Sony a6500 Review - 2 Years Later - Is It Still Worth It?

[@AlbertoMendoza]

I still use my a6300 as my main shooter and still love it and get great results.

[@YoungBlaze]

Give it TO ME!

[@yannisd.m.5019]

In my opinion, the a6500 is a serious camera with great features. If you care about photography, then is a great value for money. If you are thinking like a gadget maniac, then keep watching reviews in KZbin and spend your money every time that something new is released on the market.

[@shahdawon7191]

You are 100% right.... the problem is consumerism is now imbedid into people's dna. They forget wjat tjey want instead look at what pther people want & have.

[@NAM3L3555]

I used for a 2 years also only the complain it's the battery I have 9 because I do video in weddings the iso in low conditions it's amazing I use the heavy sigma 18-35 1.8 with mc11 and the autofocus works great in video

[@yannisd.m.5019]

@@NAM3L3555 I'm thinking to buy the same lens, to upgrade from the sony 18-105 f4. I hope it worths the money.

[@NAM3L3555]

@@yannisd.m.5019 yes for video works perfect but for photo it's a bit slow remember that is a heavy lens but great quality like primes.

[@yannisd.m.5019]

@@NAM3L3555 fast auto focus is not my concern. I need a good lens for landscape photography.

[@richardpcrowe]

I recently purchased a Sony A6500 and love it. I was going to wait for the new model to come out but, picked up this camera with an MC-11 adapter and cage plus two extra batteries used at a good price. I am very happy that I did - I love my A6500! My plans are to eventually pick up the A6500 replacement and use both cameras as a two camera setup. My favorite factors are: IBIS, focus peaking and Eye-AF. The 50mm f/1.8 OSS is a great little portrait lens and I have (somewhat limited) use of my Canon glass with the MC-11 adapter. I have also purchased two manual focus "niche" lenses which are fun to shoot with: a Russian 55mm f/2 Helios and a Night Owl 75mm f/1.7 surveillance camera lens. The IBIS and focus peaking make using these lenses a breeze...

[@ohev1]

Add a external monitor. Then you can use headphones.

[@DuanesMind]

I bought one in January 2019. This one ticks all the boxes for me and I couldn't be bothered waiting for a new model.

[@kayanoreeves1949]

Still loving my A6300 in 2019. I have sorted out all of the workarounds, and I love A6300 even wth all of its quirks and low tech LCD. The image quality, AF, low light, and 4k are still mind blowing. I don't plan to upgrade even for the A6700 or whatever comes after the A6400 is called.

[@antiseth3964]

I've been rocking two a6300s for about three years now, and while I'm not as serious as I used to be for filming and video, I still love them. I've been curious about downsizing and using the opportunity to upgrade to a single full frame camera-but that's a while down the road.

[@kayanoreeves1949]

Seth M I've already upgrade to the A6400. It pretty much solves all of the issues I had with the A6300, which is now my b-cam.

[@antiseth3964]

@@kayanoreeves1949 Would you recommend it over the a6500?

[@kayanoreeves1949]

Seth M yes, absolutely. The A6500 has not the best IBIS, and the A6400 is the same or better in just about every other area: flippy screen, better processor, no record limit, doesn't overheat, screen doesn't dim shooting 4k, eye AF, faster start up, better battery life.

[@antiseth3964]

@@kayanoreeves1949 I'll keep that in mind.

[@UncompressedWAVmusic]

My nephew bought that camera 2 years ago and still love it. Although he is into filming and considering getting the A7SII.

[@elvinlawcc]

I love my a6500! Paired with a right lens the image out from this is amazing! Recommend the Sigma 18 - 50mm DCDN lens! It’s an amazing lens to pair with a6500.

[@Vikingdescendent]

Premium camera! Combined with the EP Z 18 to 105 and clear image zoom, in the right hands it's a beast! Just get the fastest SD card. It will last all day on an external battery.

[@JeremyCook]

Any guesses when they'll come out with an update integrating some of the 6400 with IBIS?

[@jeradcamera]

I'm still trying to understand why they need two of these cameras that really are very similar. I would even say that I like the a6400 better because of the interval timer and I auto focus which the a6500 still has not received. from what it looks like though, they will keep doing two different variations of this camera so the only thing that makes sense to keep them different is to have one with IBIS and the other not.

[@JeremyCook]

@@jeradcamera Thanks for the reply. Perhaps you're right, though that doesn't mean they won't update the 6500.

[@nicktaylor7680]

Great camera let down by lack of lenses where is the E mount ap-c 2.8 zoom?

