Sony A6400 vs Sony TX30: A Deep Dive into Two Very Different Cameras

When comparing cameras from Sony’s diverse lineup, it is essential to understand each model’s merits in context. The Sony Alpha a6400 (A6400) is an advanced mirrorless camera targeting serious enthusiasts and emerging professionals, while the Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 (TX30) is a rugged ultracompact point-and-shoot aimed at casual users needing a compact travel companion. Both were announced years apart, serving very different purposes and budgets - yet they share the Sony brand’s innovative spirit. In this article, I draw on my extensive hands-on experience testing these cameras to help you understand which might be right for your needs.

In the Hand: Build, Size, and Controls

A crucial first impression with any camera is its handling and ergonomics. The A6400 features a rangefinder-style mirrorless body with an APS-C sensor, designed for comfortable one-hand shooting over extended periods. The body measures 120x67x50mm and weighs 403g without a lens, making it very portable yet substantial enough to inspire confidence in manual control.

The TX30 is an ultracompact waterproof camera measuring a mere 96x59x15mm and weighing just 141g. Its slim, pocketable design is ruggedized for outdoor use but lacks the traditional grip or physical dials. Although lightweight and extremely portable, it trades off handling comfort and manual control options.

Sony equipped the A6400 with an intuitive button and dial layout optimized for enthusiasts, including customizable controls, exposure compensation dial, and a tilting touchscreen for flexible framing. The TX30 offers limited physical controls with a simple point-and-shoot interface, supplemented by a touchscreen but no viewfinder, requiring you to compose on the display, sometimes challenging in bright conditions.

Summary: If you want a camera with robust ergonomics and tactile controls for creative shooting, the A6400 excels. For ultimate portability and ease of use with casual travel, the TX30 wins but doesn't provide the same manual control.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The centerpiece of image quality is the sensor technology employed. The A6400 boasts a large APS-C sized 24MP CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6mm) paired with Sony’s reliable BIONZ X image processor, delivering excellent dynamic range, color depth, and low-light performance. This sensor size is widely respected among enthusiasts and professionals for image quality that approaches full-frame cameras at a fraction of the cost.

In contrast, the TX30 has a much smaller 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor with 18MP resolution, typical of compact cameras. The sensor size of just 6.16x4.62mm limits dynamic range and noise control in low-light images, but for casual daylight snapshots, it remains serviceable.

Measured results highlight these differences:

• A6400 DXO Mark Scores: Overall 83, Color depth 24.0 bits, Dynamic range 13.6 EV, Low-light ISO 1431
• TX30 DXO Scores: Not tested, but typical 1/2.3" sensor cameras score considerably lower in all aspects.

During real-world testing, the A6400 consistently delivered pin-sharp images with rich tonal gradations and excellent detail retention, even in challenging high-contrast scenes. The TX30’s images were softer with less depth in shadows and more noise creeping in beyond ISO 800.

Summary: For serious image quality and versatility, the A6400’s larger sensor is a game-changer. The TX30 is fine for casual snapshots but can’t compete with the A6400’s fidelity in demanding shooting environments.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Precision, and Tracking

Autofocus prowess significantly influences your shooting flow in fast or unpredictable situations. The Sony A6400 shines here, equipped with a hybrid AF system combining 425 phase-detection points and contrast detection, covering almost the entire frame for precise and fast focusing.

This system includes Face and Eye AF that works remarkably well for both humans and animals, a feature I tested with portrait sessions capturing sharp eyes even in motion. Tracking AF allows the camera to maintain focus on moving subjects effectively, suitable for sports or wildlife.

By contrast, the TX30 contains a very basic autofocus system with no phase detection and no AF tracking modes. It relies solely on contrast detection and lacks face or eye detection entirely. The speed and accuracy reflect this simplicity; slow focus acquisition and hunting occur in low light or complex scenes.

Summary: For dynamic autofocus performance, demanding subject tracking, or face/eye-focused portraits, the A6400 is far superior. The TX30 is best used where speed and focus precision are less critical.

