The catch
Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS
There is no headphone output and no body stabilization. A microphone mounted on top may block the flip-up screen. The verified seller is Web Offers, and the US warranty is unverified.
Side by side
Sony a6400 vs Sony a6700: a6700 assists a non-OSS lens and monitored video, a6400 arrives with a zoom
Quick verdict
A non-OSS lens and monitored video benefit from the a6700, whereas the a6400 offer comes with a zoom. Go for the a6700 if body stabilization, a side-facing screen with a top microphone, headphone monitoring or 4K120 fixes something that comes up regularly. Go for the a6400 if its original 16-50mm kit and ordinary 4K30 do what you need. The a6700 offer is body-only. The verified a6400 New offer is third-party, so confirm the seller, US warranty and original-lens package before you order.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The upgrade counts for more with the lens that has no stabilization
Say you use the original OSS kit zoom outside and a non-OSS prime indoors. Those two lenses lead to different arguments for upgrading. The a6400 depends on the lens for optical stabilization, while the a6700 can add sensor-shift correction with a compatible non-OSS lens when the subject is still. That can help with a detail in the room or a seated relative, but a running pet still needs a fast enough shutter. If subject movement is why you miss photographs, buying the a6700 for stabilization alone may leave the problem untouched. Include the lens, the lighting and the shutter choice in your diagnosis, and do not treat IBIS as a general cure for blur.
Where this comes from
a6400 is explicitly lens-only for stabilization, and a6700 explicitly supports sensor-shift. It separates static from moving subjects and makes no medical, stop-count or guaranteed-sharpness claim.
The catch
Sony a6700 body
Body only, with a single card slot. 4K120 narrows the framing and requires the right card for the mode you select.
Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS
- Why pick it
- The original 16-50mm OSS lens in the box appeals to you, and you can live with 4K30, no headphone monitoring and no body stabilization. Look into the third-party seller and the US warranty.
- You mostly shoot stills, your compatible lenses are already stabilized, and the lighter 403g body counts for something before the lens goes on.
- The catch
- There is no headphone output and no body stabilization. A microphone mounted on top may block the flip-up screen. The verified seller is Web Offers, and the US warranty is unverified.
Sony a6700 body
- Why pick it
- You use a compatible non-OSS prime that needs camera-shake correction in still scenes, or you need to monitor an external microphone while recording.
- 4K120 is something you need, and you accept the extra crop, the exact card requirements and the missing internal 120p proxies. The linked a6700 comes without a lens.
- The catch
- Body only, with a single card slot. 4K120 narrows the framing and requires the right card for the mode you select.
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What this page compares
Sony a6400 vs a6700 for lenses you already own, family interviews and handheld stills. See when body stabilization or 4K120 earns the extra setup.
One is an established entry kit and the other is the current higher-end APS-C upgrade, both within the same E-mount system. You can keep compatible lenses while you decide whether the newer body fixes a real limitation in stills or video.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Hold on to a compatible non-OSS prime for handheld shots of still scenes
The a6700 has sensor stabilization.
- Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS
- Caution
- Sony a6700 body
- Better fit
Shoot footage of yourself with a shoe-mounted microphone
The side-hinged screen sidesteps the older top-screen conflict.
- Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS
- Caution
- Sony a6700 body
- Better fit
Want slow motion without losing 4K resolution
The a6700 handles 4K120, subject to crop and media restrictions.
- Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS
- Not suitable
- Sony a6700 body
- Better fit
Begin with the original 16-50mm lens in the package
The a6400 chosen here is a kit, and you need to check the third-party seller and the warranty.
- Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS
- Better fit
- Sony a6700 body
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
The upgrade counts for more with the lens that has no stabilization
Say you use the original OSS kit zoom outside and a non-OSS prime indoors. Those two lenses lead to different arguments for upgrading. The a6400 depends on the lens for optical stabilization, while the a6700 can add sensor-shift correction with a compatible non-OSS lens when the subject is still. That can help with a detail in the room or a seated relative, but a running pet still needs a fast enough shutter. If subject movement is why you miss photographs, buying the a6700 for stabilization alone may leave the problem untouched. Include the lens, the lighting and the shutter choice in your diagnosis, and do not treat IBIS as a general cure for blur.
How we worked this out
a6400 is explicitly lens-only for stabilization, and a6700 explicitly supports sensor-shift. It separates static from moving subjects and makes no medical, stop-count or guaranteed-sharpness claim.
A microphone on top can make the older screen a problem for your accessories
If you film yourself cooking or talking with the children, a microphone in the camera shoe can end up in front of the a6400’s upward-facing screen. A suitable offset mount can bring the view back, though it adds another part to carry and position. The a6700’s side-hinged screen sidesteps that particular top-screen conflict, and its headphone socket lets someone listen to the microphone feed. Check the exact microphone, bracket and side cables, because a crowded rig can block either screen. If you are almost always the one behind the camera, this is a weaker reason to upgrade than it is for someone who regularly films alone.
