• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A6500 advantages over Panasonic FZ1000 II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    53 mm vs 131 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    453g vs 808g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    110 vs 20 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ1000 II advantages over Sony A6500

  • Less expensive
    $798* vs $1598
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1240k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic FZ1000 II
Panasonic FZ1000 II (Black)
All FZ1000 II 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 Panasonic FZ1000

Sony A6500
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A6500 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic FZ1000 II
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Sony A6500
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1216
  • 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

Panasonic FZ1000 II
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Compared to Sony A6300

Sony A6500
Sony A6300
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony A6300

Panasonic FZ1000 II
Sony A6300
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Sony A6300

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Sony A6500
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $931
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A6500 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Panasonic FZ1000 II
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $931
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Panasonic FZ2500

Compared to Sony A6400

Sony A6500
Sony A6400
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony A6400

Panasonic FZ1000 II
Sony A6400
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Sony A6400

Compare Other Cameras?