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
FX5
2026 Cinema Line full-frame camera with 16.6MP stacked Exmor RS, 5K Open Gate, internal 16-bit X-OCN RAW, triple base ISO, and FX3-class compact mobility.
$4,899
Launch priceReleased Aug 2026
FX5 is 9.8 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 6500
Wins
FX5
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 6500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 6500 has higher Burst (electronic) (15 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 6500 has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 800)
- BFX5 has higher EVF resolution (7,070,000 vs 2,360,000)
- AAlpha 6500 has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 12,800)
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
FX5
132 × 79 × 87 mm
734 g (1.62 lb / 25.89 oz)
Alpha 6500 is 12mm narrower, 12mm shorter, and 34mm thinner than FX5.
Alpha 6500 is 281 g lighter than FX5.
Depth (front-to-back): 53mm Alpha 6500 · 87mm FX5
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
FX5
132 × 79 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
FX5
132 × 87 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 6500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
FX5
35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
850 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
FX5
✓ 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
Burst (mechanical)
6 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
15 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 120, 66.9, 53.2
ISO min (native)
100 vs 800 — lower is better
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 6500 supports it
Weight
453 g vs 734 g — lower is better
Resolution
24.2 MP vs 16.6 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
FX5
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 132.3, 79, 86.95
Codecs
Adds X-OCN LT, X-OCN C1, X-OCN C2…
EVF resolution
7,070,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only FX5 supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
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
FX5
Pros
- ✓5K Open Gate + internal X-OCN RAW (LT / C1 / C2)
- ✓Triple base ISO 800 / 4000 / 12800 + Dual Gain
- ✓15+ stops DR (S-Log3) + BIONZ XR2 AI AF
- ✓5K 60p / 4K 120p / FHD 240p at launch
- ✓Compact body with IBIS, cooling, dual card slots
Cons
- –Body-only $4,899 — XLR handle / OLED EVF optional
- –Open Gate X-OCN only at launch (XAVC Open Gate via FW)
- –4K 240p / 5K 120p planned for 2027 firmware
- –No built-in EVF (optional DVF-EL1)
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 6500 and FX5 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 6500
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, Alpha 6500 or FX5?
Alpha 6500 scores 9.0/10 versus 4.5/10 for FX5 — 453g — ultralight for all-day carry.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 6500 and FX5?
Alpha 6500 is 24.2 MP and FX5 is 16.6 MP, so the Alpha 6500 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 6500 and FX5 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 6500 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX5 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 6500 and FX5?
Alpha 6500 weighs 453 g and FX5 weighs 734 g, so the Alpha 6500 is 281 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 6500 and FX5 record 4K video?
Alpha 6500: 4K up to 60p. FX5: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 6500 and FX5 weather sealed?
Alpha 6500: Yes. FX5: Yes.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 6500 launched at $1,399 and FX5 at $4,899. The Alpha 6500 is $3,500 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 6500 vs FX5 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.