Sony Alpha a6500 vs Nikon Z 6

  • APS-C
  • 24 megapixels
  • Sony E
  • 53
    Overall
  • 25
    Imaging
  • 71
    Features
  • 79
    Size
  • 0
    Price
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  • Full frame
  • 25 megapixels
  • Nikon Z
  • 46
    Overall
  • 19
    Imaging
  • 78
    Features
  • 73
    Size
  • 0
    Price
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Sony Alpha a6500 vs Nikon Z 6: a Complete Review and Comparison

Are you looking for the best camera to suit your needs? Due to a wide range of options, making a wise and weighted decision can be rather challenging. Which specs to keep in mind? What are the key pros and cons of each model? This comparison should give some helpful hints!

In this review, we are going to make a detailed comparison of two cameras that fall into different categories. While the first model we are looking at, Sony Alpha a6500 belongs to a Semi-Pro Mirrorless category, the other model, Sony Alpha a6500 is a Pro Mirrorless camera. Sony Alpha a6500 is equipped with a 24.0 MP CMOS sensor, while Nikon Z 6 comes with a 25.0 MP CMOS sensor.

To get started, let’s take a look at some of the key features of Sony Alpha a6500 and Nikon Z 6 and, after this, we can go on to our detailed comparison of these models.

Sony Alpha a6500 Key Features:

  • 24.0 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expands to 51200)
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • 3″ Tilting Screen
  • ViewFinder: Yes
  • 11.0 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Video: 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
  • Built-in Wireless: Yes
  • Dimensions: 120 x 67 x 53 mm
  • Weight: 453 g
  • Environmental Sealing: Yes
  • Built-in GPS: No
  • Replaced Sony A6300.

Nikon Z 6 Key Features:

  • 25.0 MP Full frame CMOS sensor
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expands to 50 - 204800)
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • 3.2″ Tilting Screen
  • ViewFinder: Yes
  • 12.0 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Video: 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • Built-in Wireless: Yes
  • Dimensions: 134 x 101 x 68 mm
  • Weight: 675 g
  • Environmental Sealing: Yes
  • Built-in GPS: No

Sony Alpha a6500 substituted Sony A6300.

Why is Sony Alpha a6500 a better choice than Nikon Z 6

NFC Yes vs No Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices
Built-In Flash Yes vs No All the lenses are stabilized
Flash Range 6 vs No 6 better flash range
Number Of Focus Points 425 vs 273 152 more focus points
Battery Life 350 shots vs 330 shots 20 more frames with a single charge
Weight 453 g vs 675 g 222 g lighter

What are the key reasons to pick Nikon Z 6 over Sony Alpha a6500

Bluetooth Yes vs No Connect your camera to other devices via Bluetooth
Sensor Resolution 25.0 MP vs 24.0 MP 4% more pixels
Sensor Area 858.01 mm2 vs 366.6 mm2 57.3% larger pixel area
Continuous Shooting 12 fps vs 11 fps 1 fps faster
Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 vs 1/4000 Faster shutter speed
Screen Size 3.2″ vs 3″ 0.2" larger screen
Screen Resolution 2,100k dots vs 922k dots 56.1% higher resolution screen
Headphone Port Yes vs No Has headphone port
Viewfinder Resolution 3,690k dots vs 2,359k dots 36.1% higher resolution
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8 vs 0.7 0.1 better magnification

Key PROs of Sony Alpha a6500 and Nikon Z 6

Touch Screen Yes | Yes Easy control of camera functions
Screen Size 3″ | 3.2″ Large display
Screen Type Tilting | Tilting Help viewing and changing settings easily
Viewfinder Electronic | Electronic Better framing and control
Raw Support Yes | Yes Better image quality
Sensor Resolution 24.0 MP | 25.0 MP Bigger prints and more details
AutoFocus Face Detection Yes | Yes Very handy for portraits
Microphone Port Yes | Yes High quality audio recording option
Bracketing Yes | Yes Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Continuous Shooting 11.0 fps | 12.0 fps Nice continuous shooting
Image Stabilization Yes | Yes Built-in stabilization
Flash Sync Port Yes | Yes Port for Flash Sync
Environmental Sealing Yes | Yes Shoot at tough conditions

Sony Alpha a6500 vs Nikon Z 6: Comparing Two Models By Physical Characteristics

Before heading straight to the technical characteristics of each model, let’s start with comparing their physical specs. Let’s start with looking at the physical difference of the two products. Below are images that clearly show the sizes of Sony Alpha a6500 and Nikon Z 6 from the front view.

Sony Alpha a6500
Nikon Z 6
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Now, let’s go on and see how the reviewed models are different or similar by the top view.

