The Sony Alpha a6400 Camera is a powerful compact mirrorless camera that has gained a reputation for its advanced features.
Sony alpha a6400 specs
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Camera Model | Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless |
| Lens Mount | Sony E (NEX) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9, 3:2 |
| Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
| Supported File Formats | JPEG, RAW |
| Maximum Focal Length | 210mm |
| Optical Zoom | 2x |
| Maximum Aperture | f/6.3 |
| ISO Range | 100 – 102400 |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 11 fps |
| Effective Still Resolution | 24.2 MP |
| Video Capture | 4K Video |
| LCD Screen Size | 3 Inches (Tilting) |
| Display Resolution | 921,600 Dots |
| Battery Capacity | 1030 mAh (NP-FW50) |
| Wireless Technology | Wi-Fi |
| Auto Focus Points | 425 Phase/Contrast Detection |
| Weight | 403 grams with battery and memory card included |
| Price | $898.00 | Order from Amazon |
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Sony Alpha a6400 Review
Whether you’re capturing still images or recording high-quality 4K videos, this camera offers incredible performance in a relatively compact and lightweight body. Below is an in-depth review covering every key aspect of this camera, ensuring you have all the information needed to decide if this is the right choice for you.
sony alpha a6400 release date
The Sony Alpha a6400 was officially announced on January 15, 2019, and became available for purchase starting February 2019 in most markets.
Design and Build Quality
The Sony Alpha a6400 features a magnesium alloy body, ensuring durability while maintaining a lightweight design. Its dimensions of 2″D x 4.75″W x 2.75″H make it highly portable, perfect for on-the-go photography and vlogging. The camera weighs around 403 grams (body only), which is lightweight yet robust. It comes equipped with a 3-inch tilting LCD screen that is perfect for vlogging and self-recording. The screen can flip up 180 degrees, allowing for easy framing when filming yourself.
While the a6400 does not come with in-body image stabilization, it compensates with its outstanding autofocus system, which significantly enhances image sharpness.
Autofocus System: Real-Time Eye AF and Object Tracking
One of the standout features of the Sony a6400 is its next-gen autofocus (AF) system. Boasting 425 phase detection and 425 contrast detection points, the autofocus covers 84% of the sensor, ensuring precise and fast focusing. It claims to have the world’s fastest autofocus speed at just 0.02 seconds, making it perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects.
The camera supports Real-Time Eye AF, which can track human eyes with remarkable accuracy, even in challenging lighting conditions. This feature is particularly beneficial for portrait photography and is further complemented by Real-Time Object Tracking, which ensures your subject stays in focus while in motion. This feature is also a game-changer for videographers shooting dynamic scenes.
Image Quality: 24.2MP APS-C Sensor
At the heart of the a6400 is a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor, which provides crisp, detailed images. With a 14-bit depth and the capability to shoot in RAW format, it offers excellent flexibility for post-processing. The sensor also supports an ISO range from 100 to 102400, ensuring great performance in low-light conditions.
The camera produces images with natural, vibrant colors, and the dynamic range allows for significant detail retention in both highlights and shadows. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or action shots, the Sony a6400 delivers impressive still image quality.
Video Capabilities: 4K Recording and Advanced Features
For videographers, the Sony a6400 excels with its ability to record 4K videos at 30 frames per second, utilizing the full width of the sensor for superior detail. The camera also supports Full HD 1080p recording at up to 120fps, allowing for smooth slow-motion footage.
In addition, the camera includes features like Time-Lapse Movie mode and Slow/Quick Motion options, enabling creators to experiment with video speed without the need for post-production. It also features microphone input for enhanced audio capture, a feature essential for professional video projects or vlogging. Unfortunately, it lacks a headphone jack for real-time audio monitoring, which could be a downside for some videographers.
Continuous Shooting and Performance
The Sony Alpha a6400 can shoot at an impressive speed of 11 frames per second (fps) in continuous shooting mode, making it ideal for action photography, such as sports or wildlife. Combined with the fast autofocus system, this camera ensures you never miss a moment. The buffer can handle up to 99 JPEG images, ensuring you have plenty of room for high-speed captures.
Lens and Mount Compatibility
The a6400 uses the Sony E-mount system, making it compatible with a wide range of lenses. Sony offers an extensive lineup of native E-mount lenses, including zoom lenses, prime lenses, and more specialized options, such as macro and telephoto lenses. The 55-210 mm lens (35 mm equivalent focal length of 82.5-315mm) is a common companion, providing excellent versatility for capturing distant subjects.
Customizable Controls and User Interface
The camera is highly customizable, allowing users to assign frequently used functions to specific buttons for a more streamlined workflow. The tilting 3-inch LCD touchscreen can be used to adjust focus points, access menus, and review images. The screen resolution is 921,600 dots, which ensures a sharp and clear display for composing shots or reviewing footage.
The OLED electronic viewfinder with a 2.36-million dot resolution offers a bright and detailed view, perfect for composing shots in bright outdoor conditions where the LCD may be harder to see.
Battery Life and Storage
The NP-FW50 rechargeable battery included with the a6400 offers a decent battery life, allowing you to shoot approximately 360 shots per charge using the LCD screen, or about 410 shots using the viewfinder. While this may not be the longest battery life compared to some competitors, it should be sufficient for most casual users and short video shoots.
The camera has a single memory card slot that supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and Memory Stick Duo. It is UHS-I compatible, ensuring fast read and write speeds, especially useful for 4K video recording and continuous shooting.
Connectivity: Wireless and Ports
The Sony a6400 comes equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to easily transfer photos and videos to your smartphone or tablet via Sony’s Imaging Edge app. This makes sharing on social media or backing up your files a breeze. The camera also supports micro-HDMI for outputting video to external monitors and has a micro-USB port for charging and data transfer.
Who Is the Sony Alpha a6400 For?
The Sony Alpha a6400 is an excellent choice for a variety of users, from hobbyists to professionals. It excels in portrait photography, vlogging, and fast-action shooting thanks to its cutting-edge autofocus system. For videographers, the ability to record 4K video with excellent color reproduction and detail is a huge plus, and the camera’s compact size makes it a favorite for content creators on the move.
With a price point of $898, this camera offers tremendous value for its features. Its only significant limitations are the lack of in-body image stabilization and a headphone jack, but for many, these are minor drawbacks compared to the overall performance.
Key Specifications Recap:
- Price: $898 (Body only)
- Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS
- ISO Range: 100 – 102400
- Continuous Shooting: 11 fps
- Video: 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 120fps
- Autofocus: 425 phase/contrast points, Real-Time Eye AF, and Object Tracking
- Screen: 3″ Tilting LCD, 921,600 dots
- Battery: Approx. 360 shots (LCD), 410 shots (viewfinder)
- Weight: 403 grams (Body only)
For those looking for a high-quality mirrorless camera that delivers exceptional photo and video performance in a compact, feature-rich package, the Sony Alpha a6400 stands out as a top contender.