• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony A6500 advantages over Panasonic GH5S

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    53 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    453g vs 660g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GH5S advantages over Sony A6500

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.51 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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 RAW shooting
    12.5 fps vs 11.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • 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

Buy From

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

  • Excellent video quality; Very good high ISO performance; Cinema 4K & UHD video up to 60p; Full HD up to 240p; 10-bit internal video recording; Tons of features & options for advanced/pro videographers.

  • 10MP resolution is limiting for still photos; No in-body image stabilization; Slower AF than GH5; Buffer clearing could be faster; No 6K Photo features due to sensor resolution.

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
Panasonic GH5S
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A6300

Sony A6500
Sony A6300
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Panasonic GH5S
Sony A6300
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Sony A6500
Panasonic GH5
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Panasonic GH5S
Panasonic GH5
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic G9

Sony A6500
Panasonic G9
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
Panasonic GH5S
Panasonic G9
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A6400

Sony A6500
Sony A6400
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO
Panasonic GH5S
Sony A6400
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
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