Decision tools · Compare
1 J5 vs A6400
Quick take: The A6400 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the 1 J5 is the most affordable; only the A6400 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A6400 — Content Creation & Vlogging: 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
A6400 (2019)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | 1 J5Nikon · 2015 | A6400Sony · 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £749 |
| Sensor | 20.8MP 1-inch (CX) BSI CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | 20.8MP | 24.2MPBest |
| Video | 4K UHD/15p, 1080p/60 | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF: 171 areas, 105 with phase detection; face detection, subject tracking | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 20fpsBest | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | ~250 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 265g (with battery)Best | 403g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 98.3 × 59.7 × 31.5mm | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | None (rear screen only) | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon 1 | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single microSD slot | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
1 J5
A6400
Portrait
4.3/10
6.7/10
Street
6.7/10
7.3/10
Travel
6.1/10
6.7/10
Wedding & Events
2.9/10
5.6/10
Filmmaking
3.2/10
5.1/10
Documentary
4.1/10
6.1/10
Sports & Action
4.9/10
6.9/10
Landscape
3.9/10
5.6/10
Wildlife
5.1/10
7.4/10
Casual
5.0/10
5.8/10
Food
4.8/10
6.1/10
Macro
3.4/10
5.2/10
Architecture
3.9/10
5.5/10
Astrophotography
3.0/10
6.0/10
Vlogging & Video
—
5.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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