A Traveler's Review: The Sony a6500

What You Should You Look For in a Travel Camera?

Taken from an airplane above the Austrian Alps with a Sony a6500.

When it comes to travel cameras, there are a few things you should look for when purchasing a new one:

Weight and Size: This is by far the most important factor in purchasing a travel camera. Since you will be carrying the camera around all day long, sometimes up a mountain while hiking, the weight should be light, and the size should be small enough that you can pack it away in your daypack easily, with room to spare for other essentials like a water bottle or a jacket.

If you are looking for something lighter than the Sony a6500, here is a camera you might want:The Sony RX100 and the ultimate guide on traveling light with your camera gear

Photo Quality: Smaller size doesn't mean you are sacrificing quality. Since you are traveling, you will want a tool that allows you to capture the best quality image possible. Things to consider are the sensor size (1 inch, APS-C, or Full Frame) which will determine how large a pixel captures (the larger, the better), the in-body stabilization to produce fewer blurry photos, and full control over your manual settings for technical shots.

Video Quality: Gone are the days when you had to buy a specialized camcorder to capture a video, along with your camera for photos. Nowadays, you can get a camera with great photography features and excellent video capturing functionalities all in one package. Something to look for nowadays is 4K capabilities, fast autofocus, and maximum frame rate per second for slow motion.

Lens Selections: Since you will be traveling with it, you will need to go with a camera that has a great lens selection so you have the option to choose which one to buy for different circumstances. Things to look out for are the focal length (wide-angle, portrait, or a combination of both), the aperture which will determine how well it performs in low-light conditions and how soft the bokeh effect is (the lower the better), and the one that supports autofocus.

Durability: Traveling will expose your camera to many tough environments, so you have to make sure it will survive rainy, snowy, and dusty locations. Things to consider are the material of the body, the grip of the camera, and the available cases for protection.

Looking for camera accessories to help improve your travel photography game? Check out:14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy

Why the Sony a6500?

The Sony a6500 was able to capture the details of this boy's face and the surrounding very well in a pretty bad lighting. Taken from a village in the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan with the Sony a6500.

The Sony a6500 is a mirrorless digital camera with a 24 Megapixels APS-C cropped sensor, which basically means the sensor is only one step smaller than the full-frame format. However, it comes in a much smaller body that weighs only 15.98 oz/453 g, meeting our first criteria: the size and weight.

With its APS-C sensor, which is only second to the full-frame equivalent, you are not sacrificing too much in terms of picture quality for a more compact size. You will still get high-quality 6000x4000 resolution images in a form factor that is only slightly larger than a normal compact camera.

It also comes with built-in in-body stabilization, and when paired with an optical stabilization-equipped lens, you can say goodbye to blurry images. The Sony a6500 also features 3 custom buttons and a dedicated manual mode, which will give you the flexibility you need to take control of your camera and capture more technical shots, such as shooting the Milky Way. Another criterion met.

The video quality of the Sony a6500 is one of the best you can get for any camera of this size, with its 4K capability that produces sharper footage than its competitors. How? Their cameras (Sony a6500 and the Sony a7 series full-frame equivalent) use the full capability of their sensor to capture 6K resolution videos and then downsize them to 4K to improve the sharpness of the footage. When you combine that with in-body stabilization, one of the fastest autofocus, and the small form factor, you just can't beat the Sony a6500 for videos. You can view some sample videos on my Inspiring travel videos page.

See also:My advanced travel filmmaking gear guide for 2018

Lens selection is not Sony's strong suit since they are one of the newer players in the industry, but if the past 5 years of Sony beating others to the punch in terms of innovation is any indication, Sony is in this for the long haul. Their lens selection will only get better from here, especially with third-party companies like Sigma producing more lenses for Sony E-Mount cameras.

