Sony a6500 vs Sony a7S II
Comparison
Sony a6500
Sony a7S II
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Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Model | a6500 | a7S II | |
Released Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. | 2016 | 2015 | |
Announcement Date Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. | October 06, 2016 | September 11, 2015 | |
Camera Type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless | |
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The Sony a6500 comes out on top with a score of 72/100, compared to the Sony a7S II‘s 60/100. Both cameras share similarities, such as being mirrorless and having similar announcement dates, with the a6500 in October 2016 and the a7S II in September 2015. The a6500 is lighter at 453g and smaller in size, measuring 120 x 67 x 53mm, making it more portable than the a7S II, which weighs 627g and has dimensions of 127 x 96 x 60mm. Additionally, the a6500 has a lower launch price of $1400, compared to the a7S II’s $3000.
However, the Sony a7S II has its advantages, such as being available for a longer time, giving it a larger user base and more reviews. When considering the specifications and scores, the Sony a6500 is the better option for those looking for a more compact and budget-friendly camera, while the Sony a7S II might be preferred by those who value a longer market presence.
Sony a6500 vs a7S II Overview and Optics
The Sony a6500 outperforms the Sony a7S II in optics, scoring 74/100 compared to the latter’s 66/100. Both cameras have certain specifications in common, which include the CMOS sensor type, the Bionz X processor, a DXOMARK score of 85 for the sensor, Sony lens mounts, and image stabilization. However, the a6500 has several advantages that contribute to its higher score.
The a6500 has a higher megapixel count of 24.2, compared to the a7S II’s 12.2. This results in the a6500 capturing more detail and producing sharper images. Additionally, the a6500 has a faster shooting speed of 11 frames per second, enabling it to capture fast-moving subjects more effectively than the a7S II, which has a shooting speed of only 5 frames per second. The a6500 also benefits from an APS-C sensor size, which is smaller and lighter than the a7S II’s full-frame sensor, making the camera more portable and easier to handle.
On the other hand, the a7S II’s full-frame sensor provides a larger surface area for light gathering, which can result in better low-light performance and dynamic range. This makes the a7S II a strong contender for photographers who prioritize low-light capabilities.
In terms of optics, the Sony a6500 stands out due to its higher megapixel count and faster shooting speed. This makes it an excellent choice for photographers who require sharp, detailed images and the ability to capture fast-moving subjects. The a7S II, however, may be more suitable for low-light photography thanks to its full-frame sensor. Ultimately, the choice between these two cameras depends on the specific needs and preferences of the photographer.
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Optics
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Megapixels The higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. | 24.2 MP | 12.2 MP | |
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Image Resolution Image resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. | 6000 x 4000 px | 4240 x 2832 px | |
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 mm | 23.8 x 35.8 mm | |
Sensor Format Refers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |  APS-C |  Full Frame | |
Frame Rate The number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. | 11 fps | 5 fps | |
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. | Sony E | Sony FE | |
Image Processor The image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. | Bionz X | 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 | |
Minimum ISO (Native) Refers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. | 100 | 100 | |
Maximum ISO (Native) 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. | 25,600 | 102,400 | |
Minimum 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. | 100 | 50 | |
Maximum 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. | 51200 | 409600 | |
Minimum Shutter Speed The minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. | 30 s | 30 s | |
Maximum 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. | 1/ 4000 s | 1/ 8000 s | |
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. | 425 | 169 | |
In-body Stabilization In-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |   | | |
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 Resolution | 2,359,296 dots | 2,359,296 dots |
Sony a6500 vs a7S II Video Performance
The Sony a6500 outperforms the Sony a7S II in video capabilities with a score of 77/100, while the a7S II scores 56/100. Both cameras share common features, such as 4K video resolution and maximum video dimensions of 3840 x 2160. However, neither camera has built-in time-lapse functionality.
The a6500’s higher score is due to its superior specs, such as a maximum video frame rate of 120fps, which is significantly faster than the a7S II’s 30fps. This allows the a6500 to capture smoother and more detailed slow-motion footage. The a7S II, on the other hand, does not offer any clear advantages in video capabilities over the a6500.
While the a7S II may not excel in video performance compared to the a6500, it still provides satisfactory results for casual users or those who do not require the high frame rates for their projects. The 30fps on the a7S II is still sufficient for standard video recording and will meet the needs of many users.
