• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Less expensive
    $1000 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,018 vs 812 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.67x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.7 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.8 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Sony NEX-6

  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-6

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.

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

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
Panasonic GH3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

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
Panasonic GH3
Sony NEX-F3
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

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
Panasonic GH3
Sony NEX-5R
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony NEX-6
Olympus E-M1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Sony NEX-6
Panasonic GH4
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
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