 900 shots |
Width | 120 mm | 141 mm |
Height | 67 mm | 113 mm |
Depth | 53 mm | 82 mm |
Weight | 453 gram | 760 gram |