Upgrade Guide

Sony A6500→Sony FX3

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

You own

Sony

A6500

£649

2016

→

Upgrade to

Sony

FX3

£3799 (+£3,150)

2021

✅

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 FX3

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A6500	FX3
Price	£649	£3,799
Released	2016	2021	↑
Sensor	24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS	12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III)
Resolution	24MP	12MP	↓
Video	4K/30p (full pixel readout), 1080p/120p	4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone
Autofocus	425 phase-detect + 169 contrast-detect AF points, face/eye detection	Real-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal)
Stabilisation	IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops (first Sony APS-C with IBIS)	5-axis IBIS — 5 stops
Burst Rate	11fps	10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic	↓
Battery Life	~310 shots (CIPA)	~640 shots (CIPA)	↑
Weight	453g (with battery and card)	715g body only (with XLR handle)	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification	None — monitor/external EVF use only
Screen	3.0" fully articulating touchscreen	3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating
Mount	Sony E-mount	Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards	Single SD UHS-I slot	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots

Compare side-by-side

See A6500 and FX3 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