Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6400
62 Imaging
76 Features
86 Overall
80


83 Imaging
69 Features
88 Overall
76
Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6400 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
- Introduced July 2020
(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

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6400 Overview
Following is a complete analysis of the Nikon Z5 and Sony A6400, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the A6400 (24MP) is very similar but the Z5 (Full frame) and A6400 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

The Z5 was manufactured 19 months after the A6400 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A6400 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the Z5 scores against the A6400 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6400 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Z5 and Sony Alpha a6400. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon Z5 Gallery and Sony A6400 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A6400
Z5 | A6400 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2020 | ![]() | January 2019 | More modern by 19 months |
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 922k | Sharper display (+118k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A6400 over the Nikon Z5
A6400 | Z5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A6400
Z5 | A6400 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6400 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 provides external dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Sony A6400 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0") and a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs).
Examine the Nikon Z5 and Sony A6400 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the Z5 vs the A6400.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z5 and A6400 is 62 and 83 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6400 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by going over specs. The picture underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and A6400.
All in all, both the cameras posses the exact same megapixel count but different sensor sizes. The Z5 has the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler. The more modern Z5 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6400 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6400 Specifications
Nikon Z5 | Sony Alpha a6400 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Z5 | Sony Alpha a6400 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2020-07-20 | 2019-01-15 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed 6 | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 35.9 x 23.9mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 858.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 6016 x 4016 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 51200 | 32000 |
Max boosted ISO | 102400 | 102400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 273 | 425 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon Z | Sony E |
Total lenses | 15 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 1,040k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 3,690k dot | 2,359k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.8x | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.5 frames per second | 11.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 6.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off | Off, auto, on, slow sync, rear sync, redeye reduction, wireless, hi-speed sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/200 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
Max video resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264, XAVC-S |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | Yes | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 675g (1.49 lb) | 403g (0.89 lb) |
Dimensions | 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") | 120 x 67 x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 83 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 24.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1431 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 470 photos | 410 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL15c | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick DUO (UHS-I compliant) |
Storage slots | Dual | 1 |
Retail price | $1,399 | $898 |