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Comparing a6300, a6400, and a6500: Which Camera is the Best?
When placing Sony's a6400 - recently launched in the Vietnamese market - alongside its predecessors, a6300 and a6500, the question arises: which camera is the best choice for users?1. Autofocus (AF)
According to Sony's claim, the a6400 is the fastest mirrorless camera with autofocus, boasting a 0.02-second focus time, surpassing the already impressive 0.05-second speed of a6300 and a6500.
All three cameras share 425 phase-detection AF points. In terms of contrast-detection points, a6300 and a6500 have 169 points, while a6400 boasts 425 points. The new algorithm in a6400 enhances object tracking by considering color, brightness, distance, face, and eye information.
With improved low-light sensitivity and a minimum ISO of -2 EV with F2 aperture, a6400 stands out. All three cameras feature Eye AF for both single and continuous AF, with a6400 having additional enhancements like Eye AF activation with a half-press of the shutter button and the ability to prioritize left or right eye.
Future firmware updates will introduce Eye AF for animals, making a6400 an attractive option for wildlife photographers.
2. In-Body Image Stabilization
The a6500 is unique among the three for its in-body image stabilization (IBIS) mechanism, operating on 5 axes (roll, pitch, yaw, X, and Y) to stabilize images with all lens types. In contrast, a6300 and a6400 lack in-body stabilization and rely on lenses with optical stabilization or external gimbals for smoother video recording.
3. LCD Screen
The a6300's LCD lacks modern features like touch sensitivity and tilt mechanism. The a6500 improves with touch control. In contrast, the a6400 not only features touch functionality but also has a fully tilting 180-degree screen, facilitating selfie photography and vlogging.
4. Shooting Speed and Continuous Buffer
All three cameras can shoot at a speed of 11 fps with a mechanical shutter and 8 fps in live view-no blackouts mode. The a6400 introduces electronic shutter, achieving up to 8 fps continuous shooting, while a6300 and a6500 are limited to 3 fps.
Surprisingly, a6500 excels in buffer size, capable of capturing 233 JPEG or 107 RAW images at maximum speed. A6400 follows with 99 JPEG and 46 RAW, and a6300 lags with 44 JPEG and 23 RAW images.
5. ISO Sensitivity Range
All three cameras share a 24.2 MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor, but only a6300 lacks the LSI chip for additional processing power. In terms of ISO, a6300 and a6500 have a range of 100 to 25600, expandable to 51200. A6400 sees a slight improvement with a range of ISO 32000, expandable to 102400.
6. Time-Lapse Shooting Mode
The a6400 brings back the built-in time-lapse feature, allowing users to create time-lapse videos with the Imaging Edge software for desktop (free). This capability may be extended to other camera models through future firmware updates.
7. Video Recording
All three Sony cameras can record 4K video at 30 fps, utilizing the full sensor width and full pixel readout (6K downsampled to 4K for enhanced sharpness).
At 1080p, they support up to 120 fps, offering options for in-camera slow-motion or adjusting speed in post-production. Picture Profiles, including S-Log2 and S-Log3 for increased dynamic range and color grading, are consistent across the three models. A6400 adds an HLG (HDR) profile for compatibility with HDR devices.
A noteworthy feature of the a6400 is its apparent lack of a 30-minute/clip recording limit (at least for the US version).
A6300 is the only one missing the option to extract 8MP still JPGs from 4K video.
8. Design
A6300 and a6400 share a similar design, including dimensions, weight, and OLED viewfinder specifications. A6500 has some differences, such as a slightly raised grip, two custom buttons on the top, a larger power ON/OFF button, and a different pattern on the exposure compensation dial.
Retaining the familiar design for a6400 may provide a sense of familiarity and ease of use for new users, but it also introduces ergonomic limitations.
9. Menu System and Other Details
A6300 has the oldest menu system, not user-friendly. A6500 improves slightly with better organization, featuring titled pages for easier navigation. A6400 comes with the latest interface seen on the A7 mark III generation, considered a step in the right direction. It also includes a My Menu page for user-customizable shortcuts.
Some notable differences on a6400 include:
- Shutter AWB Lock, allowing automatic white balance lock with a half-press or during continuous shooting
- 1:1 aspect ratio option for SOOC JPGs
- Rating and protecting images from deletion during playback
- Improved peaking and secondary color (blue) functionality
Features exclusive to a6300 include:
- Shutter durability of 200,000 cycles
- EVF refresh rate, choosing between 50/60Hz and 100/120Hz (depending on PAL or NTSC mode)
- Bluetooth connectivity for geotagging
10. Price
A6300, being the oldest, is the most affordable at around 16,000,000 VND for the body.
A6500 is the most expensive, priced at around 25,000,000 VND for the body.
The new a6400 falls in between, with a price of around 23,000,000 VND for the body.
Conclusion: Which Camera is the Best Among a6300, a6400, and a6500?
- a6300: Basic features at an affordable price
- a6400: 5-axis stabilization, improved buffer, and tilting touchscreen
- a6500: Latest AF technology, vlogger-friendly screen
Although the a6400 hasn't officially launched, image and video quality is expected to be similar, with minor ISO performance improvements. Considering the specifications, a6400 seems to be the most appealing choice: competitive pricing, enhanced AF system, excellent continuous shooting speed, and a 180-degree tilting touchscreen. The only drawback is the lack of 5-axis stabilization, a valuable feature for vloggers.
