EOS R8vs A6400vs ZV-1 II
Which should you buy?
Full-Frame Entry — EOS R8 (2023): Canon's most affordable full-frame mirrorless — 4K/60p 10-bit and class-leading Dual Pixel AF at an accessible entry price.
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.
Pocket Vlogging — ZV-1 II (2023): The best pocket vlogging camera — 1-inch sensor, ultrawide zoom, flip screen, and real-time Eye AF in a shirt pocket.
Who should buy what
EOS R8 (2023)
- You want full-frame image quality on a tight budget
- You shoot mainly in good light and can live without built-in stabilisation
- You primarily shoot stills with occasional video
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
ZV-1 II (2023)
- You create vlog content solo and want reliable face tracking in a genuinely portable camera
- You want a wide zoom range for shooting variety without ever changing lenses
- You want clearly better image quality and stabilisation than a smartphone, simply packaged
Quick take: The eos r8 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the zv-1 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS R8 (2023) | A6400 (2019) | ZV-1 II (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,099 | £899 | £649 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled 10-bit, FHD/180p | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, 1053 zones, eye/face/subject tracking | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF | Phase-detect + contrast, 315 points, Real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None (no IBIS) | Optical SteadyShot (OIS) |
| Burst Rate | 6fps mechanical, 40fps electronic | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking | 15fps |
| Battery Life | ~220 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA) | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 461g body only | 403g (body, battery, card) | 292g |
| Dimensions | 132.5 × 86.1 × 70.0mm | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm | 105.5 × 60.0 × 43.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification | None |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF mount (full-frame) | Sony E-mount | Fixed zoom — 18–50mm f/1.8–4.0 equiv |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single SD UHS-I | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input |
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