The Sony a6500 vs Sony zv-e10 both are mirrorless cameras made by Sony. With the Sony ZV-E10, you can get your first mirrorless camera, and with the Sony Alpha a6500, you can get your first advanced mirrorless camera.
When they came out, the Sony ZV-E10 in July 2021 and the Sony A6500 in October 2016. ZV-E10 is 5 years younger than A6500, as you can see. Let us check if the age gap between these two cameras is really that important.
Here are some of the most important things about the Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6500 before we get into our more in-depth review.
A lot of people know that Sony has been making great cameras for a long time, and that doesn’t seem to be changing. Sony is the company to go with if you want to buy good photos.
When it comes to cameras that are mostly used for vlogging, the Sony A6500 is a great choice. However, the Sony ZV-E10 is a better choice if you want a powerful camera that is even easier to carry around with you.
This brings us to the Sony A6500 vs ZV-E10 review, which has been going on for a while. Getting the right camera is very, very important.
Table of Contents
| Feature | Sony ZV-E10 | Sony A6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement Date | 2021-07-30 | 2016-10-06 |
| Sensor | 24MP – APS-C CMOS Sensor | 24MP – APS-C CMOS Sensor |
| ISO Range | 100 – 32000 (expands to 51200) | 100 – 25600 (expands to 51200) |
| Lens Mount | Sony E Mount | Sony E Mount |
| Screen | 3.00″ Fully Articulated Screen | 3.00″ Tilting Screen |
| Continuous Shooting | 11.0fps | 11.0fps |
| Video Resolution | 4K (UHD) – 3840 x 1920 | 4K (UHD) – 3840 x 2160 |
| High-Speed Video | 120fps | 120fps |
| Wireless | Built-in Wireless | Built-in Wireless |
| Weight | 343g | 453g |
| Dimensions | 115 x 64 x 45 mm | 120 x 67 x 53 mm |
| Viewfinder | No | 2359k dot Electronic viewfinder |
| Image Stabilization | No | Sensor-shift Image Stabilization |
| Weather-sealed Body | No | Yes |
Let’s keep reading to learn more about how the Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6500 differ. Hopefully, you’ll have enough information to have an opinion on which one is better for you.
Reasons to choose Sony ZV-E10 over Sony Alpha a650
| Feature | Sony ZV-E10 | Sony Alpha a6500 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gyroscopic Stabilization | Yes | No | Stabilize video in post-process |
| Product Showcase Mode | Yes | No | Makes it easy to shoot product reviews |
| Video Record Limit | Unlimited | Limited (30 minutes) | Record clips longer than 30 minutes |
| Dedicated Video/Still Switch | Yes | No | Easily switch between Photo and Video Modes |
| Max ISO | 32,000 | 25,600 | 25% higher Max ISO |
| Battery Life | 440 shots | 350 shots | 90 more frames with a single charge |
| Weight | 343 g | 453 g | 110 g lighter |
| Headphone Port | Yes | No | Better video control |
| Timelapse Recording | Yes | With optional app | Creative shooting |
| Selfie & Vlogger LCD | Yes | No | Rotate LCD for taking selfies |
| USB Version | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | Faster data transfer from the camera |
| Animal Eye AF Tracking | Yes | No | Easily lock and track focus on animals |
Reasons to choose Sony Alpha a6500 over Sony ZV-E10
| Feature | Options | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| In-built Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift vs None | Sharper images at longer focal lengths and slow shutter speeds |
| Built-in Flash | Yes vs No | Useful in low-light situations |
| Tiltable Flash | Yes vs No | Bounce built-in flash off the ceiling for softer lighting |
| Viewfinder | Electronic vs None | Better framing and control over composition |
| Environmental Sealing | Yes vs No | Ability to shoot in tough environmental conditions |
Common Strengths of Sony ZV-E10 and Sony Alpha a6500
| Feature | Option 1 | Option 2 | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Connection | Yes | Yes | Better connectivity |
| Bluetooth Connection | Yes | Yes | Connect to other devices via Bluetooth |
| Adjustable LCD Screen | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Flexible shooting positions |
| External Flash Shoe | Yes | Yes | Better for flash photography |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes | Easy control of camera functions |
| RAW Support | Yes | Yes | Better image quality |
| Face Detection Focus | Yes | Yes | Very handy for portraits |
| Max Resolution | 24 MP | 24 MP | Bigger prints and more details |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 920k dots | 922k dots | High resolution screens |
| Max Continuous Shooting | 11.0fps | 11.0fps | Fast shooting speeds |
| Microphone Port | Yes | Yes | High quality audio recording option |
| AE Bracketing | Yes | Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions |
| NFC Connection | Yes | Yes | Easy wireless connectivity |
| Smartphone Remote | Yes | Yes | Remote control your camera with a smartphone |
| Video Bit rates | 100mbps | 100mbps | High Video quality |
| UHS Card Support | UHS-I | UHS-I | Read/Write in High Speeds |
| Webcam Function | Yes | Yes | Use your camera as a Webcam |
| Eye Tracking Focus | Yes | Yes | Autofocus system locks on the eye and tracks the subject |
Common Weaknesses of Sony ZV-E10 and Sony Alpha a6500
When looking for the best camera for your needs, size and weight are two things that really matter. This part will compare the Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6500 from the front, back, and top, showing how big each one is compared to the other. The Sony ZV-E10 is 115 x 64 x 45 mm (4.53 x 2.52 x 1.77 in) and weighs 343 g (0.76 lb / 12.10 oz) when the batteries are included. The Sony A6500 is 120 x 67 x 53 mm (4.72 x 2.64 x 2.09 inches) and weighs 453 g (1.00 lb or 15.98 oz) with batteries inside.
Here’s a look at how big the Sony ZV-E10 and the Sony A6500 look from the front. It’s clear that the Sony ZV-E10 is smaller than the other camera. The Sony A6500’s body is 5 mm wider, 3 mm shorter, and 8 mm thinner.
Weight is also very important, especially if you want to carry your camera around with you all day. Because it weighs only 110g less than the Sony A6500, the Sony ZV-E10 may be a big plus, especially on long walks.
Before you choose between two interchangeable camera bodies, you should not only think about their weight. You should also think about the lenses you will be using with them. It doesn’t matter what lenses you use because both the Sony ZV-E10 and the Sony A6500 have the same Sony E lens mount and APS-C sized cameras.
| ZV-E10 | A6500 | MIN | AVERAGE | MAX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (grams) | 343 G | 453 G | 140 G | 473 G | 1340 G |
| Thickness (mm) | 45 MM | 53 MM | 23 MM | 54 MM | 111 MM |
Weather Sealing
Although the ZV-E10 is less weather-sealed than the A6500, you can use this camera with more trust in places where water and dust could get in.How Big Is an LCD Screen?
The widest part of the Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6500’s LCD screens is 3 inches.Because the Sony A6500’s screen can only tilt, it’s best used for taking pictures from waist or above the head heights. But the Sony ZV-E10 has a Fully Articulated screen that can be moved around more easily and is more useful for photos and video calls.
Sony ZV-E10 vs Sony A6500: Sensor Comparison
The Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6500 both have APS-C sensors with a resolution of 24.0 MP, so the size and resolution of the sensors do not make these two cameras different.
When the lens length and aperture are the same, the Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6500 will give you the same amount of control over the depth of field.
Sony ZV-E10 vs Sony A6500 Comparison of Available Lenses
When picking out an interchangeable lens camera, the amount of lenses it comes with is a big deal. The Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6500 both use the same Sony E lens mount, and there are 206 native lenses that can be used with these cameras right now.
Image stabilization is another important factor that needs to be thought about. In this case, the Sony A6500 is very helpful because it has sensor-based image stabilization, which means that all the lenses attached to it will be stable. On the other hand, the Sony ZV-E10 doesn’t have this feature, so you’ll need to buy a lens that does. There are 42 lenses for Sony E mount that have Optical Image Stabilization right now.
| Lens Type | # of Sony ZV-E10 Lenses | # of Sony A6500 Lenses |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Zoom | 19 | 19 |
| Standard Prime | 34 | 34 |
| Wideangle Zoom | 17 | 17 |
| Wideangle Prime | 61 | 61 |
| Telephoto Zoom | 21 | 21 |
| Telephoto Prime | 29 | 29 |
| SuperZoom | 10 | 10 |
| Wideangle Fisheye Prime | 2 | 2 |
| Macro Prime | 9 | 9 |
| Perspective Control Prime | 2 | 2 |
| Telephoto Mirror Prime | n/a | n/a |
| TOTAL | 206 | 206 |
Sony A6500 vs Sony ZV-E10: Stabilization For Video
To be honest, it’s pretty clear that a good camera for vlogging needs to have all the features that will work well for vlogging.
This means that choosing the right deal is much more important than you might think. Most people make this mistake.
If you’re asking, both the Sony A6500 and the ZV-E10 come with image stabilization. The Sony A6500 has real sensor-shift image stabilization, while the ZV-E10 only has digital image stabilization, which can make the quality worse overall.
If you want better picture stability, the Sony A6500 is definitely the winner here. You will have a better experience overall, which is something we can’t ignore.
What types of Photography are Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6500 Good for?
Below, we rank and compare the Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6500 for five types of shooting. This will help you make a choice if you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.
The lens support and picture quality are two of the most important things to look for in a camera. These are the basics of a camera, so if they aren’t done right, what’s the point?
The lens support and picture quality are two of the most important things to look for in a camera. These are the basics of a camera, so if they aren’t done right, what’s the point?
You will be happy to know that the Sony A6500 and Sony ZV-E10 both use E mounts and sensors that are close to each other. For people who don’t know, E mount is Sony’s normal fix, and if you want great quality.
I can promise you that both the Sony A6500 and the Sony ZV-E10 have great lenses and great picture quality. You really can’t go wrong here because the performance is still good across the board.
Sony A6500 vs Sony ZV-E10: Display And Viewfinder
In the past few years, the display and viewfinder have become very important parts of cameras. If you don’t have a good display or viewfinder, you might not know how the experience will be.
Thankfully, the screens on both the Sony A6500 and the ZV-E10 are very similar. They are both touch screens with similar sizes and dots per inch. But the Sony ZV-E10’s screen can move in all directions, making it a better choice for filming.
The Sony A6500 has a viewfinder, while the Sony ZV-E10 does not. This may not be a problem for most people, but it is something to keep in mind if you like shooting with the viewfinder.
Sony A6500 vs Sony ZV-E10: Connectivity And Features
Moving on, another very important thing to check is how the two cameras join and what features they have. It is 2023, after all, and people don’t just pick up cameras for the sake of picking them up. To do the job, you do need some advanced tools, and that’s what this is all about.
The Sony A6500 and the Sony ZV-E10 are both great when it comes to connecting cameras. If you want something that just works, this is the way to go.
You get the newest ways to connect and use it, like the ability to take 4K video and 120 frames per second slow motion.
Which Camera Should You Buy?
There aren’t many more things to compare, so the next step is a lot easier to understand. It all comes down to which camera you should buy. The answer is easier than you think.
I think you should choose the Sony A6500 over the Sony ZV-E10 after giving it a lot of thought. And yes, the second camera is a bit old, but for a small extra cost, you get a lot of features that will make it easier to use overall.
I don’t get why you would want to get something that isn’t good enough.
That’s it, everyone. We really want you to get the right camera for your needs by giving you this comparison help. It’s possible for most people to be confused about which choice is best, but this comparison is meant to make things easy for everyone.
Naturally, the Sony A6500 is the better option here. We know that it costs more, but you’re getting something that will last longer and work better overall for that extra money. That’s why it’s definitely a better camera.
Sony A6500 vs Sony ZV-E10 Specs Table
| General | Sony ZV-E10 | Sony Alpha a6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sony | Sony |
| Announced | 2021-07-30 | 2016-10-06 |
| Body Type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor | ||
| – Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| – Size | APS-C | APS-C |
| – Dimensions | 23.5 x 15.6 mm | 23.5 x 15.6 mm |
| – Area | 366.60mm² | 366.60mm² |
| – Megapixels | 24 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
| – Max Resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
| – Max Native Light Sensitivity | 32,000 ISO | 25,600 ISO |
| – Max Boosted Light Sensitivity | 51,200 ISO | 51,200 ISO |
| – Min Native Light Sensitivity | 100 ISO | 100 ISO |
| – RAW Support | ||
| Autofocus | ||
| – AF Touch | Yes | Yes |
| – AF Continuous | Yes | Yes |
| – AF Single | Yes | Yes |
| – AF Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| – AF Selective | ||
| – AF Center | Yes | Yes |
| – AF Multi Area | ||
| – AF Live View | Yes | Yes |
| – AF Face Detection | Yes | Yes |
| – AF Contrast Detection | ||
| – AF Phase Detection | ||
| – Number of Focus Points | 425 | 425 |
| Lens | ||
| – Manual Focus | ||
| – Lens Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| – Number of Available Lenses | 206 | 206 |
| Screen | ||
| – Type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
| – Size | 3.00″ | 3.00″ |
| – Resolution | 920k dots | 922k dots |
| – Touch Screen | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
| – Type | ||
| – Resolution | No electronic viewfinder | 2,359k dots |
| – Coverage | n/a | 100% |
| – Magnification | n/a | 0.7x |
| Photography Features | ||
| – Max Mechanical Shutter | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| – Shutter Priority | ||
| – Aperture Priority | ||
| – Manual Exposure Mode | ||
| – Custom White Balance | ||
| – Built-in Image Stabilization | Digital only | Sensor-shift |
| – Built-in Flash | ||
| – Flash Range | No built-in flash | 6.00m (at ISO 100) |
| – Max Flash Sync | n/a | 1/160s |
| – External Flash | ||
| – Continuous Shooting | 11.0 fps | 11.0 fps |
| – Multi-Segment Metering | ||
| – Average Metering | ||
| – Spot Metering | ||
| – Partial Metering | ||
| – AF-Area Metering | ||
| – Center Weighted Metering | ||
| – AE Bracketing | ||
| – WB Bracketing | ||
| Video Features | ||
| – Max Video Resolution | 3840 x 1920 | 3840 x 2160 |
| – Video Formats | MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| – Microphone Port | ||
| – Headphone Port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| – Wireless Connectivity | Built-In | Built-In |
| – HDMI | ||
| Physical | ||
| – Environmental Sealing | ||
| – Weight | 343g | 453g |
| – Dimensions | 115 x 64 x 45mm | 120 x 67 x 53mm |
| – Battery Life | 440 shots | 350 shots |
| Other Features | ||
| – Timelapse Recording | With Downloadable App | |
| – GPS | None | None |
| DxO Sensor Scores | ||
| – DxO Overall Score | Not tested | 85 |
| – DxO Color Depth | Not tested | 24.5 |
| – DxO Dynamic Range | Not tested | 13.7 |
| – DxO Low Light ISO | Not tested | 1405 |