Sony alpha 6400 review

For bloggers, vloggers and independent content creators, the Sony A is a dream. Its still image quality is very good, its 4K video is even better, and its degree screen and eye-detect AF are perfect for single-handed video capture. But this is a specific market, and for regular stills photographers its high-tech image capture is poor consolation for its five-year-old design and limited external controls, sony alpha 6400 review.

By Stefan Etienne. Photography by Amelia Holowaty Krales. If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. The Sony a is a follow-up to the three-year-old a, and shares some features with the more expensive a

Sony alpha 6400 review

The Sony A is a mid-range mirrorless camera with a 24 Megapixel APSC sensor, 4k video, powerful autofocus tracking, a built-in viewfinder and touchscreen that flips-up by degrees to face the subject. The A shares essentially the same body as the A with the same viewfinder, controls, battery, single card slot and shutter mechanism. Uniquely in the A series though, it features a new screen mechanism which allows the panel to tilt out from the body and angle up all the way to face-forward, a little like the most recent RX models. The sensor is inherited from the A and A, equipping the A with a broad array of embedded phase-detect autofocus points, along with 11fps burst shooting with continuous AF or 8fps with better feedback. Completing the picture are an XGA OLED viewfinder, 4k video at 24, 25 or 30p uncropped at 24 or 25p , up to 60p uncropped or at p with a crop, support for S-Log 2, and 3 as well as Hybrid Log Gamma for in-camera HDR, silent shooting options, Wifi and Bluetooth, USB power and an interval timer facility — albeit with external software supplied to assemble photos into a timelapse movie. So far so similar to the A Here you can see even the small receiver unit of the Rode Wireless Go is blocking some of the screen. The solution is to either mount a mic on a bracket to the side or connect a cabled mic like a lavalier. As I mentioned earlier, you can use the touchscreen to adjust the AF area when composing with the viewfinder. Above: No surprises to find the same battery pack as the previous A models either, the venerable NP-FW50, quoted for around photos or 70 minutes worth of video. If the camera loses the eye, it falls back to face-detection, then back to normal object tracking before picking them up again quickly and seamlessly. The new tracking mode replaces the Lock-on AF modes on previous models and works brilliantly. Above: In terms of bursts, the A can shoot at up to 8fps with live-ish feedback or 11fps with slightly delayed feedback. The top speed is greatly dependent on the AF mode, lens and subject though.

I held onto this particular camera a for about a month read how I review and test gear.

I got my first Sony in so this website is the culmination of about 5 years of Sony experience full site history. I held onto this particular camera a for about a month read how I review and test gear. Cons :. Verdict: For pure photography, this camera delivers everything you need at a great pricetag. I highly recommend it.

The Sony A is a mid-range mirrorless camera with a 24 Megapixel APSC sensor, 4k video, powerful autofocus tracking, a built-in viewfinder and touchscreen that flips-up by degrees to face the subject. The A shares essentially the same body as the A with the same viewfinder, controls, battery, single card slot and shutter mechanism. Uniquely in the A series though, it features a new screen mechanism which allows the panel to tilt out from the body and angle up all the way to face-forward, a little like the most recent RX models. The sensor is inherited from the A and A, equipping the A with a broad array of embedded phase-detect autofocus points, along with 11fps burst shooting with continuous AF or 8fps with better feedback. Completing the picture are an XGA OLED viewfinder, 4k video at 24, 25 or 30p uncropped at 24 or 25p , up to 60p uncropped or at p with a crop, support for S-Log 2, and 3 as well as Hybrid Log Gamma for in-camera HDR, silent shooting options, Wifi and Bluetooth, USB power and an interval timer facility — albeit with external software supplied to assemble photos into a timelapse movie. So far so similar to the A Here you can see even the small receiver unit of the Rode Wireless Go is blocking some of the screen. The solution is to either mount a mic on a bracket to the side or connect a cabled mic like a lavalier. As I mentioned earlier, you can use the touchscreen to adjust the AF area when composing with the viewfinder.

Sony alpha 6400 review

You could be forgiven for thinking that the Alpha A is a minor upgrade over the A, and in many ways it is. If this camera can help you increase your hit rate, regardless of the subject you're shooting, that can only be a good thing. Find out more about how we test. However, with Sony equipping the Alpha A with some of its latest tech, most notably the advanced AF system, this camera could actually prove a more tempting proposition than the top-of-the-range A, a camera that's now more than two years old. Like the A and A, the Alpha A features a These enhancements have also allowed Sony to stretch the new camera's ISO ceiling to an expanded upper limit of ,, compared to the A's 51, the A's native range is , , while Sony also says color reproduction has been greatly improved. One big omission from the A is any form of in-body image stabilization, something the A enjoys with its 5-axis system. Screen: 3.

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Recording Light. Sony has updated the firmware on the A a few times since its launch to add features such as real-time Eye AF for animals, support for the RMT-P1BT wireless remote and general performance enhancements to improve the overall stability of the camera. The problem I found, however, is that Sony has placed this technology in an 8-year-old camera design that now feels distinctly out-of-date. Social Links Navigation. I held onto this particular camera a for about a month read how I review and test gear. Both features are useful in portrait photography, where a model might move gradually or entirely to a different area of the frame. Sony discontinued that camera a few years ago, and now the used prices are almost as much as you can buy the a new for. On the upside, its autofocus system does an excellent job of tracking moving subjects and keeping them in focus. Buffer Empty Time. Somewhat unusually, the camera slows down in its silent electronic shutter mode, to 8fps.

For bloggers, vloggers and independent content creators, the Sony A is a dream. Its still image quality is very good, its 4K video is even better, and its degree screen and eye-detect AF are perfect for single-handed video capture.

If you do need IBIS, perhaps for unstabilised primes, then the A is still tempting even at a higher price, but I personally prefer the A for its improved focusing, longer recordings and selfie-screen even with the hotshoe limitations. It uses a Latest change: Writing modified Jan 29, at am. Low Speed Continuous. That drops off in low light, naturally, but it's on par with other APS-C cameras of its caliber. That said, while it has a decently sized buffer, it takes a long time to clear if you manage to fill it up, which can slow you down considerably. Heck, if you want a bigger grip, just buy a dedicated battery grip or even a Smallrig kit I had one for my a, it was great. Chroma Sampling In 4k. The Sony a is good for casual sports and wildlife photography. Actually, quick tip: Sony cameras and most brands tend to overexpose their images. If this all sounds too much like science fiction, you still have a full set of conventional AF modes to fall back on. Screen Max Brightness. Videographers will often place a shotgun microphone on the hot shoe mount of their cameras. Join now for unlimited access. This allows me to do more of these honest, hands-on reviews.