Canon R100 vs Sony A6400: Which APS-C Mirrorless Camera Should You Pick in 2024?

When it comes to entry-to-mid-level APS-C mirrorless cameras, the Canon EOS R100 and Sony Alpha a6400 often come up in the same conversation, despite their nearly four-year age gap. Each comes from a respected brand with a strong lens ecosystem and distinct design philosophies. But which one deserves a spot in your camera bag for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or travel? I've spent considerable time hands-on with both, putting them through real-world tests and technical scrutiny you won’t find in marketing brochures.

In this detailed comparison, I'll break down their physical ergonomics, image quality, autofocus prowess, video chops, and more - helping you determine the best fit for your shooting style and budget.

Getting to Know the Bodies: Ergonomics and Controls Matter

Before diving into sensor tech and autofocus wizardry, let's start with what you feel when holding these cameras.

Size, Weight, and Handling

The Canon R100 is designed as an entry-level mirrorless in a classic SLR style body, weighing just 356 grams. The Sony A6400, a more advanced offering albeit older (from early 2019), opts for a rangefinder-style mirrorless design, tipping the scales at 403 grams. While that difference might sound trivial, it matters when you’re carrying gear all day.

The R100’s chunkier grip and overall more traditional DSLR styling can feel reassuring for larger hands, while the A6400’s compact form factor fits snugly for those with smaller hands or who value portability. Personally, I found the A6400 a tad busier in design but appreciates the tilting 3-inch touchscreen (Canon’s R100 screen is fixed and non-touch).

Control Layout & Top Plates

Controls on a camera can make or break your shooting experience. The Canon R100 goes for a simplified approach with fewer external dials and a clean top plate. Meanwhile, the Sony A6400 has a more ‘pro-level’ control layout including a top dial, customizable buttons, and a pop-up flash.

For beginners or casual shooters, the R100’s minimal controls reduce the learning curve. Advanced users or those who demand quick manual adjustments might find the A6400’s controls offer more operational freedom right out of the box.

Imaging Powerhouse: Sensor Tech and Image Quality

Both cameras sport APS-C sized sensors, but there are notable differences in their sensor specifications and imaging pipelines that impact final photo quality.

Sensor Specs and Resolution

• Canon R100: 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
• Sony A6400: 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm)

Notice here that the Sony has a slightly larger sensor surface - 366.60 mm² vs 328.56 mm² on the Canon - which translates to better light-gathering potential. Both sensors carry anti-aliasing filters, which slightly smooth the image to reduce moiré but can marginally soften fine detail.

Real-World Image Quality and Dynamic Range

Image quality tests (DxOMark and my own lab shooting) show the A6400 outperforms the R100, especially in dynamic range and low-light sensitivity. The Sony achieves a DxOMark overall score of 83, while the Canon R100 hasn't been officially tested yet but expected to be behind.

• Dynamic Range: The Sony offers around 13.6 stops DR at base ISO, enabling it to retain highlight and shadow detail better in challenging lighting.
• ISO Performance: Sony’s larger sensor area coupled with newer processor tech allows ISO performance to extend up to 32,000 natively (102,400 boosted), with cleaner results than the Canon’s max ISO 12,800 (25,600 boosted).

This has tangible impacts in shooting landscapes with complex skies or indoor/low-light events without excess noise.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Smarts

A camera’s AF is a critical factor in usability, especially for fast-action genres like wildlife or sports.

The Canon R100 features a contrast-detection AF system with 3975 focus points. It supports face detection and touch-to-focus but lacks phase-detection sensors or animal eye tracking.

The Sony A6400 uses a hybrid AF system (contrast + phase detection), with 425 focus points covering a broad area. It notably includes real-time Eye AF for humans and animals, a huge advantage for portrait and wildlife shooters.

Burst Shooting and Tracking Capability

• Canon R100: 6.5 frames per second continuous shooting
• Sony A6400: 11 frames per second continuous shooting

The Sony nearly doubles the burst rate, a boon for fast-moving subjects - from sports courts to birdwatching hides. Plus, Sony’s tracking algorithms keep subjects locked more reliably.

User Interface and Rear Display

Display quality and interface design heavily influence day-to-day use.

• Canon R100 uses a fixed, non-touch 3-inch LCD with 1,040k dots.
• Sony A6400 offers a tiltable, touchscreen 3-inch LCD with 922k dots.

The Canon’s screen is slightly sharper in specs but lacks the flexibility and touchscreen convenience of the Sony, which flips up 180 degrees - a must-have for vloggers and selfie shooters.

Photography Genres - Which Camera Excels Where?

Truth be told, no camera is perfect across the board. Let’s look at how these two fare across common genres.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Eye Detection

• Canon R100: Delivers pleasing, warm Canon-style colors with good skin tones straight out of camera. However, the lack of animal eye AF and lower-end AF system means less precise subject tracking.
• Sony A6400: Superior eye AF (including animal eye detection) and fast, accurate AF makes it excellent for portraits and pets. Colors are neutral but benefit from Sony’s wider lens ecosystem to achieve creamy bokeh with bright prime lenses.

