Sony’s A6400 has become popular among photographers who value its extensive features and compact, lightweight body. But how does it truly measure against its supposed big brother, the Sony A6500?
That’s just an overview of some of the main differences between the Sony a6400 and Sony a6500. If you want to explore image quality, storage options, and raw specs in more detail, we’ve gathered them in the chart below.
Table of Contents
Price and Size
Sony introduced the Sony a6500 and Sony a6400 in October 2016 and January 2019 respectively. The Sony 6500 starts at $1,199.99 and the Sony 6400 goes for $1,298.00. Both of these Sony cameras are available on Amazon and you can buy them now. The Sony a6400 weighs 359g and the Sony a6500 weighs 439. Both cameras are portable and easy to carry.
Sensor and Processor
Both the a6400 and the a6500 feature Sony’s APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor, approximately 24 megapixels, a BIONZ X image processor, and a front-end LSI. However, Sony’s marketing literature does not provide detailed specifications for the sensors or processors, often referring to them as “new generation or newly developed.”
Notably, the processor in the a6400 enables advanced features like real-time Eye AF and tracking, along with the addition of Animal Eye AF, which is not supported by the a6500. This suggests a significant improvement in the processor of the a6400 compared to its older counterpart, the a6500.
Autofocus Performance
We all know that an excellent autofocus system ensures precise focus on the subject, resulting in sharper images with well-defined details. In terms of these cameras’ autofocus systems, both cameras come with 425 phase-detection points, which enhances the cameras’ ability to quickly and accurately focus on subjects. In practice, the autofocus acquisition time for the Sony A6500 is approximately 0.05 seconds. However, impressively, the Sony A6400 boasts an even faster autofocus acquisition time of just 0.02 seconds. This rapid autofocus performance allows photographers to swiftly lock focus on their subjects, ensuring minimal delay and enabling them to capture critical moments with precision and accuracy.
In-body Stabilization and EVF and LCD Screen
The Sony a6500 includes in-body stabilization, providing stabilization for both photos and videos. However, the Sony a6400 lacks this feature. Nevertheless, this is not a major concern as there are alternative solutions available. You have the option to use a gimbal to stabilize your camera or consider purchasing camera lenses with built-in Optical Image Stabilization (OSS), such as the Sony E 18-135mm and 18-105mm lenses.
For videographers and those who often shoot in low-light conditions, it is strongly advised to invest in the Sony a6500. With its integrated image stabilization, you can confidently record videos and capture images without concerns about camera shake. This feature guarantees stable and smooth footage, offering significant benefits for video shooting, while also improving image quality in challenging lighting situations.
Now, let’s talk about EVF and LCD screens. The Sony 6400 and the Sony 6500 feature an EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) resolution of 2.4 million dots and a touch-sensitive 3-inch LCD screen with 921k dots of resolution. Theoretically, this means the LCD screen should be easier to adjust and view when you’re making some changes to the settings and taking videos and images. However, there are some notable design differences to be aware of. Only the Sony a6400 could allow users to trigger the shutter by touch and control the real-time tracking feature using the touch screen. In addition to this, the Sony a6400 can be rotated up 180 degrees, allowing for easy framing and capturing of selfies and vlogs.
Shutter Speed, Buffer and Battery Life
Speaking of shutter speed, both cameras could offer a fast maximum shutter speed of 1/4000s when using the mechanical shutter, which allows for capturing and freezing fast-moving subjects. But the Sony a6500 offers an electronic shutter speed of up to 1/32000s.
In terms of buffer, the a6500 has an impressive buffer capacity, enabling it to shoot up to 233 extra fine JPGs or 107 raw files before the buffer limit is reached. On the other hand, the A6400 has a relatively smaller buffer size, allowing for approximately 99 extra fine JPGs or 46 raw files before the buffer fills up. If you are a photographer who frequently captures fast-paced action or engages in continuous shooting, the Sony a6500 is your best choice.
Both cameras could support Sony NP-FW50 battery and excellent performance in terms of battery life. In practice, the Sony a6500 could support 310 shots, versus 360 shots on the a6400. If you’re shooting 4k videos, the Sony a6500 could last around 1 hour and 7 minutes and the Sony a6400 is for 1 hour and 22 minutes. If you frequently take images and videos outdoors, it is highly recommended to purchase an extra battery for your camera.
Image Quality and Low Light Performance (ISO Sensitivity)
Both cameras do a good job of image quality and both cameras are equipped with APS-C 24-megapixel CMOS sensor. In practice, the contrast performance at lower ISO ranges and shadow recovery at higher ISO ranges are slightly better in the A6400.
When it comes to the ISO range, the Sony A6400 does offer a wider native ISO range compared to the A6500. The A6400 has a native ISO range of 100-32000, which can be expanded up to ISO 102400. On the other hand, the A6500 has a native ISO range of 100-25600, expandable up to ISO 51200. A wider ISO range allows for greater flexibility in various lighting conditions.
