Sony a6400 Review - UPDATED (please read caption)

Featured Friday, 01 February 2019 07:17

UPDATE 9 March 2019.

After some consideration I need to post this update. When I shot, (my assistant edited) and I published this video I was confident it was fair, honest and complete. When I read criticisms that I had not used the right AF mode I spoke with my videographer and others at the event who had similar results, thought long and hard on it, and was 99% certain I had tested all AF modes, that my testing was complete and accurate, however I the final footage used (out of the hours of material recorded), did not show ALL the modes used. So whilst I could see why people questioned the results, I was confident what I SAID was accurate, whilst what was SHOWN was not. 

So I got in the camera again to retest. Link below.
However, given time to reflect on this, I am no longer confident enough that I did either test well enough. I admit I dug my heels in and stood by the testing 1 because I was confident it was fair, and two, because the hype of Sony calling it 'the worlds fastest autofocus' was just BS, and I felt that had coloured the general discourse, which was wrongly leading people to question my findings. 
But, I have to remain open and honest and try to share my later thought process.
2 main things. Firstly, I realise that even in the second video, I did not actually test and show the ideal settings for the test done. And this was when I took my time at home to do it, rather than on the hectic media day. So how could I be so sure I had done it perfectly the first time? And secondly, after the hype and drama of the press conference has died down, once the outliers reviewers have settled, many whose opinions I trust have found different results - I am no longer certain that I did this fairly.

I can see why people think this was intentional - all I can say is that it was not, and I do not have a grudge against Sony etc. 
So I wanted to post this update to reflect my current thinking, and close down the comments to avoid further confusion. I have also turned off monitisation on the video and will eventually remove it altogether.

ORIGINAL CAPTION BELOW:
PLEASE SEE UPDATED VIDEO AT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeUMz88GhFA 
Sony brought a bunch of press to San Diego for a press event - Join us as we go through the motions and find out about the new a6400 and the latest updates to the a9, a7r3 etc.
TIMELINE01:46 Press conference04:26 Spec run through06:45 AF Fail10:19 ANIMAL AF10:37 Future Timeline11:10 But what about…?13:10 More testing15:10 Conclusion
Now, It may seem like I am being overly negative on the a6400 - I mean why compare a $900 camera to $3000+ Sony a9 and Nikon D850 and Z7? Well - because thats what I had on hand. Sony loaned us the a9 and a6400 and I had the Nikons with me. Do I expect the a6400 would really outperform them in AF? NO. But Sony are promoting the a6400 as having the fastest AF in the world* and hype up the fact that it has the same real time tracking and eye af that the a9 is also getting later this year... BUT - the *** is important... they clarify in the appendix of the press release that it has the fastest AF.... "Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras equipped with an APS-C image sensor as of January 2019, based on Sony research". For what that is worth.
I certainly heard people before the announcement saying this needs the new body style, dual cards, the new battery, ibis etc etc - to be an epic success. But... it has none of them. 
That said - I genuinely think it is a GREAT buy for $900 and you cannot expect to get everything from an entry level APSC camera that you do from the flagship. I just want people to be clear on what they are really getting, once the marketing hype dies down you will have an excellent entry level apsc camera - not something that surpasses what Sony/Canon/Nikon have in higher tiers.
You can check the a6400 out at B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/2FygsVl And at Amazon Worldwide: http://geni.us/Sony6400 
Amazon: http://geni.us/AmazonWorldwide B&H Photo: http://geni.us/BHPhoto Adorama: http://bit.ly/Adorama_USA

Share:

Leave a comment

Sony a9 III Long Term Review - Why doesn't this cost MORE?!

Sony a9 III Long Term Review - Why doesn't this cost MORE?!

Tuesday, 12 March 2024 08:51

Seriously - the a9iii leads the Alpha range in SO MANY ways - and has their latest Sensor technology... shouldn't this cost more?

Read more...
Nikon has entered the Pro Cinema Market

Nikon has entered the Pro Cinema Market

Thursday, 07 March 2024 09:23

Nikon just bought RED Camera - 100% outright!

Read more...
The Problem with Sony Mirrorless...

The Problem with Sony Mirrorless...

Wednesday, 06 March 2024 13:13

Sony need a pro level, flagship camera...

Read more...
Sony 24-50mm f2.8 G - WHO IS THIS FOR?

Sony 24-50mm f2.8 G - WHO IS THIS FOR?

Sunday, 25 February 2024 02:49

Totally unnecessary, or a welcome addition?

Read more...
This Bonkers F1.4 Fisheye lens can see 180° ?

This Bonkers F1.4 Fisheye lens can see 180° ?

Wednesday, 21 February 2024 04:52

The Sigma Art 15mm Diagonal Fisheye lens has a 180° viewing angle, an F1.4 aperture and rear filters.

Read more...

"Almost" Perfect - Fujifilm X100VI Review

Monday, 19 February 2024 01:24

Some impressive updates, and one major Achilles Heel.

Read more...
Sony a9 III: BUFFER Testing

Sony a9 III: BUFFER Testing

Tuesday, 13 February 2024 09:37

Less than 1 second of shooting = 10 seconds of buffering.

Read more...
Nikon Focus FIX! Huge Z8 Firmware Update 2.0

Nikon Focus FIX! Huge Z8 Firmware Update 2.0

Wednesday, 07 February 2024 02:28

Nikon Z8 Firmware 2.0 brings over a dozen major updates, including BIRD AF!

Read more...
The Problem with Nikon Mirrorless...

The Problem with Nikon Mirrorless...

Sunday, 04 February 2024 11:27

This Major Issue needs to be fixed.

Read more...