The Sony a6500’s higher video score and better specifications make it the clear choice for users prioritizing video capabilities. The a7S II, although not as impressive in this aspect, remains a decent option for those with more modest video requirements.
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Video
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Video Indicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |  | | |
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Max Video Resolution The best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |  4K | 4K | |
Max Video Dimensions 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 px | 3840 x 2160 px | |
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 p | 30 p | |
Time-Lapse 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. | MPEG-4, XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Sony a6500 vs a7S II Features and Benefits
The Sony a6500 outperforms the Sony a7S II in features, scoring 81/100 compared to the a7S II’s 57/100. Both cameras share some common specifications, including a 3-inch screen size, flip screen, no GPS, and WIFI connectivity. However, the a6500 takes the lead with its additional features.
The Sony a6500 is superior in terms of screen functionality, offering a touchscreen, which the a7S II lacks. This feature allows for quicker and more intuitive control of the camera. Additionally, the a6500 is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, providing an extra means of connection with other devices and enhancing its versatility.
On the other hand, the Sony a7S II does have a higher screen resolution of 1,228,800 dots, compared to the a6500’s 921,600 dots. This results in a sharper and more detailed image display on the a7S II’s screen. Despite this advantage, it does not make up for the overall difference in feature scores.
Taking these points into consideration, it is evident that the Sony a6500 offers more advanced features than the Sony a7S II. With a touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity, the a6500 provides a more seamless user experience. Although the a7S II’s screen resolution is higher, this single advantage is not enough to compensate for the a6500’s comprehensive array of features. Consequently, the Sony a6500 is the superior choice in terms of features.
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Features
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Built-in Flash A built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |  | | |
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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. |  | | |
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 Resolution Screen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. | 921,600 dots | 1,228,800 dots | |
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. |  | | |
Live View Live View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |  | | |
Wi-Fi |  | | |
Bluetooth Bluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |  | | |
Sony a6500 vs a7S II Storage and Battery
The Sony a6500 and Sony a7S II tie in storage and battery scores, both receiving 21/100. They share similarities in storage and battery specifications, such as having one memory card slot and accepting SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards. Both cameras use the NP-FW50 battery type and do not offer USB charging.
However, the Sony a7S II edges out the a6500 in battery life, capable of capturing 370 shots compared to the a6500’s 350 shots. This advantage, though minor, may be beneficial for photographers who require slightly longer shooting sessions without changing batteries.
On the other hand, the a6500 accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, while the a7S II is compatible with Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo cards. This difference may not significantly impact the overall performance of the cameras but can be a deciding factor for users who prefer specific memory card types.
Both cameras have their strengths and weaknesses in storage and battery aspects, with the a7S II offering slightly better battery life and the a6500 providing an additional memory card compatibility option. Ultimately, the choice between these cameras depends on the user’s specific needs and preferences.
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Storage and Battery
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Memory Card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | |
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Dual Memory Card Slots |  | | |
Battery Type | NP-FW50 | NP-FW50 | |
Battery Life Approximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. | 350 shots | 370 shots | |
USB Charging |  | |
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DXOMARK Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK |
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Overall Score DXOMARK overall sensor score. | |||
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Portrait (Color Depth) As described by DXOMARK 'The Portrait score in our camera sensor reviews defines color depth performance and its unit is a number of bits. A color depth of 22 bits is excellent; differences below 1 bit are barely noticeable.' | 24.5 bits | 23.6 bits | |
Landscape (Dynamic Range) As described by DXOMARK 'The Landscape score in our camera sensor tests defines the maximum dynamic range of the camera sensor and its unit is an exposure value (EV). A value of 12 EV is excellent with differences below 0.5 EV usually not noticeable.' | 13.7 EVs | 13.3 EVs | |
Sports (Low-Light ISO) Described by DXOMARK as 'The maximal value of ISO sensitivity needed to reach a given value of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). The greater the value, the better' | 1405 | 2993 |
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Scores
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Main Features | N/A | ||
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Extra Features | N/A | ||
Construction and Durability | N/A | ||
Handling and Ergonomics | N/A | ||
Value for Money | N/A | ||
Total Score | N/A |
Alternatives to the Sony a6500 and a7S II
Are you still undecided about which camera is right for you? Have a look at these popular comparisons that feature the Sony a6500 or the Sony a7S II:
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User Scores
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Sony a6500
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Sony a7S II
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B&H photo video |
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