EOS R100vs Z30vs A6400
Which should you buy?
First Camera / Beginner Photography — EOS R100 (2023): The R100 does the basics well at the lowest possible price point. Its main value is as a gateway into the Canon RF ecosystem — the lenses you buy now will work on any Canon body you upgrade to later. Modest ambitions, reliably met.
Travel & Everyday Video — Z30 (2022): Nikon's lightest Z-mount body — no fuss, excellent subject tracking, and a flip screen for creators.
Content Creation & Vlogging — A6400 (2019): The best value APS-C Sony you can buy — especially used. Real-time Eye AF at this price point was transformative when it launched and still makes it one of the most reliable autofocus systems in the lineup.
Who should buy what
EOS R100 (2023)
- First-time camera buyers stepping up from a smartphone
- Students and hobbyists wanting an affordable starting point
- Anyone who wants to start investing in Canon RF glass on a budget
- Casual photographers who don't need advanced video or speed
Z30 (2022)
- You create video content and want reliable Nikon colour science in a compact body
- You don't need a viewfinder and prioritise the vari-angle flip screen
- You're starting out with interchangeable lenses for content creation on a budget
A6400 (2019)
- Vloggers and content creators who need a flip screen and reliable AF
- Photographers upgrading from a compact or smartphone
- Beginners who want room to grow into a full E-mount lens ecosystem
- Anyone prioritising autofocus performance at an accessible price
Quick take: The a6400 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z30 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS R100 (2023) | Z30 (2022) | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £529 | £479 | £899 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 20.9MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (slight crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF, face detection, subject tracking | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None (no IBIS) | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 6.5fps mechanical | 11fps | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~300 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 356g (body, battery, card) | 405g body only | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 116.3 × 85.5 × 68.8mm | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× magnification | None | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Canon RF-mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
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