Fujifilm X-T20 vs Sony a6500 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Fujifilm · Mirrorless · 24 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Fujifilm X-T20
63
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Sony a6500
85
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Fujifilm X-T20 and Sony a6500 are compact mirrorless cameras built around different native lens systems, Fujifilm X mount and Sony E. The X-T20 arrived in 2017, a year after the a6500, and is the lighter body at 383 g against 453 g. The a6500 is the shorter, deeper shape at 120 x 67 x 53 mm, against 118 x 83 x 41 mm for the X-T20, so each packs differently. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2017 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 1, 2017 | October 6, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 118 x 83 x 41 mm | 120 x 67 x 53 mm |
| Camera weight | 383 g | 453 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a6500 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting in dim interiors, because its in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you attach. The X-T20 depends on stabilised lenses alone. For action the a6500 also leads, shooting at 11 fps with 425 autofocus points against 8 fps and 325 points on the X-T20. The a6500 reaches ISO 25600 at its standard ceiling, double the X-T20's 12800, and starts at ISO 100 rather than 200. Their expanded ceiling matches at 51200. Both use an APS-C CMOS sensor of about 24 megapixels, and their electronic viewfinders resolve essentially the same 2.36 million dots. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 24.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
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. |
23.6 x 15.6 | 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. |
8 fps045 | 11 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. |
X-Processor Pro | Bionz X |
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. |
128003003280000 | 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. |
512003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
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. |
3250300 | 4250300 |
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. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe X-T20 offers the higher maximum video frame rate, 60 fps against 30 fps on the a6500, so it leaves more room for slow motion work. Both record 4K as their maximum video resolution. The X-T20 also includes a built-in timelapse mode for drifting clouds or a setting sun, which the a6500 lacks. | ||
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. |
 4K | 4K |
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. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
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. |
60 fps | 30 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. |
 Yes | No |
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. |
H. 264 | MPEG-4, XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0 |
| Features | 70/100 | 81/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesOnly the X-T20 offers GPS, so travel and wildlife photographers can geotag images in the camera. The a6500 answers with weather sealing, useful for rain or dust. Its rear screen resolves fewer dots, 921,600 against 1,040,000 on the X-T20. Both give you a 3-inch flip screen with touch control and live view, plus built-in and external flash support, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for phone transfer. | ||
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. |
 Yes | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery and storage match closely. Both cameras carry a 350-shot rating per charge and neither supports USB charging, so a spare battery is worth packing for long days. Each has a single card slot. The X-T20 accepts SD cards with UHS-II support for fast buffer clearing, while the a6500 takes SD cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-W126s | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 350 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the a6500 for handheld low-light work, fast-moving subjects and changeable weather; its in-body stabilisation, 11 fps burst, 425 autofocus points and sealing directly serve those situations. Choose the X-T20 for its higher 60 fps video frame rate, built-in timelapses, GPS geotagging or a lighter body for travel. Both share the same APS-C sensor format and 350-shot battery rating, so the lens system you prefer can fairly decide it.