A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Sony A6400 vs Nikon D800

The Sony Alpha A6400 and the Nikon D800 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2019 and February 2012. The A6400 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D800 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on an APS-C (A6400) and a full frame (D800) sensor. The Sony has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 36.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Sony A6400
versus
Nikon D800
Sony A6400   Nikon D800
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Sony E mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
24 MP – APS-C sensor 36.2 MP – Full Frame sensor
4K/30p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 100-32,000 (100 - 102,400) ISO 100-6,400 (50 - 25,600)
Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots) Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 922k dots 3.2" LCD – 921k dots
Tilting touchscreen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
11 shutter flaps per second 4 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
410 shots per battery charge900 shots per battery charge
120 x 67 x 50 mm, 403 g 146 x 123 x 82 mm, 1000 g
logo
Check A6400 price at
amazon.com
logo
Check D800 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha A6400 and the Nikon D800? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

ad

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Sony A6400 and the Nikon D800 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Sony A6400 vs Nikon D800
Compare A6400 versus D800 top
Comparison A6400 or D800 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D800 is considerably larger (123 percent) than the Sony A6400. Moreover, the D800 is substantially heavier (148 percent) than the A6400. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog (A6400) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D800). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony A6400, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the A6400 gets 410 shots out of its Sony NP-FW50 battery, while the D800 can take 900 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL15 power pack. The power pack in the A6400 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony A6400 120 mm 67 mm 50 mm 403 g 410 Y Jan 2019 899 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon D800 146 mm 123 mm 82 mm 1000 g 900 Y Feb 2012 2,999ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 118 mm 83 mm 47 mm 383 g 380 n Feb 2019 899ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D610 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D800E 146 mm 123 mm 82 mm 1000 g 900 Y Feb 2012 3,299ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D810 146 mm 123 mm 82 mm 980 g 1200 Y Jun 2014 3,299ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D850 146 mm 124 mm 79 mm 1005 g 1840 Y Jul 2017 3,299 amazon.com
9.
 
Nikon D5300 125 mm 98 mm 76 mm 480 g 600 n Oct 2013 799ebay.com
10.
 
Sony A3000 128 mm 91 mm 85 mm 411 g 470 n Aug 2013 329ebay.com
11.
 
Sony A5100 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 283 g 400 n Aug 2014 549ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 599ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A6100 120 mm 67 mm 59 mm 396 g 420 n Aug 2019 749ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A6300 120 mm 67 mm 49 mm 404 g 400 Y Feb 2016 999ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-7 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 400 g 430 n Aug 2011 1,349ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The A6400 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 70 percent) than the D800, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Sony A6400 features an APS-C sensor and the Nikon D800 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the D800 is 135 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Sony A6400 and Nikon D800 sensor measures

With 36.2MP, the D800 offers a higher resolution than the A6400 (24MP), but the D800 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.88μm versus 3.91μm for the A6400) due to its larger sensor. However, the A6400 is a much more recent model (by 6 years and 11 months) than the D800, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D800 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D800 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 36.8 x 24.6 inches or 93.5 x 62.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 29.4 x 19.6 inches or 74.8 x 49.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 24.5 x 16.4 inches or 62.3 x 41.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony A6400 are 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm for good quality, 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm for very good quality, and 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The A6400 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Sony Alpha A6400 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 32000, which can be extended to ISO 100-102400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D800 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-25600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

A6400 versus D800 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the D800 offers substantially better image quality than the A6400 (overall score 12 points higher). The advantage is based on 1.3 bits higher color depth, 0.8 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony A6400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.013.6143183
2.
 
Nikon D800 Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/30p25.314.4285395
3.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 APS-C 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.113.5189583
4.
 
Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.4292594
5.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
6.
 
Nikon D800E Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/30p25.614.3297996
7.
 
Nikon D810 Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60p25.714.8285397
8.
 
Nikon D850 Full Frame 45.4 8256 55044K/30p26.414.82660100
9.
 
Nikon D5300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.9133883
10.
 
Sony A3000 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.712.8106878
11.
 
Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.7134780
12.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782
13.
 
Sony A6100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.113.6194784
14.
 
Sony A6300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.413.7143785
15.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
16.
 
Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
17.
 
Sony NEX-7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i24.113.4101681
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the A6400 provides a higher video resolution than the D800. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/30p.

ad

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A6400 has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), while the D800 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), as well as the same magnification (0.70x). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Sony A6400 and Nikon D800 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

scroll hint
Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Sony A64002359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
2.
 
