tgreenhaw

I think its apples and oranges. If you want a smaller camera or 4K video, get the Sony. If you want a serious full control DSLR for still photography that's also good for video, get the 80D. People tend to accumulate lenses and experience with a brand of camera. I'm a Canon guy because years of ownership has made them a familiar tool for me and I've accumulated lenses and accessories to match. I cannot say that any one brand is better than another and those arguments would never be settled. Do you have an existing experience or equipment investment? Don't forget, it's not the paintbrush - it's the artist (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm)

tgreenhaw

My son in law went with the Fuji and it is really amazing.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Forced education! Shameful!

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

All cameras are very good today, but not all cameras are good for you.

Do you photograph landscapes, family, sports, birds in flight, etc? Do you photograph in low light? Do you print 4x6, 8x19, 10x15, 20x30, or larger? Do you use a tripod for landscape photos? Do you want the camera to automatically focus on a face or on eyes? Do you want to see what your image will look like before you release the shutter? Do you want the option to take photos without the sound of the shutter release? Is camera+lens weight of importance? Is budget an issue (camera+lenses+tripod+camera bag)? What are your priorities regarding the above factors?

You should get educated before and while you shop for a camera. You should have the answers to the above questions before you shop for a camera. When you are shopping, figure out if you prefer an optical viewfinder or an electronic viewfinder. Tell the salesman what you will be using the camera for, your budget, and your priorities. Call Adorama, B&H, and Roberts Camera (in Indianapolis) and get their advice. Talk to the salesman in a real physical camera store (Not Best Buy, Costco, etc.). When someone recommends a camera, ask why. Sometimes you have to ask "why?" several times to get enough information. Think it over before you make a decision; don't make up you mind while you are in the store.

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

Hmmm...Only took me 5 minutes to figure out. I love how organized they are.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I had an A6000 and really liked the camera. I'm not as discriminating as some others, so I was just fine with the two kit lenses that are typically sold with the A6000. Or even the A6500. As far as the menu system is concerned, while it's not a streamlined as some others, it's really not all that bad. It took me a little while to figure out the system, and after that I had no issues with it. I think the biggest complaint is that it's a bit bulky to use, not quite as user friendly as others. The Olympus menu system is equally bad as the Sony's from what I can determine. And Sony is really boosting it's A6500, which is at the top of their APS-C format ladder, so they really want to sell that camera. If you're not a pro or don't have any thoughts of using a camera professionally, get the A6000 and save yourself some money. You can get the A6000 with the 16-50mm and 55-210 zoom for $800.00. The A6500 is currently going for $1400.00 for just the body.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Canon 80D and Sony a6500 cameras are both very good cameras. One of them a mirrorless. You may find it easier to get lenses for the Canon camera. E-mount lenses are sometimes expensive, and don't have the selections like Canon does.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, I am satisfied with the A6000. For $550 with one lens, it was a good deal. I bought the 55-200mm used. One major difference with the Sony Menu vs Nikon is that Sony has headings across the top of the screen. To go to a different selection, you don't just keep scrolling. You have to select a different subject.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

But you'll probably have much better luck if you look for "Fujifilm" instead.

The main advantage of the Canon 80D is the huge system of lenses and accessories available for use with it. Canon currently offers around 85 different EF and EF-S lenses for use with the camera. That makes for a lot of options and versatility. Also, the 80D is fully backwards compatible with pretty much every Canon EF or EF-S lens and many other accessories made the past 35 years. There have been upwards of 100 million Canon EF and EF-S lenses produced in that time. Plus, you have even more options because third party manufacturers offer most models in Canon or Nikon mount, a bit less in Sony and, in some cases, few or none at all to fit some other brands of cameras. Older third party lenses may not be compatible with newer cameras, though. So if you consider any, do some research to be sure they will work. The 80D introduced a new, high performance autofocus system... There's no problem with it and OEM Canon lenses. But I've heard of a few older Sigma, Tokina or Tamron that don't work with it.

OTOH, Sony has been doing some interesting and innovative things with their cameras. (I might try their cameras, except Sony doesn't offer some lenses I require... or the ones they do offer are more expensive than, but not necessarily as good performing as Canon equivalents.)



A lot of people do like the Canon menu system and find it easier to use than some others.... but I really think any of them can be learned rather quickly and easily.

The Canon M5 "mirrorless" has caught my eye, too. It's the first of that series to have a built-in viewfinder, which I'd consider necessary. I like that it can share some lenses and accessories with my Canon DSLRs, too.

But, some have commented how different the menu in the M5 is, compared to the Canon DSLRs (I have not directly compared them, myself). And, there are very limited OEM lenses available for the M-series Canon, even after 5 or 6 years production. However, there are a number of interesting third party lenses being offered and adapters that allow various other system lenses to be used.

To me, modern "mirrorless" versus DSLR is sort of like "35mm rangefinder" versus "35mm SLR" back in the days of film. Different tools for different purposes, but both potentially excellent in their own right. Today I'd probably choose between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera much the same way I did with those old film cameras. For example, the more compact mirrorless or rangefinder cameras and their lenses may be great for things like street photography and travel... While the more extensive system of a SLR/DSLR is a better choice for sports, wildlife photography and some other things.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

That is just silly! I use both canon and sony and find both system's basic settings rather easy to master. I guess you are challenged when it comes to understanding!

GeorgeinKC

I had a smaller Sony a390 . Had for a couple of years and finally wanted something more. I bought a refurb Sony slt a77. I love it. The electronic evf is great. My lenses are 18-55, SAM ll, 55-200 and 70-300. If I could afford it I would get an a77 ll for a replacement. Right at this moment there is not another DSLR that I would get.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

Very simply, if video and anti-shake is important to you get the Sony 6500. If the quality of single shots and menu are important to you and a myriad of lenses get the Canon 80D.

DanCulleton

Never give much weight to what a salesperson tells you.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

A less costly alternaive to the 6500 is the 6300. All the 6xxx Sony's feature the same 24.3 Mpixel sensor. Yes, buttons and menu arrangements are dufferent for all. When it comes to the image quality it is all about sensor size and sensor data theough firmware encoding to image file.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

After half a century of using NiCan, Asahi, Mamiya and others, I find my Sony a6000 and a6300 to be great. It's not just the light weight, but the better autofocus, the many other features. My second choice would be Fuji X???. Every camera has strengths and weaknesses, but getting rid of the mirror and pentaprism removes two more weaknesses.

I do wish there were more "native" lenses. I have to use an adapter for my Nikon 400.

The a6500 has all the good features of the a6300 plus in body stabilization and better weatherproofing.