[@edc5338]

I have both a 6300 and the 6500. I like both cameras and am impressed with the quality but the batteries are the Achilles heel of both so you have to have a couple more on hand. Good review!

[@Jordanskenya]

Hey there, would you mind a donation? I wish you knew how in need I am for an alpha cam, I just saw those pics from the a6500 and I was blown. I Just want to take great pics and I'll be happy. Have a great time. Hope you get back even if it's not for the donation.

[@cjloh1]

@ Sony Please update a6500 with full touch capability, type C charging, 180 degree flip screen, better ISO & AF.

[@jeradcamera]

Yes!!!

[@Official_G_G]

4 years later for me 💯🔥

[@infamous295]

U nailed every detail I need to know man great job with this video much respect...I was going to get the a7ii since it's on sale but I already invested on the a6000 with so many sigma lens and I have two sony lens I know will fit the ff version but the others i have to spend so much 😣...knowing now you use a6500 for weddings etc I'm confident about getting it now

[@alizamani5841]

Any recommendation for night/low-light photography? I'm deciding between 6500 and 7 (alpha series general speaking!)

[@arifffahim7282]

Ali Zamani a7s series performs well in low light

[@joshdiditt]

Is the overheating issue fixed in 4k with the a6500?

[@julienxie1110]

Can you give other problems with the a6300 besides the overheating issue?

[@KazikFurmanczyk]

No in body stabilization and no touchscreen

[@caldera878]

I have one and it's a mixed bag. The entire camera works but it's not the most polished tool. Accessibility and certain controls are hidden in the menus, weird ergonomics and the lackluster choice of lenses really is a letdown.

[@julienxie1110]

@@KazikFurmanczyk yeah, I know that, but, i have an a6300 myself and I really think that the lack of ibis/touchscreen should be treated like overheating because it's not direct problem from the camera itself but lack of feature. What do you think about that ?

[@KazikFurmanczyk]

@@julienxie1110 well that's the thing if you don't want this problems you should bought the a6500 which was released just 9 month later for exactly that reason (addressing those problems). I also bought the a6300 and boy do I regret not paying 300€ extra for the a6500. I won't go for the full frame Sony cameras because the lenses are more expensive. For now I am waiting for the a6700 release so I can buy the a6500 cheaper.

[@allocentric9018]

would anyone mind recommending some full frame lenses for me, and also briefly detail the nuances between full frame and non full frame. I'm new to the camera realm, so I apologize if my questions are bothersome.

[@paulm8157]

Touch to focus means selecting where to focus, but there’s no “touch to turn on focus” like the AF button works. I’d like Sony to enable touch to turn on focus, and (optionally) touch to activate the shutter. Olympus cams have had the features for years.

[@shahdawon7191]

Are you serious...? How long have you been using this camera for...?

[@stevelink21]

Happy New Year, Ditch Very good review of the Sony a6500. Auto! As a Fujifilm X-T3 landscape and product photographer, I am extremely pleased with the image quality I get from this camera, combined with the stellar, sharp Fujinon XF optics. However, I am researching a small, light "travel camera", as I don't want to expose my X-T3 system to the vagaries of landscape photography in a beach/ocean setting. For that very limited, occasional use, I was considering such cameras as the Fuji X70, Sony a6000 kit, Panasonic LX100II, or possibly the Oly OMD-EM1 II, or Sony RX100V. However, based on other test reviews of the X70 (or even the fixed 28mm lens of the X-T100x series), more than one have said that the fixed 23 or 28mm Fujinon lens just is not that sharp, especially when compared to that on the Ricoh GR series. My MAIN criteria are image SHARPNESS and detail retention, and ability to retain such detail when possibly printed to 20x24". (Thus, my hesitancy to go m4/3.). Plus, I'd like to keep total budget for both camera and lens to around $1000. And, FYI, I'm a stills guy, so don't shoot video. Based on this, would you still recommend the a6000, or other compact camera (either fixed or interchangeable lens)? Thank you!

[@cheryljanedecastro411]

This video was amazing and super super helpful!! My name is Cheryl from Sydney and I was planning on taking up photography again and wanted to start with this camera. Your video is a year old so I’m just wondering if you’ve heard of any upgrade to the A6500 before I invest in one?

[@DIYHT]

Comparisons should be between cameras in the same price bracket

[@reinouttuytten]

bought it today 😅 (in very good state + 30mm lens + 10-105mm lens, 8 batteries, CPL-filters, camera cage, vertical battery grip, etc for 1300€ or 1450$)

[@roaldeuller]

I shoot with the 6300. I switched from SLR to mirrorless for the form factor, so I prefer the smaller APS-C lenses. What lenses do you use when you are traveling and shooting stills?

