• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Canon SL2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    469g vs 668g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.7 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.8 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    10 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon SL2 advantages over Sony NEX-6

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    7 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.08 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    22 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-6
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Lenses
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
All NEX-6 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL2
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)
All SL2 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

  • Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.

  • Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.

  • Read our Canon SL2 Review

The Competition

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 SL2
Sony NEX-5N
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SL2 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 SL2
Sony NEX-F3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SL2 vs Sony NEX-F3

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-5R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-5R

Canon SL2
Sony NEX-5R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Nikon D3400

Sony NEX-6
Nikon D3400
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Nikon D3400

Canon SL2
Nikon D3400
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Canon SL3

Sony NEX-6
Canon SL3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Canon SL3

Canon SL2
Canon SL3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

Compare Other Cameras?