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Sony a6500

You are here: Home / Sony Alpha Mirrorless Cameras / Sony a6500

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Last updated: January 19, 2021 by Timothy Mayo

Welcome to my Sony a6500 (ILCE-6500) resource page. Here you will find the latest firmware version for the a6500, user guides, FAQs and product images.

Sony a6500
Latest FirmwareManualAccessoriesPrice Check & Buyer Reviews
Version 1.06PDF / OnlineAccessoriesAmazon | B&H

Sony a6500 Forum & Facebook Group

If you are looking for further help and advice on the a6500 or would simply like to share your photos and videos, then please head over to our friendly Sony a6500 Forum. If you prefer Facebook then I also run the Sony Alpha Shooters Group where you can ask questions on the a6500 or post images and videos.

Sony a6500 Overview

The Sony a6500 was announced on October 6th 2016 and I decided to purchase my own shortly afterwards as a replacement for my Sony a6300.

Here’s a short video from Sony showing of the 4k recording capabilities of the a6500:

https://youtu.be/6mwNMv6rENc

I purchased my a6500 primarily as a sports shooter due to its fast AF performance and large buffer capable of shooting 269 JPGs (Fine) or 107 RAW files.

Sony a6500 Superbike
Sony a6500 + FE 100-400 GM @ 345mm, 1/250, f/5.6, ISO 400

DPReview awarded this camera their Silver Award and concluded their in-depth review with the following:

The Sony a6500 is an outstanding all-around camera. Image quality and 4K video quality are both exceptional and the camera’s autofocus system also impresses. Well-suited for sports and action photography, the a6500 offers a deep buffer and burst speeds of both 8 and 11 fps with continuous autofocus. Just be aware that it can take some work to wrap one’s head around its long list of capabilities, to get the most out of the camera.

DPReview

Unfortunately the Sony a6500 has since been discontinued in an attempt to simplify the a6xxx series. The replacement for the a6500 is the Sony a6600.

Alternatively, if you don’t need in-body stabilization then you could also look at the Sony a6400 which despite the lower series number is a more powerful camera than the a6500.

Please visit my Sony a6400 vs a6500 comparison article if you’d like to learn more about the differences between these two cameras.

Sony a6500 Key Specs

  • 24.2-megapixel Exmor CMOS APS-C sensor
  • 425 phase detection points
  • 2.36M-dot OLED EVF
  • Tilting rear touchscreen
  • 5-axis in-body image stabilization
  • 11 fps continuous shooting for up to 300 JPEGs / 100 Raws
  • 1/4000 sec maximum shutter speed
  • 453 g / 15.98 oz with battery and memory card

You can find the full Sony a6500 details and specifications over on Sony’s product page.

Sony a6500 FAQS

When was the Sony a6500 announced?

The Sony a6500 was announced on October 6th 2016.

What memory cards does the Sony a6500 support?

The single memory card slot supports SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compliant) and Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo cards.

What battery does the Sony a6500 use?

The Sony a6500 uses the Sony NP-FW50 lithium ion rechargeable battery.

Is the Sony a6500 a full-frame camera?

No. The Sony a6500 has an APS-C sensor with a 1.5x crop factor compared to a full-frame 35mm sensor.

Is the Sony a6500 waterproof?

Sony claim that the a6500 is dust and moisture resistant, they don’t claim that it is fully waterproof and you should therefore use a rain cover if using the camera in wet weather or very dusty environments.

How many megapixels is the Sony a6500?

The Sony a6500 has a 24.2 megapixel sensor.

What is the weight of the Sony a6500?

453 g / 15.98 oz with battery and memory card

What does the a6500 include in the box?

The body only includes: AC Adaptor: AC-UUD12, accessory shoe cap, body cap, eyepiece cup, micro USB cable, rechargeable battery NP-FW50, shoulder strap.

What is the a6500 mechanical shutter fps?

The maximum fps (frames per second) for the mechanical shutter of the a6500 is 11 fps.

What is the a6500 electronic shutter fps?

The maximum fps (frames per second) for the electronic shutter of the a6500 is 11 fps.

What is the maximum shutter speed of the a6500?

The maximum shutter speed is 1/4000 sec.

Is the Sony a6500 a professional camera?

The Sony a6500 is more of an enthusiasts camera than a professional camera.

How large is the Sony a6500 image buffer?

If you shoot continuously then the a6500 will record up to 233 extra fine jpeg images before the buffer is full.

Sony a6500 Product Images

  • Sony a6500 LCD Rear Tilt
  • Sony a6500 Ports Right
  • Sony a6500 Grip
  • Sony a6500 Top
  • Sony a6500 LCD Rear
  • Sony a6500 Front Flash
  • Sony a6500 SEL1670Z Front
  • Sony a6500 SEL1670Z Right
  • Sony a6500 Sensor

Check Price & Buyer Reviews for Sony a6500

At: Amazon | B&H Photo

Sony Alpha Forum

About Timothy Mayo

I love shooting wildlife the most but will happily point my camera at pretty much anything. I started Alpha Shooters in 2017 to share my own photographic journey and experiences shooting with Sony Alpha. The site has since evolved into a popular community and resource. You can also find out more about my story here or follow me on Instagram if you wish. I also have a YouTube Channel but haven't published much content over the past year due to spending more time changing smelly nappies and also launching our community forums. However, I do plan to get back to creating content for YouTube in 2021!

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