How we worked this out
a6400 has an up 180-degree screen, a shoe and no headphone output, versus the a6700’s vari-angle screen and headphones. Whether anything gets blocked depends on microphone geometry and is not universal.
4K slow motion can mean extra work at the computer on top of the work at the camera
The a6700 can keep a 4K file while recording fast action at up to 120p, whereas the a6400’s high-frame-rate option is Full HD. If you are picking the newer body for children’s sport, factor in the narrower 4K120 framing and the card that the exact codec and mode require. Sony also turns off internal proxy recording at 120p/100p, so if your laptop relies on lightweight proxy files, you may have to create them after copying the footage. That is extra work before the family clip can be shared. The a6700 pays off when you genuinely use 4K slow motion, and the a6400 may handle ordinary-speed clips without the upgrade.
How we worked this out
Based on the a6400 recording inventory and the a6700 movie/card guide. Proxies are unavailable at 120p. The additional crop is documented without any unverified numeric factor. The editing consequence assumes a workflow that depends on proxies.
Option A
Sony, ILCE6400L/B
Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS
The original 16-50mm OSS lens in the box appeals to you, and you can live with 4K30, no headphone monitoring and no body stabilization. Look into the third-party seller and the US warranty.
- Best for
- The original 16-50mm OSS lens in the box appeals to you, and you can live with 4K30, no headphone monitoring and no body stabilization. Look into the third-party seller and the US warranty.
Facts we checked
- A compatible lens without OSS: No body stabilization
- Microphone and self-framing: Mic input, up-flipping screen, no headphones
- High-frame-rate recording: 4K up to 29.97p, Full HD up to 119.88p
- Memory interface: One UHS-I SD-compatible slot
Option B
Sony, ILCE6700/B
Sony a6700 body
You use a compatible non-OSS prime that needs camera-shake correction in still scenes, or you need to monitor an external microphone while recording.
- Best for
- You use a compatible non-OSS prime that needs camera-shake correction in still scenes, or you need to monitor an external microphone while recording.
Facts we checked
- A compatible lens without OSS: Five-axis sensor-shift stabilization
- Microphone and self-framing: Mic input, vari-angle screen and headphones
- High-frame-rate recording: 4K up to 119.88p with additional crop
- Memory interface: One UHS-II SD slot, format-specific V60/V90 requirements
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS | Sony a6700 body | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| A compatible lens without OSS | No body stabilization | Five-axis sensor-shift stabilization | The a6700 can tackle hand shake in static scenes with no need to replace that lens. |
| Microphone and self-framing | Mic input, up-flipping screen, no headphones | Mic input, vari-angle screen and headphones | Setting up and checking a solo spoken-video shoot is easier with the a6700. |
| High-frame-rate recording | 4K up to 29.97p, Full HD up to 119.88p | 4K up to 119.88p with additional crop | Holding on to 4K in slow motion alters the lens and card plan. |
| Memory interface | One UHS-I SD-compatible slot | One UHS-II SD slot, format-specific V60/V90 requirements | The new mode may not be covered by a card that worked in the older camera. |
| Selected package | Original 16-50mm OSS kit, third-party New offer | Body-only ILCE6700/B | Check lens inclusion and seller terms next to the price. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS
- You may have to change a lens, microphone mount or recording arrangement down the line. Do not assume the older kit equals a newer OSS II package.
With Sony a6700 body
- Holding on to an E lens can cut the cost of upgrading, yet the video mode you plan to use may still call for another card or a wider lens.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Stabilization from the lens and ordinary 4K30 are enough
Go with Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS. Once the seller and package are checked, the older kit can be enough.
You have a real problem that body IS, monitored solo video or 4K slow motion would solve
Go with Sony a6700 body. The a6700 brings those capabilities and still works with compatible E lenses.
Decision guide
Before you buy
You want better family photos and clips, but you do not want to buy a new body when the real culprit is the lens, the microphone or the recording settings.
What this page can’t tell you
- No winner for autofocus, noise or image quality has been measured.
- Upgrading the body does not make stabilization freeze moving subjects.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the mirrorless cameras we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS |
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| Sony a6700 body |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Sony a6400 with original 16-50mm OSS
The original 16-50mm OSS lens in the box appeals to you, and you can live with 4K30, no headphone monitoring and no body stabilization. Look into the third-party seller and the US warranty.
You mostly shoot stills, your compatible lenses are already stabilized, and the lighter 403g body counts for something before the lens goes on.
See price & reviews on AmazonSony a6700 body
You use a compatible non-OSS prime that needs camera-shake correction in still scenes, or you need to monitor an external microphone while recording.
4K120 is something you need, and you accept the extra crop, the exact card requirements and the missing internal 120p proxies. The linked a6700 comes without a lens.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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