[@Reviews4fun1]

Nice video. I’d appreciate your recommendation. I’m a original adopter NEX6 that I’ve had since launch. Has been ok but showing its age, lack of decent autofocus and no IBIS. Have a decent apsc lens library. I shoot mainly stills. Would you recommend 1. Buy the discounted a6500 2. Buy the a6600 and use the lens library I have. Worth it over the a6500? 3. Upgrade to a7iii/a7iv , invest in new glass, and keep my NEX6 for travel.

[@StaffViet2009]

a6600 is a just a tiny upgrade over a6500, it just better at AF tracking and a little longer battery life, while others remain the same. FF is the whole new game, your choice!

[@kiesemedia433]

i enjoyed seeing this video footage. keep going 👌

[@draculadicruz]

This camera/6500 can be used while charging using a power bank? Does it have a Microphone jack option?

[@YoungBlaze]

yes it has a mic option but not a headphone option, but some power banks will not work while using

[@bogdanraduboitor7743]

Hy. I would like to buy for wedding photgraphy to 2 body,s sony a7iii but i don,t know want 3-4 lenses to buy.Can You help me???What to buy???

[@djremotion2]

A5100 screen articulates 180°. But I have almost never used like that, I like to overkill with sharpest possible lenses in most tiny Sony E camera and get amazing results.

[@DCUPtoejuice]

thinking of adding this as a compliment to a 5DMK2 since they are complete opposites talents.

[@VeeTravels]

What is your opinion of the Rokinon 12mm E-Mount for the Sony A6500?

[@RS.Outdoors]

I think it was a great lens, however I sold it for the Sigma 16mm f1.4 which is amazing and super sharp.

[@VeeTravels]

Interesting. If you get a chance, do you mind reviewing a couple of my videos and make a few suggestions for improvement. Thanks.

[@caldera878]

Overrated Korean lens that has massive chromatic aberrations and fault infinity focus. Shit plastic body and $100 too much.

[@athulchelsea]

I like to use a single lens for the 6500.. can to suggest one all rounder lens... How about 18-135..E 3.5-5.6....

[@samg2933]

i really want to get the sony a 6500 dose ant one know where i can get a good o that

[@LucasBeatz]

Is the screen still unusable (too dim) when shooting 4K?

[@andrewpolitano]

No, this apparently stopped with the a6500 and is no longer an issue.

[@allenschneider1847]

For a serious amateur and family photographer would you recommend the 6500 or would it be worth getting the a7iii?

[@henryt9731]

a7iii anyday, but the a6500 would be much more compact

[@jeradcamera]

I second Henry's statement. The a6500 is great but the a7iii is going to out perform it in low light and extra features. Plus the a7iii is just more comfortable to hold for longer lengths of time.

[@allenschneider1847]

@@henryt9731 thanks, I notice the a7iii is much more comfortable to hold and with the joy stick easier to use.

[@DDHDTV]

You can go vlog style with a 35mm on an APSC body? I can only get my head in frame with my 30mm

[@pinoyattrouble]

KirbyGoezPink same thoughts for me. That 35 effectively becomes a 50

[@YoungBlaze]

@@pinoyattrouble i vlog with a 85mm

[@angelisone]

Will IBIS be available when using ATG Gold T* 16-35/2.0 or Sony 16-35/2.8 (both are A-mount) with Sony LA-EA4?

[@danoise_007]

How is it on night photographer, do u get a lot of grain. And how is it on night vlogging, do u need an external mounting light on it? Thinking of getting one

[@felipemvera]

For night vlogging you would need a light regardless of camera unless you are in a well lit situation or have a sony a7sii

[@NLMusique]

Great video. I watch some KZbin video and reviewers are saying that when you do video, the screen get washed out in the sun. Does this happen when you take photos?

[@Davidoff5185]

The next version is coming out in a few weeks

[@justinn5047]

Tubsie how do you know

[@Davidoff5185]

@@justinn5047 it's what the Sony rumors say, well they sayd December 2018 or March 2019

[@autodidact495]

Thank you, this helped me a lot

[@charliebowen5323]

This is a game changer

[@Grr8jon]

Nice review. I use the camera and love it. Touch screen and IBIS makes it worth it.

[@bobdrawbaugh4207]

Olympus has had IBIS for years. I think it’s the best in the industry. When paired with a lens that is stabilized no one can touch it. The 6500 looks great with small primes.

