Lumix S9vs A6400
Lumix
Lumix S9 (2024)
From £1299
Best for Travel photographers, content creators & L-mount entry buyers
View Lumix S9
Which should you buy?
Travel Photographers, Content Creators & L-Mount Entry Buyers — Lumix S9 (2024): The most compact full-frame camera available — a perfect travel and content creation companion with brilliant colour science.
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
Lumix S9 (2024)
- Travel photographers who want full-frame quality in the most compact package
- Content creators attracted to Real-time LUT and 10-bit video
- Photographers already in the L-mount ecosystem wanting a lightweight second body
- Lumix S5 II users who want something smaller for travel and casual shooting
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 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S9 (2024) | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £899 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/60p, 1080p/240p | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with subject recognition | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | ~310 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 413g (with battery) | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 124.6 × 73.9 × 52.8mm | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen (touch drag AF) | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Leica L mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S9 | A6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
More comparisons with Lumix S9
Camera family history