Upgrade Guide

Sony A6500→Sony Sony FX30

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

You own

Sony

A6500

£649

2016

→

Upgrade to

Sony

Sony FX30

£1799 (+£1,150)

2022

✅

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 Sony FX30

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A6500	Sony FX30
Price	£649	£1,799
Released	2016	2022	↑
Sensor	24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS	26.1MP APS-C BSI Exmor R CMOS
Resolution	24MP	26MP	↑
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 electronic	↑
Battery Life	~310 shots (CIPA)	740 shots (CIPA)	↑
Weight	453g (with battery and card)	579g body only	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification	None (EVF optional via XLR handle)
Screen	3.0" fully articulating 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

Compare side-by-side

See A6500 and Sony FX30 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

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Other upgrades from the A6500

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Camera family history