Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera ILCE-6400L/B
Rating
Product Overview
The Sony Alpha a6400 is a compact APS-C mirrorless camera featuring a 24.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor, boasting fast and accurate autofocus with 425 phase/contrast detection points covering 84% of the sensor. It offers up to 11fps continuous shooting, 4K HDR video recording, and a 180-degree tiltable touchscreen LCD. The camera includes Real-time Eye-AF and object Tracking AF, enhancing subject capture. It's designed for both stills and video, with features like a mic jack, XLR compatibility, and clean HDMI output, making it suitable for vloggers and content creators.
Product Images
Specifications
| Sensor Size | APS-C |
|---|---|
| Effective Megapixels | 24.2MP |
| Maximum ISO Sensitivity | 102400ISO |
| Max Video Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K)pixels |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 11fps |
| Autofocus Points | 425points |
| Image Stabilization Type | No |
| Display Size | 3.0inches |
| Battery Life | - shots |
| Lens Mount Type | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Card Slots | 1slots |
| Unit Weight | 291.9g |
Dimensions & Weight
機能一覧
This function uses a mechanism within the camera body to automatically compensate for camera shake. It is particularly useful when shooting handheld in dimly lit environments, using longer lenses, or when recording video while moving. Users benefit from capturing sharper photos and smoother videos without needing special lenses, making it easier to achieve clear and steady results in various situations.
The Sony Alpha a6400 does not feature in-body image stabilization (IBIS). To achieve stable photos and smooth video footage, users will need to rely on lenses equipped with Optical SteadyShot (OSS) or utilize digital stabilization features available within the camera, particularly for handheld video recording.
This function allows the camera's display screen to pivot and rotate in multiple directions. It is highly beneficial when composing shots from challenging angles, such as shooting over a crowd, from very low to the ground, or for self-portraits and vlogging. This flexibility enhances shooting comfort and allows for creative framing, improving the overall ease of capturing unique perspectives.
The camera is equipped with a 3.0-inch LCD screen that can tilt 180 degrees upwards. This tilting mechanism is highly beneficial for composing shots from various angles, including high or low perspectives, and is particularly useful for self-recording, vlogging, and taking selfies. However, when the screen is flipped up, it can be obstructed by accessories mounted on the hotshoe, such as external microphones.
This function incorporates specialized seals and construction to provide enhanced resistance against dust and moisture entering the camera body. It is valuable when shooting outdoors in light rain, windy conditions with dust, or near splashing water. Users gain peace of mind and the ability to continue shooting in more varied environmental conditions without concern for potential damage to the camera.
The Sony Alpha a6400 is noted to have some level of weather protection, which provides a degree of resistance against dust and moisture. While this is beneficial for shooting in light rain or dusty conditions, it is not fully weather-sealed like professional-grade cameras, so users should still exercise caution and protect the camera in harsh environmental elements to prevent potential damage.
This function enables the camera's internal battery to be charged directly by connecting the camera to a standard USB power source, such as a power bank, a computer's USB port, or a wall adapter. It is incredibly convenient for travel when you might not have access to the dedicated battery charger, or when you need to quickly top up your battery using readily available power sources. This offers flexible and easy charging on the go.
The camera supports USB charging via its micro USB port, allowing users to conveniently charge the camera's battery by connecting it to a power bank, a computer, or a standard USB wall adapter. This feature is highly practical for on-the-go charging and extended shooting sessions, eliminating the need for a dedicated external battery charger in many situations.
This function provides a dedicated port on the camera to connect an external microphone. It is essential for users who record videos and require significantly better audio quality than the camera's built-in microphone can provide, such as for interviews, vlogs, or capturing clearer ambient sounds. This feature dramatically enhances the overall professional quality and clarity of your video content.
A dedicated 3.5mm microphone input jack is included on the a6400, which is crucial for videographers and content creators seeking superior audio quality. This allows for the connection of external microphones, significantly enhancing sound clarity and reducing ambient noise compared to the built-in microphone, thereby improving the overall professional quality of video content.
