What lens to get for your Sony A6400?
Released in February 2019, the Sony A6400 is positioned between the A6300 and A6500. Compared to its predecessor, the A6300, the strength of this new hybrid is the quality and refinement of autofocus, made possible by sophisticated algorithms. Very fast and efficient, autofocus is done in 0.02 seconds and has 425 points with phase detection and contrast detection. The tracking of moving subjects is guaranteed and will surprise the most sceptical.
The burst offers a possibility of 11 frames/s in mechanical shutter and 8 frames/s in electronic shutter. The latter mode has the advantage of being silent. Advanced technology allows you to take advantage of intelligent analysis and tracking of subjects in real time. Eye recognition is always on so as not to miss any of the action, even leaving the choice between the left or right eye. Efficiency is applied in photo and video mode.
The 3-inch swivel touch screen allows automatic tracking by a simple contact on the subject and is very useful for making selfies.
- 20.1MP stacked back illuminated 1" Exmor RS CMOS sensor w/ DRAM, large aperture 24-70mm1 F1.8-2.8 ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens
- Enhanced subject capture: wide 425 Phase/ 425 contrast detection points over 84 percent of the sensor
- Fast and accurate: Up to 11Fps continuous shooting at 24.2 MP raw with crisp, clear natural colors
The latest generation 24.2 megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor uses copper circuits, which improves the reading speed of the device. Sensitivity extends to ISO 32,000 and noise reduction has been improved compared to the Sony A6300. However, it’s regrettable to note that there is no stabilizer on this new hybrid camera. It will be necessary to rely on the stabilizer integrated in the objectives used.
In video mode, 4K, Full HD and HDR formats are available. In addition, the interval recording or Time-Lapse opens up a new creative universe. The Sony A6400 includes a 2.36 Mpts Oled viewfinder, an auxiliary flash, an accessory shoe and an HDMI output. It includes Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth technologies. Recording is done on SD card or Memory Stick for compressed JPEG or RAW formats.
The magnesium alloy housing guarantees its light weight (only 403g). The NP-FW50 battery limited to 360 photos can be charged via a USB port. According to some tests, even if it uses the same batteries as the old Sony devices, it lasts much longer.
The Sony A6400 is an excellent choice of lightweight compact with advanced features for those looking for high performance speed, autofocus quality and advanced subject focus tracking. Its intermediate price is also in its favour. Even if it’s very good for photography, it will interest especially those who want to do vlogging or who want to launch themselves on Youtube (thanks to the adjustable screen).
This selection of the best lenses compatible with the Sony A6400 will help you choose the right tool for your style of photography: it covers all situations, whether for portraits, wide-angle photos or macro.
Note: the product links in this article lead to Amazon.com
Summary
- Sony 18-105 mm f/4 OSS (SELP18105G)
- Sony 50mm f/1.8 OSS (SEL50F18)
- Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN ART
- Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS (SEL35F18)
- Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
- Sony 10-18mm f/4 (SEL1018)
- Sony 30mm f/3.5 (SEL30M35)
- Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS (SEL55210)
- Comparative table
- Accessoires utiles
1. Sony 18-105 mm f/4 OSS (SELP18105G)
Filter size: 72 mm
The 18-105mm f/4 is far from being a lightweight, but if you want to do without several lenses when travelling, for example, it’s one of the most versatile lenses available for the Sony a6400, with a fairly wide focal length range that ranges from wide angle to zoom. For the pluses: it has integrated optical stabilization and the zoom is done internally (i.e. it does not extend when zooming), which is convenient if you want to put your camera on a camera pod to film. Small reproach: when you turn off your camera, the lens goes back to 18mm and does not stay at the last focal length used.
Even if the image quality is very good, don’t expect photos to be as sharp and with a background blur as beautiful as a fixed focal length that will have a larger aperture (quite a bit of distortion at 105mm). That said, it offers great video performances and if that’s the main use you’ll make of it, to make Vlogs for example, you’ll be happy with it (a little heavy at arm’s length though!).
In short, if you are looking for a all-round lens for your Sony a6400, this 18-105mm is something to consider if you are aware of its limitations.
