Sony a7S vs Sony NEX-6

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S and Sony NEX-6. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a7S were released 2014 and Sony NEX-6 was released 2012. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7S 2014
Sony NEX-6 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7S has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Sony NEX-6 has a "Sony APS-C"-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 a7S 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Sony NEX-6 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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

Sony a7S has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony NEX-6 has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a7S 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832
Sony NEX-6 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

Sony NEX-6 has a 34 % larger resolution than Sony a7S. 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 a7S has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-6. Sony a7S has an ISO range that stretches from 10 to 102400 while Sony NEX-6 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7S 10-102400
Sony NEX-6 100-25600

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 a7S
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-6

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7S can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony NEX-6 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7S 5
Sony NEX-6 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a7S and Sony NEX-6 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 a7S weighs 489 gr (equal to 1.08 lb) which is 42% heavier than Sony NEX-6 and its 345 gr (or 0.76 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7S 489 gr
1.08 lb
Sony NEX-6 345 gr
0.76 lb

Sony a7S vs Sony NEX-6 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S and Sony NEX-6, 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 a7S
Sony NEX-6
Name Sony a7S Sony NEX-6
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
Release Year 2014 2012
Release Date 2014-04-06 2012-09-12
MSRP 2499 USD 749 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 16 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz
Image
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
ISO Range 10 - 102400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 10 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 99
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT-LCD Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90° and Down 45°
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71x 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
Frames per second 5 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 6 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
MPEG4
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via smartphone)
Yes
Built-in
Remote Control Yes (Wired) Yes (InfraRed (optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7S
Sony NEX-6
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 360 shots
Width 127 mm 120 mm
Height 94 mm 67 mm
Depth 48 mm 43 mm
Weight 489 gram 345 gram