Sony Alpha 6400 Black

The Sony a6400 is a compact APS-C mirrorless with autofocus that's still among the best on the market. It's a top pick for streaming and YouTube work, and the $719 USD kit price is hard to beat. Just don't expect weather sealing or in-body stabilization.

The headline here is autofocus. 425 phase-detect points, Real-time Tracking, Eye AF for humans and animals, and a claimed 0.02 second lock-on time. In practice it feels instant. Burst shooting at 11fps with AF is solid, though not class-leading anymore. Video is a strong point too: 4K HDR, 1080p at 120fps, and Log profiles give you real flexibility. The 3-inch tilting touchscreen is handy for vlogging and awkward angles. But there's no in-body stabilization, the EVF is mediocre, and the build quality is a weak spot. It's a plastic-bodied camera that doesn't love rough handling or bad weather.

Stacked against newer rivals like the Fujifilm X-H2 or Canon EOS R6 Mark II, the a6400 loses on stabilization, build, and EVF quality. Those cameras are also way more expensive. The Panasonic LUMIX S5 II and Nikon Z5 II are full-frame, so they're playing a different game entirely. The OM System OM-1 is a better outdoor camera with real weather sealing. But none of them match the a6400's combination of size, price, and autofocus speed. It's the budget pick that still punches way above its weight.

At $719 USD for the body and 16-50mm kit lens, this is a lot of camera for the money. You're getting autofocus that still embarrasses cameras costing twice as much, plus 4K video that holds up fine for most creators. The European pricing is steeper, and the CAD price looks rough, but that's more about regional weirdness than the camera itself. If you can find it near the US price, it's a steal.

The Sony a6400 is one of those cameras that just gets out of your way. It's small, the autofocus is stupid fast, and it nails focus so reliably you almost forget focus is a thing you used to worry about. For streaming, product shots, and YouTube work, our database puts it near the top of its class. The 24.2MP APS-C sensor still holds up great in 2025, even if the body around it is starting to show its age.

Skip this if you shoot a lot of handheld video without a gimbal, because the lack of in-body stabilization will drive you nuts. Also skip it if you need a camera that can handle rain, dust, or rough travel. The build quality is the weakest part of this package, and our data puts it near the bottom for durability. If you're a travel photographer who wants something rugged, look at the OM System OM-1 instead.

Buy this if you want a compact, affordable camera that nails focus every single time and shoots great video. It's ideal for streamers, YouTubers, product photographers, and anyone who wants a small everyday camera that doesn't fight them. Skip it if you need weather sealing, in-body stabilization, or a big bright viewfinder.