Quick Verdict
The Sony Alpha A6400 offers excellent image quality, with a 24mp APS-C CMOS sensor that delivers great noise performance. The camera is fast in use, and focus is rapid. 4K UHD video recording is unlimited, and it's also going to be a good choice for travel, due to the compact size of the system. However, the menu system and controls could be improved, and this can make it less enjoyable to use, when compared to other camera systems.
+ Pros
|
- Cons
|
The Sony Alpha A6400, is Sony's latest 24mp APS-C E-Mount mirrorless camera, and updates the A6300. New additions include a tilting touch-screen that tilts all the way forward for selfies or vlogging, as well as an updated autofocus (AF) system, with improved focus speeds and tracking. Continuous shooting remains the same, at 11fps, and you can record 4K UHD video.
Sony Alpha A6400 Features
The Sony Alpha A6400 uses the same 24.2mp APS-C CMOS sensor as the Sony Alpha A6300, but with improved autofocus performance, the camera now offers 0.02 second AF speeds, compared to 0.05s for the A6300. In addition the ISO speed available has been increased to ISO32000 (Native), which can also be extended to ISO102400, thanks to the use of the latest Bionz X image processor.
There's updated AF tracking: a new subject recognition algorithm holds onto moving subjects, and you can use the touch-screen to select your subject. Eye recognition is now "real-time Eye AF" meaning you don't have to press a button to activate it, with persistent eye tracking (when AF-C is set, and the shutter is half-pressed), you can also choose the left eye, right eye or Auto. (Like Olympus cameras have for years).
In-camera timelapse is possible. Previously, and in the case of the A6300, you would have needed to use Sony PlayMemories apps to add this feature to the camera. The A6400, like other new Sony cameras, does not support Sony PlayMemories apps.
The 3inch touch-screen has a resolution of 921K dots, and a 16:9 aspect ratio, perfect for video recording, whilst keeping the size down. The screen will now tilt up so that you can face it forwards and use it for selfies, or group shots, as well as for vlogging - recording video to camera, whilst simultaneously being able to see yourself.
The electronic viewfinder (EVF), features a resolution of 2.36m dots, and 0.7x magnification. There's an eye-detection sensor so that it will automatically switch between the rear screen and the EVF. There's also dioptre correction.
There's also a 1:1 aspect ratio option, in addition to 3:2 and 16:9. Maybe in a couple of years, Sony will add another aspect ratio, perhaps 4:3.
The camera body is weather-sealed and when used with weather-sealed lenses is said to give full weather-sealing.
Video recording: The Sony Alpha A6400 supports 4K UHD HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma, aka HDR) video recording. There is no time limit to video recording, normally there is a 29min limit due to tax reasons, and you can power the camera using the MicroUSB connection to make sure you don't run out of power when recording. You also have the ability to record FullHD video, at speeds up to 120fps.
There is no in-camera image stabilisation, for that you'll need to look at the A6500.
Sony Alpha A6400 vs A6300:
- Improved AF performance
- Touch-screen, tilts forwards 180 degrees
- Extended ISO range
- Automatic Eye-detection
- Unlimited video recording
- HLG (HDR) video profile
- 410 shot battery life
- 1:1 aspect ratio possible
- MyMenu lets you store details
- Bluetooth
The Sony Alpha A6400 has P, A, S, M shooting modes, giving you manual controls, as well as raw shooting. There is no in-camera raw processing. You'll also find Auto, Scene modes, Panoramic shooting, and MR (Memory Recall). For video recording there is a dedicated video symbol on the mode dial, as well as S&Q (Slow and Quick) video recording. There are numerous creative options, including "Creative styles" letting you choose from different colour settings, as well as "Picture Effects" which let you choose different filters and effects.
