Both cameras are part of Sony’s APS-C mirrorless lineup & share many similarities, but there are also important differences such as image quality, performance, features, design, & connectivity.If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Sony A6400 rather than A6100.
Why Do I Recommend Sony A6400?
- The a6100 has an ISO range of 100-32000, expandable to 51200 & the a6400 extends the expandable ISO range to 102400, offering better performance in extremely low light conditions.
- While both can record 4K video, the a6400 supports advanced color profiles like S-Log2/3 and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), which are crucial for users who require greater post-production flexibility and higher dynamic range.
- Sony a6400 display resolution is 2.36M-dot, where the a6100 is 1.44M-dot. That’s why Sony a6400 viewfinder can Provide clear and more detailed view compared to the a6100.
- The a6400 is designed with dust and moisture resistance, making it more suitable for adverse weather conditions. The a6100 lacks this feature.
- It supports a faster maximum electronic shutter speed of 1/32000 sec, compared to the a6100’s 1/4000 sec. Faster Shutter speed helps to capture fast-moving subjects & finer control over exposure in bright conditions.
- The a6400 features a magnesium alloy body, which provides enhanced durability and a more premium build quality compared to the a6100.
Maybe the Sony A6100 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Sony A6400. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Sony a6100 | Sony a6400 |
| Video Recording | 4K up to 30p, Full HD up to 120p | 4K up to 30p, Full HD up to 120p, S-Log2/3, HLG |
| ISO Sensitivity | 100-32000 (expandable to 51200) | 100-32000 (expandable to 102400) |
| Electronic Shutter | Yes, up to 1/4000 second | Yes, up to 1/32000 second |
| Viewfinder | 1.44M-dot OLED EVF | 2.36M-dot OLED EVF |
| Weather Sealing | No | Yes |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | Approx. 420 shots | Approx. 410 shots |
| Weight (Body Only) | Approx. 396 g | Approx. 403 g |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | Approx. 120.0 x 66.9 x 59.4 mm | Approx. 120.0 x 66.9 x 59.7 mm |
| Price | Check A6400 Price | Check A6100 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Sensor and Image Quality: Both the a6100 and a6400 are equipped with a 24.2-megapixel APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor, ensuring high-resolution and detailed images. They share the same image processing engine (BIONZ X), which provides excellent image quality, fast processing speeds, and improved low-light performance.
- Autofocus System: Sony’s advanced 425-point phase-detection autofocus system is featured in both models, delivering fast and accurate focusing in various shooting conditions. This system, combined with 425 contrast-detection AF points, covers a wide area of the frame for precise focusing.
- Real-time Tracking and Eye AF: Both cameras benefit from Sony’s Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF technologies, making it easier to capture sharp images of moving subjects and maintain focus on the eyes of subjects, which is especially useful in portrait photography.
- 4K Video Recording: The a6100 and a6400 can record high-quality 4K video at up to 30 frames per second, utilizing full pixel readout without pixel binning. This capability ensures detailed and crisp video footage, making these cameras suitable for serious video work.
- Continuous Shooting: Both models offer a high-speed continuous shooting capability of up to 11 frames per second with autofocus and auto exposure tracking, which is ideal for capturing action shots or fleeting moments.
- Tilting Touchscreen LCD: The 3-inch 921k-dot LCD screen on both cameras can tilt upwards and downwards, providing flexibility for shooting from high or low angles. The touchscreen functionality enhances usability, making it easier to navigate menus, select focus points, and review images.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity: With built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, both the a6100 and a6400 allow for easy sharing of images and videos to smartphones, tablets, or computers. This connectivity also supports remote control of the camera via a smartphone app, which is convenient for group shots, selfies, or shooting from difficult angles.
- Compact and Lightweight Design: Both cameras are designed to be compact and lightweight, making them ideal for travel and everyday photography. Their small size does not compromise their performance, offering a great balance of portability and capability.
- E-mount Lens Compatibility: As part of Sony’s E-mount system, both cameras are compatible with a wide range of lenses, from wide-angle to telephoto, providing flexibility and creative options for various photography styles and needs.
These shared features underscore the versatility and performance of both the Sony a6100 and a6400, making them suitable for a wide range of photography and videography applications, from portraits and landscapes to sports and wildlife, as well as content creation and vlogging.
