Sony A6500 vs Panasonic GH5

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Sony A6500 vs Panasonic GH5

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A6600
Compare A6500 vs A6600

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II

Compare SONY A6600 vs PANASONIC GH5 II

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Differences

Sony A6500 advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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.
A6500 test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

1,405 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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 87 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
453g vs 725g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger RAW buffer
110 vs 65 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 GH5 advantages over Sony A6500

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1298 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
Slower slow-motion
180 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Fast startup
~1.00 vs 1.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
405k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x 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
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 231 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A6500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm lens

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Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

All GH5 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

20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.
Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

The Competition

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 GH5

Fujifilm X-Pro2

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 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 GH5

Sony A6300

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$748
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A6300

Compared to Panasonic G9

Sony A6500

Panasonic G9

$1216
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$948
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Sony A6500 vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$948
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

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 GH5

Sony A6400

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

$798
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A6400

Compared to Panasonic G95

Sony A6500

Panasonic G95

$1216
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G95

$1348
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Longer stills battery life

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G95

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