Sony Alpha a6500
Nikon Z 6
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After looking at these images, you should get a clear idea of each model’s dimensions and how they are different from each other. However, we are not going to stop there. The next characteristic worth looking at is the weight. Of course, not every photographer is concerned about the weight, for example, it wouldn't be a decisive point for those who shoot in a studio. However, it is still an important factor because if you happen to go on a long photo session or just love having the camera with you wherever you go, you want to be sure that the chosen model isn't too heavy.

Speaking of weight, Sony Alpha a6500 is a lighter option of these two, as it weights 222g less than the Nikon Z 6. This difference, in fact, can become a significant disadvantage for the photographers, who prefer to have their cameras with them wherever they go.

Comparing Sony Alpha a6500 and Nikon Z 6 by the type of Sensor and Resolution

Sensor is, without a doubt, the most significant element of every digital camera. Its type, size, and resolution are the factors that define the quality of future shots. Thus, it is barely possible to pick a suitable camera without looking at these specs.

Are Sony Alpha a6500 and Nikon Z 6 any different in terms of sensor type?

In fact, that's exactly what makes these two models really different. Thus, it is a good point to consider if your are choosing between these two cameras. Sony Alpha a6500 features a 24.0 MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor and boasts of a Bionz X processor . Nikon Z 6, in its turn, comes with a 25.0 MP Full frame sized CMOS sensor , which makes it significantly different from the first model.

Take a look below to find the comparison of Sony Alpha a6500 and Nikon Z 6 by the size of their sensors.

Sony Alpha a6500
Nikon Z 6
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One more distinctive feature of compared models is the sensor size. Nikon Z 6 is equipped with a sensor that is 0.4x larger than the one featured in Sony Alpha a6500. Compared to the cameras with smaller sensor area, the ones with larger sensors ensure more control on the blurry background and depth of field if you shoot in the same aperture and focal length. Thus, the first model has a significant advantage here.

For Which Fields Of Photography Are Sony Alpha a6500 and Nikon Z 6 Suitable?

If you are interested in photography or has made a career in this field, you should know that different types of shooting actually require different camera characteristics. While one model can produce outstanding portraits, at the same time, it can be terrible for shooting landscapes, and so on. Thus, before you purchase a specific camera, it is vital to decide, which type of shooting you do most often and consider an option that suits it the most.

This section of our comparison is devoted to the performance of Sony Alpha a6500 and Nikon Z 6 in different fields of photography. Here we are going to look at the five main areas and evaluate how well each of the reviewed models performs in them. This will help you choose an option that suits your needs the most depending on your interest in one or several of these fields.

Photography Type Sony Alpha a6500 Nikon Z 6
Portrait Photography
93%
98%
Street Photography
97%
96%
Sports Photography
98%
98%
Daily Photography
49%
69%
Landscape Photography
97%
92%

Sony Alpha a6500 for Portrait Photography

Advantages:

  • Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
  • High resolution sensor (24 MP)
  • Image Stabilization
  • Face Detection Focusing

Disadvantages:

No Significant Disadvantages

Nikon Z 6 for Portrait Photography

Advantages:

  • Large Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm) sensor
  • High resolution sensor (25 MP)
  • Fast Max Shutter Speed (1/8000s)
  • Image Stabilization
  • Face Detection Focusing

Disadvantages:

  • You might not like Nikon skintone

Sony Alpha a6500 for Street Photography

Advantages:

  • Built-in View Finder
  • Live View
  • Image Stabilization
  • Large APS-C(23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor

Disadvantages:

  • Big size (120 x 67 x 53 mm)

Nikon Z 6 for Street Photography

Advantages:

  • Built-in View Finder
  • Live View
  • Image Stabilization
  • Large Full frame(35.9 x 23.9 mm) sensor

Disadvantages:

  • Big size (134 x 101 x 68 mm)

Sony Alpha a6500 for Sports Photography

Advantages:

  • Fast Continuous Shooting (11.0 fps)
  • Environmental Sealing
  • Big Number of autofocus Points (425)

Disadvantages:

  • Slow Max Shutter Speed (1/4000s)
  • Small battery life (350 shots)

Nikon Z 6 for Sports Photography

Advantages:

  • Fast Continuous Shooting (12.0 fps)
  • Environmental Sealing
  • Fast Max Shutter Speed (1/8000s)
  • Big Number of autofocus Points (273)
  • Big size (134 x 101 x 68 mm)

Disadvantages:

  • Small battery life (330 shots)

Sony Alpha a6500 for Daily Photography

Advantages:

  • Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
  • Built-in Flash
  • Built-in View Finder
  • Live View
  • Wireless Connectivity
  • Video is available

Disadvantages:

  • Big weight (453 g)
  • Big size (120 x 67 x 53 mm)

Nikon Z 6 for Daily Photography

Advantages:

  • Large Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm) sensor
  • Built-in View Finder
  • Live View
  • Wireless Connectivity
  • Video is available

Disadvantages:

  • Big weight (675 g)
  • Big size (134 x 101 x 68 mm)
  • No Built-in Flash

Sony Alpha a6500 for Landscape Photography

Advantages:

  • Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
  • High resolution sensor (24 MP)
  • Good Dynamic Range (13.7)
  • Environmental Sealing
  • Live View
  • RAW Support

Disadvantages:

No Significant Disadvantages

Nikon Z 6 for Landscape Photography

Advantages:

  • Large Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm) sensor
  • High resolution sensor (25 MP)
  • Environmental Sealing
  • Live View
  • RAW Support

Disadvantages:

No Significant Disadvantages

Comparison of Sony Alpha a6500 vs Nikon Z 6: Final Verdict

Hopefully, our detailed overview of these models has helped you consider all the main specs, pros and cons of each cameras. Maybe, after reading this comparison, some of you have already decided which option to opt for depending on your needs and preferences. However, if you are still wondering which option is a better choice, Sony Alpha a6500 or Nikon Z 6, below you can see what scores each of them received in five different aspects. To wrap up, we have used our unique Decision Algorithm that assesses different camera models upon 63 different factors including their price, and, if possible, DxO Mark scores. This algorithm allows us to make our verdict more consistent and objective.

What is our final verdict? Based on our comparison and the final scores of Sony Alpha a6500 and Nikon Z 6 here is what we can say in conclusion:

According all the factors that we considered in the process of comparing these two cameras, Sony Alpha a6500 deserves a higher Total Score than the Nikon Z 6. Thus, if you are choosing between these options, we would recommend you to choose the first model over the other one.

Sony Alpha a6500 vs Nikon Z 6 Table Of Technical Specs

For better understanding of each model’s technical characteristics, find the detailed comparison below:

Sony Alpha a6500 Nikon Z 6
General
Brand Sony Nikon
Model Alpha a6500 Z 6
Announced Oct 06, 2016 Aug 23, 2018
Body Type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Sensor Size APS-C Full frame
Sensor Dimensions 23.5 x 15.6 mm 35.9 x 23.9 mm
Sensor Area 366.60 mm2 858.01 mm2
Sensor Resolution 24.0 MP 25.0 MP
Max Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 6048 x 4024
Max Native ISO 25,600 51,200
Max Boosted ISO 51,200 204,800
Min Native ISO 100 100
RAW Support Yes Yes
Lens
Manual Focus Yes Yes
Lens Mount Sony E Nikon Z
Number of Lenses 83 3
Focal Length Multiplier 1.5x 1x
Macro Focus Range
AutoFocus
AF Touch Yes Yes
AF Continuous Yes Yes
AF Single Yes Yes
AF Tracking Yes Yes
AF Selective Yes Yes
AF Center Yes Yes
AF Multi Area Yes Yes
AF Live View Yes Yes
AF Face Detection Yes Yes
AF Contrast Detection Yes Yes
AF Phase Detection Yes Yes
Number of Focus Points 425 273
Number of Cross Focus Points n/a n/a
Screen
Screen Type Tilting Tilting
Screen Size 3″ 3.2″
Screen Resolution 922k dots 2,100k dots
Live View Yes Yes
Touch Screen Yes Yes
ViewFinder
ViewFinder Electronic Electronic
ViewFinder Resolution 2,359k dots 3,690k dots
ViewFinder Coverage 100% 100%
ViewFinder Magnification 0.7 0.8
Photography Features
Min Shutter Speed 30 s 30 s
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 s 1/8000 s
Continuous Shooting 11.0 fps 12.0 fps
Shutter Priority Yes Yes
Aperture Priority Yes Yes
Manual Exposure Mode Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation Yes Yes
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Yes No
Flash Range 6 0
Flash Modes Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync
External Flash Yes Yes
AE Bracketing Yes Yes
WB Bracketing Yes Yes
Exposure Modes
Multi-Segment Yes Yes
Average No Yes
Spot Yes Yes
Partial No No
AF-Area No No
Center Weighted No No
Video Features
Video Resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 3840 x 2160
Video Formats MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Yes Yes
HDMI Yes Yes
USB USB 2.0 USB 1
Physical
Environmental Sealing Yes Yes
Water Proof No No
Dust Proof No No
Shock Proof No No
Crush Proof No No
Freeze Proof No No
Weight 453 g 675 g
Physical Dimensions 120 x 67 x 53 mm 134 x 101 x 68 mm
Battery Life 350 shots 330 shots
Battery Type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Model n/a n/a
Other Features
Self Timer Yes Yes
Timelapse Recording Yes Yes
GPS
Storage Type SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo XQD card
Storage Slots 1 1

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