Common Features
| Feature | Sony a6400 | Sony a6100 |
| Sensor Type | APS-C CMOS | APS-C CMOS |
| Effective Pixels | 24.2 MP | 24.2 MP |
| Image Processor | BIONZ X | BIONZ X |
| Autofocus System | 425 phase-detection AF points, 425 contrast-detection AF points | 425 phase-detection AF points, 425 contrast-detection AF points |
| AF Sensitivity | EV-2 to EV20 (at ISO100 equivalent with F2.0 lens) | EV-2 to EV20 (at ISO100 equivalent with F2.0 lens) |
| Eye AF | Human (Stills & Video), Animal (Stills) | Human (Stills & Video), Animal (Stills & Video) |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 11 fps with AF/AE tracking | Up to 11 fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Shutter Speed | 1/4000 to 30 seconds | 1/4000 to 30 seconds |
| Video Bitrate | XAVC S: up to 100 Mbps | XAVC S: up to 100 Mbps |
| LCD Screen | 3-inch 921k-dot tilting touchscreen | 3-inch 921k-dot tilting touchscreen |
| Image Stabilization | None | None |
| Storage Media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 |
| External Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | No | No |
| USB Type | Micro-USB | Micro-USB |
| HDMI Output | Micro HDMI | Micro HDMI |
| Additional Features | Real-time Eye AF for animals, 180-degree tiltable LCD for selfies/vlogging | Real-time Eye AF for animals, magnesium alloy body, enhanced durability |
| Price | Check A6400 Price | Check A6100 Price |
FAQ
| 1. What are the major differences between the Sony a6100 and a6400? Answer: The major differences include the a6400’s better autofocus system with enhanced tracking capabilities, higher ISO sensitivity range, advanced video features like S-Log2/3 and HLG profiles, higher resolution viewfinder, and a weather-sealed body. The a6400 is also slightly heavier due to its more robust build quality. 2. Are both cameras good for beginners? Answer: Yes, both the a6100 and a6400 are suitable for beginners. They offer a range of automatic modes and user-friendly interfaces that make it easy for new photographers to start shooting while providing room to grow into more advanced manual controls. 3. Can the Sony a6100 and a6400 shoot 4K video? Answer: Yes, both cameras can shoot 4K video up to 30 fps, offering excellent video quality for content creators, vloggers, and amateur videographers. The a6400 additionally offers advanced video profiles like S-Log and HLG for more professional post-production workflows. 4. Do the a6100 and a6400 have image stabilization? Answer: No, neither the a6100 nor the a6400 has in-body image stabilization (IBIS). However, many Sony E-mount lenses come equipped with Optical SteadyShot (OSS), which provides stabilization and can help reduce camera shake during handheld shooting. 5. Which camera is better for sports and wildlife photography? Answer: The a6400 is slightly better suited for sports and wildlife photography, mainly due to its enhanced autofocus system, including real-time tracking and animal Eye AF in video, as well as its higher maximum ISO sensitivity for low-light situations. 6. Are these cameras compatible with all Sony E-mount lenses? Answer: Yes, both the a6100 and a6400 are compatible with the entire range of Sony E-mount lenses, including those designed for full-frame (FE) and APS-C (E) sensors. This compatibility provides a wide range of creative options and focal lengths for photographers. 7. Which camera offers better value for money? Answer: The Sony a6100 generally offers better value for those who need a capable all-around camera without the need for advanced video features or weather sealing. It provides many of the same core features as the a6400 but at a lower price point. 8. Can I use these cameras for vlogging? Answer: Yes, both cameras are suitable for vlogging. They feature tilting LCD screens for selfie shooting, 4K video capability, and external microphone inputs for improved audio quality. The compact and lightweight design of these cameras also makes them easy to carry around for daily vlogging. 9. Is weather sealing important? Answer: Weather sealing, available on the a6400, provides extra protection against dust and moisture, making it more suitable for outdoor photography in challenging conditions. If you frequently shoot in such environments, the a6400 would be the better choice. 10. How do the autofocus systems compare? Answer: While both cameras feature Sony’s 425-point phase-detection autofocus system, the a6400’s system is more advanced, with improved tracking capabilities and support for animal Eye AF in video. This makes the a6400’s autofocus performance slightly superior, particularly in tracking fast-moving subjects or in challenging lighting conditions. These questions and answers aim to address the key considerations for anyone deciding between the Sony a6100 and a6400, helping to make a more informed choice based on individual needs and preferences. |