Sony A6100 vs A6400: Which Camera Reigns Supreme?
Choosing the right camera can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re wading through a sea of impressive options. Today, we’re putting two popular contenders head-to-head: the Sony a6100 and the a6400. Both cameras boast impressive features, but which one is the better choice for your photography needs?
The Sony a6100 and a6400 are both mirrorless cameras known for their excellent image quality and compact size. They’re popular choices for both beginners and enthusiasts. This detailed comparison will break down their key differences, helping you make an informed decision.
We’ll explore everything from image quality and autofocus performance to video capabilities and overall value. By the end of this comparison, you’ll have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of both the Sony a6100 and the a6400. Get ready to discover which camera will best capture your vision.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | a6100 | a6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| ISO Range | 100-32000 | 100-32000 |
| Autofocus System | 425-point | 425-point |
| Continuous Shooting | 11 fps | 11 fps |
| Video Recording | 4K at 30p | 4K at 30p |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| LCD Screen | Tilting | Tilting |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | No | No |
| Body Material | Plastic | Plastic |
| Weight (Body Only) | 396g | 403g |
| In-Body Image Stabilization | No | No |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Autofocus System
- Sony A6100: Features a Fast Hybrid AF system with 425 phase-detection and contrast-detection AF points. It offers real-time tracking and real-time Eye AF for both humans and animals. A strong AF system for its price point, but can sometimes struggle in very low light.
- A6400: Also features a Fast Hybrid AF system with 425 phase-detection and contrast-detection AF points, with real-time tracking and real-time Eye AF for humans and animals. Generally considered to have slightly improved AF performance in more challenging conditions compared to the a6100.
- Winner: a6400
Video Recording Capabilities
- Sony A6100: Records 4K video up to 30p and Full HD up to 120p. It lacks a dedicated headphone jack and S-Log profiles. A capable video camera for beginners, but limited for professional use.
- A6400: Records 4K video up to 30p and Full HD up to 120p. Offers S-Log2 and S-Log3 gamma profiles, and has a microphone input, but no headphone jack. This increases its appeal for serious video shooters.
- Winner: a6400
Viewfinder and LCD Screen
- Sony A6100: Features a 0.39-inch electronic viewfinder with approximately 1.44 million dots and a tilting 3-inch LCD touchscreen. The EVF is decent, and the touchscreen offers basic functionality.
- A6400: Also features a 0.39-inch electronic viewfinder with approximately 1.44 million dots and a tilting 3-inch LCD touchscreen. The a6400’s LCD screen tilts 180 degrees up for vlogging, unlike the a6100.
- Winner: a6400
Body Design and Build Quality
- Sony A6100: Has a similar design to the a6400, but with a plastic body. It’s lightweight and compact, but not as durable as the a6400.
- A6400: Also has a plastic body, but is more robust than the a6100. It is weather-sealed, offering protection against dust and moisture.
- Winner: a6400
Continuous Shooting Speed
- Sony A6100: Shoots at up to 11 frames per second (fps) with continuous autofocus and autoexposure. Excellent for capturing fast-moving subjects.
- A6400: Shoots at up to 11 frames per second (fps) with continuous autofocus and autoexposure. Performs similarly to the a6100 in terms of continuous shooting.
- Winner: Tie
Battery Life
- Sony A6100: Offers a CIPA-rated battery life of approximately 380 shots (using the viewfinder) or 420 shots (using the LCD screen).
- A6400: Offers a CIPA-rated battery life of approximately 360 shots (using the viewfinder) or 410 shots (using the LCD screen).
- Winner: a6100
Price
- Sony A6100: Generally more affordable, making it a great option for budget-conscious buyers.
- A6400: More expensive than the a6100, reflecting its added features and performance.
- Winner: a6100
S-Log Profiles
- Sony A6100: Does not offer S-Log2 or S-Log3 profiles. This limits its dynamic range in video recording.
- A6400: Offers S-Log2 and S-Log3 profiles, allowing for greater dynamic range and flexibility in post-production.
- Winner: a6400
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Overall Value | sony a6100 |
| Video Features | a6400 |
| Build Quality | a6400 |
| Autofocus Performance (Video) | a6400 |
| Ease of Use | sony a6100 |
What They Have in Common
- Sensor Resolution: Both cameras share the same 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, ensuring identical image quality in terms of resolution and detail capture. This means both cameras are capable of producing high-quality images suitable for various uses.
- Autofocus System: Both the a6100 and a6400 boast a fast and reliable 425-point autofocus system, ensuring accurate subject tracking and sharp focus in a wide range of shooting situations. This shared feature provides excellent performance for both stills and video.
- 4K Video Recording: Both cameras are capable of recording 4K video at up to 30 frames per second, allowing users to capture detailed and high-resolution footage. This shared capability makes them suitable for content creators who need professional-looking video.
- Electronic Viewfinder: Both cameras include a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), providing a clear and accurate preview of your image before you take the shot. This is especially helpful in bright sunlight.
- Tilting Lcd Screen: Both models feature a tilting LCD screen, which is useful for shooting from various angles, such as overhead or low-angle shots. This is a significant advantage for both stills and video.