Key Features
- 24.2mp APS-C CMOS sensor, with copper wiring
- Sony E-Mount
- 3inch tilting touch-screen, 921K dot (16:9)
- 2.36m dot EVF, 0.70x magnification with dioptre correction
- 425 Focus points - PDAF, 84% coverage
- 11fps continuous shooting, with AF/AE
- Built-in Pop-up Flash
- 4K UHD movie recording, stereo sound, 100mbps
- FullHD video recording, up to 120fps
- ISO100 to ISO32000, ISO102400 (Extended)
- Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth built-in
- USB power / charging
Sony Alpha A6400 Handling
Handling - The Sony Alpha A6400 is one of the smaller APS-C mirrorless cameras available, and the rangefinder styling, with electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the left hand side helps keep the camera small. It's quite light, too, with a weight of 403g with battery and memory card. Another thing that keeps the camera small, is the use of a 3inch 16:9 aspect ratio screen. The camera measures 120 x 66.9 x 59.7mm, and there is a good size hand-grip considering the size of the camera. It features a textured rubber grip, that extends round the side of the camera and continues to the back, where there is a raised thumb grip. When holding the camera, the small size means that your little finger does end up hanging down, loose and free.
The size and design means that you can use the camera with just one hand, although you may not want to do this when using a larger lens, and when using a lens like the 18-135mm, we would recommend the use of two hands.
The camera feels well built, with a mixture of metal and plastic construction. There's a reassuringly solid metal hing holding the screen, giving confidence when adjusting the screen.
There's a top command wheel (top, back), and a rear scroll wheel. There's no front command wheel, unfortunately. The function / Fn button on the back of the camera gives quick access to some of the most commonly used settings, on the rear screen. You can customise this so that you can set the camera to your own personal preferences. However, you can't use the touch-screen to select these or change settings.
Whilst the controls could have a better layout, the camera still provides quick access to some of the most commonly used settings, such as ISO (after pressing the ISO button on the 4-way scroll wheel), and exposure compensation (using the top rear command dial).
On the side you'll find a MicroUSB connection, HDMI and a microphone socket.
There are 425 phase detection auto-focus (AF) points, and the camera uses a hybrid focus system, using both phase-detection and contrast-detection AF points. You can use the touch-screen to set the focus point, and these cover a wide area of the screen. Focus is sensitive down to -2EV, and a built-in AF illuminator helps with low-light focus.
There are plenty of AF options, with three pages of AF options, and you can customise the continuous shooting to prioritise shutter release or focus (or choose a "balanced emphasis"). The face and eye-detection focus is fast and reliable, with the camera able to find the subject even when not facing the camera directly.
The electronic viewfinder (EVF) gives a good alternative to using the screen, when outdoors. The display is clear, and colour reproduction is good, although we noticed flickering at times, and the 2.36million dot resolution isn't up there with the best cameras. The screen is ideal for video recording, with a 16:9 aspect ratio, however, this means the view for photography (at the standard 3:2) aspect ratio isn't as large as other cameras. Colour reproduction is good, and despite the relatively small size, the view is clear and detailed.
Menus – The menus are updated compared to the A6300, but continue to be a long list of options, for example the first Photo menu has 14 pages of options. There's some organisation for example, the second set of Photo options (Photo icon, 2), starts with three pages of movie options, but then by the end of the 9 screens, you've got options to customise the command wheels. It would make more sense for the movie options to have their own dedicated menu section. There's a "MyMenu" section where you can add your favourite settings.
Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth are built-in. NFC lets you quickly setup a connection with a compatible Android smartphone, whilst (low-power) Bluetooth means you can transfer images using less power than transfering over Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi connection is needed when remotely controlling the camera, and allows a live-view on your smartphone or tablet's screen. You can also record location information from your smartphone.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 410 shots according to Sony / CIPA test results, when using the LCD screen, or 360 shots when using the electronic viewfinder. This is reasonable, although a second battery is recommended if you plan on shooting more. The battery life is shown as a percentage, on-screen, so you know how much life you have left. The battery is charged in the camera, using the provided MicroUSB cable.
