Sony is one of the most famous manufacturers of great cameras with their huge range of options such as Sony Alpha a6600 Vs a6400 from the Alpha series. These mirrorless cameras are ideal for casual and enthusiast with powerful image processing as well as still manageable size and price point. They are capable of capturing good images and have reliable autofocus systems as well but are not the same. If you wonder which will be the better option, let’s see what you can achieve with the two.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What to Know About Mirrorless Camera
- What are Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400
- How are the Design of Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400
- How are the Specs of Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400
- How are the Autofocus in Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400
- How are the Battery Life in Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400
- How are the Video Ability of Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400
- Sony Alpha a6600 Vs a6400
Mirrorless Cameras
Having a dedicated camera is great because they are more versatile in terms of handling the different shooting conditions. There are plenty of cameras out there based on what they are designed for, some are great for taking pictures, some are more affordable for new users, some are easier to use for beginners, some are tailored for professionals, and some are just a mix of various different goodness that we can enjoy while utilizing the device. Overall we should be confident with the camera and its ability.
The camera has to be able to handle your type of application whether it is about wildlife and sport photography, video recording, being able to take a shot of a fast moving object without losing focus, and an easy to understand menu. Some of them may be more important than the rest but it is subjective to the type of application you will work on. Nowadays, cameras can be mainly divided between DSLR, mirrorless, and fixed point-and-shoot types that are not an ILC.
Mirrorless has been enjoying so much popularity in the last decade with more companies joining the hype and designing some of the best cameras we have today. The technological advance clearly shows its result here where the camera is holding its own ground instead of being the alternative of DSLR like back then. The main difference is usually the weight which is not the case anymore yet still has some truth to it. Side by side with the same sensor size, such as Nikon Z7II Vs D850 usually the mirrorless will be slightly thinner.
It is not to the extent like a SLR and pocket camera so if you are in the market looking for a compact camera, the fixed system will be the smallest of them all, or for recording functionalities an action camera will probably be a wiser choice. In our opinion, what sets the two apart if you are still unsure about going mirrorless is the viewfinder itself because with DSLR, it is like seeing through two systems in one camera; from the OVF and the screen.
In mirrorless, we are seeing the same thing from both windows so the effects of the camera such as changing the settings will instantly be shown to you and what you see is what the camera will capture as well. This is a great advantage for beginners since we can learn fast based on what settings produce the best or how it affects your image. Rather than the type, it is best to consider the camera’s ability whether it meets your expectations or not.
| Sony Alpha A6600 | Sony Alpha A6400 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 4.7 x 2.7 x 2.7 inches | 6.2 x 9.2 x 4.55 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 1.11 pounds | 1.7 pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
About Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400
For those who are in the market for the capable cameras, it is great to see releases from years back as well because the tech here is not moving as fast as for example the smartphone industry where 3 years old phones are considered lame already. It is still pretty much reasonable to buy older cameras, especially if you have less budget or because the new upgrade isn’t really pleasing for you to spend more. In most cases the newer cameras have new image processors or some upgrades on the handling.
Some can be more substantial however so it is always best to see what the product can offer before settling with the choice. Among those many options for the camera brands, Sony is always one of the best choices when it comes to both amazing and a huge range of models to choose from. Their wide collection makes it easier for the customers to find the correct or most suitable camera for their application whether it is just for casual use or for the more professional tasks.
Many get updated every year as well so we get the newest tech with their recent releases but, sometimes they are too similar such as what happens with Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400 which are not even one year apart from each other. With the price gap between the two, we do hope to see much differences but, it is not really the case and considering the current price of a6400 which is about $200 cheaper from a6600, we can see why people tend to choose the older camera.
First thing we want to mention is that they retain so many similarities that we do think the prominent difference is mostly on how they redesigned the body now or more of an improvement over the older camera. Sensor, pixel, and autofocus are the same so if you have the a6400, the a6600 will take the same pictures side by side. In general the Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400 are both suitable for still pictures and for video recording, thanks for being 4k ready.
Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400 Design
Before moving into more details, we want to talk about the physical differences between these cameras and the prominent one is mostly about grip. The grip on a6400 was flatter or not as protruding from the body but it is because the camera uses a smaller battery. Now the a6600 is using a larger battery or about 20% larger than the previous battery in form factor hence the grip is also thicker which is great as now our hand can hold the camera firmer.
At the top and back you will see the same controls layout but, these buttons are different since a6400 has flatter buttons that are more flush to the body while the buttons of a6600 are more prominent and surfacing making it easier to press. As for the rear LCD, they are the same 3-inch type with the same resolution and not fully articulated yet can be tilted so we can still do low angle shooting as well as self-recording.
Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400 Specs
Now at the core of Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400, let’s see what these cameras can offer. As it has been mentioned before, they are using the same cropped or APS-C sensor at 23.5 x 15.6 mm while the sensor type itself is CMOS. The image processor is also the same Bionz X and they have adequate resolution as well at 24MP for the effective sensor. They will capture the same image considering the main specs are identical as well.
Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400 Autofocus
When talking about Sony cameras, we are also talking about their autofocus which is one of the fastest and best in the market. Thankfully you can also experience this on the older cameras, because these two are supporting hybrid systems with contrast and phase detection. The two have the same 425 points that cover about 84% of the sensor. Performance wise they are fast, reliable, and keep you in focus of the subject; the screen is touch-sensitive but only for deciding the focus point.
If you are capturing fast moving subjects, we need a fast camera as well and the Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400 are also identical here with a continuous shooting at 11 frames per second. They are on par with each other both when using the electronic or mechanical shutter. The buffer time is also manageable despite none being the fastest, compared to 7C for example. These cameras will take 115 JPEG images or 45 RAW images before the buffer starts to fill up and slow the unit.
Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400 Battery Life
We also want to mention the battery life since we know that the a6600 has the bigger battery but about whether it holds up more juice, it is proven that this camera can stay longer while operating at 810 CIPA compared to 410 so it is twice the amount. But, if you are the type to do continuous shooting or using the camera for a prolonged time such as astrophotography, worry not since we can charge the two through the body using the USB port.
Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400 Video Ability
Lastly we want to talk about the video ability of Sony Alpha a6600 and a6400 because some people may want to record footage as well with the camera. We are happy that they can both capture 4K footage already at the maximum 30 frames per second. They have no recording time limitation making the two great for streaming and they also have HDMI port for live viewing but the a6600 has audio output which makes it better for recording while monitoring. Another difference is the eye-autofocus also works in video for the a6600 series.
Sony Alpha A6600 vs A6400
These cameras are pretty similar but not at the same time. Image quality wise they are the same since coming with the same sensor, pixel, and autofocus performance. The differences are the better handling of a6600, better battery life, and better video capabilities. The a6600 is more expensive but we have a larger battery that can last twice as long as well as audio out port for live monitoring and eye-autofocus on video mode to keep your face always in focus while recording footage.
Conclusion
There is no bad option between the two but you may have to consider what features will be useful in the camera. If budget is not restricted, we do highly recommend getting the Alpha a6600 because it is overall the better camera, especially on the handling, battery, and video recording.