Upgrade Guide

Sony A6500→Sony A9

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Sony

A6500

£649

2016

→

Upgrade to

Sony

£1999 (+£1,350)

2017

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the A6500. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the A9

↑

Burst rate

20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) vs 11fps
↑

Battery life

~650 shots (CIPA) vs ~310 shots (CIPA)
↑

Generation

1 year newer (2017 vs 2016)

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A6500	A9
Price	£649	£1,999
Released	2016	2017	↑
Sensor	24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS	24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS
Resolution	24MP	24MP
Video	4K/30p (full pixel readout), 1080p/120p	4K/30p, 1080p/120p
Autofocus	425 phase-detect + 169 contrast-detect AF points, face/eye detection	693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking
Stabilisation	IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops (first Sony APS-C with IBIS)	IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops
Burst Rate	11fps	20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE)	↑
Battery Life	~310 shots (CIPA)	~650 shots (CIPA)	↑
Weight	453g (with battery and card)	673g (with battery and card)	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification	EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free)
Screen	3.0" fully articulating touchscreen	3.0" tilting touchscreen
Mount	Sony E-mount	Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards	Single SD UHS-I slot	Dual SD UHS-II slots

Compare side-by-side

See A6500 and A9 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

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Other upgrades from the A6500

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Camera family history