• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A6500
  • Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Sony A6300
A6300 vs A6500
Panasonic GH4
GH4 vs GH5
Successor: Sony A6600
A6500 vs A6600
Panasonic GH5 II
GH5 vs GH5 II
General
Model Number: A6500 GH5
Alternate Model Number(s): ILCE-6500  
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: Yes Yes
Retail Price: $1299.99 $1999.99
Street Price: $1,198.00 $1,348.50
Date Available: 2016-11-15 2017-03-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
25.6 oz (725 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.7 x 2.6 x 2.1 in.
(120 x 67 x 53 mm)
5.5 x 3.9 x 3.4 in.
(139 x 98 x 87 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 24.2 20.3
Sensor Format: APS-C 4/3
Sensor size: 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.92 microns 3.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: Yes No
DxO Sensor Score: 85 77
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.5 23.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.7 13.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,405 807
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
5184 x 3888 (20.2 MP, 4:3),
3712 x 2784 (10.3 MP, 4:3),
1820 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
3712 x 2480 (9.2 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
5184 x 2920 (15.1 MP, 16:9),
3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9),
3888 x 3888 (15.1 MP, 1:1),
2784 x 2784 (7.8 MP, 1:1),
1968 x 1968 (3.9 MP, 1:1),
4992 x 3744 (18.7 MP, 4:3),
3328 x 2496 (8.3 MP, 4:3),
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
3504 x 2336 (8.2 MP, 3:2),
3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9),
2880 x 2880 (8.3 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (14-bit compressed ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.31), RAW, RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 11.1 11.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
4096x2160 (24p)
3840x2160 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
3840x2160 (2p/​12p/​20p/​22p/​24p/​26p/​28p/​36p/​48p/​60p)
1920x1080 (2p/​12p/​15p/​10p/​22p/​24p/​26p/​28p/​30p/​32p/​34p/​36p/​45p/​46p/​48p/​50p/​52p/​54p/​60p/​75p/​90p/​100p/​105p/​120p/​135p/​150p/​165p/​180p)
Movie File Format: XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4; Audio: LPCM, 2ch / Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch MOV, MP4, AVCHD, AVCHD Progressive
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony E Micro Four Thirds
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom 2x, 4x; Extra Tele Conversion:Still image: Max. 2x; 4K PHOTO: 1.6x (4:3), 1.5x (3:2), 1.4x (16:9, 1:1); Motion picture: 2.7x (FHD), 1.4x (4K)
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Hybrid Contrast/Phase Detection: Wide (425 points phase-detection AF, 169 points contrast-detection AF), Zone, Center, Flexible Spot (Small / Medium / Large), Expanded Flexible Spot Contrast Detection with DFD: Face/Eye detection, Tracking, 225-area, Custom Multi, 1-area, Pinpoint; One Shot AF, Shutter AF, Half Press Release, Quick AF, Continuous AF (during motion picture recording), Eye Sensor AF, AF+MF, MF Assist, Touch MF Assist, Focus Peaking, Touch AF/AE Function, Touch Pad AF, Touch Shutter
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 1.0cm (0.39-inch) 2.3M-dot XGA OLED, 100% coverage, 1.07x mag. (0.70x 35mm eq.), 23mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter 3680K-dot OLED, 1.52x / 0.76x (35mm eq.) magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter, eye sensor
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: 2,359,296 dots 3,680,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.76x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.07x 1.52x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 1,620,000 dots (405,000 px)
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 16.7x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600, expandable to 51200 Auto, iISO, 100 (extended), 200 - 25600; in 1 or 1/3 EV steps
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto WB (with new Ambience, Standard and White options), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, Underwater; AWB micro adjustment Auto, Autoc, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1-4, Color Temperature Setting 1-4 (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/16000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot 1728-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur, HDR, Sweep Panorama, Movie/High Frame Rate Creative Control: Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Fantasy, Star Filter, One Point Color, Sunshine
Self Timer: 2 , 10, 10 (3 or 5 frames) seconds 2, 10, 3 shots in 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off; 1st. Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 6.0 m / 19.7 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Guide Number is 6m/19.7 ft at ISO 100; Range is lens aperture dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Multi Interface Shoe Hot Shoe, PC Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: No No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-II
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (14-bit compressed ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format: XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4; Audio: LPCM, 2ch / Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch MOV, MP4, AVCHD, AVCHD Progressive
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes No
Bluetooth: Yes Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired, IR or Wi-FI Wi-Fi or optional wired
Connections (extended): Micro (Type-D) HDMI, Multi Interface Shoe, Multi Micro USB USB 3.1 Type-C, HDMI Type-A, 2.5mm Wired Remote, 3.5mm External Mic Jack, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.62 0.33
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.59 0.42
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 11.1 11.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 231 600
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 11.1 11.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 110 65
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 11.1 11.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 101 63
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.13 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.127 seconds 0.066 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.29 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.019 seconds 0.056 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.3 seconds 1.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.9 seconds 0.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.0 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 350 shots 410 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 310 shots 400 shots
Battery Life, Video:   55 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FW50 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 7.2v, 1860mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No Yes
Internal Charging Supported: Yes No
Software
Included Software: Free downloads of Image Data Converter (Win only), Capture One Express (for Sony) None; Free downloads: PHOTOfunSTUDIO 10.0XE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio
OS Compatibility:   PHOTOfunSTUDIO (Windows); SILKYPIX Developer Studio (Windows / Mac)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: