Sony Alpha NEX-6 vs Sony Alpha NEX-7

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Alpha NEX-6 compared with Alpha NEX-7
SonyAlpha NEX-6SonyAlpha NEX-7
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2012January 2012
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeExmor APS HD CMOSExmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.5 × 15.6 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution16.1 MP24.3 MP
Largest image4912 × 32646000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–25600100–16000
Sensor detail16.7 million total pixels; charge-protection coating and ultrasonic dust reduction24.7 million total pixels; charge-protection coating and ultrasonic vibration for dust reduction
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; ARW 2.3JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; ARW 2.3; MPO for 3D Sweep Panorama
ISO detailStandard ISO 100–25600; Auto ISO 100–3200; movies ISO 100–6400Standard ISO 100–16000; Auto ISO 100–1600
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony E-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst10 fps10 fps
Lens detailE-mount; Japanese NEX-6L includes E PZ 16–50mm F3.5–5.6 OSS; NEX-6Y adds E 55–210mm F4.5–6.3 OSS.Sony E-mount; NEX-7K includes a black E 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 OSS lens; optional adapters support other mounts
AutofocusFast Hybrid AF combines 99 phase-detection and 25 contrast-detection points; single and continuous AF, direct manual focus, tracking and manual-focus peakingContrast detection with 25 points; single or continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; object tracking and focus peaking
ShutterFocal-plane shutter with electronic first curtain; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 secondVertical-traverse focal-plane shutter with switchable electronic first curtain; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailApproximately 10 fps Speed Priority Continuous, with phase-detection tracking AF under Sony's supported-lens conditions; approximately 3 fps normal continuous advance. Maker buffers are 11 JPEG, 10 RAW or 9 RAW+JPEG frames and depend on shooting conditions and card.Approximately 10 fps Speed Priority Continuous with focus and exposure fixed at the first frame; approximately 3 fps normal continuous advance. Sony lists buffers of 17 Fine JPEG, 18 Standard JPEG, 13 RAW or 11 RAW+JPEG images under its stated conditions.
Stabilisation detailNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical correction requires a compatible OSS lensNo sensor-shift stabilisation (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs); optical correction requires a compatible OSS lens
FlashBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number 6 at ISO 100 in metres; approximately four-second recycle time. Multi Interface Shoe accepts compatible accessories; older Auto-lock flashes require ADP-MAA.Built-in pop-up flash; guide number 6 at ISO 100 in metres; approximately four-second recycle time; Auto-lock Accessory Shoe for compatible external flashes
Exposure controls–Intelligent Auto and PASM; Tri-Dial Navi uses two top control dials and the rear wheel; Picture Effects, Sweep Panorama, DRO, Auto HDR and multi-exposure low-light modes
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailJapanese model offers Full HD 60p up to 28 Mbps, 60i or 24p; Sony France specifies PAL Full HD 50p. MP4 records 1440 × 1080 or VGA; interlaced field rates are separate from full-frame rates.Japanese model records AVCHD 2.0 Full HD at 60p up to 28 Mbps, 60i or 24p; PAL models offer 50p/25p (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs). Manual exposure and continuous autofocus during recording. MP4 offers 1440 × 1080 or VGA; interlaced field rates are separate from full-frame rates.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones and mono speaker; Dolby Digital or AAC-LC audioBuilt-in stereo microphone, wind-noise reduction and external microphone input (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs); Dolby Digital or AAC-LC audio
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailNon-touch LCD; tilts approximately 90° up and 45° downTruBlack wide TFT; tilts approximately 90° up and 45° down; no touchscreen (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs)
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch OLED electronic finder with 2,359,296 dots, 100% coverage and approximately 1.09× magnification with a 50mm lens at infinity; Sony does not express this as 35mm-equivalent magnification.0.5-type XGA OLED Tru-Finder with 2,359,296 dots, approximately 100% coverage and 1.09× magnification with a 50mm lens at infinity; eye sensor, histogram and level display
Connections and design
Wi-FiYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)360 photographs430 photographs
Body weight287 g (better)291 g
Release detailSony France specified mid-November 2012 European availability; Sony Japan specified 16 November. Month precision follows the broader European maker announcement.Sony's revised Japanese announcement gives 27 January 2012 for NEX-7 and NEX-7K. The camera was announced in August 2011; Sony Hong Kong subsequently postponed the planned November 2011 launch because of Thai flooding. The recorded date is the manufacturer-confirmed Japanese sale date, not a universal first-shipment claim.
Recording mediaMemory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXCMemory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed via Micro USB Type B; Mini HDMI Type C; Multi Interface Shoe; no microphone or headphone socketsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, Mini HDMI Type C, Auto-lock Accessory Shoe and external microphone input
Wireless connectionsBuilt-in Wi-Fi; launch features included PlayMemories Camera Apps downloads and smartphone transfer–
Battery life detailNP-FW50; approximately 360 CIPA photographs using LCD or 270 using electronic viewfinderNP-FW50; Sony specifies approximately 430 CIPA photographs using the LCD or 350 using the viewfinder. CameraLabs gives a lower 335-shot general figure; the manufacturer's explicitly separated claims are retained.
ChargingIn-camera charging using supplied AC-UB10 and Micro USB cable; optional AC-PW20 power supplySupplied BC-VW1 external charger; optional AC-PW20AM power supply
DimensionsApproximately 119.9 × 66.9 × 42.6 mm (width × height × depth)Approximately 119.9 × 66.9 × 42.6 mm (width × height × depth); 25.3 mm thinnest section excludes grip and mount
Weight detailApproximately 287 g body only; 345 g with battery and memory card; lens excludedApproximately 291 g camera only; 350 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; lens excluded
Materials–Magnesium-alloy front and top covers; rubber grip
ColoursBlackBlack
In the boxNP-FW50 battery, AC-UB10 AC adapter, shoulder strap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup, Micro USB cable and software CD; lens depends on kitNP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, shoulder strap, cleaning cloth, body cap, accessory-shoe cap, eyepiece cup, USB cable and software CD; kit includes the specified lens

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