[@schadowization]

I'd say a panasonic g9 is right up there too

[@StaffViet2009]

a6500 price has been gone down alots since the day its release, now i think it open quite good oppotunity for many people can afford their dream camera clearly a6500 has very strong future proof up to 7-8 years you have enough money, you should get it, don't worry about len, you eventually saving enough money to get decent lens soon

[@chosenideahandle]

The a6500 didn't actually solve any of the problems with the a6300 (nor was it Sony's intent to do so). It only added features. Apart from the added features (touch screen, and stabilization) the camera are identical. Problems like overheating were taken care of the same time (to both cameras) with firmware updates. These were essentially the same firmware updates.

[@snowwalker9999]

I personally do not need a FF camera but don't mind owning one. I think a6500 is still one of the best APS-C cameras. I was hoping they would release a new version soon with a better touchscreen, maybe improved low light features and fixed rolling shutter some users complain about. For now, I'll just continue enjoying my M50 until Sony releases their new APS-C or Canon releases an improved version of what I have. Thanks for the review!

[@DDHDTV]

It's probably going to get announced this autumn

[@snowwalker9999]

Will it be released this autumn?

[@FELiPES101]

Photo plus is a week away so we may be close to the new cam (a6700/a7000).

[@nocoolname32]

:(

[@AxelS]

1:31 i didnt finish the video, but... quality is good speech is good, i subscribe, keep the good videos.

[@AxelS]

so i am finishing the video

[@StaffViet2009]

you guy are still better than me, i still can't afford a6500 in 2018, and there are many people like me as well, so you guy should happy and stop complaining!

[@haroldcarlson2775]

Touch screen game changer? How about IBIS? To me, that's the game changer. Also, you don't know Canon has a mirrorless offering in the Canon M5? True it doesn't have 4k but it offers a better AF system for video with DPAF. It sounds like you aren't much of a gear head like some people (and you actually go out and shoot photos/video for a living) so may not know every intricate detail about the current market which is no big deal.

[@DwiWahyudi]

im even still using a6300 , combine with ronin s its a beast,

[@rcepter5485]

What about the overheating issues?

[@MarketingVideosBCN]

Iam an avid a6300 user with gimbal and after using it fro profesional work I still cant find a reasonable reason to move to full frame more than low light capabilities wich I must say with any fast Sigma lens is almost none existent! I will have to wait to see the new model of the serie so I can choose if I keep on with the APSC adventure or move up to Full Frame !!!! who evere gimme 4k 60fps (10bit?)cheaper than bmpcc4k!!!!!

[@0seither]

The A6500 is still a great camera but someone never used Lumix or Olympus in terms of IBIS

[@Cochegrz]

Pentax cameras had image stabilization before Sony ame up with it. My Pentax K70 has 5-axis image stabilization.

[@trailsetter]

I am a SONY a6500 user And I love that tiny camera but regarding image stabilization I have to say GH5 is superior to others. Friend of mine have GH5 and image stabilization is only positive thing on GH5 if you ask me.

[@Abelguitron]

My main shooter is the A7rIII. My second shooter is the A7rII. Would it be worth it to trade my RII for the 6500?

[@zekirami]

Great camera 📷 This one

[@CVCC]

nice review. FYI Olympus has been using IBIS for a decade, Panasonic now uses it too. Sony was late to that game. except for Canon & Nikon. Even Pentax uses Ibis.

[@Jason-Scott]

Booo hoooo

[@sachinudassi9300]

Best video

[@williambarco7144]

Check out Eric Rossi's new video on downscaling. Seems to a trend among photographers.

[@shaolin95]

Sorry but your part about upgrades coming put and saying something like hoping to get an extra year of this body ..seriously that is very dumb!! Your camera doesn't just stop working when a new one comes out. Come on man

[@lopsangdlama]

Better battery, Screen that doesn't suck outside, better image stabilisation, and proper placement of record button>> I am waiting for the successor hopefully priced not too close to a7III

[@BoxxyFan]

Who the hell uses a 50mm lens for vlogging and selfies? At the minimum you need a wide 28mm.

[@kbruff2010]

Nice video -- I own one, its great.

[@H4ndle911]

i bought a7ii (body) with 5 batteries, battery charging dock and a leather case for $400 i want anyone's opinion about this price

[@H4ndle911]

The meaning of my comment wasnt neither bragging or someone praising me.... i genuinely wanted to know if it was a good deal or not. Have a good day.