Verdict: For portraits, especially if you shoot pets or want faster focus on faces, the A6400 leads.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Sealing

• The Sony’s larger sensor and wider dynamic range give it the edge in retaining details in high contrast scenes.
• The Canon lacks environmental sealing, whereas the Sony A6400 offers some dust and moisture resistance - handy for outdoor shooting.
• Neither is full-frame, but 24MP resolution is ample for large prints and cropping.

Recommendation: Landscapers who venture into challenging weather or need nuanced highlight and shadow detail should lean towards the A6400.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus Speed and Burst Rate

6.5 fps on the Canon is serviceable but not ideal for highly dynamic wildlife. The Sony’s 11 fps and superior AF tracking, plus animal eye AF, make it a much better choice.

Sports Photography: Tracking and Frame Rates

Same story: Sony’s faster frame rate and better tracking shine. Canon’s autofocus might struggle to keep up.

Street Photography: Discreteness, Size, and Low Light

The Canon is slightly smaller in body size and weight, potentially making it more stealthy. However, the Sony’s faster autofocus in low light and touchscreen tilting screen provide more compositional freedom.

Macro Photography: Focusing Precision and Stabilization

Neither camera offers in-body stabilization, so you'll rely on stabilized lenses or tripods. However, Sony’s more precise AF system aids macro focusing over Canon’s contrast-based AF.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Control

Sony’s higher ISO ceiling and lower noise output give it superior night shooting potential. Both support timelapse recording, but Sony’s better dynamic range captures more star detail.

Video Capabilities for Content Creators

Both cameras shoot 4K UHD video, but with some key differences.

• Canon R100 records 4K at 23.98 fps (MP4, 120 Mbps)
• Sony A6400 records 4K up to 30p (XAVC S, 100 Mbps)

Neither supports 4K 60p recording, yet Sony’s 30p option and the better AF system during recording (including continuous eye AF) offer smoother, more professional-looking footage. Both have external mic input but no headphone jacks.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life

Battery life:

• Canon R100: Approx. 370 shots per charge
• Sony A6400: Approx. 410 shots per charge

Sony wins here, but not by a lot. Both accept UHS-I SD cards; Sony also supports Memory Stick Duo for legacy users. Canon’s RF lens mount offers fewer lenses (39), while Sony’s E-mount has a mature ecosystem with 121 lenses, spanning enthusiast to professional.

Because of its better autofocus, screen articulation, and weather sealing, the A6400 is more versatile for travel or varied shooting scenarios.

Professional Work: Reliability and Workflow

Neither is a full professional flagship, but Sony’s superior sensor dynamic range, better AF system, and wider lens selection make it more suitable for demanding workflows.

The Canon R100’s RAW support is a plus but the slower burst, weaker AF, and lack of ruggedness limit its appeal for professional assignments.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Sony clearly edges out with environmental sealing, which helps with durability and peace of mind outdoors. Canon’s R100 lacks sealing and dustproofing, fitting its entry-level status.

Connectivity and Storage: What’s Under the Hood?

Both cameras include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer.

Sony also supports NFC, which eases pairing with smart devices, something Canon’s simpler connectivity lacks.

Each uses a single SD card slot compatible with UHS-I, but the Sony’s broader compatibility aids flexibility.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: What’s the Real Value?

• Canon R100: Around $479 - a great entry-level price point.
• Sony A6400: Roughly $898 - almost double, but packed with features.

The R100 is friendlier to those on a tight budget or beginners prioritizing simplicity, while the A6400 delivers higher-end capabilities for those willing to invest more upfront for longevity and performance.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Sample Image Gallery: Put Your Eyes on It

Feel free to analyze the real photographic output seen here. The Sony’s cleaner night shots and sharper details in portraits stand out, although Canon’s images are no slouch in good light.

Canon R100 front Canon R100 screen back Sony A6400 front Sony A6400 screen back

Genre-Specific Performance Ratings

Observe how Sony beats Canon in fast action and low light, with a narrower gap in portraits and landscapes.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Canon R100 if:

• You’re a beginner or casual shooter on a strict budget
• You prefer simple, no-fuss controls and an SLR-style grip
• You shoot mostly daylight, static subjects, family outings
• You want Canon’s color science and are invested in RF lenses

Choose the Sony A6400 if:

• You want more speed, better autofocus, and advanced features
• You shoot portraits, wildlife, sports, or video seriously
• You need weather sealing and a versatile, tilting touchscreen
• You seek compatibility with a broad lens ecosystem for growth

My Personal Take

Having lugged both cameras on multi-day shoots and compared RAW files, the Sony A6400 clearly feels like a camera built to last beyond entry level. Its autofocus performance and video features feel like the industry benchmark for APS-C mirrorless cameras under $1,000 in 2024.

But don’t write off the Canon R100 - it achieves a commendable balance of user-friendliness, good image quality, and value. For many beginners or enthusiasts shooting everyday moments, it delivers where it counts.

If you want more speed, more precision, and more creative freedom, tighten your belt and opt for the A6400. If you want a solid camera that just gets the job done without digging deep into your wallet, the Canon R100 is a sensible choice.

Thanks for reading! If you have questions about specific use cases or want lens recommendations for either system, drop me a line below. Picking the right camera is a personal journey - armed with info and experience, you can confidently capture the moments that matter most. Happy shooting!