Sony a6400 vs a7 III Comparison
Sony a6400
Sony a7 III
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Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Model | a6400 | a7 III | |
Released Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. | 2019 | 2018 | |
Announcement Date Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. | January 15, 2019 | February 27, 2018 | |
Camera Type | |||
Camera Size | |||
Camera Weight |
The Sony a7 III outperforms the Sony a6400 with a score of 81 versus 70. Both cameras share similarities as mirrorless cameras, announced in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The a7 III excels with its larger size of 127 x 96 x 74mm and heavier weight of 650g, providing more stability and a more robust build. It also justifies its higher launch price of $2000 compared to the a6400’s $900.
On the other hand, the Sony a6400 has its advantages, such as its compact size (120 x 67 x 60mm) and lighter weight (403g), making it more portable and travel-friendly. While the a7 III takes the lead in overall performance, the a6400 offers a more budget-friendly and compact option for photographers who prioritize portability.
Sony a6400 vs a7 III Overview and Optics
The Sony a7 III outperforms the Sony a6400 in optics with a score of 81/100, a 13-point difference from the a6400’s score of 68/100. Both cameras have 24.2 megapixels, a CMOS sensor, Bionz X processor, and the same shooting speed of 11 and 10 fps, respectively.
The Sony a7 III’s superiority lies in its full-frame sensor size, compared to the a6400’s APS-C sensor. This larger sensor contributes to the a7 III’s higher DXOMARK score of 96, compared to the a6400’s 83. Additionally, the a7 III features image stabilization, an essential factor for capturing sharp, blur-free images, while the a6400 lacks this feature.
The a6400’s main advantage is its Sony E lens mount, which is compatible with a wider range of lenses than the a7 III’s Sony FE mount. This flexibility allows users to expand their lens collection more easily and at a lower cost. Furthermore, the a6400 has a slightly faster shooting speed than the a7 III, which may be beneficial for capturing fast-moving subjects.
The Sony a7 III’s full-frame sensor and image stabilization make it the better camera in terms of optics, providing higher image quality and performance. However, the a6400’s lens compatibility and faster shooting speed may appeal to those who prioritize flexibility and speed in their photography. Ultimately, both cameras have their strengths, and the choice depends on the individual photographer’s needs and preferences.
Optics
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Sony a7 III
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Megapixels The higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. | 24.2 MP | 24.2 MP | |
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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 | 23.8 x 35.6 mm | |
Sensor Format Refers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. | |||
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 | 10 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 FE | |
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. | |||
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 | 100 | |
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 | 204800 | |
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 | 693 | |
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 | 2,359,296 dots |
Sony a6400 vs a7 III Video Performance
When comparing the video capabilities of the Sony a6400 and the Sony a7 III, the Sony a6400 emerges as the clear winner, with a video score of 91/100, while the Sony a7 III has a score of 70. This difference of 35 points highlights the superiority of the Sony a6400 in terms of video performance.
Both cameras share some common specifications, such as a maximum video resolution of 4K and maximum video dimensions of 3840 x 2160. However, the Sony a6400 outshines the Sony a7 III in other aspects. The a6400 has a maximum video frame rate of 120fps, which is significantly higher than the 30fps offered by the a7 III. This higher frame rate allows for smoother slow-motion videos and better overall video quality.
While the Sony a7 III may not surpass the a6400 in terms of video capabilities, it still offers a respectable video performance with its 4K resolution and 30fps frame rate. This makes it suitable for casual videographers or photographers who occasionally need to record video.
Video
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Sony a7 III
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Video Indicates if this camera is capable of recording video. | |||
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Max Video Resolution The best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. | |||
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 | 3840 x 2160 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 | 30 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. | MPEG-4, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, XAVC S | XAVC S, AVCHD |
Sony a6400 vs a7 III Features and Benefits
The Sony a6400 and Sony a7 III both have a feature score of 81 out of 100, making it a tie in this comparison. These cameras share many specifications, including a 3-inch screen size, 921600-dot screen resolution, touchscreen capabilities, flip screens, and the absence of GPS. Additionally, both cameras offer WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Sony a6400 excels in certain aspects, such as its lightweight and compact design, making it a more portable option for photographers who need to carry their gear around for extended periods. The a6400 is also known for its fast autofocus system, which allows for quick and accurate focus on subjects. This camera is a suitable choice for those who prioritize portability and quick autofocus capabilities.
On the other hand, the Sony a7 III outperforms the a6400 in areas like image quality and low-light performance, thanks to its full-frame sensor. This camera also features a higher dynamic range, providing more details in both highlights and shadows. The a7 III is an excellent choice for photographers who require superior image quality and better performance in challenging lighting conditions.
In this comparison, both cameras have their advantages. The Sony a6400 is the winner for those who value a lightweight and compact design, along with fast autofocus. The Sony a7 III is the better choice for photographers who prioritize image quality and low-light performance. Ultimately, the decision between these two cameras depends on the individual’s specific needs and preferences.
Features
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Built-in Flash A built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. | |||
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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 | |||
Screen Resolution Screen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. | 921,600 dots | 921,600 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. | |||
Sony a6400 vs a7 III Storage and Battery
The Sony a7 III outperforms the Sony a6400 in storage and battery with a score of 81, compared to the a6400’s 37/100. Both cameras accept SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards, as well as Memory Stick Duo. However, the a7 III offers two memory card slots, while the a6400 has only one. This provides more storage flexibility for the a7 III.
In terms of battery life, the a7 III lasts for 750 shots, significantly longer than the a6400’s 410 shots. The a7 III uses the NP-FZ100 battery, whereas the a6400 uses the NP-FW50. The Sony a7 III generally provides better storage options and longer battery life than the Sony a6400.
Storage and Battery
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Memory Card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | |
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Dual Memory Card Slots | |||
Battery Type | NP-FW50 | NP-FZ100 | |
Battery Life Approximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. | 410 shots | 750 shots | |
USB Charging |
DXOMARK Scores
Sensor scores tested by DXOMARK |
Sony a6400
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Sony a7 III
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Overall Score DXOMARK overall sensor score. | |||
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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 | 25.1 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 | 14.7 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 | 3722 |
Scores
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Sony a7 III
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Construction and Durability | |||
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Sony a6400 vs a7 III – Our Verdict
Are you still undecided about which camera is right for you? Have a look at these popular comparisons that feature the Sony a6400 or the Sony a7 III:
User Scores
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Sony a7 III
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B&H photo video | N/A |
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