Capture Decisive Moments

The autofocus system on the a6400 inherits many technologies from Sony’s line-up of full-frame cameras, including the a9, a7R III, and a7 III models. The a6400 features 425 phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detection AF points that are placed densely over the entire image area, covering approximately 84% of the image area. This high-speed, high-performance tracking AF system is paired with a BIONZ X image processing engine that together allow the camera to acquire focus in as little as 0.02 seconds and maintain subject lock effectively, ensuring even the fastest moving subjects can be tracked and captured with ease.

Real-time Eye AF
The a6400 introduces advanced "Real-time Eye AF," the latest version of Sony’s Eye AF technology. This capability employs artificial intelligence based object recognition to detect and process eye data in real time, resulting in improved accuracy, speed, and tracking performance of Eye AF. In all autofocus modes, the camera now automatically detects the eyes of the subject and activates Eye AF with a half press of the shutter button, and when in AF-C or AF-A mode, the preferred eye (left or right) of your subject can be selected as the focus point. Choices include Auto / Right Eye / Left Eye, and a Switch Right / Left Eye function is able to be assigned to a custom function as well. This technology frees the photographer to focus solely on composition with trust that focus will be tack sharp on the subject’s eye. Eye AF support for animals will be added in summer 2019 via a system software update.

Real-time Tracking
Also debuting on the a6400 is Sony’s "Real-time Tracking." This mode utilizes Sony’s algorithm that includes artificial intelligence (AI) based object recognition and processes color, subject distance (depth), and pattern (brightness) as spatial information to ensure that all subjects can be captured with accuracy. Additionally, when photographing or videographing humans or animals, face and eye position information is recognized by AI and the subject’s eye is monitored in real time with high tracking precision. This can be activated by a simple half press of the shutter button, or can be assigned to a custom function

Up to 11fps with AF/AE
In terms of overall shooting speeds, the camera can shoot at up to 11 fps with full AF/AE tracking while utilizing the mechanical shutter, and up to 8 fps with full AF/AE tracking while silent shooting. It can shoot at each of these speeds for up to 116 frames JPEG Standard / 46 frames raw compressed, greatly increasing the chances of capturing the moment.

Advancements in Image Quality

Sony’s a6400 is equipped with a 24.2MP APS-C image sensor that is paired with an upgraded BIONZ X processor to deliver improved image quality and color reproduction in all types of shooting conditions. Standard ISO ranges up to ISO 32,000 for both stills and movies, and is expandable up to ISO 102,400 for still images, with good noise reduction at medium and high sensitivities.

The camera also inherits many of the image processing algorithms from Sony’s full-frame cameras, suppressing noise while preserving resolution and improving texture depiction.

4K Movie Recording with Fast Hybrid Autofocus

The versatile a6400 is a solid video camera, offering internal 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) movie recording with full pixel readout and no pixel binning to collect about 2.4x the amount of data required for 4K movies, and then oversamples it to produce high quality 4K footage with detail and depth. Focusing during movie shooting is fast and stable thanks to upgraded Fast Hybrid AF technology, which keeps the subject in constant smooth focus, even if an object crosses in front of the camera. This advanced AF plus touch focus functionality makes it a suitable camera choice for many vloggers and video creators that are regularly creating and uploading content online.

For time-lapse movie creation, the camera features built-in interval recording that can be set anywhere between 1 and 60 seconds, with a total number of shots from 1 to 9999. AE tracking sensitivity can be adjusted to "High", "Mid," or "Low" during interval shooting, allowing for reduced changes in exposure over the shooting interval.

Additionally, for the first time in a Sony APS-C mirrorless camera, this model includes an HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) picture profile, which supports an Instant HDR workflow, allowing HDR (HLG) compatible TV’s to playback beautiful, true-to-life 4K HDR imagery. Further, both S-Log2 and S-Log3 are available for increased color grading flexibility, as well as Zebra functionality, Gamma Display assist, and proxy recording. The camera can also record Full HD at 120 fps at up to 100 Mb/s, allowing footage to be reviewed and eventually edited into 4x or 5x slow-motion video files in Full HD resolution with AF tracking.

