Sony Alpha ILCE6400B.CEC Black

Great autofocus trapped in an aging body. Buy it used or don't buy it at all.

The burst shooting is solid at 11fps with a decent buffer, but what surprised us most is how well the autofocus still performs compared to newer bodies. It's not the fastest anymore, but it's reliable in a way that matters. The sensor, though, is showing its age. Low light performance is about average for APS-C, and the rolling shutter in 4K video is noticeable if you whip the camera around. The 4K footage itself is sharp thanks to oversampling from 6K, but the lack of 10-bit color and the 30-minute recording limit feel dated.

Stacked against the Fujifilm X-H2S, the a6400 gets absolutely smoked in video, burst speed, and build quality, but the Fuji costs way more. The Canon EOS R6 Mark III is a full-frame beast with stabilization and vastly better video, but again, different price bracket entirely. The more realistic comparison is something like a used Sony a6600, which gives you IBIS and a bigger battery for not much more money. The Panasonic Lumix G9 II and OM System OM-1 Mark II are both better for wildlife and action, but they're Micro Four Thirds, so you lose some sensor size. For pure value, the a6400 only makes sense if you find it cheap and already own E-mount glass.

At around $1,198 USD for the kit, this is a tough sell in 2025. You're paying for the autofocus reputation and the lens lineup, but the hardware is aging. The Canadian price of $3,168 CAD is frankly absurd for what you get. If you find this used for a good deal, it's worth considering. New at full price? Hard pass unless you specifically need Sony's AF on a budget.

The Sony a6400 is one of those cameras that built a reputation on speed, and honestly, it still holds up as a snappy little workhorse. The real story here is the autofocus. Sony's Real-time Tracking and Eye AF were borderline magic when this thing launched, and even now it makes grabbing sharp shots of moving subjects feel almost unfair. Pair that with a 24.2MP APS-C sensor and you've got a camera that punches above its weight for everyday shooting.

But let's be real about what this is in today's market. Our database puts it firmly in the middle of the pack on most metrics, and the lack of in-body stabilization is a genuine pain point if you shoot handheld video or use unstabilized primes. The kit lens helps with its OSS, but this is a camera that asks you to work around its limitations.

If you shoot handheld video or want modern features like 10-bit color, fully articulating screens, or long battery life, this isn't your camera. Go grab a used Sony a6600 for IBIS and better battery, or look at a Fujifilm X-S20 if you want video chops without breaking the bank.

The Sony a6400 is a capable camera that's been left behind by the market. The autofocus is still genuinely good, and the image quality is fine for most people, but the lack of stabilization, mediocre battery, and dated video features make it hard to recommend at full retail price. If you're already invested in Sony lenses and need a compact second body, or you find one used for a steal, go for it. Otherwise, save your money for something newer.