Sony
Alpha 6500
APS-C flagship with 5-axis IBIS, weather sealing, and the same 24MP sensor as the a6300.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2016
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 5 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 6500
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
8 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 60 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 6 fps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher EVF resolution (3,686,400 vs 2,360,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareAlpha 6500
120 × 67 × 53 mm
453 g (1.00 lb / 15.98 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Alpha 6500 is 11mm narrower, 30mm shorter, and 27mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV.
Alpha 6500 is 205 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 53mm Alpha 6500 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 6500
120 × 67 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Alpha 6500
120 × 53 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 6500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 6500
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Alpha 6500
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 120, 66.9, 53.2
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 6500 supports it
Burst (electronic)
15 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Weight
453 g vs 658 g — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 6500 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 6500
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Alpha 6500 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 9.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for Alpha 6500 — 33MP — ample resolution for portraits.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 6500 and Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 6500 is 24.2 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 6500 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 6500 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 6500 or the Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 6500 reaches 15 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 6500 and Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 6500 weighs 453 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 6500 is 205 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 6500 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
Alpha 6500: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Alpha 6500 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
Alpha 6500: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 6500 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 6500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 6500 launched at $1,399 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 6500 is $1,100 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 6500 vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.