Sony NEX-6 vs Canon 6D

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Sony NEX-6 vs Canon 6D

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APS-C 366.6mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-6 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-6.

35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A6000
Compare NEX-6 vs A6000

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II

Compare SONY A6000 vs CANON 6D MARK II

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Differences

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Canon 6D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
42 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
469g vs 1448g
Lighter weight
Faster JPEG shooting
9.7 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.8 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Canon 6D advantages over Sony NEX-6

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 4.78 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
6D test data on DxO Mark NEX-6 test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 1,018 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1090 vs 360 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 75 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
17 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NEX-6 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

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Buy the Sony NEX-6

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Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Lenses
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

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Buy the Canon 6D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

All 6D Deals

Review Excerpt

Very good image quality; More consumer-friendly control setup than NEX-7 but more advanced (actual Mode dial) than step-down models; OLED EVF and 3-inch tilting LCD monitor provide viewfinder flexibility; Fast and decisive AF on stationary subjects, and good continuous AF on normal moving subjects; Full HD 1080p video recording at up to 60p.
Hybrid AF system speed and accuracy still lags somewhat behind higher-end DSLRs; Wi-Fi features still rudimentary (join the club); LCD is not a touchscreen; User interface foibles.
Read our Sony NEX-6 Review

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony NEX-6

Canon 5D Mark III

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$2079
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2079
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D610

Sony NEX-6

Nikon D610

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$1198
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1198
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Sony NEX-6

Canon 7D Mark II

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-5N

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon 6D

Sony NEX-5N

$1699
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon 6D vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-F3

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-F3

Canon 6D

Sony NEX-F3

$1699
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$600
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon 6D vs Sony NEX-F3

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