Fujifilm X-A2 vs Sony NEX-6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Fujifilm · Mirrorless · 16 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Fujifilm X-A2
44
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-6
53
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Fujifilm X-A2 and the Sony NEX-6 are both compact APS-C mirrorless cameras, but they open two different native lens systems. The X-A2 uses the Fujifilm X mount and arrived in 2015; the NEX-6 uses the Sony E mount and dates from 2012. Their bodies measure 117 x 67 x 40 mm and 120 x 67 x 43 mm, at 350 g and 345 g, so either slips into the same small bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 15, 2015 | September 12, 2012 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 117 x 67 x 40 mm | 120 x 67 x 43 mm |
| Camera weight | 350 g | 345 g |
| Optics | 53/100 | 61/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe NEX-6 is the stronger camera for moving subjects. It shoots at up to 10 frames per second against 5.6 on the X-A2, and its 99 autofocus points against 49 cover more of the frame when a child or pet moves erratically. It also has in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld shots at slower shutter speeds, plus an electronic viewfinder for eye-level framing in bright sun. The X-A2 has neither a viewfinder nor in-body stabilisation. The core capture settings are close. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors, and pixel counts of 16 and 16.1 megapixels leave no meaningful cropping difference between them. Both top out at 1/4000 second. The NEX-6 reaches 25600 ISO within its standard range, where the X-A2 stops at 6400 before its expanded 25600 setting. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4896 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.6 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fujifilm X | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
EXR Processor II | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
490300 | 990300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoChoose the NEX-6 if your clips need to hold up on a large screen or survive cropping in the edit. It records up to Full HD, while the X-A2 tops out at Standard HD. This is a difference in motion too: the X-A2 runs at up to 30 frames per second, against a 24 fps maximum on the NEX-6, for slightly smoother playback in casual handheld clips. The NEX-6 writes AVCHD or MP4 files; the X-A2 writes MOV. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 24 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 28/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe NEX-6 has live view, so you can preview the framed image on its screen before shooting, while the X-A2 does not. The everyday controls are shared too: a 3-inch flip-out LCD for waist-level and selfie framing, a built-in flash with an external shoe, and Wi-Fi for sending photos to a phone. Neither has GPS, weather sealing, Bluetooth or a touchscreen. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
No |  Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe X-A2 carries the longer rated battery life at 410 shots against 360, a modest cushion for a long day of shooting. Both take a single memory card and neither charges over USB. The X-A2 accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. The NEX-6 adds Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, handy if you still hold Sony cards from an earlier camera. Their batteries differ, NP-W126 versus NP-FW50, so spares are not interchangeable. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-W126 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 360 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony NEX-6 is the better pick for action and sports, with its 10 fps burst and 99 autofocus points. In-body stabilisation helps handheld shooting in dim light, and its eye-level viewfinder makes bright midday framing easier. Its Full HD video also holds up better on a large screen.
Choose the Fujifilm X-A2 for its longer rated battery, its 30 fps video motion, or its SD-only simplicity. Whichever you take decides your lens system, Fujifilm X or Sony E, so existing lenses in either mount are the strongest practical reason to pick that body.