24.2 MP1 Exmor® CMOS image sensor
The α6500 features an APS-C image sensor with approx. 24.21 effective megapixels plus thin wiring layer and large photodiode substrate for light collection efficiency. Combined with BIONZ X™ image processing engine, the image sensor achieves a wide sensitivity range of ISO 100-512002 with low noise. The sensor’s quick-transmission copper wiring layer helps the camera to shoot movies in 4K and Full HD at 120fps (100fps3).

425 phase-detection AF points with High-density Tracking AF Technology
With 425 focal plane phase-detection AF points helping to provide distinctively wide and dense AF point coverage, the α6500 focuses accurately, efficiently and reliably on subjects throughout the frame. Also, High-density Tracking AF Technology seamlessly activates AF points to cover and track subjects moving within frame with unerring precision.

Fast Hybrid AF for stills and movies
The α6500 features the world’s fastest (0.05 sec4) AF speed. Such speed is achieved by integrating the Fast Hybrid AF’s autofocusing performance plus the BIONZ X image processing engine’s highly efficient, accurate handling of information. This makes for extraordinarily fast, accurate AF and tracking performance when shooting movies or stills. (1) Point of focus (2) Contrast-detection AF (3) Phase-detection AF

11fps (Hi+) continuous shooting and fps (Hi) live-view continuous shooting
Clearly capture moving subjects with high-speed continuous shooting at up to 11fps (Hi+). Or choose among three speeds up to fps (Hi), for live-view continuous shooting with very little lag on the EVF or LCD screen — it’s practically as immediate as shooting with an optical viewfinder.

Huge buffer for up to 307 images (over 35 seconds)5 in continuous shooting
Faster internal processing and a higher-capacity buffer memory now allow up to 307 images (over 36 seconds) of high-speed continuous shooting.

In-body 5-axis image stabilization
The α6500 compensates for five types of camera shake, extending opportunities to shoot steadier still images and movies. The new high-accuracy gyro sensor provides an image stabilization effect equivalent to a 5-steps-faster6 shutter speed. The camera enables you to zoom in on faraway subjects, snap detailed close-ups, capture night scenes and more — all with minimal camera shake blur. (1) Yaw (2) Pitch (3) Roll

Intuitive Touch Focus even with your eye to the viewfinder
Touch Focus makes focus point selection more intuitive — simply use a finger to touch the LCD touchscreen at the point of the image that you want to focus on. The Touch Pad function lets you shift the focus point smoothly by swiping a finger on the touchscreen, even while viewing the viewfinder.

4K movie recording8
4K movie recording in the Super 35mm format with full pixel readout and no pixel binning allows approx. 2.4 times as much information as is basically required for 4K (QFHD: 3,840 x 2,160). Data this rich is, in fact, equivalent to 6K data, so it clearly conveys exceptionally high resolution in 4K images.

XGA OLED Tru-Finder™
The α6500 introduces a high-contrast, high-resolution, high-visibility XGA OLED Tru-Finder. It reproduces darkness and colour in very fine detail, for clear, smooth views of scenes and tracking of subjects. You can select either 120 (100fps) or 60fps (50fp) frame rate for use of this viewfinder.

Eye AF (AF-C compatible)
The α6500 features the Eye AF function that detects an eye and focuses on it with pinpoint accuracy even when shooting with a fast lens with aperture fully open and therefore with shallow depth of field. Eye AF also works in AF-C mode, so even if the subject moves, the wide coverage of the high-density 425-point focal plane phase-detection AF sensor maintains very accurate focus on the eyes.

Lock-on AF
This function maintains focus on a moving subject automatically. Simply align the target frame and the subject to be tracked. If you lose track of the subject, the camera can detect that subject and resume the Lock-on AF function when the subject reappears on the screen.

High-durability shutter tested to approx. 200,000 release cycles with low vibration 
Enjoy less blur from vibration and a very quiet, durable shutter tested to about 200,000 shutter releases. Added braking mechanisms near the end of the rear shutter path plus elastic material as shock absorber produce these benefits. The reduced vibration also helps optimize image sensor resolution performance.

Further advanced image processing system
The BIONZ X image processing engine is supported by newly developed front-end LSI. The image processing algorithm optimized for the image sensor enhances texture reproduction and image clarity while minimizing noise, particularly in the mid-to-high sensitivity range.

Slow and Quick Motion
Up to 5x Slow Motion and up to 60x Quick Motion can be recorded at up to 50Mbps in high-quality Full HD in camera. You can choose among eight shooting frame rates ranging from 1 fps to 120 fps (100fps), as well as 24p, 30p (25p), or 60p (50p) recording format. Slow Motion and Quick Motion footage can be played back after it is shot, without PC-based post-production processing.

Focal plane phase-detection AF for A-mount lenses 
The α6500 offers focal plane phase-detection AF even when an A-mount lens is mounted using a mount adaptor (LA-EA3) from Sony. So you can take advantage of the autofocus system’s uniquely wide coverage provided by 425 focal plane phase-detection AF points, as well as fast, fluid tracking performance when shooting with other lenses as well as E-mount lenses. (1) A-mount lenses

AF in Focus Magnifier
You can use autofocus even while enlarging a selected image area on the viewfinder or LCD screen, for finer adjustment of focus, for example. This is excellent for macro shooting, when accurate focusing is crucial.

Gamma Display Assist and Zebra function
With Gamma Display Assist, you can view images with natural contrast while recording in S-Log gamma setting, converting S-Log2 and S-Log3 into ITU709 (800%) gamma for monitoring images, or checking focus while enlarging an image on the LCD screen or viewfinder. Moreover, Zebra function simplifies exposure monitoring, especially when shooting in S-Log gamma setting. Target a video signal brightness level from 0–109%, set a range between +10% and -10% of that value, and zebra pattern indicates areas with that level of exposure within that range.

S-Gamut/S-Log shooting
S-Gamut and S-Log shooting give you flexibility to perform colour grading in post-production. The S-Log3 and S-Log2 gamma curves feature wide dynamic range (up to 1300%) to minimize whiteout and blackout. The α6500 even offers impressive 14-stop latitude in S-Log3 gamma setting. The camera also supports S-Gamut, S-Gamut3, and S-Gamut3. Cine colour space from Sony.brNOTE: S-Log2 and S-Log3 are premised on processing pictures.

Terminals expand connectivity
The camera supports line input from professional-standard audio devices with XLR terminal, with use of a separately sold XLR adaptor kit (XLR-K2M/XLR-K1M) that enables connection with various high-end microphones. This camera also supports clean HDMI output that allows uncompressed 4K and Full HD movies to be output to an external recorder or monitor.

Dust and moisture resistance 
Comprehensive dust and moisture resistance measures that help prevent water and dust from entering the body include sealing around the buttons and dials, as well as a protective double-layered structure that tightly interlocks panels and components.

Tough magnesium alloy body and robust lens mount
With internal frames, rear cover, top cover and front cover constructed of magnesium alloy, α6500 is designed for solid reliability and steady handling, as its compact form readily withstands the rigours of shooting in the field. Also, the strength and rigidity of the lens mount provide an especially solid foundation for mounting and withstanding rugged use with even large, heavy lenses such as telephoto lenses.