If you’re in the market for a new camera, you may be wondering whether to choose the Sony A6100 or the A6400. These digital cameras are two of Sony’s most popular models, and they offer a lot of features that appeal to photographers of all levels.
Both cameras are great options, but they have different features that may make one better suited for your needs than the other.
If you are into traditional or digital photography, you’ll be impressed by what each of these cameras can do. This article will compare and contrast these two cameras to help you decide which is the best fit for you.
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SPOILER ALERT: The Sony A6100 is better for most buyers. It has more features overall. However, the Sony A6400 is no slouch.
Sony A6100 vs. A6400: Common Features
No matter which camera you choose, some features will be the same. These features include:
- The A6100 and A6400 have a 24.2-megapixel resolution, which means you can capture stunning images with great detail.
- They also feature an electronic viewfinder, making it easy to see what you’re shooting even in bright sunlight.
- They have the same burst shooting speed of 11 frames per second with autofocus tracking for moving subjects (up to 23 fps without).
- Both feature an anti-aliasing filter and a front-end LSI component, the same elements found in the GX8II version.
- Both cameras can record Full HD videos at up to 120 fps.
- Both cameras are powered by a hybrid autofocus system with 425 phase-detection and 425 contrast-detection points.
- Both also have built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy sharing of photos on social media or with friends.
- The cameras feature a Micro SD card slot, USB port, HDMI out port, and microphone in jack.
- They have a fast focus acquisition time of 0.02 seconds, real-time tracking for both stills and video, and AI and machine learning technology.
- Both lack an optical viewfinder.
- Both lack in-body image stabilization.
Other than these standard features, some significant differences between the two cameras may make one more suitable for your needs than the other.
So, what are the key differences between these two cameras? Let’s take a look.
Sony A6100 vs. A6400: Key Differences
Mirrorless Class Camera
The Sony A6100 is an Entry-Level Mirrorless class camera, and the Sony A6400 is an Advanced Mirrorless class camera. A mirrorless camera means that it functions without a reflex mirror, allowing you to have a preview of the exposure and contrast of your image.
Processor
The Sony A6400 has a faster CPU than the Sony A6100, which results in more incredible shoot speed and quicker autofocus during video capture.
It also has a deeper buffer, higher ISO capacity, and phase-detection AF while filming. It does, however, have somewhat shorter battery life.
Exposure Settings
The A6400 has a higher ISO capacity, which means that it can shoot in lower light circumstances. It also offers more exposure settings, including additional bracketing and continuous shooting modes.
Autofocus System
The Sony Alpha A6400 is outfitted with 425 phase-detection focus points covering 84% of the image area. The Sony A6100, in comparison, has 179 focus points that cover only 50% of the image area.
Video Modes
The Sony Alpha A6400 can shoot in UHD quality at up to 30 frames per second and offers additional video features like S-Log gamma recording for improved color grading and audio recording with two channels and an XLR adapter.
Weight and Size
The Sony a6400 is also smaller and lighter than the Sony A6100, making it easier to take on the go.
The Sony Alpha A6400 is a bit larger than the Sony Alpha A6100, with dimensions of 120 x 67 x 69 millimeters (WxHxD) versus 111 × 59 × 38 millimeters respectively. The A6400 also weighs more at 404 grams, while the A6100 weighs only 344 grams.
Shutter Life
The shutter life is primarily responsible for how many photos a camera can take.
The A6100’s mechanical shutter lasts 100,000 clicks, according to Sony. The Sony A6400 is supposed to last for 200,000 shutter cycles, twice as long as its competitor.
Of course, the shutter rating isn’t a guarantee that you’ll get to that photo count before your shutters need to be serviced, but it does provide an estimate.
Electronic Viewfinder Resolution
The Sony Alpha A6400 has an impressive electronic viewfinder with 0.70x magnification and an OLED panel with a higher resolution EVF of 2,359,296 dots.
The Sony A6100, on the other hand, has a lower-resolution EVF of 1,440,000 dots, which is a bit low in a market where the industry norm is usually 2.4 million dots.
The A6400’s viewfinder has nearly twice the magnification and almost double the resolution, which aids in framing subjects more accurately.
Pros and Cons of the Sony A6100
Pros:
- It is lightweight and easy to carry around.
- It is affordable.
- It has excellent image quality for a camera in this price range.
- The autofocus system is fast, accurate, and reliable even in low light conditions.
Cons:
- It has limited exposure settings.
- It does not have a touch screen display.
- The Sony A6100 lacks an in-body image stabilization system, which can be helpful when shooting video or photos in low-light settings.
Pros and Cons of the Sony A6400
Pros:
- It has two modes. The first mode is a Programmable mode with S-log and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) profiles, typical of professional filmmakers who intend to tone and color-grade the video in post production. The second mode is Auto mode, in which you set the appropriate values before shooting a still image.
- It has higher shutter life than the A6100.
- The A6400 camera has a touchscreen LCD monitor.
- This camera also has a fast focus acquisition time of 0.02 seconds, real-time tracking for both stills and video, and AI and machine learning technology.
- It has 425 phase-detection focus points that cover 84% of the image area.
- The Sony Alpha A6400 has an impressive electronic viewfinder with 0.70x magnification and an OLED panel with a higher resolution EVF with 2,359,296 dots.
Cons:
- The Sony A6400 is more expensive than the Sony A6100.
- It has a shorter battery life.
- The Sony A6400 also lacks an in-body image stabilization system, which can be helpful when shooting video or photos in low-light settings.
Which Camera Is Best for You?
The Sony A6400 is the camera for you if you need a versatile, interchangeable camera with excellent video capabilities and better stills performance than other APS-C cameras from competing brands like Nikon, Fujifilm, or Canon.
If you’re looking for an entry-level mirrorless camera that can record high-quality videos and take good photos, then the A6400 is a great option.
However, if you’re looking for an affordable camera with long battery life, the A6100 is your best bet. It has a shorter shutter life and fewer exposure settings, but it still takes good photos and videos.
The Sony A6100 is lightweight and easy to carry around and has an excellent autofocus system that works well in low light conditions.
It does not have a touch screen display or an in-body image stabilization system, but these features are not essential for most photographers.
The Sony Alpha A6100 has less expensive lenses than other brands in its class and offers better image quality with fewer megapixels than the competition.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between the Sony A6100 and A6400 can be difficult, but we hope that this article has helped you decide which camera is the best for you.
The Sony Alpha A6400 is the better option for most people because it has more features, including an impressive electronic viewfinder with high resolution and magnification, dual audio recording, and fast autofocus system.
However, it is also significantly more expensive than the Sony A6100. If you are looking for an affordable camera with excellent image quality that can still take great photos in low light conditions, the Sony A6100 may be a better option.
In the end, it is up to you to determine the most important features your next camera needs to have. No matter which camera you end up choosing, you’ll walk away with a high-quality camera that takes great photos.
You can also check our article on the difference between digital and traditional photography.
