Sony a6400 vs Sony a7

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a6400 and Sony a7. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a6400 were released 2019 and Sony a7 was released 2013. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a6400 2019
Sony a7 2013

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a6400 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Sony a7 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a6400 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony a6400 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a7 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a6400 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Sony a7 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

ISO range

Sony a6400 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a7. Sony a6400 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Sony a7 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a6400 100-32000
Sony a7 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a6400
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a6400 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Sony a7 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a6400 11
Sony a7 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a6400 and Sony a7 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a7 weighs 474 gr (equal to 1.04 lb) which is 18% heavier than Sony a6400 and its 403 gr (or 0.89 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a6400 403 gr
0.89 lb
Sony a7 474 gr
1.04 lb

Sony a6400 vs Sony a7 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a6400 and Sony a7, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a6400
Sony a7
Name Sony a6400 Sony a7
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a6400
Sony a7
Release Year 2019 2013
Release Date 2019-01-15 2013-10-16
MSRP 899 USD 1699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a6400
Sony a7
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a6400
Sony a7
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz X
Image
Sony a6400
Sony a7
ISO Range 100 - 32000 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 10 10
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a6400
Sony a7
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 425 117
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a6400
Sony a7
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921600 1230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD Xtra Fine LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.07× (0.71× 35mm equiv.) 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution 2359296 N/A
Photography features
Sony a6400
Sony a7
Frames per second 11 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 6 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a6400
Sony a7
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
AVCHD
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a6400
Sony a7
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a6400
Sony a7
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1)
Yes
Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (wired)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a6400
Sony a7
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 410 shots 340 shots
Width 120 mm 127 mm
Height 67 mm 94 mm
Depth 60 mm 48 mm
Weight 403 gram 474 gram