The Sony Alpha A6400 may not seem like a top-end camera because of the existence of the A6500. But you would be mistaken in thinking it’s not a best vlogging camera. The new camera Sony has released boasts image quality and a lightweight body. Sony has also put in real effort to improve its menu system, signaling it knows where the problem spots are and working hard to fix them.
Why We Like It – Sony A6400
The Sony A6400 is a portable, lightweight, full frame, and mirrorless camera on par, and sometimes even better, than other mirrorless cameras. The Sony Alpha is a great vlogging camera and is even able to compete with its father and higher end A6500, which is outstanding for a new camera. Sony is in the rare situation of competing with itself for best aps-c mirrorless and aps-c cameras.
- 4K Video Resolution
- No dip in Image Quality in ISO Range 100-6400
- Powerful Tracking Eye AF System
- Modest Battery Life
- No Image Stabilization
Performance
The new Sony camera possesses an advanced 425-point autofocus system, 11fps continuous shooting with no time limit or until the memory card fills, a BIONZ X image processor which delivers much better image quality, and new real-time eye detection AF and pattern recognition to identify and track subjects with real-time tracking included. Like the Panasonic Lumix LX10, shooting video with 4K video resolution is great. It has a tendency for underexposure sometimes, but this can be fixed in post-video capture raw processing. The 360-shot battery life is modest. The battery hasn’t been upgraded to the newer Z-series found in full-frame cameras.
Related: Check out our Sony Cyber Shot DSC RX100 digital camera review
Design
A6400 offers APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor, the same image sensor in the A6300 and A6500, lightweight camera body for ease of transportation, and two mode dials at the rear to shift between shooting modes. An on/off switch circles the shutter button and the rear command dial is flat and turns comfortably. Typically, you’ll use it to adjust the f-stop or shutter speed. The camera does have a touch screen, but not everywhere, which is handy for eliminating the automatic focus point the camera sets. A miscalculation, not much like Sony, omits the in-body image stabilization. The Canon Vixia HF R700 Camcorder does though, and in real-time.
Value
Sony equips the Alpha A6400 with a powerful tracking AF system making it even more tempting than cameras like the A6500, putting The A6400 in competition for best camera amongst all Sony cameras. It comes bundled with kit lenses offering optical stabilization. Sony has also made efforts to improve camera menus, and with this menu system you get on-screen help for newcomers and a MyMenu for enthusiasts and professionals. At $900, it’s not exactly an inexpensive camera, and consumers might find the $680 Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II a budget-friendly alternative to suit their needs.
Sony A6400 Wrap Up
Let’s get it out of the way and say the omission of in-body image stabilization is a glaring mistake from Sony. Still, the A6400 has a lot to like about it. Its autofocus system, 4K video shooting and resolution, powerful image sensor, and powerful tracking make the Sony A6400 a great vlogging, or even just all-around fantastic, camera.
