The Sony a6500 is at the premium end of Sony’s cropped sensor Alpha range of interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras. There are also full-frame cameras in the Alpha range — cameras like the a1, a7, and a9 cameras — and those models are even higher-end than the cropped sensor cameras. But they’re also larger and more expensive.
The Sony a6500 has an APS-C-sized CMOS sensor that produces 24.2 megapixels. The data from the sensor is then run through a BIONZ X image processor. It has a native ISO range from 100 through 25600, with an extended range running up to 51200. (I’ve also put together a separate post focusing on high-ISO photos from the Sony a6500.)
It’s a compact design and takes Sony E-mount lenses. Overall, it’s an extremely attractive package as a take-anywhere camera that can produce high-quality photos even under challenging lighting conditions.
Here are some example photos to give a practical sense of the photos that come out of it. I shot these mostly in RAW and have processed them in Lightroom Classic.
There are several variations when referring to the Sony a6500. You can also see it referred to as the Sony α6600, Sony Alpha 6500, and Sony ILCE-6500. All refer to the same camera.
Sample photos taken with a Sony a6500
I’ve included the shooting details under each photo. And you can click on each image to open a full-size version for a closer look.
Price & availability of the Sony a6500 mirrorless camera
Since I originally wrote this, the Sony a6500 has been replaced by the a6600.
Buy new
The a6500 was sold in a range of different bundles, from just the body to kits with lenses and other accessories. With the newer model out now, the a6500 is harder to find new in stores.
Buy used
Stocks of used copies of the a6500 fluctuate, but some good places worth checking are:
I’ve also put together a separate post on Sony a6500 memory card recommendations.
Sony a6500 is the best of the série a6000 camera in 2022