- High performance E mount lens with excellent contrast; Minimum Aperture (F): 22
- Minimum Focus Distance : 1.48 (Wide) 3.12 ft (Tele), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.11x, Focal Length : 18 105 mm
- Versatile 27 158mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range. Angle of view (APS C): 76° 15°. Number of aperture blades are 7
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2. Sony 50mm f/1.8 OSS (SEL50F18)
Filter size: 49 mm
One of the best lenses available for the Sony a6400. It offers very sharp images with a superb background blur, even in low light. The focal length is quite difficult to use indoors but outdoors it’s very practical. Among the positive points: it’s light and compact, it does not cost too much, it integrates optical stabilization, it has a super autofocus that is both fast and silent, and it offers a simply superb image rendering, with a super sharp focus.
In short, with this kind of lens we can see the difference in terms of quality with the basic kit. Simply a must-have if you have a Sony a6400 and want to do a portrait (if ever the portrait photo is not the type of preference, the 35mm from Sony is a little more versatile and offers a similar image quality)._
- Built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and 7-blade circular aperture for beautiful defocus effects
- Minimum Focus Distance : 1.28 ft (0.39 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.16x, Focal-Length : 50 mm and filter diameter (mm) is 49 mm
- Large F1.8 maximum aperture enables beautiful defocusing effects. Angle of View (APS-C) : 32°
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3. Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN ART
Filter size: 46 mm
If you have a small budget to spend on your Sony a6400 and you want to take portrait photos, this Sigma 60mm f/2.8 is for you! Light and compact, it delivers images with a top sharpness (it’s one of the sharpest lenses in this selection). The f/2.8 aperture allows shooting in low light, although it does not offer as many possibilities as with the Sony 50mm f/1.8.
That said, there’s not much to blame him for… given the price at which he’s sold, it’s really a good lens, which can also be used for portrait photography as well as close-ups of a landscape, for example.
Note that when you switch it over you can hear a noise as if something has come off inside: don’t worry, it’s completely normal (it’s the autofocus motor)!
In short, it’s a very good value for money that perfectly complements the Sony a6400.
- Minimum focusing distance of 50CM.Maximum Focusing magnification ratio of 1:7.2
- Our DN lenses make a rattle/loose sound when handled or shaken due to the auto focus component that is controlled by a magnetic field within the lens
- Excellent for taking shots with a pinpoint focus on a subject.
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4. Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS (SEL35F18)
Filter size: 49 mm
Compact, lightweight, with a super fast, silent, precise focusing system, integrates optical stabilization to stabilize small hand shakes to ensure sharp images (practical on the Sony A6400 which has no integrated stabilization)… in short you will have understood, it’s a great lens!!!
The 35mm focal length is quite versatile and the f/1.8 aperture allows it to be used indoors, for portraiture, street photography… and it’s also great for video. Simply one of the best lenses for the Sony a6400 (a little expensive though!).
- Compact, lightweight fixed F1.8 lens.Angle of View (APS C) 44 °
- Minimum Focus Distance : 0.99 ft (0.3 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.15x, Focal Length : 1.38 in
- New optical design for excellent peripheral sharpness and contrast, Built in image stabilization
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5. Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Filter size: 67 mm
This is one of the lenses that offers the most sharpness among all those available for the Sony a6400. Sigma did an incredible job designing this lens: the autofocus is fast and accurate, the color rendering is superb, the images are sharp from one corner of the photo to the other.
The 16mm focal length is wide enough to make a wide angle and is perfect for landscape or real estate photography, but also for astrophotography. Since it opens at f/1.4, even if we use it to make portraits close to the subject we have a very beautiful background blur. If you make video, it’s also excellent combined with a gimbal.
It’s also well built and easy to use. One downside, however, is that it’s not stabilized, and if you use it for vlogging, the autofocus makes a slight noise, which can be heard in the sound picked up by the camera or a microphone. In addition, it’s an objective that offers exceptional performance.
- Compatible with Sony E mount cameras
- Perfect for nature & event photography
- Large f/1.4 aperture for superb lowlight performance
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6. Sony 10-18mm f/4 OSS (SEL1018)
Filter size: 62 mm
Let’s start with the positive points: we have here a surprisingly light wide angle considering its size, compact and therefore easy to take with us on a trip, with a fixed aperture of f/4. The focal length range of 10-18mm is very useful for vlogging if you want to start on Youtube, especially since it’s stabilized, or for architectural photography, for example.
