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Canon 80D vs Sony A6400

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
92
Overall
76
Canon EOS 80D front
 
Sony Alpha a6400 front
Portability
83
Imaging
68
Features
88
Overall
76

Canon 80D vs Sony A6400 Key Specs

Canon 80D
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 730g - 139 x 105 x 79mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Previous Model is Canon 70D
  • Newer Model is Canon 90D
Sony A6400
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 403g - 120 x 67 x 50mm
  • Revealed January 2019
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon 80D vs Sony A6400: The Hands-On Guide to Choosing Your Next APS-C Workhorse

When you’re looking to upgrade or invest in a serious APS-C camera capable of handling everything from family portraits to twitchy wildlife, the choice can get tricky. Two beloved models - Canon’s Canon EOS 80D DSLR and Sony’s mirrorless Alpha A6400 - stand out in this mid-tier category, each boasting a strong following. But which one is right for you? I’ve wrangled both through my usual battery of tests, from lab-controlled image analysis to real-world shooting in various lighting and subject conditions, and here’s what I’ve discovered.

Let’s break down the Canon 80D and Sony A6400 through the lenses of sensor tech, handling, autofocus prowess, image/video output, and everything a passionate photographer needs from a versatile camera.

Getting to Know Their Bodies and Build: Ergonomics & Size Matter

If you prefer familiar clubs for your thumbs and a solid grip that lasts through marathon shoots, the Canon 80D’s traditional mid-size DSLR design still feels like home to many. The 80D has a bulkier body, weighing in at 730g and measuring 139x105x79 mm, delivering a reassuring heft and balanced feel even with a substantial zoom lens. It sports a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen LCD (1040k dots), allowing flexible composition angles - perfect for video shooters and creative framing on the fly.

Canon 80D vs Sony A6400 size comparison

In contrast, the Sony A6400 is a sleek mirrorless camera, significantly more compact and lightweight at just 403g and 120x67x50 mm. If portability and discretion rank high on your list (hello, street and travel photographers), the A6400 is much easier to toss in a jacket pocket and raise stealthily for quick snaps. It features a 3-inch tilting touchscreen (922k dots), which handles most scenarios but is a bit less versatile due to the tilt-only mechanism as opposed to Canon’s full articulating screen.

From my hands-on experience, the Canon 80D’s larger grip and tactile buttons appeal to those spending long hours with the camera, giving more precision and comfort. Sony’s smaller body demands a lighter touch and might necessitate extra grip accessories for extended use, especially when paired with heavier lenses. The top-end control dials and buttons in the 80D also follow a familiar pattern that seasoned DSLR users appreciate.

Canon 80D vs Sony A6400 top view buttons comparison

Sensor and Image Quality: Inside the Heart of the Beast

Both cameras share an APS-C sensor size but differ slightly in dimensions and tech chemistry. Canon is rocking a 22.5x15 mm CMOS sensor with 24 megapixels and an optical low-pass filter, processed by the DIGIC 6 engine. Sony uses a marginally larger 23.5x15.6 mm sensor, also 24 MP, processed by the Bionz X chip. This subtle sensor size edge translates to a bit more surface area to gather light, which Sony gets a mild bump from.

Canon 80D vs Sony A6400 sensor size comparison

Testing reveals the Sony A6400 nudges ahead in dynamic range (13.6 EV vs. 13.2 EV on Canon) and color depth (24.0 bits vs. 23.6 bits). The wider dynamic range means better detail retention in highlights and shadows - crucial for landscapes and high contrast scenes where you want to save your skies and shadows without gradation banding. The Sony also scores higher for low-light ISO performance at about 1431 ISO compared to the Canon’s 1135 ISO figure, meaning it better suppresses noise in dim scenarios.

However, the Canon’s sensor holds its own remarkably well, producing natural and pleasing skin tones straight out of camera - a perk when shooting portraits or weddings where complex post-processing isn’t always an option. The Canon’s slightly larger pixel pitch translates to good color fidelity and less aggressive noise profiles at base ISOs.

In practical use, both cameras deliver sharp 24 MP images with rich details, but if I had to pick a technical winner for sheer sensor performance, the A6400 takes that prize by a narrow margin.

Autofocus Face-Off: Speed, Precision & Tracking

Autofocus systems make or break a camera’s usability, especially in action, wildlife, or fast-paced environments. The Canon 80D uses a hybrid AF setup with 45 cross-type phase-detection points, working through an optical pentaprism viewfinder or Live View. Meanwhile, Sony packed the A6400 with a staggering 425 phase-detection points that cover most of the frame, powered by a refined Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF algorithm that supports both humans and animals.

In real-world tests, the Canon autofocus holds its ground very well for portrait sessions in controlled environments. Its 45 cross-type points and excellent face detection quickly lock and track subjects for sharp portraits with nicely-rendered skin tones. But the Canon does not support animal eye AF - a sometimes significant limitation for wildlife photographers.

The Sony A6400’s autofocus is lightning-fast and arguably the best APS-C AF on the market in this price range. The real-time eye focus keeps subjects tack sharp during quick motions, even in challenging backlit or low-light conditions. Wildlife and sports shooters will appreciate this level of tracking performance, especially considering the camera’s burst rate of 11 fps (vs. 7 fps on the 80D).

