Sony a6600 vs Sony FX30 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Sony a6600
75
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 26 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Sony FX30
80
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony a6600 and Sony FX30 are both mirrorless cameras with APS-C CMOS sensors, but they suit different work. The a6600, released in 2019, is a compact body at 120 x 67 x 69 mm and 503 g. The FX30, from 2022, is a taller body at 78 x 130 x 85 mm and 646 g, carrying 143 g more. A design difference shapes framing: the a6600 has an electronic viewfinder, while the FX30 has none and is framed through its rear screen. Eye-level composition comes with the a6600; the FX30 puts every shot on its monitor. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2022 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 28, 2019 | September 28, 2022 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 120 x 67 x 69 mm | 78 x 130 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 503 g | 646 g |
| Optics | 76/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe FX30 covers off-centre compositions with more autofocus points, 759 against 425 on the a6600. Its 26 MP sensor also offers slightly more pixels for cropping a distant subject than the a6600's 24.2 MP. The two also differ in exposure limits: the FX30 reaches 1/8000 second, a shorter exposure than the a6600's 1/4000, so wide apertures stay usable in strong sun. For bursts, the a6600's maximum is slightly quicker at 11 fps versus 10 fps. Both use CMOS APS-C sensors, in-body stabilisation and the Sony E mount, so any E-mount lens fits either body. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 26 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 | 6192 x 4128 |
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 | 23.4 x 15.6 |
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. |
11 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. |
Sony E | Sony E |
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 XR |
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. |
5030200 | 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. |
1024003003280000 | 320003003280000 |
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. |
5030200 | 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. |
1024003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
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 | 800080032000 |
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. |
4250300 | 7590300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | 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 | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 235929609900000 | N/A |
| Video | 91/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe FX30 is the clear video choice. Its maximum frame rate reaches 120 fps, four times the a6600's 30 fps, so fast action can be slowed far more in editing. It also adds XAVC HS and XAVC S-I recording to XAVC S, while the a6600 offers XAVC S, MPEG-4 and AVCHD. One stills-oriented convenience goes the other way: the a6600 has built-in timelapse recording, which the FX30 lacks, so interval work needs no external trigger. Both cameras record 4K video as their maximum resolution. | ||
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. |
30 fps | 120 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. |
MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S | H.264, H.265, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I |
| Features | 81/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe FX30's 3-inch monitor is far sharper for checking focus and playback detail, with 2,360,000 dots against 921,600 on the a6600. Both screens measure 3 inches, so the difference is sharpness rather than size. The two match on the features you use every day: both offer a flip-out touch screen, weather sealing, Wi-Fi with Bluetooth, live view and an external flash connection. Neither has GPS or a built-in flash, so geotagging and fill light call for accessories on either camera. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT 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. |
9216001150001500000 | 23600001150001500000 |
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 | 48/100 | 76/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe FX30 handles long recording sessions better, with dual card slots for SD and CFexpress Type A, so two cards fit at once for extra capacity or separate projects. The a6600 has a single slot for SD or Memory Stick Pro Duo cards. Both share the NP-FZ100 battery and USB charging, so one spare battery and one cable serve either body. The a6600 is rated for 810 shots against 570 for the FX30, a gap that favours long stills days. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo | SD, CFexpress Type A |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | NP-FZ100 | NP-FZ100 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
810 shots1505000 | 570 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony FX30 if video leads your work. Its 120 fps slow motion, XAVC S-I and XAVC HS codecs, dual card slots and sharper monitor make it the stronger tool for documentary and motion work. Choose the Sony a6600 if stills come first. Its electronic viewfinder, 810-shot battery rating and built-in timelapse suit travel and wildlife walks.
Both use the Sony E mount, so your lenses carry over, and both stabilise the sensor in-body. The choice rests on how you frame and what you record, not on glass.