What types of Photography are Sony a6400 and Sony a6500 Good for?
Street Photography
| Features | Sony a6400 | Sony a6500 |
| Compact Size | Yes | Yes |
| Fast Autofocus | 0.02s Autofocus Speed | 0.05s Autofocus Speed |
| Silent Shooting | Excellent | Excellent |
| Tilting Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| High ISO Performance | 100-32000 | 100-25600 |
The Sony A6400 and A6500 are indeed well-suited for street photography due to their portable and compact designs, making them easy to carry around for extended periods. The fast autofocus capabilities of both cameras are essential for capturing quick and candid moments that often occur on the streets.
The tilting screens on these cameras offer flexibility in composing your shots, allowing you to explore different angles and perspectives, including shooting from low or high angles or even taking selfies. This feature enhances your creative possibilities in street photography, enabling you to capture unique and engaging images.
Additionally, the wider ISO range of these cameras is beneficial for street photography, especially in low-light conditions. It allows you to maintain faster shutter speeds and lower noise levels, resulting in sharp and high-quality images even in challenging lighting situations often encountered on the streets.
Travel Photography
| Features | Sony a6400 | Sony a6500 |
| Portability | Yes | Yes |
| High Image Quality | Excellent | Excellent |
| Fast Autofocus | 0.02s Autofocus Speed | 0.05s Autofocus Speed |
| Battery Life | support 360 shots | support 310 shots |
| Tilting Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Versatile Lens Options | Many | Many |
Both the Sony A6400 and A6500 are well-suited for travel photography due to their compact size, advanced features, and excellent image quality. The Sony a6400 weighs 403g and the Sony a6500 weighs 453g. Both cameras are portable. When it comes to image quality, both cameras share the APS-C 24-megapixel CMOS sensor, which offers image quality, sharpness, and dynamic range.
Battery life is an important consideration for travel photography, and having spare batteries is always recommended to ensure you can capture all the moments during your travels. The Sony A6400 is rated to provide approximately 360 shots per charge, while the Sony A6500 offers around 310 shots per charge.
Investing in an extra battery or even a portable charger can be beneficial, especially when you’re on the go and may not always have immediate access to charging facilities. This way, you can extend your shooting time and ensure you don’t miss out on any photographic opportunities.
The tilting screens on both cameras, along with their fast autofocus systems, allow users to capture every beautiful moment with ease. The tilting screens enable different photo compositions, including shooting from low or high angles, making it convenient to capture unique perspectives. The fast autofocus ensures that you can quickly and accurately focus on your subjects, whether they are stationary or in motion.
Vlogging and Videos
| Features | Sony a6400 | Sony a6500 |
| Fast Autofocus and Eye Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| 4K Video Recording | Excellent | Excellent |
| Image Stabilization | No | Yes |
| External Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Compact and Lightweight | Yes | Yes |
Both the Sony A6400 and A6500 are indeed suitable for video recording and vlogging, and they offer features that enhance the overall video quality and audio capabilities.
The fast autofocus and eye tracking in both cameras ensure that your subject stays in focus, even when they are moving within the frame. This is crucial for capturing smooth and sharp video footage, especially during vlogging or when filming dynamic scenes.
The ability to shoot 4K videos with these cameras allows for higher resolution and more detailed footage, resulting in professional-looking videos with enhanced clarity.
While the Sony A6500 comes with in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which helps reduce camera shake and produces smoother handheld footage, the A6400 lacks this feature. However, you can compensate for this by using a camera gimbal or stabilizer, which will provide additional stabilization and ensure steady shots.
Both cameras offer a microphone jack, allowing you to connect an external microphone for improved audio quality. This is crucial for vlogging and creating videos where high-quality audio is essential. By using an external microphone, you can capture clear and professional-sounding audio, enhancing the overall production value of your videos.
Lens Selections
1
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
Sony
2
BEST FOR [CATEGORY]
Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
Sony
3
BEST FOR [CATEGORY]
Sony FE 50mm F1.8
Sony
4
Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 FE
Samyang
5
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
Sony
Your Decision
1
Sony A6500
Sony
2
Sony A6400
Sony
FAQ
Can the Sony a6400 be used professionally?
While the Sony A6400 is a capable camera with advanced features, it may not be the most ideal choice for professional wedding photographers due to a few factors.
How long can you record on a Sony a6400?
Approximately 13 hours.
Does Sony a6400 have unlimited recording?
the Sony A6400 does not have a 29-minute recording limit for video.
Does Sony a6400 have autofocus?
Yes.
Is Sony a6400 weather-sealed?
Yes.
Does a6400 have stabilization?
No.
Does the Sony a6500 overheat?
The Sony A6500, like many cameras, can experience overheating issues when recording videos in 4K for extended periods.
Does a6500 have image stabilization?
Yes.
How long does Sony A6500 battery last?
Shoot for 1 hour and 10 minutes continuously in 4K.
Can you charge Sony A6500 with USB?
Yes.