Viewing Your Shot: Optical vs. Electronic Viewfinders

An often overlooked but crucial factor is how you compose your shots. The Canon 80D features a bright optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.6x magnification. While it can't preview exposure or white balance changes live, it feels natural with no lag - a traditionalist’s delight.

Sony’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the A6400 has a 2,359k dot resolution, 100% coverage, and 0.7x magnification, providing a sharp, real-time preview of your exposure, focus peaking, and white balance. This is particularly beneficial for novices or those shooting in tricky lighting, as it reduces surprises after the shot.

In my experience, the EVF gives you more confidence in exposure accuracy and instant feedback, which is a massive plus for beginners and videographers who want to see color and exposure shifts immediately.

Screen and Interface: Touch Controls and Flexibility

Both cameras sport responsive 3-inch touchscreens but with different articulations. Canon’s fully articulated screen is head-and-shoulders better for vlogging, overhead shots, or videography when you need to frame yourself or shoot awkward angles. Sony’s A6400 tilting screen is fine for waist-level shooting but limited for selfie-style video.

Canon 80D vs Sony A6400 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

Both offer easy menu navigation and customizable buttons, though the Canon’s button layout is more plentiful and tactile, ideal for photographers who want direct access to settings without diving into menus. Sony keeps things clean and minimal, which will appeal to tech-savvy users comfortable with touchscreen controls.

If you shoot a lot of self-recorded video, YouTube content, or prefer more flexible LCD articulation, Canon inches ahead here.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility

Canon boasts a mature lens catalog, with over 320 EF and EF-S lenses available, ranging from budget primes to professional L-series zooms. This extensive arsenal appeals to folks invested in Canon glass or those who want the broadest selection, including excellent third-party lenses.

Sony’s relatively smaller but growing E-mount collection numbers around 120 native lenses but is expanding rapidly, including exciting options optimized for mirrorless designs - compact, lightweight, and often with better optics and autofocus motors tuned to the camera’s hybrid AF system. Adapters can also allow Canon EF lenses on Sony bodies with some tradeoffs.

For those prioritizing lens variety - especially wider choices of affordable primes and specialty glass - Canon holds the upper hand now. But Sony is catching up fast in mirrorless lens innovation.

Burst Shooting, Speed & Buffer Depth: Catch Fast Moments

Sports and wildlife shooters focus on frame rates and buffer performance. The Canon 80D shoots at a respectable 7 fps with a decent buffer allowing about 35 RAW frames before slowing. The Sony A6400 is faster at 11 fps with a similar buffer depth, making it better equipped to track and capture quick action sequences - think birds in flight or fast court sports.

This difference could be decisive for action photographers who require responsiveness and fewer missed moments.

Low Light and ISO Performance: Night Owls Take Note

The Sony A6400’s superior high ISO ceiling (native up to 32,000, expandable to 102,400) combined with higher DxOMark low-light ISO scores means cleaner images with less noise in dim environments. If you shoot concerts, nighttime events, or astrophotography, Sony’s sensor will let you push ISO further with acceptable detail retention.

Canon’s ISO tops out at 16,000 native, expandable to 25,600, but noise rises sooner, so low-light shooters may find themselves hitting the noise reduction filter more aggressively.

Video Capabilities: 4K and Beyond

Away from stills, the A6400 is a serious contender in video. It shoots 4K (3840x2160) at 30p with no recording time limit (depending on card), uses the XAVC-S codec for higher bitrates, and supports microphone input. Its advanced autofocus during video, especially Real-time Eye AF, is industry-leading. However, it lacks a headphone jack for monitoring audio, which might frustrate serious videographers.

Canon’s 80D maxes out at 1080p (Full HD) at 60p. It includes both mic and headphone jacks, fully articulating touchscreen, and cleaner HDMI output. While it doesn’t have 4K, its video quality is respectable and usable for casual filmmakers or those not yet investing in ultra-high resolution footage.

For video enthusiasts and content creators, the Sony A6400 offers much better future-proof video specs, while Canon 80D is more traditional and limited here.

Battery Life & Connectivity: How Long Will You Shoot?

The Canon 80D is a battery champ with roughly 960 shots per charge (CIPA rating), thanks to optical viewfinder efficiency and a larger NP-E6N battery. The Sony A6400, understandably, lags with about 410 shots, since electronic viewfinders and mirrorless designs eat battery faster.

This means if you’re out shooting long weddings, events, or days on a trail with no charging options, Canon’s extra endurance is invaluable.

On connectivity, both cameras include built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for remote shooting and image transfer. Sony adds Bluetooth for quicker pairing and low-power transfer options, a modern convenience.

Weather Sealing and Durability

Both cameras feature weather-resistant construction but are not ruggedized for extreme abuse. They offer some defense against dust and light moisture, which is jazzing for enthusiast outdoor shooters. Neither is waterproof or shockproof.

