Decision tools · Compare
A6500 vs FX30
Quick take: The FX30 has the highest resolution at 26MP; the A6500 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 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.
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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.
FX30 — Video Creators & Filmmakers: The Cinema Line entry point — S-Cinetone colour science, 4K/120p, and XLR audio in a compact, affordable body that punches far above its price.
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
FX30 (2022)
is the right camera for you if…
- Filmmakers and video creators who want a dedicated cinema-style APS-C body
- Content creators who need S-Cinetone and S-Log3 in a compact form factor
- A6700 owners who want cinema-style ergonomics and a full-size HDMI port
- Video professionals who want Sony's colour science without full-frame pricing
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A6500Sony · 2016 | FX30Sony · 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £345 usedBest | £1,599 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 26.1MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p (full pixel readout), 1080p/120p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | 425 phase-detect + 169 contrast-detect AF points, face/eye detection | Real-time tracking AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops (first Sony APS-C with IBIS) | 5-axis Active IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 20fps electronicBest |
| Battery Life | ~310 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 453g (with battery and card)Best | 579g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 120.0 × 66.9 × 53.3mm | 129.7 × 77.8 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi, 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
A6500
FX30
Portrait
6.6/10
5.9/10
Street
7.1/10
4.4/10
Travel
6.4/10
5.7/10
Wedding & Events
5.2/10
6.1/10
Filmmaking
5.1/10
7.7/10
Documentary
5.8/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
6.6/10
5.9/10
Landscape
5.5/10
5.2/10
Wildlife
7.3/10
6.2/10
Casual
4.8/10
5.3/10
Food
6.3/10
7.1/10
Macro
5.7/10
5.2/10
Architecture
5.4/10
6.0/10
Astrophotography
5.3/10
5.6/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.1/10
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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