That said, Sony has most of the focal lengths you will need covered for the Sony a6500 APS-C E-mount with the 10 - 18mm f4 lens for wide-angle, 18 - 105mm f4 zoom lens for general purpose, and the 35mm f1.8 lens for portraits, street photography, and bokeh magic. If you are looking for a low-light wide-angle lens, you have the option to go with the Sigma 16mm f1.4 lens that is fully compatible with the Sony a6500.

Wondering which lenses to pick for you Sony a6500? Read more here:What Are The Best Travel Lenses For The Sony A6500?

Last but not least, the durability of the Sony a6500 is simply phenomenal. Its body is environmentally sealed with a magnesium alloy, a high-durability shutter, and a recessed grip that helps you hold onto your camera better when you are out and about.

These are the reasons why I decided to go with the Sony a6500, and I have never looked back since.

What I Love Most about the Sony a6500

A Low-light shot of a very strong Aurora Borealis dancing across the sky. Taken in Murmansk, Russia in late November with the Sony a6500.

Coming from a phone camera to a compact camera and to this one was a big move, and even now, after a year of pushing it to its limit every day, I still have yet to use all the features that come with the camera. However, the experience I had with the camera was delightful through and through.

One of the best things about the Sony a6500 is its size. With a combination of a lightweight lens like the Sony 16 - 70mm f4 Zeiss zoom lens that covers most of the essential focal lengths, you should be good to go for almost any circumstance while traveling – all in a body that is half the size and a fraction of the weight of the full-frame equivalent.

Since the body is so small and light, the accessories, such as the tripod and lens, that you will need for traveling are also small and light. Trust me, you will appreciate this fact when you have to carry those items every day in your bag. Not to mention, accessories for the Sony a6500 tend to be cheaper than their full-frame equivalents.

The photo and video quality are also phenomenal, with a large sensor that captures a resolution of 6000x4000, a variety of picture profiles to choose from, and the 6K-downsampling 4K format. You can't ask for more from a camera this size.

The autofocus is so fast and reliable in both photo and video modes that I cannot recall when the last time was that I used manual focus with the Sony a6500. Since I use it for traveling, which often requires me to capture a moment spontaneously, I have to rely on autofocus most of the time, and the Sony a6500 doesn't disappoint.

I also love that the camera supports 120 fps, which allows me to slow down the clip by 75% to create a cinematic slow-mo effect I sometimes need for my travel videos.

Check out the latest travel video I shot with this camera here: Timeless Thailand

Last but not least, the price tag, which I believe is quite a bargain for what I do as a travel filmmaker and photographer. At around US$1,098.00 (body), I am getting all the features from the full-frame cameras (except the sensor size), with 4K capability, interchangeable lens, advanced autofocus, and stabilization at half the price, which is more than I could have asked for.

The Drawbacks

If only Sony has a lens that has fast aperture to capture more detail of the night and a smaller focal length to capture the entirety of the mountain range. Taken at midnight while camping by the Ala Kul lake in Kyrgyzstan with the Sony a6500.

That said, the Sony a6500 does have its fair share of problems that I think should be considered before you buy the camera.

Battery life sucks on the Sony a6500. With heavy usage (shooting RAW photos and 4K videos), the 1020mAh battery only lasts me half a day, and I often have to scramble for a spare battery to last a whole day. Thankfully, the battery is pretty small, so I can have several spare batteries to keep going.

As mentioned before, the lens selection is not Sony's strong suit, and there are some lenses that I wish Sony had. For example, a super wide-angle fast lens like the Rokinon 12mm f2.0, but one that supports Sony's fast autofocus for gimbal work. I also wish that the Sony official lenses were a little cheaper than they are now.

Due to the fact that Sony has crammed so many features into their cameras, their menu system is having a hard time handling all of them, and I think it needs a little revamp to accommodate all the features. Some behaviors of the menu system seem illogical at times, such as not being able to set a custom white balance in a memory mode and the unnecessary popup that shows up every time when switching to the memory mode, etc.

Overall, the Best Travel Camera You Can Get

A shot of a stunning skyline of Stockholm at dawn. Taken in Stockholm, Sweden with the Sony a6500.