Sony Alpha A6400 Performance
The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera, examining full-size sample photos, ISO test images, video quality and more. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.
| Shutter Response | <0.05secs |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.125secs |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.1secs |
| Continuous Shooting - JPEG (shots before slow down) |
8fps (C-AF / S-AF, H+) 11fps (S-AF, Priority set AF-S: Release) |
Tested with 18-135mm lens, C-AF and S-AF / Screen and Viewfinder used. We could not quite manage the focus speeds promised by Sony, however, we did find the focus speeds to be very quick, and funnily enough, exactly the same speeds as the A6300.
Sony Alpha A6400 Sample Photos
Sample Photos - Exposure is reliable, with the camera producing great results, with a preference for under-exposing to retain highlight detail. Rarely do you need to adjust exposure compensation, although your own personal preferences may differ. Colour reproduction is generally quite pleasing, although, again your own personal preferences may differ. Skin tones are good, although some may find them warm.
Dynamic range captured can be extended using DRO (Dynamic Range Optimisation), or you can use the HDR mode, which combines a number of shots into one image with improved dynamic range. These can be customised, or left on Auto.
Sony Alpha A6400 Lens test images
Lens Performance - The 18-135mm lens gives a useful range of 27mm to 202mm (equivalent). The camera has built-in options to correct for any lens issues, including shading compensation (Auto, off), chromatic aberration compensation (Auto, off), and distortion compensation (switched on, with no option to switch it off when using this lens). Built-in OSS (Optical Steady Shot) image stabilisation helps keep shots steady, and we were impressed with the level of detail captured by the lens, particularly in the centre of the frame. The close focusing distance of the lens is reasonable, although a dedicated macro lens will give better results. Focus was reliable and fast, and there was no need to worry about focus.
You can find out exactly how this lens performs in our full Sony E 18-135mm lens review.
Sony Alpha A6400 ISO test images
ISO Noise Performance - The camera has an ISO range of ISO100 to ISO32000, which can be extended up to ISO102400. For best results we'd recommend you stick to ISO speeds under ISO3200, although ISO3200 shows reasonable levels of detail. Detail drops as noise increases at ISO6400. At ISO12800 there's another drop in detail, and noise is visible, but well controlled. At ISO25600 and ISO32000 colour drops, further. At ISO51200 there's a noticeable increase in chroma noise, as the image quality deteriorates, and this speed (and above) is best avoided. High ISO NR was set to Normal, and there are options of Low, and Off. DRO, Auto.
Noise compared to the competition...
There's a slight improvement in noise performance at higher ISO speeds, when compared to the Sony Alpha A6500, with slightly better detail retention shooting at ISO3200 and ISO6400, and the camera gives a slightly higher usable ISO speed, with ISO12800, ISO25600 and ISO51200 results looking better on the A6400.
Sony Alpha A6400 White-balance test images
White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) performs well under fluorescent lighting, with the fluorescent presets giving a colour cast. AWB performs well under mixed light, with a slightly warm result. Under tungsten lighting, the result is warm. The tungsten white balance preset gives a more neutral result.
There are options to set Auto White Balance so that you can choose whether you want the correction to be stronger or weaker. "AWB Priority Set" in AWB options are now: Standard, Ambience (Warmer), and White. However the difference these settings make is quite subtle, and the camera could provide quicker (and easier) access to these settings, by offering an AWB-A(Ambience) and AWB-W(White) option directly from the white balance options, rather than having it in the menu system.
Sony Alpha A6400 Digital filters
Digital Filters - The HDR mode automatically merges a number of photos, taken at different exposures, to create an image with increased dynamic range and results are good. Creative Styles available include: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn leaves, Black & White, Sepia, Style Box (1-6), and you can customise the Contrast (-3 to +3 steps), Saturation (-3 to +3 steps), and Sharpness (-3 to +3 steps). The camera features an automatic panoramic mode, where you simply press the shutter release button and pan the camera from one side to the other.
