• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony A6500 advantages over Nikon Z5

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    53 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    453g vs 675g
    Lighter weight
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon Z5 advantages over Sony A6500

  • Less expensive
    $1297 vs $1598
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Newer
    4 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A6500
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm lens
All A6500 Deals

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Buy the Nikon Z5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-200mm f/4-6.3 Lens
  • Kit with 24-50mm f/4-6.3 Lens
All Z5 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • 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 Fujifilm X-Pro2

Sony A6500
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • More dots on screen

Compare Sony A6500 vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Nikon Z5
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Compared to Sony A6300

Sony A6500
Sony A6300
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony A6300

Nikon Z5
Sony A6300
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6300

Compared to Sony A6400

Sony A6500
Sony A6400
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $823
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony A6400

Nikon Z5
Sony A6400
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $823
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6400

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Sony A6500
Nikon Z6 II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A6500 vs Nikon Z6 II

Nikon Z5
Nikon Z6 II
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Nikon Z6 II

Compared to Panasonic S5 II

Sony A6500
Panasonic S5 II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A6500 vs Panasonic S5 II

Nikon Z5
Panasonic S5 II
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S5 II

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