Decision tools · Compare
A6400 vs ZV-E1
Quick take: The A6400 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A6400 is the most affordable.
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.
ZV-E1 — Video Creators, Vloggers & Filmmakers: Full-frame video quality in a vlogging body — exceptional low-light performance and a genuinely compact form factor.
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
ZV-E1 (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Video creators who want full-frame low-light quality in a compact body
- Vloggers stepping up from APS-C who prioritise image quality over resolution
- Filmmakers who want S-Log3 and cinematic colour in a run-and-gun package
- A7S III users who want the same sensor in a smaller, lighter body
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A6400Sony · 2019 | ZV-E1Sony · 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £749Best | £1,779 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 24.2MPBest | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF trackingBest | 10fps |
| Battery Life | ~410 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min videoBest |
| Weight | 403g (with battery and card)Best | 483g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Single SD UHS-II slot |
| Connectivity | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
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
A6400
ZV-E1
Portrait
6.7/10
7.0/10
Street
7.3/10
6.9/10
Travel
6.7/10
6.7/10
Wedding & Events
5.6/10
6.4/10
Vlogging & Video
5.8/10
7.0/10
Filmmaking
5.1/10
8.0/10
Documentary
6.1/10
8.2/10
Sports & Action
6.9/10
6.4/10
Landscape
5.6/10
5.7/10
Wildlife
7.4/10
7.1/10
Casual
5.8/10
5.9/10
Food
6.1/10
7.1/10
Macro
5.2/10
6.7/10
Architecture
5.5/10
5.4/10
Astrophotography
6.0/10
7.2/10
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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