Let’s See Them in Action: Sample Image Gallery

To give you an idea of real-world output, here’s a side-by-side gallery of images captured with both cameras under varying conditions - from landscape vistas to portraits and fast-action wildlife.

You can see both produce excellent detail and sharpness, with Sony’s files exhibiting slightly more dynamic range, and Canon’s skin tones more pleasing right out of the camera.

Scoring and Performance Metrics at a Glance

Breaking down their overall performance based on DxOMark scores, autofocus performance, and user feedback:

Sony’s A6400 edges ahead overall, largely due to sensor tech, autofocus capabilities, burst shooting speed, and video prowess. Canon 80D’s strengths lie in ergonomics, battery life, and a mature lens ecosystem.

Application-Specific Strengths: Which One Excels Where?

Photography Discipline Canon 80D Sony A6400
Portraits Excellent skin tones, good AF Excellent eye AF, slightly cooler colors but vibrant
Landscape Good dynamic range, great lens choice Slightly better DR, compact setup attractive for hikes
Wildlife Reliable AF, lacks animal eye AF Fast tracking, animal eye AF
Sports Moderate burst (7 fps) Fast burst (11 fps), superior tracking
Street Bulkier and less discreet Small, light, silent shooting
Macro Lens range advantage Compact, precise AF
Night/Astro Limited ISO ceiling High ISO capability
Video Full HD 60p, mic & headphone jacks 4K 30p, excellent AF, mic only
Travel Heavier but robust Lightweight, compact
Professional Workflow Versatile files, solid build Files excellent, EVF preview

Value for Money: Price and Final Thoughts

At street prices around $1,200 for the Canon 80D and approx. $900 for the Sony A6400 (body only), the Sony packs more modern tech into a cheaper price point. But if you already own Canon glass or want a highly comfortable DSLR experience with longer battery life, the 80D still commands its price.

Pros and Cons Summed Up

Canon EOS 80D Pros:

  • Ergonomic, comfortable DSLR handling
  • Fully articulated touchscreen
  • 45 cross-type AF points with solid tracking
  • Excellent battery life (~960 shots)
  • Large, proven lens ecosystem (>320 lenses)
  • Headphone port for video monitoring
  • Solid build with weather sealing

Canon EOS 80D Cons:

  • No 4K video support
  • Slower burst rate (7 fps)
  • No animal eye AF
  • Heavier and bulkier body
  • Slightly inferior sensor dynamic range and low-light IQ

Sony Alpha A6400 Pros:

  • Excellent autofocus with 425 phase points and real-time eye/animal AF
  • 4K video with good codec options
  • Faster burst shooting (11 fps)
  • Compact, lightweight body ideal for travel/street
  • Higher dynamic range and higher ISO performance
  • EVF with exposure preview

Sony Alpha A6400 Cons:

  • Shorter battery life (~410 shots)
  • Tilting (not fully articulating) touchscreen
  • No headphone jack for video
  • Smaller native lens ecosystem (but growing)
  • Lighter body may feel less secure with bigger lenses

Who Should Buy Which?

  • Buy the Canon EOS 80D if: You’re invested in the Canon system or prefer an optical viewfinder and longer battery life for extended still shoots. Ideal for portrait, event, outdoor, and hybrid shooters who want ergonomic comfort and a proven, versatile mid-range DSLR.

  • Buy the Sony A6400 if: You crave the latest autofocus tech, 4K video, and a compact mirrorless body for travel, wildlife, or street photography. Perfect for videographers and action shooters who prioritize speed, tracking, and sensor performance at a more budget-friendly price.

Wrapping It Up

Choosing between the Canon 80D and Sony A6400 boils down to your shooting style and priorities. The Canon 80D remains a trustworthy, versatile DSLR rival favored by traditionalists and those needing battery endurance and solid ergonomics. Meanwhile, the Sony A6400 punches well above its weight with advanced autofocus, 4K video, and a more compact form, perfect for a new generation of photographers demanding speed and modern flexibility.

Both are remarkable APS-C cameras, and I wholeheartedly recommend trying to handle each in person if possible. Your hands, your muscle memory, and the lenses you prefer to shoot with will ultimately tip the scales.

Pick your fighter, and happy shooting!

If you want to dig further, my published test methodology includes standardized lab charts, real subject motion tracking graphs, and side-by-side RAW file comparisons for those ready to geek out.

End of Review Article

Canon 80D vs Sony A6400 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 80D and Sony A6400
 Canon EOS 80DSony Alpha a6400
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS 80D Sony Alpha a6400
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2016-02-18 2019-01-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.5 x 15mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 16000 32000
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 45 425
Cross focus points 45 -
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Sony E
Available lenses 326 121
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Off, auto, on, slow sync, rear sync, redeye reduction, wireless, hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, XAVC-S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 730 grams (1.61 lbs) 403 grams (0.89 lbs)
Dimensions 139 x 105 x 79mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 3.1") 120 x 67 x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 83
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 24.0
DXO Dynamic range score 13.2 13.6
DXO Low light score 1135 1431
Other
Battery life 960 photographs 410 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6N NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I support) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick DUO (UHS-I compliant)
Card slots One One
Retail price $1,199 $898