Sony A6400 Review: Sony Mirrorless Camera with Autofocus specialist for Vlog

Actually, I’ve been curious about Sony’s latest APS-C sensor-based mirrorless camera for a long time. I was looking for an opportunity to try it from the band’s representative directly but haven’t been able to.

Sony A6400 has a 24.2 MP sensor and BionZ X processor that can shoot a maximum of 11 photos per second and records 4K video full pixel readout and no pixel binning and period recording for recording timelapse videos.

Physically the Sony A6400 is more like the Sony A6000 than the A6500, but the difference is that the LCD screen can now be rotated 180 degrees upwards so that when taking selfies or vlogs, users can see themselves. This feature is new because the Sony camera series, such as the A6000 or the A7/A9 series, the LCD screen cannot be rotated forward, except for the Sony A5100 series.

The Sony A6400 doesn’t have built-in stabilization like the A6500 or the 2nd and 3rd generation A7 series. So it’s positioned a little below even though it has an autofocus algorithm and promises more natural colors. The Sony A6400 is estimated at around $1000 without a lens, between the A6300 and A6500.

In recent years, Sony has continued to study camera needs and trends and found that photo cameras are declining, but for amateur and professional videographers, the trend is increasing, especially the female and youth segments. So far, Sony cameras are not very friendly for vloggers/YouTubers because the screen cannot be rotated forward.

Sony also promises better image quality, especially in color, especially improvements in skin tones and crops to make it look more natural. Sony also promises better image quality at high ISOs and is confident enough to offer a maximum ISO of 32,000 and can be expanded to 102,400.

But unfortunately, the Sony A6400 doesn’t have built-in stabilization, so videographers/vloggers need to bring a gimbal. In addition, because the screen is rotated upwards, not sideways, it is difficult or impossible to install an external microphone in the camera hotshoe (usually on the side with brackets). As shown below. Therefore, I somewhat regret the moderately sloppy design from Sony. I actually expected Sony to issue a higher camera series than the A6500, let’s say the Sony A7000, which was earlier rumored, features built-in body stabilization, a screen that can be rotated sideways, and a large capacity battery.

FEATURE

The A6400 inherits the autofocus capabilities of Sony’s full-frame cameras such as the A9, A7R, and A7 III, with 425 phase-detection, 425 contrast AF points, and an autofocus speed of 0.02 seconds, which Sony claims is the fastest in the world.

This autofocus system covers approximately 84% of the image area and is sensitive to -2EV. This system also uses the Eye AF system in a single shot and continuous recording modes.

This camera features real-time Eye AF and real-time tracking for objects with AI-based object identification technology. This autofocus does feel very fast. Even the latest firmware update allows the detection of animal eyes.

Unfortunately, despite providing a 4K video, Sony, which is good at video, doesn’t offer a 4K 60/50p 4K recording here. However, the techniques used by the A6400 to record video are better and more complex.

The A6400 can read pixel data in full recording oversample 6K video data and then downsampling to a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 UHD.

The A6400 can record 4K video at 30 fps in XAVCS format at a bitrate of up to 100Mbps or full HD at up to 120 fps at the same bitrate. The A6400 also offers clean HDMI output on external recorders via its HDMI port.

This camera uses a 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor with Sony’s latest-generation BIONZ X processor, which records 14-bit photo data converted to 16-bit to become a 14-bit raw file. As a result, photo quality and color reproduction appear less noise and have better textures.

The A6400 records at 11fps with its mechanical shutter while performing AF/AE tracking for continuous photo recording. The buffer capacity is good at 116 standard JPEGs and 46 compressed raw files.

The A6400’s magnesium alloy body is dust and moisture resistant, and Sony promises a shutter life of 200,000 photos. The external controls are relatively few, but we can assign 89 functions to the 8 custom buttons.

BODY and CONTROLS

This camera control button layout design immediately feels familiar to users who previously used the A6000 or A6500. This design still feels neat, small, simple, and clear. For those who like large and easily accessible controls, the A6400 is a bit of a hassle.

On the back of the camera are the mode dial, dial, and one of four directions. Just that. There is indeed a button to switch the special AF mode. If you want to change the AF area, it can be done using the Fn button.

The screen is only 3 inches may look decent. But unfortunately, for some reason, the resolution is still low at 921,000 dots. Similar to the A6000 series. In addition, this screen is 16:9, so it’s perfect for video but not suitable for 3:2 ratio photos.

The screen of this camera can be bent or tilted. The 180-degree bendable screen is a nice benefit for vloggers. However, the A6400 is still a bit too heavy if you hold it handheld for a long time.

PERFORMANCE

The A6400 feels as fast and responsive as the high-tech AF specs it calls for. Autofocus detection for eyes and faces feels fast and without delay. In continuous AF and continuous shooting, the autofocus responds to changes in object distance at a very fast rate. And it’s fun!

The photo quality is very good. Photos look sharp and detailed. I see each photo appear with rich colors. Not only rich but natural too. This camera is smart to determine the right exposure in various light conditions. The automatic white balance also works accurately.

The A6400 also offers a variety of picture styles for JPEG recorders, although black and white enthusiasts will be better off recording raw files and processing them themselves than using the in-camera black and white editing features.

Its Sunset Mode gives beautiful sunsets a tinge of turquoise. If you want the best quality from this camera, we recommend recording it in a raw file, then editing it again on the computer, for example, with Adobe Camera RAW.

CONCLUSION

For vloggers and content creators, the Sony A6400 can be targeted. The photo quality is very good, the 4K video is also good. The 180-degree screen and eye-detection AF are perfect for video recording while vlogging.

The limitations felt from the A6400 series are the dimensions that feel small with a few external controls that are not much developed from the A6000 series. But apparently, the concept of this camera does rely more on a digital interface.

The electronic viewfinder and small rear screen feel out of place by today’s standards. But, if you want a camera with superb autofocus, this camera should be at the top.

The picture quality is good, but all mirrorless APS-C opponents can also provide eleven-twelfth quality. Some are even cheaper. But, for Sony-mania, who also spends a lot of time in the video, this camera should really be on the bucket list.