Sony a7S vs Sony a6500: Specifications Comparison

Sony a7S vs Sony a6500 Specifications Comparison

Sonya7S_vs_Sonya6500_comparison_front

Camera FeatureSony a7SSony a6500
AnnouncedApril 2014October 2016
Camera TypeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor TypeCMOSCMOS
Image ProcessorBIONZ XBIONZ X
Resolution12.2 MP24.2 MP
Pixel Dimensions4240×28326000×4000
Sensor Dimensions35.8 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame)23.5 x 15.6 mm (APS-C)
Sensor Pixel Size8.4µ3.92µ
Low Pass FilterYesYes
IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)NoYes
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Max Native ISOISO 102,400ISO 25,600
Extended ISOsISO 50-409,600ISO 100-51,200
High-Resolution Sensor ShiftNoNo
Focus Stack BracketingNoNo
Pre-Shoot Burst ModeNoNo
Fastest Shutter Speed1/80001/4000
Longest Shutter Speed30 seconds30 seconds
Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter)5 FPS11 FPS
Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter)5 FPS3 FPS
Notes for High FPS ShootingAutofocus fixed at first frame for 5 FPS shooting; 12-bit raw onlyNone
Buffer Size (Raw)31 frames (5 FPS)107 frames (11 FPS)
Autofocus SystemContrast DetectHybrid PDAF
Autofocus Points25 425
Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100)-4 EV-1 EV
Standard Flash Sync Speed1/2501/160
Curtain to Protect Sensor at ShutdownNoNo
Video Features
Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal)8 bits8 bits
Maximum Video Bit Depth (External)8 bits8 bits
Raw VideoNoNo
4K Maximum Framerate30 FPS130 FPS
1080P Maximum Framerate60 FPS120 FPS
Additional Video Crop FactorNoExtra 1.23x crop in 4K 30p; extra 1.14x crop at 1080p 100 / 120 FPS
Chroma Subsampling4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External)4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External)
Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
Physical and Other Features
Card Slots1 1
Slot 1 TypeSD (UHS-I)SD (UHS-I)
Rear LCD Size (Diagonal)3.0 in3.0 in
Rear LCD Resolution0.92 million dots0.92 million dots
Articulating LCDSingle AxisSingle Axis
TouchscreenNoYes
ViewfinderEVFEVF
Viewfinder Magnification0.71x1.07x (0.70x FF equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution2.36 million dots2.36 million dots
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Voice MemoNoNo
Headphone JackYesNo
Microphone JackYesYes
Built-in FlashNoYes
GPSNoNo
BluetoothNoYes
WiFiYesYes
USB TypeType B 2.0Type B 2.0
Battery TypeNP-FW50NP-FW50
Battery Life (Viewfinder)320 frames310 frames
Battery Life (Rear LCD)380 frames350 frames
Weather SealedYesYes
Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card)490 g (1.08 lbs.)453 g (1.00 lbs.)
Dimensions (LxHxD)127 x 94 x 58 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.3″)2120 x 67 x 53 mm (4.7 x 2.6 x 2.1″)3
Price Comparison
MSRP, Body Only$2500 (Discontinued)$1400 (Discontinued)
Used Prices (Affiliate)Sony a7S Used PricesSony a6500 Used Prices
1The Sony a7S supports 4K video, but only with an external recorder over HDMI
2The Sony a7S’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match typical standards today, 10mm were added to the a7S’s depth measurement in this table.
3The Sony a6500’s depth measurement in this table excludes the optional rubber cap for the viewfinder



Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!


Photography Life is part of the B&H and KEH affiliate programs. When you make a purchase through the affiliate links in this article, we can be compensated with a percentage of each sale. If you found this comparison useful, buying anything through these links allows you to support Photography Life at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our efforts!

Exit mobile version