Video - The camera records 4K UHD video, with 30, 25 and 24fps available, and 100mbps compression. You can also record FullHD video at frame rates up to 120fps (NTSC), or 100fps (PAL).
The menus aren't the easiest to navigate, and you'll find additional video options in "Picture Profile" (page 11, of the first Photo menus), where there are a number of additional options, including Movie, Still, Cine1-3, ITU709, ITU709 (800%), S-Log2, S-Log2, HLG, HLG1-2, all under "Gamma". ISO100 to ISO32000 is available.
The level of detail captured in 4K UHD video recordings is very impressive. Some "jello" effect is visible when quickly panning from side to side.
The camera has a microphone socket, so that you can upgrade the sound quality compared to the stereo internal microphones, or use an off-camera microphone. If you are recording video hand-held, then you'll benefit from the use of a lens with optical image stabilisation, as the camera doesn't have in-camera image stabilisation.
AF-S focus isn't available for video, instead the camera (like other Sony cameras) insists on the use of either AF-C, or MF (you can use back button focus to set this prior to recording).
Value For Money
The Sony Alpha A6400 is available for £849 body only (or £973 with 16-50mm lens), which makes it reasonable to good value for money, being similar in price to other recent cameras, such as the X-T30, and G90. It's clearly less than the the A6500, which has in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), but it is noticeable in how much more it is compared to the A6300 (at £699).
Alternative rangefinder style cameras include the following:
Fujifilm X-E3, 24mp, 4K video, lens-based IS, £629 body only
Panasonic Lumix GX9, 20mp, 4K video, IBIS, £499 body only
Olympus PEN-F, 20mp, FullHD video, IBIS, £899 body only
Sony Alpha A6500, 24mp, 4K video, IBIS, £1079 body only
Leica CL, 24mp, 4K video, lens-based IS, £2250 body only
You could also look at some of the other mirrorless cameras available, however these are styled more like mini-DSLRs, and include the Fujifilm X-T30 (£849, 26mp, 4K video, lens-based IS), and Panasonic Lumix G90 (£899, 20mp, 4K video, IBIS).
Have a look at more cameras in our Top 20 Best Premium Mirrorless (with EVF), or have a look at the Top 11 Best Entry Level Mirrorless. You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Sony Alpha A6400 Verdict
The compact size of the Sony Alpha A6400 makes it a great choice for travel compared to a larger full-frame camera. Image quality is impressive, with the camera delivering great image quality, with improved noise performance. The 18-135mm lens performs well for a super-zoom lens, giving very good results, and it makes for a good travel combination.
If you're looking at buying the A6300 or A6400, then is there enough here to convince you to spend an extra £250 on the A6400? For marginally improved features and performance? Despite the large gap in time between the A6300 and the A6400, the update still feels quite minor, and for most people there won't be enough reason to spend the extra money, unless you're specifically looking for unlimited video recording, and a screen that can be used for "vlogging" and selfies.
The menu system takes some getting used to, and it's unfortunate that Sony hasn't given the video options it's own dedicated section (like so many other camera companies have). This means that it can take some time to find the options and settings you're looking for. The touch-screen can't be used to change settings, which is unfortunate, as this could have helped make the camera a little easier to use
If you've a much older Sony E-mount camera, and you're looking to upgrade, then the A6400, as the most recent APS-C camera makes a lot of sense, particularly if you have a range of lenses to go with the camera. Even if you don't have lenses already, then the Sony Alpha A6400 could make a good option, particularly if you're looking for something compact, with unlimited video recording, and great image quality. As one of the earlier mirrorless systems, and a less "closed off" system compared to some others, there's a wide range of E-mount lenses available to choose from.
| The Sony Alpha A6400 offers a fast shooting experience, and excellent image quality. |
Own this product? Let us know what you think of it in the EQDB.
Spotted a mistake? Let us know in the EQDB.