Sony Alpha A6400 review

Verdict

You could be forgiven for thinking that the Sony Alpha A6400 is only a minor upgrade over the A6300, with the most notable additions being the flip-out screen and a few other tweaks. It also still has some of the A6300's shortcomings, most notably the absence of any in-body image stabilization.   

However, what's really exciting here is the A6400's incredibly advanced autofocus system – the number of phase-detect points may be the same, but it's the clever work behind the scenes that really shifts things along. It's certainly one of the most sophisticated systems we've seen on any camera, and more impressive for the fact that it's on a camera costing under $1,000 / £1,000.

The greatly improved focusing makes this a much more accessible camera than its predecessors. We'd still like to see better touchscreen integration to help deliver a more streamlined shooting experience, but if this camera can help you to increase your hit rate thanks to its advanced AF, regardless of the subject you're shooting, that can only be a good thing. 

Competition

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Sony Alpha A6300

If your budget won't stretch to the A6400, or you want to save some cash to invest in lenses, the A6300 is still a solid option. It has the same sensor and a pretty much identical body, but the AF is much clunkier, while it doesn't benefit from the improved menu and customization options the new camera enjoys. 

Read our in-depth Sony Alpha A6300 review 

Panasonic Lumix GX9

Don't want a Sony? Panasonic's Lumix GX9 is a very affordable alternative. It's well made with logically laid-out controls, while you can't ignore the built-in image stabilization system. The Micro Four Thirds sensor is smaller, though, and while the focusing is good, it's not a match for the A6400. 

Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix GX9 review

Fujifilm X-E3

This one's a bit of a curve ball. The X-E3 is actually quite a bit cheaper than the A6400, although get it with the excellent 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens and it's a more even contest price-wise. It shoots beautiful images and has tactile controls, but lacks the advanced performance of the A6400.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-E3 review

All images: TechRadar

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