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Sony NEX-6 vs A6000

The Sony Alpha NEX-6 and the Sony Alpha A6000 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2012 and February 2014. Both the NEX-6 and the A6000 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The NEX-6 has a resolution of 16 megapixels, whereas the A6000 provides 24 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Sony NEX-6
versus
Sony A6000
Sony NEX-6   Sony A6000
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
16 MP – APS-C sensor 24 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60i Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 100-25,600 ISO 100-25,600 (100 - 51,200)
Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots) Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots)
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
10 shutter flaps per second 11 shutter flaps per second
360 shots per battery charge360 shots per battery charge
120 x 67 x 43 mm, 345 g 120 x 67 x 45 mm, 344 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha NEX-6 and the Sony Alpha A6000? 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.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Sony NEX-6 and the Sony A6000 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 dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The A6000 can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, white), while the NEX-6 is only available in black.

Size Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A6000
Compare NEX-6 versus A6000 top
Comparison NEX-6 or A6000 rear

In this particular case, the Sony NEX-6 and the Sony A6000 have exactly the same width and height, and, thus, have identically-sized bodies. Moreover, the two cameras also share the same weight. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the NEX-6 nor the A6000 are weather-sealed.

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. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

The power pack in the A6000 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony NEX-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 599ebay.com
3.
 
Sony A6300 120 mm 67 mm 49 mm 404 g 400 Y Feb 2016 999ebay.com
4.
 
Sony A5000 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 269 g 420 n Jan 2014 449ebay.com
5.
 
Sony A5100 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 283 g 400 n Aug 2014 549ebay.com
6.
 
Sony A3000 128 mm 91 mm 85 mm 411 g 470 n Aug 2013 329ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-5T 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2013 699ebay.com
9.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-7 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 400 g 430 n Aug 2011 1,349ebay.com
13.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
14.
 
Sony NEX-3 117 mm 62 mm 33 mm 297 g 330 n May 2010 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 287 g 330 n May 2010 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The A6000 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 40 percent) than the NEX-6, 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.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the A6000 is 1 percent bigger. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the A6000 uses a more advanced image processing engine (BIONZ X) than the NEX-6 (BIONZ), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

Sony NEX-6 and Sony A6000 sensor measures

With 24MP, the A6000 offers a higher resolution than the NEX-6 (16MP), but the A6000 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 4.78μm for the NEX-6). Yet, the A6000 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 5 months) than the NEX-6, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A6000 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A6000 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony NEX-6 are 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.4 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.6 x 13.1 inches or 49.9 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.6 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The A6000 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Sony Alpha NEX-6 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A6000 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-51200.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

NEX-6 versus A6000 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the A6000 has a markedly higher DXO score than the NEX-6 (overall score 4 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.4 bits higher color depth, and 0.4 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
2.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782
3.
 
Sony A6300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.413.7143785
4.
 
Sony A5000 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.813.0108979
5.
 
Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.7134780
6.
 
Sony A3000 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.712.8106878
7.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
8.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
9.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
10.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
11.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
12.
 
Sony NEX-7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i24.113.4101681
13.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
14.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
15.
 
Sony NEX-5 APS-C 14.0 4592 30561080/60i22.212.279669
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the A6000 provides a faster frame rate than the NEX-6. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the NEX-6 is limited to 1080/60i.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the NEX-6 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the A6000 (2359k vs 1440k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Sony NEX-6 and Sony A6000 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Sony NEX-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
2.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
3.
 
Sony A63002359 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
4.
 
Sony A5000none n3.0 / 461 tilting n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
5.
 
Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Sony A3000202 n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
7.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
8.
 
Sony NEX-5Toptional n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
9.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
10.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
11.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
12.
 
Sony NEX-72359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
13.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
14.
 
Sony NEX-3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
15.
 
Sony NEX-5optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the NEX-6 and the A6000 write their files to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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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 NEX-6 and Sony Alpha A6000 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Sony NEX-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
2.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
3.
 
Sony A6300Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
4.
 
Sony A5000-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
5.
 
Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Sony A3000Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
8.
 
Sony NEX-5TYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
9.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
10.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Sony NEX-7Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
13.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Sony NEX-5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
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Both the NEX-6 and the A6000 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-6 was replaced by the Sony A6000, while the A6000 was followed by the Sony A6300. Further information on the features and operation of the NEX-6 and A6000 can be found, respectively, in the Sony NEX-6 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A6000 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Sony NEX-6 or the Sony A6000 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha NEX-6:

  • More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (2359k vs 1440k dots).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.73x vs 0.70x).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2012).


Advantages of the Sony Alpha A6000:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 16MP), which boosts linear resolution by 22%.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (4 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (0.4 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (BIONZ X vs BIONZ).
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/60i).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (40 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 5 months) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A6000 is the clear winner of the contest (10 : 3 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 wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

NEX-6 03:10 A6000

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony NEX-6 and the Sony A6000 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the NEX-6 or the A6000. 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 expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony NEX-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 599ebay.com
3.
 
Sony A63004.5/5+..85/1005/55/5 Feb 2016 999ebay.com
4.
 
Sony A50003/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 449ebay.com
5.
 
Sony A51004.5/5+....4.5/55/5 Aug 2014 549ebay.com
6.
 
Sony A30003/5+....4/54/5 Aug 2013 329ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-5T........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 699ebay.com
9.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-75/5+ +..81/1004.5/55/5 Aug 2011 1,349ebay.com
13.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
14.
 
Sony NEX-3......70/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-53/5+ +..71/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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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. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Sony NEX-6 vs Sony A6000

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Sony NEX-6 Sony A6000
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2012 February 2014
    Launch Price USD 999 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Sony NEX-6 Sony A6000
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.4 x 15.6 mm 23.5 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 365.04 mm2 366.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.1 mm 28.2 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.78 μm 3.91 μm
    Pixel Density 4.39 MP/cm2 6.55 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 100 - 51,200 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 78 82
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.7 24.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.1 13.1
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1018 1347
    Screen Specs Sony NEX-6 Sony A6000
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.73x 0.70x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2359k dots 1440k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 922k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Sony NEX-6 Sony A6000
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s 11 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy150 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Sony NEX-6 Sony A6000
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Body Specs Sony NEX-6 Sony A6000
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)360 shots per charge360 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 120 x 67 x 43 mm
    (4.7 x 2.6 x 1.7 in)
    120 x 67 x 45 mm
    (4.7 x 2.6 x 1.8 in)
    Camera Weight 345 g (12.2 oz) 344 g (12.1 oz)
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    Check A6000 offers at
    ebay.com

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