• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon S6500 advantages over Sony A77 II

  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner

Sony A77 II advantages over Nikon S6500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 150 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1230k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A77 II
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.

  • Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.

  • Read our Sony A77 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic SZ8

Nikon S6500
Panasonic SZ8
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic SZ8

Sony A77 II
Panasonic SZ8
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony A77 II vs Panasonic SZ8

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Nikon S6500
Samsung WB50F
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon S6500 vs Samsung WB50F

Sony A77 II
Samsung WB50F
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A77 II vs Samsung WB50F

Compared to Samsung WB35F

Nikon S6500
Samsung WB35F
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon S6500 vs Samsung WB35F

Sony A77 II
Samsung WB35F
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A77 II vs Samsung WB35F

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Nikon S6500
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S6500 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Nikon S6500
Nikon D7200
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S6500 vs Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A77 II vs Nikon D7200

Compare Other Cameras?