Sony NEX-6 vs Sony a500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-6 and Sony a500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony NEX-6 were released 2012 and Sony a500 was released 2009. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-6 2012
Sony a500 2009

Type of camera

Sony NEX-6 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony NEX-6 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a500 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 NEX-6 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a500 has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-6 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Sony a500 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848

Sony NEX-6 has a 32 % larger resolution than Sony a500. 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 NEX-6 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a500. Sony NEX-6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a500 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-6 100-25600
Sony a500 200-12800

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 NEX-6
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-6 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-6 10
Sony a500 5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony NEX-6. Unfortunately Sony a500 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 a500 weighs 630 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 83% heavier than Sony NEX-6 and its 345 gr (or 0.76 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-6 345 gr
0.76 lb
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb

Sony NEX-6 vs Sony a500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-6 and Sony a500, 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 NEX-6
Sony a500
Name Sony NEX-6 Sony a500
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-6
Sony a500
Release Year 2012 2009
Release Date 2012-09-12 2009-08-27
MSRP 749 USD 549 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-6
Sony a500
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-6
Sony a500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 12 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony NEX-6
Sony a500
ISO Range 100 - 25600 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony NEX-6
Sony a500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 99 9
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

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
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 NEX-6
Sony a500
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90° and Down 45° N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-6
Sony a500
Frames per second 10 fps 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 No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-6
Sony a500
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony NEX-6
Sony a500
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-6
Sony a500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in
No
Remote Control Yes (InfraRed (optional)) Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-6
Sony a500
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 360 shots 520 shots
Width 120 mm 137 mm
Height 67 mm 104 mm
Depth 43 mm 84 mm
Weight 345 gram 630 gram