[@mylesdlm]

HuskyGaming here in our country, a7ii would still be at around 1k to 1.5k US dollars. So if you got that package for $400, you must have met Santa 😂 great deal!

[@H4ndle911]

@@mylesdlm thank you for your opinion ❤

[@williambarco7144]

You got a steal at $400.00. I bought an A7ii body in Dec 2017 and paid about 1,100.00. I love the dynamic range and use it for landscapes. It's not a speed demon. If you want speed get another camera.

[@H4ndle911]

@@williambarco7144 I can agree.

[@qtben17]

2 years using a6500, I only use it as backup video /photo cam. For photos, Need to use raw as its jpg is soft. Color science remains an issue - green shift that is hard to correct in post. color shifting is real especially with small ISO changes. Slog2/3 easily becomes noisy and has lots of artifacts in higher iso. 120fps is noisy after 1600iso, a little jittery due to xavcs compression. 4k still overheats, yes it does , 4k has heavy rolling shutter, autofocus is slower and ibis seems to be disabled. 1080p is soft, need to use sigma art lenses all the time. Battery life is abyssmal. Overall it’s a good cam but i wont use this as my main cam for events. canons are my workhorses.

[@TheFacebooksuks]

Still A6500 iso much better overall than Canon

[@summonedfist]

sorry but i stopped reading at "need to use raw"...it's sorta a waste to be using this caliber of a sensor only to be shooting jpg.

[@OLuvin]

Found the Canon rep

[@qtben17]

OLUVIN not a canon fanboy lol. A6500 is a love-hate relationship. Eventho i have 3 canon full frames, I tend to grab a6500 more for run and gun shoots on a gimbal Mainly Due to its lightweight and portability. Theres just no perfect cam, no perfect brand

[@filmifymylife]

Is this video worth it? Get to the point. Could've made the video half this length.

[@Ade5]

Sony needs to release a new APS-C soon.. Or else im jumping ship to maybe Fuji or Canon.. I have no need for fullframe

[@stuartschaffner9744]

So, Ades, basically you are for some unstated reason unhappy enough with the 6500 that you are willing to replace all your lenses as well as the body. First, I would honestly want to know why. Second, why would you limit yourself to the two manufacturers of APS-C cameras that don’t have IBIS? I will admit that I like unstabilized small prime lenses, that I often shoot handheld with slow shutter speeds, and that I use composition methods that involve overall image sharpness. For me, the IBIS on the 6500 is one of its best features. What is it about your shooting style that makes you not care about this? I hope you don’t take this wrong. I am genuinely puzzled.

[@ExhaIe]

Stuart Schaffner same

[@crazykeysersoze]

Don’t let the door hit u

[@snowwalker9999]

Bokeh Life, No IBIS was a deal breaker for me with X-T3 otherwise I would have bought that camera.

[@DDHDTV]

What lense are you missing? You do have stunning alternatives with Sigma. 16mm 1.4, 30mm 1.4 and the 56mm 1.4 is coming. get the 18-105 and you've got a beautiful set.

[@124giddy]

Bro pls make giveaway sony 6500

[@ImadogGarcia]

2 years later the camera is fallin into pieces because it‘s so old.

[@datdudenosense]

Yeah, I don't understand why people have the need to want to go and buy the newest camera all the time. This guy kind of makes it sound like it's Sony's fault.. lol.😂😂

[@PeterKoperdan]

I didn't catch you comparing it with contemporary cameras in the same price range. So basically a pretty good camera is still a pretty good camera 2 years later. Kind of pointless video, wouldn't you say? P.S. Don't you miss wide angle end of the spectrum when using FF lenses at 1.5 crop?

[@jessryllicera11]

annyone can help me to give camera like that :'(

[@shahdawon7191]

THIS IS A CLICK BAIT VIDEO, HE HAD TO LOOK AT HIS MONITOR TO SEE WHAT THE RESOLUTION OF THE A6500 IS...LOL

[@jeradcamera]

That doesn't make a video click bait. Tell me you memorize the specs to all cameras when specs don't even matter that much.

[@shahdawon7191]

@@jeradcamera lol...you crack me up. Let's keep it in the context of this video. Man is talking about the camera he has been using from the beginning. How good it is for what it does for his needs etc... yet he has to look at his screen to find out the basic info of the camera he claims that he has been using. Thats all im saying. If you know anything about youtube then you'll all know that there are to many click bait channels out there. Even if they are genuine about their subjects most still click bait to get views.... i don't know about you, but i ain't got all day to waste on KZbin with my time.