As you can see, the Sony a6500 meets all the criteria for a great travel camera and even surpasses expectations in some areas, such as video quality, all for a price of only US$1,098.00 (body). This price is cheaper than that of any of its competitors, and the camera is jam-packed with more features.

All the drawbacks are inconvenient but not deal-breakers, and often times, all of them can be overcome easily by doing your research, being prepared, and finding workarounds that fit your workflow.

All in all, I could not think of a better lightweight yet powerful travel camera than this one. If you are a light traveler like me and are looking for a professional camera, you will find everything you need with the Sony a6500.

Bonus: If the Sony a6500 exceeds your budget, consider the newly released but cheaper Sony a6400 (approximately US$ 898) or consider older mirrorless models such as the Sony a6300 (approximately US$ 848) and the Sony a6000 (approximately US$ 640), which are cheaper alternatives to the Sony a6500.

Tips: If you are on the fence between the Sony a6400 and Sony a6300, go with the a6400.

Update 2019: The Sony a6400 is the newest mid-range model that is supposed to fill the gap between the Sony a6500 and a6300. Since it is a new model, the Sony a6400 benefits from newer technologies that are not present even on the Sony a6500, such as the all-new autofocus technology and a flip-out screen. That said, the Sony a6400 lacks in-body stabilization, which will come into play when picking a lens to go with it.

Want to know what I carry in my camera bag?What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?

Videos shot with the Sony a6500, a6400 or a6300

Moscow nights cape by the Kremlin, Taken from the Patriarchy Bridge in Moscow, Russia with the Sony a6500.

If you need more convincing about how such a small form factor can produce such beautiful quality videos, then you can see it for yourself. Listed below are some of the most beautiful travel videos that were shot with either the Sony a6500 or the a6300.

• Russia Hour by Me
• Thrones of Semana Santa by Brandon Li
• India by Neal Howland is a link to a video.
• Wanderlust: Plose by FilmSpektakel
• Beyond the Curve by Nhi Dang

Looking to Buy the Sony a6500?

All the camera gear I carried in my backpack while traveling.

If you are looking to buy the Sony a6500, here are all my recommended lenses and accessories to go with your new camera. Follow all the links below to see what options are available to you when you buy the Sony a6500.

Camera and Lens

• Sony a6500 body
• Sony 10-18mm f4 zoom lens (for super wide-angle shots)
• Sony 16-55 f2.8 zoom lens (The best lens you can get on a Sony APS-C).
• Sony 70-350 f4.5-6.3 zoom lens (The lightest super-telephoto lens for Sony APS-C).
• Sony 18-105mm f4 zoom lens is a general-purpose lens for videography.
• Sony 35mm f1.8 prime lens (for street photography)
• Sigma 56mm f1.4 prime lens (for portraits and bokeh shots)
• Rokinon 12mm f2.0 prime lens (for super wide-angle low-light shots)
• Sigma 16mm f1.4 prime lens is perfect for wide angle and bokeh shots.

Accessories

• Tripod
• Spare Batteries
• Circular Polarizer
• Lens Cleaning Solution

Alternatives to the Sony a6500

• Sony a6600 body - A new version to replace the a6600 with a better battery, faster autofocus, and a higher price.
• Sony a6400 body - Highly recommended if you are looking for a cheaper alternative with a faster CPU, faster autofocus, but no built-in image stabilization.
• Sony a6100 body - The cheapest new model for beginners or people on a tight budget.

Want to know how I was able to take great pictures of myself while I travel solo?How To Take Great Pictures of Yourself

Want to take your photography game to the next level? Here are some resources to help you upgrade your work and photography gear:

Lightroom Presets: If you are looking for a quick way to make your travel photos look like mine, you should check out my newly released Lightroom Preset Collections.

Camera: Sony a7R V, the highest resolution full-frame camera out there, is my go-to camera when I travel. All of my recent photos and videos are all from this beast.

