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Sony

Alpha 6300

Weather-sealed APS-C workhorse that proved Sony could dominate enthusiast mirrorless.

$999

Launch price

Released Feb 2016

vs

Sony

Alpha 6500

APS-C flagship with 5-axis IBIS, weather sealing, and the same 24MP sensor as the a6300.

$1,399

Launch price

Released Oct 2016

Alpha 6500 is 8 months newer.

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Wins

2categories

Alpha 6300

TravelWildlife

Wins

0categories

Alpha 6500

TravelWildlife

16 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 6300 wins 2 categories·Alpha 6500 wins 0 categories
  • AAlpha 6300 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 5 stops)
  • AAlpha 6300 has lower Weight (404 g vs 453 g)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 6300Alpha 6500
Resolution24.2 MP24.2 MP
SensorAPS-CAPS-C
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst15 fps15 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS6-stop5-stop
Weight404 g453 g
Battery640 shots640 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 6300

120 × 67 × 49 mm

404 g (0.89 lb / 14.25 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 6500

120 × 67 × 53 mm

453 g (1.00 lb / 15.98 oz)

Alpha 6300 is 4mm thinner than Alpha 6500.

Alpha 6300 is 49 g lighter than Alpha 6500.

Depth (front-to-back): 49mm Alpha 6300 · 53mm Alpha 6500

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 6300

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

Alpha 6500

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 6300

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Alpha 6500

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseAlpha 6300Alpha 6500
Portrait
6.5Good
6.5Good
Sports & Action
8.0Excellent
8.0Excellent
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
6.0Good
Landscape
5.0Fair
5.0Fair
Travel
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Wildlife
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Vlogging
7.5Good
7.5Good

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 6300

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 48.8

  • IBIS effectiveness

    6 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better

  • Weight

    404 g vs 453 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 6500

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 53.2

Both cameras share

  • ResolutionBoth 24.2 MP
  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • ISO max (native)Both 25,600
  • AF points / zonesBoth 759
  • AF frame coverageBoth 94 %

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Alpha 6300

Pros

  • Weather sealed
  • 425-point AF
  • 4K video
  • Great used value

Cons

  • No IBIS
  • Older menu system
  • Superseded

Alpha 6500

Pros

  • IBIS in APS-C
  • Weather sealed
  • Touchscreen
  • Strong AF for era

Cons

  • Superseded by a6600/a6700
  • Older 4K codec
  • Small body ergonomics

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 6300 and Alpha 6500 at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 6300
Alpha 6500
Resolution
24.2 MP
24.2 MP
Sensor type
APS-C CMOS
APS-C CMOS
Sensor size
23.5 × 15.6 mm
23.5 × 15.6 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Alpha 6300
Alpha 6500
Processor
BIONZ XR
BIONZ XR
Alpha 6300
Alpha 6500
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
Alpha 6300
Alpha 6500
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for portraits, Alpha 6300 or Alpha 6500?

Alpha 6300 scores 6.5/10 versus 6.5/10 for Alpha 6500 — 24.2MP — solid resolution.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 6300 and Alpha 6500?

Both cameras share the same 24.2 MP resolution.

Do the Alpha 6300 and Alpha 6500 have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 6300 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 6500 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 6300 or the Alpha 6500?

Alpha 6300 reaches 15 fps electronic. Alpha 6500 reaches 15 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 6300 and Alpha 6500?

Alpha 6300 weighs 404 g and Alpha 6500 weighs 453 g, so the Alpha 6300 is 49 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 6300 and Alpha 6500 record 4K video?

Alpha 6300: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 6500: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Alpha 6300 and Alpha 6500 weather sealed?

Alpha 6300: Yes. Alpha 6500: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 6300 and 640 shots for the Alpha 6500, giving the Alpha 6500 the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 6300 launched at $999 and Alpha 6500 at $1,399. The Alpha 6300 is $400 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 6300 vs Alpha 6500 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.