Sony NEX-7 vs Sony A6400: A Hands-On Deep Dive Into Two APS-C Mirrorless Powerhouses

When you set out to pick a serious APS-C mirrorless camera from Sony’s storied lineup, two names often come up: the trailblazing Sony NEX-7 from 2011, and the more recent, widely lauded Sony A6400 released in 2019. Both feature the coveted E-mount and pack 24MP sensors, but that’s where the similarity ends - at least on paper.

Having spent years behind the camera testing hundreds of Sony bodies firsthand, I’m here to break down what this difference means in daily shooting, to help you decide which one suits your photography ambitions and wallet. Whether you’re into portraits or wildlife, landscapes or vlogging, this is a head-to-head worth knowing before you buy.

Size, Shape, and Handling: Old Meets New in Sony’s Rangefinder-style Bodies

Right off the bat, the design and handling speak volumes about how camera ergonomics have evolved in eight years. Both cameras share a classic "rangefinder-style" mirrorless form factor with relatively compact bodies, but subtle changes make for different user impressions.

Sony NEX-7 measures 120 x 67 x 43mm and weighs about 400g. It was compact for its time but leaned slightly towards a flatter, minimalist design. The grip is functional but on the small side, meaning those with bigger paws might struggle during extended shoots.

Fast forward to the A6400, which is nearly identical dimensionally (120 x 67 x 50mm) and just a tad heavier at 403g. What changed? Sony beefed up the grip, added more thoughtful button layouts, and improved the materials. The result is a much more secure, comfortable hold that reduces hand fatigue when shooting all day - a definite advantage for travel and action shooters.

The increased body depth (7mm more) on the A6400 accommodates improved hardware and makes it easier to reach important controls without fighting the camera.

If ergonomic ease and a confident grip figure heavily in your decision (and in my experience, they should), the A6400 clearly takes the win here.

Top-Down View: Controls and Usability - Evolving for the Digital Age

Looking from above, the NEX-7 came with an impressively chunky control dial and a couple of customizable dials - a bit of a treat for manual exposure fans. However, some buttons feel tiny and tightly packed for quick adjustments, especially when wearing gloves or on the go.

Jumping to the A6400, the layout feels more polished: controls are larger, better spaced, and more logically grouped. The command dial is smoother and slightly deeper, making it friendlier for quick shooting or changing settings mid-action. Plus, the A6400 incorporates the newer touchscreen functionality, a turbo boost for those used to smartphone-like navigation.

Productivity-wise, I found the loadout on the A6400 better suited for fast workflow especially in run-and-gun photography situations; the NEX-7 feels more like a classic manual camera transplanted into a mirrorless body.

For photographers prioritizing speed and tactile feedback, the A6400’s updated interface makes life easier without sacrificing advanced control.

Sensor Showdown: Imaging Heartbeat and IQ Metrics

Underneath the hood both sport a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.6 mm - standard fare in this class. But here’s where we start to uncover meaningful accuracy gaps.

Sony NEX-7 utilizes an older Exmor CMOS sensor coupled with the original BIONZ processor. This setup delivers sharp images with respectable dynamic range (about 13.4 EV) and color depth around 24.1 bits per DxOMark, noteworthy for its era.

In contrast, the A6400 sports a significant upgrade: a newer generation Exmor CMOS sensor optimized for speed and low noise paired with the BIONZ X processor. The performance bump is immediately measurable with a slightly wider dynamic range at 13.6 stops, nearly identical color depth (24.0 bits), but importantly much better high ISO efficiency. Low light shooting capability swells with usable ISO ratings up to 32,000 native and 102,400 boosted, compared to the NEX-7’s 16,000 max.

What does this mean for your photos? In portraits, landscapes, and events under varied illumination, the A6400’s sensor and processor advance image quality and noise control on a scale noticeable to even non-geeky eyes. With the NEX-7, you’ll want to stick closer to ISO 1600-3200 to avoid image degradation.

Of course, stable RAW support on both cameras lets you push post-processing extensively, but the cleaner capture by the A6400 gives it a leg up in professional workflows.

The Rear Screen and Viewfinder: Peeking at Your Shots in Style

If there’s one area where photographers appreciate a camera’s personality most, it’s the rear screen and EVF. These are your windows to framing, reviewing, and interacting.

The NEX-7 features a tilting 3-inch LCD with 921k dots resolution - crisp enough but without much flair. It lacks a touchscreen, which means scrolling and adjusting settings require physical controls, often slower in fast paced situations.

The A6400, with the same 3-inch screen size, ramps up with 922k dots plus touchscreen integration, enabling faster focus point selection, menu navigation, playback zoom, and even the highly praised selfie-friendly flip-up tilt design. This makes the A6400 a magnet for vloggers and self-shooters.

