Sony a6500 vs Sony a7
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a6500 and Sony a7. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a6500 were released 2016 and Sony a7 was released 2013. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a6500 | 2016 |
Sony a7 | 2013 |
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 Sony a7 has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 |
Sony a7 | 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)
Resolution
Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony a6500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a7 has 24 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 |
Sony a7 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
ISO range
Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 25600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a6500 | 100-25600 |
Sony a7 | 100-25600 |
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 Sony a7
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 Sony a7 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a6500 | 11 |
Sony a7 | 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 Sony a7 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.
Sony a7 weighs 474 gr (equal to 1.04 lb) which is 5% heavier than Sony a6500 and its 453 gr (or 1 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a6500 | 453 gr 1 lb |
Sony a7 | 474 gr 1.04 lb |
Sony a6500 vs Sony a7 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a6500 and Sony a7, 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 |
Sony a7 |
Name | Sony a6500 | Sony a7 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a6500 |
Sony a7 |
Release Year | 2016 | 2013 |
Release Date | 2016-10-06 | 2013-10-16 |
MSRP | 1399 USD | 1699 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a6500 |
Sony a7 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a6500 |
Sony a7 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | Bionz X |
Image |
Sony a6500 |
Sony a7 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 8 | 10 |
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 |
Sony a7 |
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 Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 425 | 117 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony E 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 |
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 |
Sony a7 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 1230000 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | Xtra Fine LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.07× (0.71× 35mm equiv.) | 0.71× |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359296 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a6500 |
Sony a7 |
Frames per second | 11 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 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 | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot |
Multi Center 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 |
Sony a7 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD |
MPEG4 AVCHD |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a6500 |
Sony a7 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a6500 |
Sony a7 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC) |
Yes Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app) |
Remote Control | Yes (via smartphone) | Yes (wired) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a6500 |
Sony a7 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50
|
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 350 shots | 340 shots |
Width | 120 mm | 127 mm |
Height | 67 mm | 94 mm |
Depth | 53 mm | 48 mm |
Weight | 453 gram | 474 gram |