This function allows the camera to wirelessly connect to other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or computers, for easy photo and video transfer, as well as remote camera control. It is ideal for quickly sharing your images to social media from your phone or for capturing group photos and wildlife shots from a distance. This provides convenient and fast content sharing and flexible camera operation without the need for cables.
The Sony Alpha a6400 features built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. This enables seamless wireless transfer of photos and videos to compatible smartphones, tablets, or computers for quick sharing on social media or backup. Additionally, it allows for remote control of the camera via a mobile application, offering flexibility for self-portraits, group shots, or capturing wildlife from a distance.
SHOPSTAFF Rating Score
The Sony Alpha a6400 remains a highly capable APS-C mirrorless camera, offering a strong balance of image quality and speed for its price point. Its 24.2MP sensor delivers detailed stills and 4K video, while the advanced Real-time Eye AF and tracking system provides exceptional focus accuracy, even for fast-moving subjects. A key limitation is the lack of in-body image stabilization (IBIS), requiring reliance on optically stabilized lenses or digital stabilization for smoother handheld video. The flip-up screen, while useful for selfies, can be obstructed by hotshoe-mounted microphones, which is a design oversight for vloggers. Despite being an older model in Sony's lineup, its core performance, particularly autofocus, holds up well. Durability is generally good, though one customer reported a unit failure and challenging repair experience, suggesting potential inconsistencies in long-term reliability for some units. It's positioned as an excellent entry to mid-level option for enthusiasts.
Brand & Manufacturer Details
Key Recommendations
- World-class autofocus with Real-time Eye AF and Tracking for stills and video.
- Excellent 24.2MP APS-C sensor delivering high image quality and good low-light performance.
- Capable 4K video recording with 2.4x oversampling for detailed footage.
- Compact and lightweight design, making it ideal for travel and everyday use.
- Access to Sony's extensive E-mount lens ecosystem, offering versatile lens options.
- Includes a built-in electronic viewfinder, a feature often missing in vlogging-focused cameras.
Points to Consider
- No in-body image stabilization (IBIS), requiring stabilized lenses or digital stabilization for smooth handheld video.
- The 180-degree flip-up screen can be obstructed by hotshoe-mounted microphones, limiting its utility for vlogging with external audio.
- Battery life, while improved over older models, may still require spare batteries for extended shooting sessions, especially with 4K video.
- Performance at very high ISOs (above ISO 1200-1600) can show noticeable grain, as noted by a user.
- One customer reported a unit failure after five months and difficulties with Sony's repair service, indicating potential quality control or support issues for some units.
Recommended For
- Enthusiast photographers seeking a compact, high-performance APS-C camera.
- Videographers and content creators who prioritize autofocus performance and 4K video quality.
- Travelers looking for a lightweight interchangeable lens camera.
- Users upgrading from smartphones or entry-level cameras who want advanced features.
- Those who prefer a camera with a built-in electronic viewfinder.
Not Recommended For
- Professional videographers who require robust in-body image stabilization for all lenses.
- Vloggers who primarily use hotshoe-mounted microphones and rely solely on the flip-up screen for monitoring.
- Users needing extensive weather sealing for harsh environmental conditions.
- Professional sports or wildlife photographers requiring dual card slots or extremely high burst depths for uncompressed RAW.
Recommended Use Cases
- Travel photography and videography.
- Everyday shooting and family events.
- Portrait photography with fast prime lenses.
- Vlogging (ideally with an external monitor or side-mounted mic).
- Street photography due to its compact size and fast AF.
Not Recommended Use Cases
- Shooting in heavy rain, extreme dust, or very humid environments without additional protection.
- Professional action sports photography where maximum buffer depth and extreme durability are paramount.
- Handheld video recording in low light without a stabilized lens.
- Studio photography requiring advanced tethering or specific professional features like dual card slots.