Canon 6D vs Sony A6500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon 6D vs Sony A6500

Leave Feedback

35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A6500 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A6500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A6500.
Compare Sony A6500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A6500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II

Succeeded by the Sony A6600
Compare A6500 vs A6600

Compare CANON 6D MARK II vs SONY A6600

Buy From

Differences

Canon 6D advantages over Sony A6500

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
6D test data on DxO Mark A6500 test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 1,405 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1090 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 231 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A6500 advantages over Canon 6D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$1598 vs $1999
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A6500 test data on DxO Mark 6D test data on DxO Mark

13.7 vs 12.1 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
53 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Newer
8 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.18 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
11.1 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
110 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A6500 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 6D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

All 6D Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A6500

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm lens

All A6500 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

Comfortable, premium body with good controls; Touch-screen for subject selection; Hybrid image stabilization system; Excellent image quality; Better high ISO JPEGs than the A6300; Extremely fast 11.1 fps burst capture; Very deep buffers for raw and JPEG alike; 4K video capture with no pixel binning
Pricey for an APS-C camera; JPEG colors aren't the most accurate; Very slow buffer clearing; Laggy touch-pad AF function; Poorly-placed movie button; No headphone jack; Mediocre battery life
Read our Sony A6500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2799
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A6500

Canon 5D Mark III

$1216
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2799
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A6500 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1198
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Sony A6500

Nikon D610

$1216
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1198
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A6500 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A6500

Canon 7D Mark II

$1216
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1597
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A6500 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 6D

Nikon D600

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D600

Sony A6500

Nikon D600

$1216
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1900
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A6500 vs Nikon D600

Compared to Nikon D750

Canon 6D

Nikon D750

$1699
35mm

Built-in GPS
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D750

Sony A6500

Nikon D750

$1216
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1698
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A6500 vs Nikon D750

Compare Other Cameras?