All-Around Travel Lens: Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens is the lens I mounted on my camera the most. The lens covers most of the ranges I need for travel from wide to telephoto. If I have to take only one lens with me on my travel, it would be this lens.

Ultra-Wide Lens: Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lnes: An ultra-wide lens I often use to shoot expansive landscapes and capture massive architecture I stumble upon while traveling.

Telephoto Lens: Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II lens is one of the most versatile lenses to have. It is great for picking out details in landscapes and capturing wildlife when combined with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter.

Portrait Lens: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Lens is the most compact and lightweight 85mm F1.4 lens out there. It's sharp and produces stunning bokeh for subject separation, perfect for portraits and street photography.

Drone: DJI Mavic Mini 2, a perfect drone for those who travel light. It weighs less than 250g and smaller than an iPhone when folded and can capture 4K video as well as 12 megapixels RAW photos. More than enough for its size.

Bag: Langly Alpha Globetrotter is a camera bag I use to carry all these lenses as well as other essentials when I'm traveling.

Further Reading for Resources

Looking for more articles to help you with your travel, whether it's camera gear or clothing? Here is a collection of articles you might like:

• Ever wondered what a full-time travel blogger like myself carries in my camera bag? Check out: What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?
• For the best hybrid travel camera to buy, the Sony a7R V, with its 61-megapixel sensor and video capabilities, is hard to beat. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7R V Camera
• Looking for the very best travel full-frame camera to buy for your next trip? How about the Sony a7C, the smallest full-frame camera with EVF in the world! Check out my review: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7C Camera
• For APS-C camera owners out there, check out: What's In My Camera Bag? - A Gear Guide to the Sony APS-C Cameras.
• Looking to buy a new travel camera but not sure where to start? Check out our camera guide on 10 Best Travel Cameras to Buy.
• Bought a new camera and not sure what camera accessories to buy? Check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
• Looking for a good-looking and functional camera strap to buy? You are going to love the Langly Tactical, Premium Leather, and Paracord camera straps. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: Langly Camera Straps.
• Want to start a YouTube channel and looking to buy new cameras for travel vlogging? Check out: 8 Best Cameras For Travel Vlogging to Buy.
• Finding a great camera bag with which you can travel is not as easy as it sounds. If you are looking for one, here are the 10 Best Camera Bags for Travel, Backpacking, and Hiking You Should Buy.
• Now, if you are looking for a camera sling/shoulder bag instead of a full-fledged camera backpack to travel with, here are the 11 Best Camera Sling/Shoulder Bags For Travel.
• Looking for the most versatile camera sling bag? Check out: A Traveler's Review: WANDRD Roam (Rogue) Sling.
• For a smaller setup, the Nomatic McKinnon Sling is a great camera bag to check out. Here is A Traveler's Review: Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling 8L.
• If you are looking for gifts to buy for your photographer loved ones, check out: 12 Cool Gifts To Buy For Travel Photographers
• Traveling light with camera gear is all about balancing between what you need and what you want. Here are the 8 Best Tips for Traveling Light With Camera Gear.
• After years of research, I have finally found the most beautiful camera backpack of all time! Check this out: A Traveler's Review: Langly Alpha Globetrotter Camera Backpack.
• If you are looking for a great camera accessory to help improve your travel photography skills, check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
• If you want to carry just one lens when you travel, here is why the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 is the best travel lens to get for your Sony a6600 or a6500.
• This is the one lens I never knew I needed, but now that I have it, I can't travel without it! A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens.
• An ultra-wide lens is perfect for travel, and there is no better lens than the Sony 10-18mm F4 lens. Here is why: Traveler's Review: Sony 10-18mm F4 lens.
• Wondering which Sony Mirrorless camera is right for you? The Best Sony Travel Cameras to Buy in 2025.
• Just bought a new Sony mirrorless camera? Check out: 15 Tips & Tricks for Your New Sony a7C, a7III, and More.
