Sony
Alpha 6400
Popular APS-C body with fast AF and 11fps burst for enthusiasts.
$899
Launch priceReleased Feb 2019
Sony
Alpha 9 III
Global shutter sports flagship with 120fps and zero rolling shutter for pro action.
$5,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2024
Alpha 9 III is 4.9 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 6400
Wins
Alpha 9 III
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 6400 has higher Burst (mechanical) (11 fps vs 0 fps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 11 fps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 46 frames)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Alpha 6400
120 × 67 × 60 mm
403 g (0.89 lb / 14.22 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 9 III
136 × 97 × 83 mm
703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
Alpha 6400 is 16mm narrower, 30mm shorter, and 23mm thinner than Alpha 9 III.
Alpha 6400 is 300 g lighter than Alpha 9 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 60mm Alpha 6400 · 83mm Alpha 9 III
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 6400
120 × 67 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 9 III
136 × 97 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Alpha 6400
120 × 60 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 9 III
136 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 6400
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Alpha 9 III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 6400
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 9 III
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Alpha 6400
Burst (mechanical)
11 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 120, 66.9, 59.7
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC…
ISO min (native)
100 vs 250 — lower is better
Codecs
Adds AVCHD
Weight
403 g vs 703 g — lower is better
ISO max (native)
32,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
EVF magnification
1.07 × vs 0.9 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 9 III
AF low-light limit
-5 EV vs -2 EV — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.265…
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 46 frames — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
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 9 III
Pros
- ✓Global shutter 120fps
- ✓Zero rolling shutter
- ✓Pro sports AF
- ✓Pre-capture buffer
Cons
- –24.6MP only
- –Premium price
- –Battery drain at max speed
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 9 III at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 6400
Sony Alpha 9 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Alpha 6400 or Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 9 III scores 8.0/10 versus 2.0/10 for Alpha 6400 — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 6400 is 24.2 MP and Alpha 9 III is 24.6 MP, so the Alpha 9 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 9 III have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 6400 does not have IBIS, while Alpha 9 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 6400 or the Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 6400 reaches 11 fps electronic. Alpha 9 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 6400 weighs 403 g and Alpha 9 III weighs 703 g, so the Alpha 6400 is 300 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 9 III record 4K video?
Alpha 6400: 4K up to 29.97p. Alpha 9 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 6400 and Alpha 9 III weather sealed?
Alpha 6400: Yes. Alpha 9 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 360 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 6400 and 400 shots for the Alpha 9 III, giving the Alpha 9 III the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 6400 launched at $899 and Alpha 9 III at $5,999. The Alpha 6400 is $5,100 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 6400 vs Alpha 9 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.