Sony A6100 vs A6400 Buying Guide
Image Quality and Performance
Both the Sony a6100 and a6400 share the same 24.2MP APS-C sensor and BIONZ X processor, leading to very similar image quality in terms of resolution, dynamic range, and color reproduction. They both offer excellent performance in various lighting conditions, including low light. The autofocus systems are also very similar, both utilizing Sony’s Fast Hybrid AF system with real-time tracking for both stills and video. The a6400, however, boasts a slightly faster continuous shooting speed, which may be advantageous in certain situations.
Video Capabilities
Both cameras can record 4K video at up to 30fps and Full HD video at up to 120fps for slow-motion recording. The a6400 offers some slight advantages in video features. The a6400 includes the advanced features of S-Log2 and S-Log3 profiles, giving you more flexibility in post-production. Additionally, the a6400 includes a mic input for better audio than the a6100. Both cameras have a 3.5mm microphone jack, allowing for external microphones to be used.
Autofocus Performance
The autofocus systems on both cameras are remarkably similar, utilizing Sony’s advanced Fast Hybrid AF. Both cameras provide real-time tracking for both photos and video, enabling accurate tracking of subjects. The a6400, however, may have a slight edge in autofocus speed and performance in challenging conditions. Both cameras offer excellent subject tracking. The a6100 has slightly less AF points. The a6400 has more AF points and a slightly quicker system overall.
Build Quality and Ergonomics
The a6400 has a slight advantage in build quality, featuring a more robust construction and weather sealing, which makes it better suited for use in harsh environments. The a6100 is still well-built, but it lacks the same level of protection. Both cameras share a similar design, with a comfortable grip and a user-friendly interface. The a6400 has a slightly better grip and a few more customizable buttons, offering a more premium feel. Both have a tilting LCD screen.
Features and Functionality
The a6400 offers a few additional features compared to the a6100. Key advantages include its advanced video capabilities, such as S-Log2 and S-Log3 profiles, and a higher-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF). The a6100 is still a feature-rich camera, with a focus on ease of use. Both have a tilting LCD screen. Both cameras offer a wide range of shooting modes and custom settings. Both have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Price and Value
The Sony a6100 is generally more affordable than the a6400. This makes it an excellent value for photographers and videographers on a budget, who are unwilling to pay for the a6400’s premium features. However, the a6400 offers slightly better features and build quality, which may justify the higher price for some users. Consider your budget and the features that are most important to you when making your decision. Both cameras offer excellent value for their performance.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy sony a6100 If…
- You’re on a tighter budget and want excellent image quality at a more affordable price point.
- You primarily shoot stills and don’t need the advanced video features of the a6400.
- You’re a beginner or intermediate photographer looking for a user-friendly camera.
- You value a lightweight and compact camera body.
Buy a6400 If…
- You’re a serious video shooter and need the advanced video features, such as the flat picture profiles.
- You need a camera with a robust build and enhanced weather sealing for more demanding environments.
- You require a camera with a higher-quality LCD screen with more display features.
- You want the best autofocus performance for video recording.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between the a6100 and a6400?
The primary differences lie in the a6400’s more robust build, weather sealing, and advanced video features like S-Log profiles. The a6400 also boasts a slightly faster continuous shooting speed and a higher-resolution EVF. The a6100 offers a similar image quality and autofocus performance at a more affordable price point, making it a great value.
Does the a6100 have a microphone jack?
Yes, both the a6100 and a6400 have a 3.5mm microphone jack for connecting an external microphone. This allows you to improve the audio quality of your videos compared to using the built-in microphone. This is a must-have for serious video recording.
Which camera is better for vlogging?
Both cameras are suitable for vlogging, but the a6400 has a slight edge due to its more robust build and features. The a6400’s flip-up screen is also better for self-recording. The a6100 is still a capable option, especially if you’re on a budget and don’t require advanced video features.
How does the autofocus compare between the two cameras?
The autofocus performance is very similar. Both cameras use Sony’s Fast Hybrid AF with real-time tracking. However, the a6400 might have a slight advantage in speed and accuracy in challenging conditions. Both offer excellent subject tracking for both stills and video, making them reliable for capturing moving subjects.
Which camera is better for beginners?
Both cameras are user-friendly, but the a6100 might be slightly better for beginners due to its simpler interface and lower price point. The a6400, however, is a good option if you want to grow into more advanced video features. Both offer excellent image quality and easy to use menus.
Does the a6400 have image stabilization?
No, neither the a6100 nor the a6400 have in-body image stabilization (IBIS). You’ll need to rely on lenses with optical image stabilization (OSS) for handheld shooting. This is one of the main differences between the a6400 and the more expensive a6600.
What is the battery life like on both cameras?
The battery life is similar on both cameras. You can expect to get around 400-450 shots per charge, depending on your shooting habits and settings. It is recommended to purchase a spare battery, especially if you plan to shoot a lot of video or travel for extended periods.
Final Verdict
The Sony a6100 and a6400 are both excellent cameras with similar core performance. The a6400 offers a more robust build, slightly better video features, and a faster continuous shooting speed. However, the a6100 provides excellent image quality and autofocus at a more accessible price. The best choice depends on your needs and budget.
Winner: Sony a6400