Electronic viewfinders are also much improved. The NEX-7’s EVF covers 100% of the frame at 0.73x magnification but lacks specification for resolution - a sign of its modest 2011-era OLED panel.

The A6400 boasts a significantly higher resolution EVF at 2359k dots with similar 100% coverage but marginally increased 0.7x magnification. The impact is a real-world brighter, clearer preview with less eye strain for long shoots. Auto-switching between EVF and LCD is smooth, too.

In practical terms: if critical focus, framing accuracy, and quick interaction matter, the A6400’s display and EVF feel like they belong in a different century than the NEX-7’s.

Autofocus Systems: The High-Stakes Battle of Speed and Smarts

An area I’ve tested extensively with both bodies is autofocus, crucial across genres, especially wildlife and sports.

• NEX-7 AF: relies on contrast-detection only with 25 focus points, face detection included but no eye or animal eye AF. It performs well in good light but is slow, exhibiting hunting in low light or challenging scenes. Continuous AF tracking is available but basic.

• A6400 AF: a huge leap with a hybrid system combining phase-detection and contrast-detection AF with 425 points. It supports Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals, continuous tracking, AF touch, and real-time tracking modes. This means fast, reliable focus in tight conditions with constant adjustment.

In real shoots, I found the A6400 to nail focus on moving subjects - say a sprinting athlete or a hopping squirrel - where the NEX-7 would frequently lag or miss focus entirely.

If you’re shooting fast action or relying on confident subject capture, the A6400 AF system justifies its price premium alone.

Burst Speed and Buffer: Capturing Fleeting Moments

Shooters of sports or wildlife will appreciate maximum continuous frame rate and buffer depth. These specs translate directly to how many frames you can fire off before your camera bogs down.

• NEX-7: offers 10 frames per second (fps) max burst with a rather shallow buffer.
• A6400: edges past with 11 fps continuous, backed by a substantially larger buffer facilitating longer shooting chains without slowdown.

In sequences requiring rapid-fire bursts - think tennis serves, running animals, or skate tricks - the A6400’s improved pipeline results in more images captured with fewer pauses, aiding the decisive-shot hunter.

Low Light and ISO Performance: Dancing with Shadows

Neither camera sports in-body image stabilization (IBIS), so high ISO capability and lens stabilization are critical for dim conditions.

From experience testing in dim venues and astrophotography setups, the A6400’s sensor and processor combo produces cleaner images at ISO 3200-6400 with less chroma noise and better retention of detail. The NEX-7 can be pushed here but often requires noise reduction that smears fine detail.

Tips for the budget-conscious: for low-light shooters where stabilization matters, pairing either camera with OSS (Optical SteadyShot) lenses is a must. But if you can only pick one camera based on low-light IQ, the A6400 dominates.

Video Capabilities: More Than Moving Pictures

Though both are primarily stills cameras, video features broaden their appeal, especially for content creators.

• NEX-7 shoots Full HD (1920x1080) at 60 or 24 fps using MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. It has a microphone port for sound but no headphone jack and lacks advanced video codecs or 4K support.

• A6400 steps up with true 4K UHD recording at 30 fps with no crop, employing the efficient XAVC-S codec. You also get advanced autofocus tracking during video, a mic input but still no headphone jack, and time-lapse recording. The screen’s flip-up capability makes self-recording practical.

If video is a big part of your plan, the A6400 is clearly the more versatile and future-proof choice.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Shooting in the Elements

Though neither camera is fully weather-proof, the A6400 offers some weather-resistant sealing, better protecting it from dust and moisture during challenging conditions - a feature absent from the NEX-7.

For landscape photographers trekking in the wild or documentary shooters exposed to unpredictable elements, this is a meaningful difference.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Sony’s Growing Arsenal

Both accept Sony E-mount lenses - a significant advantage offering over 120 native options (and many third-party lenses) for everything from fast primes to super-telephoto zooms.

However, the NEX-7 was released early in Sony’s E-mount history, and some newer lenses featuring advanced features like linear motors or improved optical stabilization might not be fully supported or optimized. The A6400 benefits from the entire updated lens lineup and often faster focus with newer glass.

For macro shooters, lenses offering close-focusing and image stabilization pair better with the A6400 body’s more responsive system, but neither sports internal stabilization.

Power and Connectivity: Extra Nods to Modern Needs

Both cameras rely on Sony’s NP-FW50 battery packs, giving around 400+ shots per charge. The NEX-7 achieves about 430 shots, while the A6400 slightly less at 410 - likely due to additional electronics like Wi-Fi and touchscreen use.

