Sony a6500 vs Nikon Z8

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a6500 and Nikon Z8. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a6500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z8 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a6500 were released 2016 and Nikon Z8 was released 2023. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a6500 2016
Nikon Z8 2023

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a6500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z8 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 Z8 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 Z8 has 46 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 Z8 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z8 has a 89 % 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

Nikon Z8 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a6500. Nikon Z8 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Sony a6500 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a6500 100-25600
Nikon Z8 32-102400

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 Z8

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 Z8 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a6500 11
Nikon Z8 30

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 Z8 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 Z8 weighs 910 gr (equal to 2.01 lb) which is 101% heavier than Sony a6500 and its 453 gr (or 1 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a6500 453 gr
1 lb
Nikon Z8 910 gr
2.01 lb

Sony a6500 vs Nikon Z8 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a6500 and Nikon Z8, 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 Z8
Name Sony a6500 Nikon Z8
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a6500
Nikon Z8
Release Year 2016 2023
Release Date 2016-10-06 2023-05-10
MSRP 1399 USD 3999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a6500
Nikon Z8
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a6500
Nikon Z8
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 Stacked CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 46 MP
Image Processor Bionz X
Image
Sony a6500
Nikon Z8
ISO Range 100 - 25600 32 - 102400
White Balance Presets 8 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
Yes
(Sensor-shift (Synchro VR with select lenses))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a6500
Nikon Z8
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 425 493
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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 Z8
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921600 2088960
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.07× (0.71× 35mm equiv.) 0.8×
Viewfinder Resolution 2359296 3686400
Photography features
Sony a6500
Nikon Z8
Frames per second 11 fps 30 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 6 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a6500
Nikon Z8
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a6500
Nikon Z8
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a6500
Nikon Z8
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Built-In
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (via app)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a6500
Nikon Z8
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50
EN-EL15c
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots 340 shots
Width 120 mm 144 mm
Height 67 mm 119 mm
Depth 53 mm 83 mm
Weight 453 gram 910 gram