Nikon D800optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 4.0/s Y n
3.
 
Fujifilm X-T302360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D800Eoptical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 4.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D810optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D850optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n n
9.
 
Nikon D5300optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Sony A3000202 n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
11.
 
Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
12.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
13.
 
Sony A61001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
14.
 
Sony A63002359 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
15.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony NEX-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
17.
 
Sony NEX-72359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The A6400 has a touchscreen, while the D800 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The A6400 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the D800 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the A6400 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Nikon D800 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The A6400 writes its imaging data to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, while the D800 uses Compact Flash or SDXC cards. The D800 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the A6400 only has one slot. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

ad

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Alpha A6400 and Nikon D800 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Sony A6400Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YYY
2.
 
Nikon D800Ymono / monoYYmini3.0---
3.
 
Fujifilm X-T30Ystereo / monoY-micro3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D800EYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
7.
 
Nikon D810Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
8.
 
Nikon D850Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
9.
 
Nikon D5300Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
10.
 
Sony A3000Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
12.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
13.
 
Sony A6100Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YYY
14.
 
Sony A6300Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
16.
 
Sony NEX-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
17.
 
Sony NEX-7Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---

It is notable that the A6400 offers wifi support, while the D800 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D800 (unlike the A6400) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The A6400 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the D800 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D800 was succeeded by the Nikon D810. Further information on the features and operation of the A6400 and D800 can be found, respectively, in the Sony A6400 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D800 Manual.

ad

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Sony A6400 and the Nikon D800? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

ilogo

Advantages of the Sony Alpha A6400:

  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/30p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (120x67mm vs 146x123mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 597g or 60 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (70 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 6 years and 11 months of technical progress since the D800 launch.

ilogo

Reasons to prefer the Nikon D800:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (36.2 vs 24MP), which boosts linear resolution by 23%.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (12 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.3 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (0.8 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (900 versus 410) out of a single battery charge.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in February 2012).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A6400 comes out slightly ahead of the D800 (17 : 16 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

A6400 17:16 D800

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony A6400 and the Nikon D800 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the A6400 or the D800 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony A64004/5+4/585/1004.5/54/5 Jan 2019 899 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon D8005/5+ +..82/1005/55/5 Feb 2012 2,999ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-T305/5+ +5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2019 899ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D6104/5+ +..87/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D800E......84/1005/55/5 Feb 2012 3,299ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D8105/5..5/586/1005/54.5/5 Jun 2014 3,299ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D8504.5/5+ +5/589/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2017 3,299 amazon.com
9.
 
Nikon D53004/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 799ebay.com
10.
 
Sony A30003/5+....4/54/5 Aug 2013 329ebay.com
11.
 
Sony A51004.5/5+....4.5/55/5 Aug 2014 549ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 599ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A6100....4/582/1004/55/5 Aug 2019 749ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A63004.5/5+..85/1005/55/5 Feb 2016 999ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-75/5+ +..81/1004.5/55/5 Aug 2011 1,349ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

logo
Check A6400 price at
amazon.com
logo
Check D800 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Sony A6400 vs Nikon D800

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Sony A6400 Nikon D800
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date January 2019 February 2012
    Launch Price USD 899 USD 2,999
    Sensor Specs Sony A6400 Nikon D800
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.6 mm 35.9 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 366.6 mm2 861.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.2 mm 43.2 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 36.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.91 μm 4.88 μm
    Pixel Density 6.55 MP/cm2 4.20 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 32,000 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 102,400 ISO 50 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ X EXPEED 3
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 83 95
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 24 25.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.6 14.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1431 2853
    Screen Specs Sony A6400 Nikon D800
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x 0.70x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2359k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 922k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Sony A6400 Nikon D800
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 11 shutter flaps/s 4 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations200 000 actuations
    Electronic ShutterYESno E-Shutter
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards CF or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Sony A6400 Nikon D800
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
    Body Specs Sony A6400 Nikon D800
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Nikon EN-EL15
    Battery Life (CIPA)410 shots per charge900 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 120 x 67 x 50 mm
    (4.7 x 2.6 x 2.0 in)
    146 x 123 x 82 mm
    (5.7 x 4.8 x 3.2 in)
    Camera Weight 403 g (14.2 oz) 1000 g (35.3 oz)
    logo
    Check A6400 price at
    amazon.com
    logo
    Check D800 offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Sony A6400 vs Nikon D800