Sony

Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Lens

4.6 (5 reviews)
1MP2 MP

Fast hybrid AF and a flip screen make the a6400 a versatile daily shooter for stills, video, and vlogging alike.

$947.35*$998.00Save 5%
In Stock on Amazon.com
View on Amazon

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

Affiliate Disclosure: Studio Supplies may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our editorial team.

Notice a mistake? Let Us Know

Overview

The Sony Alpha a6400 is a compact APS-C mirrorless camera that has become a go-to choice for content creators, vloggers, and enthusiast photographers who need serious autofocus performance and video capability in a travel-friendly body. Built around a 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor and Sony's BIONZ X processor, it produces clean, detailed images with natural color science that responds well to editing. The 425-point hybrid AF system — covering 84% of the frame — is the camera's standout feature, delivering the kind of sticky, reliable subject tracking and real-time Eye AF that transforms portrait and event shooting. Paired with the included 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 power zoom lens (equivalent to 24-75mm), the kit gives you a versatile everyday focal range right out of the box.

In the hand, the a6400 feels solid despite its light weight. The magnesium alloy body has a comfortable grip and logically placed controls that become second nature after a few sessions. The 180-degree tilting touchscreen is genuinely useful for vlogging and low-angle compositions, and the menu system — while still Sony's older design — is navigable once customized. For video shooters, the combination of uncropped 4K recording, S-Log gamma profiles, and clean HDMI output makes it a capable B-camera or primary camera for documentary, YouTube, and short-form content. Where you feel the compromises are in the absence of IBIS — handheld video benefits enormously from a gimbal or stabilized lens — and in the modest battery life that demands spares for any extended outing. Within its price tier, the a6400 remains one of the most complete hybrid cameras available, especially once you invest in quality E-mount glass to unlock its sensor's full resolving power.

Key Features

20.1MP stacked back illuminated 1" Exmor RS CMOS sensor w/ DRAM, large aperture 24-70mm1 F1.8-2.8 ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens

Enhanced subject capture: wide 425 Phase/ 425 contrast detection points over 84 percent of the sensor

Fast and accurate: Up to 11Fps continuous shooting at 24.2 MP raw with crisp, clear natural colors

Multiple movie functions: Make time lapse movies or slow/quick motion videos without post processing

Tiltable LCD screen: customizable for vlogging, still photography or recording a professional film

Specifications

Sensor
24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS
Lens Mount
Sony E-mount
Included Lens
16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Autofocus Points
425 Phase-Detection / 425 Contrast-Detection
AF Coverage
84% of sensor area
Continuous Shooting
Up to 11fps
Screen
180° tiltable LCD touchscreen
Video
4K (3840x2160)
Operating Temperature
32–104°F (0–40°C)
Camera Type
Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 425-point hybrid AF with real-time Eye AF tracks faces and eyes with remarkable confidence, letting you nail focus on moving portrait subjects without hunting.
  • 180-degree tilt screen provides genuine front-facing monitoring for solo video work and vlogging without requiring an external monitor.
  • 11fps burst shooting at full 24.2MP resolution gives you the frame rate to capture decisive moments in street, sports, and event work.
  • Compact APS-C body weighs under 14 ounces, making it comfortable for all-day carry with small primes or the included 16-50mm kit lens.
  • 4K video with full pixel readout and S-Log profiles delivers footage with impressive detail and post-production flexibility for a camera at this price.

👎 Cons

  • No in-body image stabilization means you rely entirely on lens-based stabilization or a gimbal, which is noticeable when shooting handheld video or low-light stills with unstabilized primes.
  • The 16-50mm kit lens is functional but optically modest — corner softness and chromatic aberration become visible when pixel-peeping, limiting the camera's resolving potential until you upgrade glass.
  • Single SD card slot offers no backup redundancy, which may give pause to photographers shooting paid event work.
  • Battery life is rated at roughly 360 shots per charge (LCD), which means carrying spares is essential for a full day of shooting.
  • The EVF, while usable, is a lower-resolution 1.44M-dot panel that can feel slightly coarse compared to competitors with higher-res viewfinders.

Frequently Asked Questions

The a6400 uses Sony's E-mount. It natively accepts all Sony E-mount lenses (both APS-C and full-frame), and with adapters, you can mount A-mount glass as well. The included 16-50mm kit lens covers a practical everyday range equivalent to 24-75mm on full frame.
Yes — the LCD tilts 180 degrees upward, giving you a front-facing view for framing yourself. It's a true self-shooting screen, not just a tilt-down design, which makes it one of the more vlog-friendly cameras in its class.
The a6400 uses 425 phase-detection and 425 contrast-detection AF points covering 84% of the sensor. It locks on quickly and tracks subjects reliably, including real-time Eye AF for both humans and animals, making it excellent for portraits, street photography, and wildlife at this price point.
The a6400 records 4K (3840x2160) video with full pixel readout and no pixel binning in Super 35mm mode, producing detailed, oversampled footage. It also supports S-Log2 and S-Log3 for flexible color grading in post.
The a6400 shoots up to 11fps with continuous AF/AE tracking at its full 24.2MP resolution. The buffer depth depends on your card speed and file format, but with a fast UHS-II SD card shooting compressed RAW, you can sustain a generous burst before the buffer fills.