Upgraded Build for Increased Versatility

This camera is designed to offer a high level of functionality and customization to maximize shooting freedom. The a6400 features a fully tiltable 180° 3.0" LCD flip screen with 921,600 dots of resolution that allows for simple and effective framing of selfie-style shooting for both still and video capture. Utilizing this capability, vloggers will be able to check and monitor composition throughout their entire creative process. The LCD screen is also equipped with touch functionality, with options for Touch Pad, Touch Focus, Touch Shutter, and Touch Tracking, which quickly activates "Real-time Tracking" through the touch screen.

The camera features a high-quality XGA OLED Tru-finder viewfinder, extensive customization with 89 functions that are assignable to 8 custom keys, My Dial and My Menu functionality, enhanced overall menu usability, a help screen for menus, star rating for images, and many other features that allow for a seamless shooting experience. It is also built with a tough magnesium-alloy design and has a durable shutter that is rated for approximately 200,000 cycles. It also is capable of seamlessly transferring files to a smartphone or tablet when connected to the new Imaging Edge Mobile application.

Outstanding optical performance

With a focal length range of 17-70mm, equivalent to 25.5-105mm on full-frame cameras. The Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD Sony E (APS-C) is the first F2.8 high-speed zoom lens in the world for APS-C mirrorless cameras to achieve a 4.1x zoom ratio.

The optical construction of the new 17-70mm F2.8 is equally impressive and features 16 elements in 12 groups. Two GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements and one hybrid aspherical lens element are precisely arranged to maintain high-resolution performance from edge to edge.

• 16 elements in 12 groups
• Two moulded glass aspherical elements and one hybrid aspherical element corrects distortion and spherical aberrations.
• Two LD (Low Dispersion) elements greatly reduce colour fringing and chromatic aberrations.
• BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating has been applied to individual elements in order to suppress internal reflections, flare, and ghosting.
• Focuses down to 0.19m MOD (Minimum Object Distance) at the 17mm wide-angle and 0.39m (15.4 in) MOD at the 70mm telephoto, ensuring good close-range shooting performance for compelling close-up shots.
• Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality.

Vibration Compensation (VC) for worry-free still photography and video capture

The Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD Sony E (APS-C) utilizes highly regarded VC image stabilisation to maximize the optical performance of the lens when shooting handheld by effectively compensating camera shake. When shooting video, image stabilisation is further improved by leveraging AI technology compared to more conventional modes of stabilisation.

RXD Stepping Motor for Precise Autofocus

The AF drive incorporates an RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) stepping motor unit. The RXD actuator is able to precisely control the rotational angle of the motor, allowing it to drive the focusing lens directly without the use of a reduction gear. Additionally, a dedicated sensor senses the position of the lens to a high degree of accuracy – enabling both high-speed and precise AF which allows to maintain razor-sharp focus when shooting moving subjects or filming video.

• RXD motor with a direct drive of the focusing element for precise control
• Position sensor that detects the lens position for better tracking AF

Built with Sony Mirrorless Cameras in Mind

The new Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD Sony E (APS-C) is compatible with many of the advanced features that are specific to Sony Mirrorless cameras. This includes:

• Fast Hybrid AF
• Eye Af
• Direct Manual Focus (DMF)
• In-camera Lens Correction (shading, chromatic aberration, distortion)
• Camera-based lens unit firmware updates

A highly portable compact design

The 17-70mm F2.8 zoom measures a scant 119.3mm (4.7 in) in length and 74.6mm in maximum diameter and weighs only 525g (18.5 oz). This is remarkable for a lens with built-in VC image stabilization. When used with Sony’s APS-C mirrorless cameras, this zoom is nicely balanced and provides a comfortable user experience.

• A moisture-resistant construction benefits this lens’ use in inclement conditions and a fluorine coating has also been applied to the front lens element to protect against dust, dirt, and smearing.