Sony a6500 → Sony a6700
Is the upgrade worth it? Every change on the spec sheet, and an honest read on who should bother.
The bottom line
The Sony a6700 is 2 generations newer to your Sony a6500, released 7 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 11 items and steps back on 2. The changes that matter most: 4K goes from 30p to 120p; subject-detection AF is added; 10-bit internal recording is added. The Sony a6700 lists at $1,399 (the Sony a6500 launched at $1,399, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
Upgrade to the Sony a6700 if…
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 120p 4K vs 30p, 10-bit internal colour, no per-clip recording limit (vs a 29-min cap) and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio.
- ✓You photograph moving subjects — it adds AF subject detection for animals and vehicles that the other body lacks.
- ✓You vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -3 EV gives it the edge after dark.
Stick with the Sony a6500 if…
- •None of the headline changes map to what you actually shoot — the camera you own doesn't get worse when a successor launches.
What changed (26 items)
↑ 11 improved · ↓ 2 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | Sony a6500 | Sony a6700 |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Sensor Type | CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| →Image Processor | BIONZ X | BIONZ XR |
| ↑Effective Resolution | 24.2 MP | 26 MP |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →ISO Range (Native) | 100 – 25600 | 100 – 32000 |
| →ISO Range (Extended) | 50 – 51200 | 50 – 102400 |
| ↓Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
| Video Capture | ||
| ↑4K Recording | Up to 30p | Up to 120p |
| ↑1080p Recording | Up to 120p | Up to 240p |
| ↑10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| →Recording Limit | 29 min | No limit |
| →Log Profiles | S-Log3 / HLG | S-Log3 / S-Cinetone |
| →Built-in Mic | Mono | Stereo |
| ↑Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Phase Detect Points | 425 | 759 |
| ↑Low Light AF | -2 EV | -3 EV |
| ↑Vehicle AF | No | Yes |
| Monitor | ||
| ↑LCD Resolution | 0.92M dots | 1.04M dots |
| →LCD Type | Tilting | Vari-Angle |
| Interface | ||
| →USB | Micro USB 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| →Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-I | 1x SD UHS-II |
| General | ||
| →Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | Magnesium Alloy / Polycarbonate |
| →Dimensions | 120×66.9×53.3 mm | 122×69×75.1 mm |
| ↓Weight | 453g (16.0 oz) | 493g (1.09 lb) |
| ↑Battery Life (EVF) | 310 shots | 550 shots |
| ↑Battery Life (LCD) | 400 shots | 570 shots |
| →Battery Type | NP-FW50 | NP-FZ100 |
What stayed the same (22 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the Sony a6500 already has them.
Ready to buy?
Sony a6500 (keep or buy used)
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Sony a6700
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the Sony a6500 to the Sony a6700?
The Sony a6700 is 2 generations newer to your Sony a6500, released 7 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 11 items and steps back on 2. The changes that matter most: 4K goes from 30p to 120p; subject-detection AF is added; 10-bit internal recording is added. The Sony a6700 lists at $1,399 (the Sony a6500 launched at $1,399, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
What are the biggest improvements of the Sony a6700 over the Sony a6500?
Across the spec sheet the Sony a6700 improves 11 items. The most significant: it brings smoother 120p 4K vs 30p, 10-bit internal colour, no per-clip recording limit (vs a 29-min cap) and both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio. it adds AF subject detection for animals and vehicles that the other body lacks. the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio. AF that focuses down to -3 EV gives it the edge after dark.
What does the Sony a6500 still do just as well as the Sony a6700?
22 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor size (APS-C), lens mount (Sony E), mechanical shutter (1/4000), electronic shutter (1/8000), flash sync speed (1/160), continuous shooting (11 fps). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the Sony a6700 give anything up compared to the Sony a6500?
Yes — 2 items on the spec sheet move the other way: built-in flash (Yes → No), weight (453g (16.0 oz) → 493g (1.09 lb)).