• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Nikon D610

  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    469g vs 1350g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.7 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.8 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Nikon D610 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
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.78 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,925 vs 1,018 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
    24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    15 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-6

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D610

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.

  • Eliminated sensor dust-and-oil spot issue from D600; Great controls for amateur or pro; Comfortable ergonomics and weight; Excellent image quality and low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.

  • Not drastically different from D600; Moire with certain subjects; Auto WB still too warm in incandescent light; Slow AF in live view mode; Aliasing in videos.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Sony NEX-6
Canon 6D
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D610
Canon 6D
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-6
Sony NEX-5N
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Nikon D610
Sony NEX-5N
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Nikon D610
Sony NEX-F3
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Nikon D610
Sony NEX-5R
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon D600

Sony NEX-6
Nikon D600
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D610
Nikon D600
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $1900
  • 35mm
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