Connectivity-wise, the NEX-7 includes basic Eye-Fi support (Wi-Fi via SD cards) but no Bluetooth or NFC. Meanwhile, the A6400 integrates built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, enabling seamless smartphone tethering, remote control, and easy image sharing, essential for fast-paced workflows today.

Storage and Expandability

Both sport single UHS-I compatible slots handling SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (and Memory Stick Pro formats), but the A6400 supports newer card speeds essential for 4K video recording and high burst rates.

Pricing and Value: Cheapskate’s Corner

At launch and even today in used markets:

• The NEX-7 often trades hands around $600-700, making it budget-friendly for enthusiasts wanting a 24MP APS-C frame without breaking the bank.
• The A6400 retails new above $800-900. Its newness and tech advances justify the premium when balanced against features and performance gains.

If max value per dollar is your focus (especially shooting stills in good light), the NEX-7 remains a compelling pick. However, if your budget can stretch a bit, the A6400 offers future-proofing and versatility worth the investment.

Shooting Across Genres: Which Camera Fits Your Style?

Let's cut through jargon by hitting each popular photography discipline and how these two compare in practice.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

• NEX-7: Handles color rendering well; AF face detection reliable but no eye AF - which means focusing on sharp eyes can be slower or require manual focus finesse.
• A6400: Real-time eye AF and animal eye AF transform portraiture, giving crisp in-focus eyes even at wide apertures - invaluable for studio or candid portraits.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Detail

• Both cameras offer 24MP resolution and good dynamic range. The A6400’s slight edge helps in post-processing. Lack of weather sealing on the NEX-7 is a drawback for fieldwork.

Wildlife: AF Speed & Telephoto

• The A6400’s hybrid AF with animal tracking and superior burst speed places it firmly ahead here.

Sports: Tracking and Speed

• The A6400 again shines with 11fps, phase-detect AF, and effective tracking compared to the older contrast-based AF on the NEX-7.

Street: Discreteness and Portability

• Both are compact. The NEX-7’s quieter shutter and smaller grip can be a plus for candid shooting, but the A6400’s faster AF and better low-light performance win overall.

Macro: Precision Focusing

• Manual focus precision is fine on both, but the A6400’s touchscreen aids focus peaking and magnification, improving results.

Night/Astro Photography

• The A6400’s better high ISO performance and exposure options make it a safer bet here.

Video

• The A6400’s 4K, microphone input, and flip screen dominate video-centric creators.

Travel

• Both compact and lightweight, but the A6400’s weather resistance and faster performance edge it out.

Professional Use

• A6400 gives more reliable AF, faster workflow integration, and connectivity options for pro work.

Image Quality in Action: Sample Photos Gallery

Sony NEX 7 front Sony NEX 7 screen back Sony A6400 front Sony A6400 screen back

Scanning through real-world images posted from both systems, you can appreciate the subtle yet impactful difference in color finesse, noise handling, and dynamic range in tricky scenes like dusk portraits or shadowy forests. The difference isn’t night-and-day but enough to reward investing in the A6400 if you want the best consistently.

What the Scores Say: Final Performance Ratings

Industry-standard benchmarks (like DxOMark and others) reflect:

• NEX-7 overall score ~81
• A6400 overall score ~83

These numbers tell us the newer model’s modest but meaningful improvements validate its premium. They don’t tell you how nice the tactile feel is or how much quicker the AF is, but we’ve covered that.

Wrapping Up: Which Sony Mirrorless Should You Buy?

If you made it this far, congratulations! Let’s summarize the long and short:

When to Buy the Sony NEX-7

• You want a budget-friendly, high-res APS-C mirrorless with solid manual controls
• Mostly shoot stills in good light (portraits, landscapes, street)
• Prefer a quieter shutter and smaller grip for discreet shooting
• Don’t need 4K video or advanced autofocus

When to Go for the Sony A6400

• You want high-speed, reliable autofocus for action, wildlife, sports
• Need excellent low light and color fidelity
• Shoot video seriously - 4K quality and flip screen are game changers
• Require ruggedness and good connectivity options
• Value future-proofing and versatile use across genres

Final Personal Take

Having wrangled both cameras in the field, I consider the Sony A6400 my pick for most users except those on strict budgets or with simpler needs. It packs so many thoughtful upgrades without sacrificing the charm of a compact APS-C mirrorless body.

Meanwhile, the Sony NEX-7 remains a hidden gem for cheapskates wanting image quality above smartphone level with some classic controls. But you have to accept its technological limitations and slower responsiveness.

Either way, you get a solid Sony E-mount experience capable of delivering beautiful photographs. I hope this comparison helps you pick your perfect mirrorless mate!

If you want to dive deeper into specific shooting situations or troubleshoot real-world scenarios with either model, drop me a line - I’m always happy to geek out with fellow photographers.

Happy shooting!