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Alpha 6400

Sony

Alpha 6400

Popular APS-C body with fast AF and 11fps burst for enthusiasts.

$899

Launch price

Released Feb 2019

vs
Alpha 7 IV

Sony

Alpha 7 IV

33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

Alpha 7 IV is 2.7 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

Alpha 6400

Travel

Wins

11categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Alpha 6400 wins 0 categories·Alpha 7 IV wins 5 categories
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher IBIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 46 frames)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 29.97 fps)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)

Key specs at a glance

Alpha 6400Alpha 7 IV
Resolution24.2 MP33 MP
SensorAPS-CFull Frame
ISO max32,00051,200
Burst11 fps10 fps
4K29.97 fps60 fps
IBISNo5.5-stop
Weight403 g658 g
Battery360 shots580 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Alpha 6400 front view

Alpha 6400

120 × 67 × 60 mm

403 g (0.89 lb / 14.22 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 7 IV front view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 × 80 mm

658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)

Alpha 6400 is 11mm narrower, 30mm shorter, and 20mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV.

Alpha 6400 is 255 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.

Depth (front-to-back): 60mm Alpha 6400 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

Alpha 6400 back view

Alpha 6400

120 × 67 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV back view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

Alpha 6400 top view

Alpha 6400

120 × 60 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV top view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 80 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Alpha 6400

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

Alpha 7 IV

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Alpha 6400

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Alpha 7 IV

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseAlpha 6400Alpha 7 IV
Portrait
5.5Fair
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
6.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
2.0Limited
7.5Good✓ wins
Landscape
3.0Limited
7.5Good✓ wins
Travel
7.0Good
7.0Good
Wildlife
5.5Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
4.0Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Alpha 6400

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 120, 66.9, 59.7

  • Card types

    Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC…

  • Codecs

    Adds AVCHD

  • Weight

    403 g vs 658 g — lower is better

  • EVF magnification

    1.07 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better

  • Burst (mechanical)

    11 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    11 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 IV

  • AF low-light limit

    -4 EV vs -2 EV — lower is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II

  • RAW buffer depth

    828 frames vs 46 frames — higher is better

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.265…

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…

Both cameras share

  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • AF frame coverageBoth 94 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing
  • EVF refresh rateBoth 120 Hz

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Alpha 6400

Pros

  • Fast AF
  • Compact
  • Great value

Cons

  • No IBIS
  • Older design
  • No headphone jack

Alpha 7 IV

Pros

  • 33MP — more detail for cropping and print
  • 10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
  • Full-size HDMI port
  • 759 phase-detect AF points

Cons

  • 4K 60p requires Super35 crop
  • 10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
  • Complex menu system

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

Alpha 6400
Alpha 7 IV
Resolution
24.2 MP
33 MP+36%
Sensor type
CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
23.5 x 15.6 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
Alpha 6400
Alpha 7 IV
Processor
BIONZ X
BIONZ XR
Alpha 6400
Alpha 7 IV
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
32,000
51,200+0.7 stops
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
204,800
Alpha 6400
Alpha 7 IV
Shutter type
Mechanical Focal Plane Shutter and Electronic Rolling Shutter
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/4000
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for video, Alpha 6400 or Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 IV scores 7.5/10 versus 2.0/10 for Alpha 6400 — 4K recording.

What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 6400 is 24.2 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?

Alpha 6400 does not have IBIS, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 6400 or the Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 6400 reaches 11 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 6400 weighs 403 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 6400 is 255 g lighter.

Do the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?

Alpha 6400: 4K up to 29.97p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?

Alpha 6400: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 360 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 6400 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.

How much does each cost?

Alpha 6400 launched at $899 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 6400 is $1,600 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 6400 vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.