Sony A6500 vs A99 II

The Sony Alpha A6500 and the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in October 2016 and September 2016. The A6500 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the A99 II is a DSLR. The cameras are based on an APS-C (A6500) and a full frame (A99 II) sensor. The A6500 has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the A99 II provides 42.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

	VS
Sony A6500		Sony A99 II
Mirrorless system camera		Digital single lens reflex
Sony E mount lenses		Sony A mount lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		42.2 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-25600 (100-51200)		ISO 100-25600
Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2400k dots)
3.0" LCD, 922k dots		3.0" LCD, 1229k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Fully flexible screen (no touchscreen)
11 shutter flaps per second		12 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
350 shots per battery charge		490 shots per battery charge
120 x 67 x 53 mm, 453 g		143 x 104 x 76 mm, 849 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha A6500 and the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Sony A6500 and the Sony A99 II are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A99 II is considerably larger (85 percent) than the Sony A6500. Moreover, the A99 II is substantially heavier (87 percent) than the A6500. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the A6500 gets 350 shots out of its NP-FW50 battery, while the A99 II can take 490 images on a single charge of its NP-FM500H power pack. The power pack in the A6500 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Sony A6500»	120 mm	67 mm	53 mm	453 g	350	Y	Oct 2016	1,399		Sony A6500
	Sony A99 II«	143 mm	104 mm	76 mm	849 g	490	Y	Sep 2016	3,199		Sony A99 II
	Canon 5DS« »	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	930 g	700	Y	Feb 2015	3,699		Canon 5DS
	Olympus PEN-F« »	125 mm	72 mm	37 mm	427 g	330	n	Jan 2016	1,199		Olympus PEN-F
	Panasonic GX8« »	133 mm	78 mm	63 mm	487 g	330	Y	Jul 2015	1,199		Panasonic GX8
	Sony A6600« »	120 mm	67 mm	69 mm	503 g	810	Y	Aug 2019	1,399		Sony A6600
	Sony A7R III« »	127 mm	96 mm	74 mm	650 g	650	Y	Oct 2017	3,199		Sony A7R III
	Sony A9« »	127 mm	96 mm	63 mm	673 g	650	Y	Apr 2017	4,499		Sony A9
	Sony A6300« »	120 mm	67 mm	49 mm	404 g	400	Y	Feb 2016	999		Sony A6300
	Sony RX10 III« »	133 mm	94 mm	127 mm	1051 g	420	Y	Mar 2016	1,499		Sony RX10 III
	Sony A7R II« »	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	625 g	290	Y	Jun 2015	3,199		Sony A7R II
	Sony RX10 II« »	129 mm	88 mm	102 mm	813 g	400	Y	Jun 2015	1,299		Sony RX10 II
	Sony A7« »	127 mm	94 mm	48 mm	474 g	340	Y	Oct 2013	1,699		Sony A7
	Sony A99« »	147 mm	111 mm	78 mm	812 g	500	Y	Sep 2012	2,799		Sony A99
	Sony A77« »	143 mm	104 mm	81 mm	732 g	470	Y	Aug 2011	1,399		Sony A77
	Sony NEX-7« »	120 mm	67 mm	43 mm	400 g	430	n	Aug 2011	1,349		Sony NEX-7
	Sony A900« »	156 mm	117 mm	82 mm	895 g	880	Y	Sep 2008	2,999		Sony A900
Convert to Imperial
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The A6500 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 56 percent) than the A99 II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Sony A6500 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony A99 II a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A99 II is 135 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 42.2MP, the A99 II offers a higher resolution than the A6500 (24MP), but the A99 II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.52μm versus 3.91μm for the A6500) due to its larger sensor. It is noteworthy in this context that the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the A99 II has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A99 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A99 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 39.8 x 26.5 inch or 101 x 67.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 31.8 x 21.2 inch or 80.8 x 53.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 26.5 x 17.7 inch or 67.3 x 44.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony A6500 are 30 x 20 inch or 76.2 x 50.8 cm for good quality, 24 x 16 inch or 61 x 40.6 cm for very good quality, and 20 x 13.3 inch or 50.8 x 33.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Sony Alpha A6500 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-25600.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the A99 II has a markedly higher DXO score than the A6500 (overall score 7 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.9 bits higher color depth, 0.3 EV of lower dynamic range, and 0.7 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the A99 II offers a slightly higher resolution than the one in the A6500 (2400k vs 2359k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Sony A6500 and Sony A99 II in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The A6500 has one, while the A99 II does not. While the built-in flash of the A6500 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the A6500 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the A6500 and the A99 II write their files to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The A99 II features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the A6500 only has one slot. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Alpha A6500 and Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

It is notable that the A99 II has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The A6500 lacks such a headphone port.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Sony A99 II (unlike the A6500) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The A99 II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the A6500 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the A6500 was succeeded by the Sony A6600. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Sony website.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Sony A6500 better than the Sony A99 II or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha A6500:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• More compact: Is smaller (120x67mm vs 143x104mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 396g or 47 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (56 percent cheaper at launch).

Advantages of the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (42.2 vs 24MP), which boosts linear resolution by 33%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (7 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (0.7 stops ISO advantage).
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.70x).
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 922k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (490 versus 350) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A99 II is the clear winner of the contest (15 : 8 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony A6500 and the Sony A99 II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the A6500 and the A99 II in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	cam era   labs	dp re   view	e photo   zine	ima ging resource	photo graphy   blog	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Sony A6500	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2016	1,399		Sony A6500
	Sony A99 II	..	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	3,199		Sony A99 II
	Canon 5DS	+	83/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	3,699		Canon 5DS
	Olympus PEN-F	..	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2016	1,199		Olympus PEN-F
	Panasonic GX8	+	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2015	1,199		Panasonic GX8
	Sony A6600	+	83/100	4.5/5	..	4/5	Aug 2019	1,399		Sony A6600
	Sony A7R III	+ +	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Oct 2017	3,199		Sony A7R III
	Sony A9	+ +	89/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Apr 2017	4,499		Sony A9
	Sony A6300	+	85/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Feb 2016	999		Sony A6300
	Sony RX10 III	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	1,499		Sony RX10 III
	Sony A7R II	+ +	90/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jun 2015	3,199		Sony A7R II
	Sony RX10 II	+ +	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2015	1,299		Sony RX10 II
	Sony A7	+ +	80/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2013	1,699		Sony A7
	Sony A99	..	84/100	4.5/5	o	4.5/5	Sep 2012	2,799		Sony A99
	Sony A77	91/100	81/100	..	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2011	1,399		Sony A77
	Sony NEX-7	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Aug 2011	1,349		Sony NEX-7
	Sony A900	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	4/5	5/5	Sep 2008	2,999		Sony A900
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

Specifications: Sony A6500 vs Sony A99 II

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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