Decision tools · Compare
Pentax K-1 Mark II vs A6500
Quick take: The Pentax K-1 Mark II has the highest resolution at 36MP; the A6500 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A6500 2016
Best for Travel, street & versatile everyday photography
£649
list price · used from £401 at eBay
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A6500 — Travel, Street & Versatile Everyday Photography: The first Sony APS-C with IBIS — the A6500 added in-body stabilisation, touch AF, and a far deeper buffer to the A6300's already strong formula.
Who should buy what
A6500 (2016)
is the right camera for you if…
- Travel photographers who want IBIS in a compact weather-sealed E-mount body
- A6300 owners who need the stabilisation or touch AF the A6300 lacked
- Street and documentary photographers who want a capable compact with weather sealing
- Sony E-mount shooters looking for a capable used body at an accessible price
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Pentax K-1 Mark IIPentax · 2018 | A6500Sony · 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,899 | £649Best |
| Sensor | 36.4MP full-frame CMOS (no AA filter) | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 36.4MPBest | 24.2MP |
| Video | 1080p only, no 4K | 4K/30p (full pixel readout), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 12, 33-point DSLR phase-detect AF | 425 phase-detect + 169 contrast-detect AF points, face/eye detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis Shake Reduction II (in-body) | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops (first Sony APS-C with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 4.4fps | 11fpsBest |
| Battery Life | 670 shots (CIPA)Best | ~310 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1010g (with battery and card) | 453g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | — | 120.0 × 66.9 × 53.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 0.7x magnification, 100% coverage | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | Multi-axis tilting screen (up/down/side), no touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD (UHS-I) | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB, HDMI, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Pentax K-1 Mark II
A6500
Portrait
6.7/10
6.6/10
Street
4.9/10
7.1/10
Travel
5.0/10
6.6/10
Wedding & Events
6.7/10
5.2/10
Documentary
5.5/10
5.8/10
Sports & Action
5.3/10
6.6/10
Landscape
7.0/10
5.5/10
Wildlife
5.6/10
7.3/10
Casual
3.3/10
4.8/10
Food
6.0/10
6.3/10
Macro
5.3/10
5.7/10
Architecture
6.9/10
5.4/10
Astrophotography
7.3/10
5.3/10
Filmmaking
—
5.1/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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