Sony a6400 vs Sony a7 II
Comparison
Sony a6400
Sony a7 II
Price |
from
Check Price
|
from
Check Price
| |
|---|---|---|---|
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Model | a6400 | a7 II | |
Released Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. | 2019 | 2014 | |
Announcement Date Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. | January 15, 2019 | November 20, 2014 | |
Camera Type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless | |
Camera Size | |||
Camera Weight |
Sony a7 II vs a6400 Specs
As Sony continues to improve their mirrorless technology, it’s important to look closely at each feature before buying. The Sony a7 II and a6400 are two of Sony’s most popular cameras and are extremely close in competition and performance.
Both cameras are great options for photography and video. The Sony a7 II features a 24.2MP full-frame sensor, 5-axis image stabilization, and a fast hybrid autofocus system. The Sony a6400 offers a 24.2MP APS-C mirrorless sensor, 4K video recording, and a 180-degree tiltable LCD monitor.
They are both compatible with a wide range of Sony E-mount lenses, giving you plenty of options for creating the perfect shot. Additionally, they are equipped with a BIONZ X image processor, allowing for smooth and fast operation. Another great feature of the a7 II and a6400 is dust and moisture resistance. This is helpful for shooting in challenging environments.
Before you choose, read through all the specs and features below to ensure you get the right camera for your needs.
The Sony a6400
The Sony a6400 is a relatively new model, released in February 2019. It is part of the Sony Alpha series, which includes the a6300, a6500, and a6600 cameras. It has a number of standout features, such as a 180-degree tiltable LCD screen, 24.2-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor, and 4K video recording. It is designed for both amateur and professional photographers and videographers, and its features make it a great choice for those looking for an entry-level camera.
Sony a7 II
The Sony a7 II is a mid-range camera in Sony’s a7 series. It was released in 2014, making it one of the older models in the series. It is an upgrade over the original a7, offering improved image quality, faster autofocus, and better video recording capabilities. However, it is not as powerful as the newer models in the series, such as the a7 III and a7R V. It is around five years older than the a6400.
In terms of sensor performance, the Sony a7 II has the edge with its full-frame sensor. The a6400’s APS-C sensor is a crop sensor, meaning it is physically smaller than the full-frame sensor. The larger sensor size allows for better low-light performance, better depth of field control, and more dynamic range. You can read our full guide on APS-C vs full-frame sensors for more info.
The larger sensor doesn’t close the deal, however. The newer a6400 has some features that the a7 II is lacking. It has a built-in flash which is very handy for those who don’t want to carry extra equipment. It also has a touchscreen and Bluetooth capabilities.
The a6400 is a great mirrorless camera for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on the newest model. It has 425 phase-detection points and an impressive 0.02 second autofocus speed, which makes it ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects. The a6400 has a longer battery life and is capable of being charged by USB.
So, is the Sony a6400 or Sony a7 II the one for you? The Sony a7 II is a great choice for photographers who want a full-frame mirrorless camera that packs a punch. However, you can’t ignore the improved features of the newer a6400.
Ultimately, the best camera for you is the one that serves your needs best. Read on for the full Sony a7 II vs a6400 specs comparison before you decide:
|
Optics
|
Sony a6400
|
Sony a7 II
|
|
|
|
|
||
Megapixels The higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. | 24.2 MP | 24.3 MP | |
|---|---|---|---|
Image Resolution Image resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. | 6000 x 4000 px | 6000 x 4000 px | |
Sensor Type The camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. | CMOS | CMOS | |
Sensor Size The sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. | 15.6 x 23.5 mm | 23.9 x 35.8 mm | |
Sensor Format Refers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |  APS-C |  Full Frame | |
Frame Rate The number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. | 11 fps | 5 fps | |
Lens Mount The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. | Sony E | Sony E | |
Image Processor The image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. | Bionz X | Bionz X | |
Aspect Ratio The aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |  3:2 | 3:2 | |
Minimum ISO (Native) Refers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. | 100 | 50 | |
Maximum ISO (Native) Refers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. | 32,000 | 51,200 | |
Minimum ISO (Expanded) Expanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. | 100 | 50 | |
Maximum ISO (Expanded) Expanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. | 102400 | 51200 | |
Minimum Shutter Speed The minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. | 30 s | 30 s | |
Maximum Shutter Speed The maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. | 1/ 4000 s | 1/ 8000 s | |
Autofocus Points Autofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. | 425 | 117 | |
In-body Stabilization In-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |   |  | |
Viewfinder Type The viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. | Electronic | Electronic | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2,359,296 dots | 2,359,000 dots |
|
Video
|
Sony a6400
|
Sony a7 II
|
|
|
|
|
||
Video Indicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |  | | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max Video Resolution The best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |  4K |  Full HD | |
Max Video Dimensions Video resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. | 3840 x 2160 px | 1920 x 1080 px | |
Max Video Frame Rate How many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. | 120 p | 60 p | |
Time-Lapse Built In A built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |  | | |
Video File Format Different cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. | XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 | XAVC S |
|
Features
|
Sony a6400
|
Sony a7 II
|
|
|
|
|
||
Built-in Flash A built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |  | | |
|---|---|---|---|
External Flash External flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |  | | |
GPS GPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |  | | |
Weather Sealing Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |  | | |
Screen Type | LCD | LCD | |
Touch Screen Touchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |  | | |
Screen Size |  3" | 3" | |
Screen Resolution Screen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. | 921,600 dots | 1,230,000 dots | |
Flip Screen A flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |  | | |
Live View Live View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |  | | |
Wi-Fi |  | | |
Bluetooth Bluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |  | | |
|
Storage and Battery
|
Sony a6400
|
Sony a7 II
|
|
|
|
|
||
Memory Card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | |
|---|---|---|---|
Dual Memory Card Slots |  | | |
Battery Type | NP-FW50 | NP-FW50 | |
Battery Life Approximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. | 410 shots | 350 shots | |
USB Charging |  | |
Sony a7 II vs a6400 Alternatives
Still not sure which camera is for you? Get inspired by these trending camera comparisons:
|
DXO Mark Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK |
Sony a6400
|
Sony a7 II
|
|
Overall Score DXOMARK overall sensor score. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Portrait (Color Depth) As described by DXOMARK 'The Portrait score in our camera sensor reviews defines color depth performance and its unit is a number of bits. A color depth of 22 bits is excellent; differences below 1 bit are barely noticeable.' | 24 bits | 24.9 bits | |
Landscape (Dynamic Range) As described by DXOMARK 'The Landscape score in our camera sensor tests defines the maximum dynamic range of the camera sensor and its unit is an exposure value (EV). A value of 12 EV is excellent with differences below 0.5 EV usually not noticeable.' | 13.6 EVs | 13.6 EVs | |
Sports (Low-Light ISO) Described by DXOMARK as 'The maximal value of ISO sensitivity needed to reach a given value of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). The greater the value, the better' | 1431 | 2449 |
|
Scores
|
Sony a6400
|
Sony a7 II
|
|
Main Features | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Extra Features | |||
Construction and Durability | |||
Handling and Ergonomics | |||
Value for Money | |||
Total Score |
|
User Scores
|
Sony a6400
|
Sony a7 II
|
|
B&H photo video |
|---|