Let’s move on to the negative points: the most annoying thing is that some copies are bad and deliver a rather weak dive. Remember to check the sharpness of the image in the first few days of your purchase, and ask for another copy if it’s defective! The fault lies with Sony, which did not carry out adequate quality control. Considering the high price at which it’s sold, it’s pretty boring. Finally, a rather curious little thing, without being problematic, is that it lengthens by almost 1cm when you are at 10mm, and retracts when you go to 18mm….
Otherwise, if you don’t mind a manual focus, the Rokinon-Samyang 12mm f/2 (see on Amazon.com) is a good alternative and costs three times less. It also gives a much sharper rendering. But overall, the 10-18mm f/4 remains a very good wide angle for the Sony a6400 provided you get a good copy!
- Angle of View (APS-C) - 109 ° – 76 °
- Minimum focal length of 10 mm (15 mm in 35 mm-camera equivalency)
- Minimum Focus Distance : 0.82 ft (0.25 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.1x
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7. Sony 30mm f/3.5 (SEL30M35)
Filter size: 49 mm
This is one of the very first E-mount lenses built by Sony, which is mainly intended for anyone who wants to take macrophotography with their Sony a6400: with a minimum focusing distance of 9.5cm, you can get very close to tiny and static subjects like coins, jewellery or watches for example (insects and flowers are more difficult to photograph because they move when the wind blows). It can also be used for portraiture, even if it’s not its main use.
This is the lightest objective on this list and also one of the cheapest. Even if the aperture is only f/3.5, it still gives a nice bokeh. Autofocus is not as fast as 35mm or 50mm, but it does the job. Too bad it’s not stabilized though, you have to hold it well in your hand so you don’t move a bit (or use it on a Sony a6500 that has 5 axis stabilization). In short, a nice lens to use and that gives amazing results, which I recommend if you want to get into the macro.
- Lens not Zoomable
- Filter diameter (mm): 49 mm
- Exceptionally portable and versatile for everyday use
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8. Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS (SEL55210)
Filter size: 49 mm
An interesting lens to have in your bag to take pictures from a distance. So yes, the aperture is not incredible and you should not try to use it in low light, but during the day with enough sunlight it offers really correct results. On the positive side, it’s stabilized and therefore allows you to shoot freehand, and its quality of construction is strong enough to carry it on a trip. The focal length from 55 to 210mm is versatile and offers a lot of possibilities if you are creative.
In short it’s a good zoom for the Sony a6400, yes it doesn’t produce as beautiful images as with a fixed focal length and it offers better images at 55mm rather than 210mm, but its focal length is really convenient if you want to shoot subjects far away. In addition, it’s sold at a very affordable price.
- Wide zoom range (82 - 315mm 35mm equivalent) ideal for sports or nature;Aperture blades : 7
- Internal focusing for smooth, quiet operation - perfect for video capture.Direct manual focus with non-rotating focus ring during AF: ideal for precise, comfortable manual focus adjustments
- Optical Steady Shot image stabilization for stable video capture and low light performance
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9. COMPARATIVE TABLE
All the Sony A6400 compatible lenses mentioned on this page are gathered in this comparative table to help you make your choice. You can compare them based on price, weight and utility to see which one is best for you. Prices change regularly, it’s up to you to jump on the right deals!
| Lens | Price | Weight | Aperture | Utility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN ART | $$$$$ | 190 g | f/2.8 | portrait |
| Sony Macro 30mm f/3.5 (SEL30M35) | $$$$$ | 138 g | f/3.5 | macro |
| Sony 50mm f/1.8 OSS (SEL50F18) | $$$$$ | 202 g | f/1.4 | portrait |
| Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS (SEL55210) | $$$$$ | 345 g | f/4.5-6.3 | zoom |
| Rokinon 12mm f/2 | $$$$$ | 200g | f/2 | wide angle |
| Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS (SEL35F18) | $$$$$ | 154 g | f/2.8 | standard (portrait, street photography) |
| Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary | $$$$$ | 405 g | f/1.4 | wide angle |
| Sony 18-105 mm f/4 OSS (SELP18105G) | $$$$$ | 225 g | f/4 | travel / all-in-one |
| Sony 10-18mm f/4 (SEL1018) | $$$$$ | 225 g | f/4 | wide angle |
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10. USEFUL ACCESSORIES
Here is a small selection of useful accessories to complement your lenses and your Sony a6400:
- Cleaning accessories
- Fast SD card
- Screen protector for Sony a6400
- Buy the Sony a6400 now!
Useful links
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