• Wondering which lenses to buy for your Sony cameras? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Sony a7III, a7C, a7RIV, and More.
• Looking for a compact and lightweight travel telephoto lens for wildlife and landscapes? You are going to love this lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 lens.
• If you are looking for a review of the first Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens and want to see if it is worth buying now, check out: A Traveler's Review of the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens.
• The king of travel lenses has arrived. The Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens is hands down the best travel all-purpose zoom lens I have ever owned. Here's why: A Traveler's Review: Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens.
• Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II OSS lens is, hands down, the best telephoto lens to get for your Sony cameras, but with an extremely high price tag. Here is a complete traveler's review of the lens: A Traveler's Review: Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II OSS Lens.
• Looking for a lightweight and affordable landscape/architecture travel lens that is also extremely capable? Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Lens.
• Looking for the best travel portrait lens to buy for your next trip? You can't beat the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens.
• Full-frame or APS-C Cameras? Here’s my take on which camera format to pick for travel: 5 Reasons Why I'm Sticking With a Sony APS-C Camera.
• Picking a camera body is one thing, but picking the lenses is a whole different game. Here is the ultimate guide to the best travel lenses for the Sony a6500.
• Looking for the best street and travel photography lens? Here is why the Sigma 56mm F1.4 is the Best Travel Photography Lens For Sony APS-C.
• GoPro is good and all, but did you know that there are many other GoPro alternatives that are better and cheaper? Here are the 8 Best GoPro Alternatives You Should Buy in 2025.
• Looking for a great drone to travel with? Why is the DJI Mavic Mini the Best Drone for Travelers?
• The best travel drone just got even better. Here is A Traveler's Review of The DJI Mini 2, and why it is the best travel drone to buy.
• Already have a Mavic Mini or looking to buy one? Here are 25 Tips and Tricks for New DJI Mavic Mini Owners.
• For more travel drone options, be sure to check out the 8 Best Drones For Travel To Buy In 2025.
• Looking for the best travel wireless earbuds or headphones? Here are the 7 Best Travel Wireless Earbuds & Headphones to Buy.
• You can't travel without a backpack, and if you are looking for one, check out my guide on the best Herschel Supply backpacks for travelers.
• If you like hiking and going on adventures for weeks on end, you are going to need a bigger backpack. Here is Why the Osprey Atmos AG is the Best Hiking Backpack To Buy.
• Looking to go on a short trip and want a backpack that has enough capacity but is small enough to use as a carry-on? Here is Why You Should Check Out the Herschel Supply Buckingham Backpack - A Traveler’s Review.
• If you are into making travel videos, here is my ultimate advanced filmmaking gear guide.
• Planning to go on your first-ever hiking trip? Here is How to Pack for Hiking and Camping.
• Technical hiking gear doesn't have to be ugly. Here is a guide to hiking gear that actually looks good on you.
• If you are a light-weight traveler and are looking for powerful gear to go with your setup, check out the extremely lightweight photography gear guide.
• Looking for gift ideas for your traveler friends or family members? Here are 16 Best Gifts to Buy for Travelers/Backpackers.
• Or if you are into gadgets, here is a quick guide on 7 tech gadgets you should buy this year.
• Are you a Fujifilm camera user and currently looking for lenses to buy for your next travel? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Your Fuji Cameras.
• If you are a blogger as well and are looking for free travel images to spice up your content, check out the 9 Best Websites to Find Free Travel Images.
• Want to know the secrets on how to travel the world cheaply? Check out: 16 Best Tips on How to Travel the World Cheaply.
• Looking for an Airbnb alternative for a better and more authentic stay in a place you are visiting? Here are the 8 Best Airbnb Alternatives to Use.
• Looking to plan your first backpacking trip around the world? Check out: How To Plan a Backpacking Trip.
• For more resources like this, visit my Resources page.
• Want to learn how I was able to take so many good pictures of myself while I travel solo? Check out: How To Take Great Pictures of Yourself.