Display and Viewfinder Options: Composing Your Shot

Having a clear, versatile display or viewfinder is vital for comfortable framing and review. The A6400 sports a 3-inch 922k-dot tilting touchscreen complemented by a bright 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification. The EVF provides a clear, lag-free preview, essential for outdoor shooting or fast action.

The TX30 has a slightly larger 3.3-inch 1,229k-dot fixed OLED screen but no viewfinder. The lack of any optical or electronic viewfinder makes shooting in bright daylight challenging, relying wholly on the rear screen, which tends to reflect sunlight.

From my testing, the A6400’s EVF vastly improves accuracy and stability when composing, minimizing missed shots caused by shaky hands or poor visibility.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

One of the biggest advantages of the A6400 is its Sony E-mount lens compatibility. Sony and third-party manufacturers offer over 120 native lenses ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, macro to prime lenses. You can choose fast-aperture portrait lenses, weather-sealed zooms for landscapes, or high frame-rate telephoto lenses for wildlife.

The TX30 has a fixed 26-130mm equivalent zoom lens, with an aperture range of f/3.5-4.8. While decent for a compact and rugged camera, it lacks the flexibility or optical performance of interchangeable lenses.

Continuous Shooting, Burst Performance, and Buffer

Fast burst rates and deep buffers are critical for action photography genres such as wildlife and sports. The A6400 offers an impressive 11 FPS continuous shooting speed with AF tracking, suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects in detail.

The TX30 clocks a respectable 10 FPS burst but without autofocus tracking or selectable AF points, so the subject may drift out of focus in continuous shooting.

Video Capabilities: From Casual Clips to Content Creation

For hybrid shooters and videographers, understanding video features is key. The A6400 can record UHD 4K at 30p with full pixel readout and no pixel binning, delivering crisp footage with excellent detail. It supports microphone input for improved audio and has S-Log2/3 profiles for professional color grading workflows.

The TX30 is limited to Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps, making it fit for casual video but not professional use.

Low-Light and High ISO Performance

Low-light shooting is often challenging, and sensor and processor performance become critical. The A6400’s APS-C sensor maintains usable images up to ISO 3200 and even higher, with manageable noise levels under 6400 ISO, thanks to Sony’s effective noise reduction algorithms.

The TX30’s small sensor struggles above ISO 400 due to inherent noise and loss of detail, restricting its usefulness in dim or night scenes.

Special Features and Usability

Both cameras include environmental sealing but are not fully waterproof. The TX30 is an obvious choice for water-resistant use with its rugged body and flexible focal range for vacation snapshots.

The A6400 offers advanced modes such as interval shooting for time-lapse, bracketing, and better customization. The touchscreen interface combined with the customizable control ring and menu system adds flexibility to suit various workflows.

Battery Life and Storage

The A6400 provides approximately 410 shots per charge using the NP-FW50 battery, which is average for mirrorless cameras but can be extended with spare batteries. It supports SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards (UHS-I compliant).

The TX30’s official battery life and battery type data are scarce, but compact cameras generally last around 200-300 shots per charge, sufficient for casual use.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Modern connectivity options help photographers streamline workflows. The A6400 includes built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth, enabling remote camera control and seamless image transfer to devices. It also offers HDMI output for external recording.

The TX30 lacks wireless connectivity entirely, limiting remote operation or wireless sharing.

Price-to-Performance Overview

• A6400 launches around $898
• TX30 is significantly cheaper, approximately $230 new (when available)

From my testing, the A6400 offers extraordinary value for photographers seeking professional-grade images and flexibility. The TX30 serves a niche for casual users prioritizing ruggedness and compactness over image quality and creative control.

Sony A6400 front Sony A6400 screen back Sony TX30 screen back

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Different photography disciplines impose varied demands on camera features. Here’s how they stack up based on my experience and testing.

Portraits

• A6400: Excellent thanks to eye AF, fast lens options, and great color depth.
• TX30: Limited by lens speed and autofocus; suitable only for casual portraits.

Landscapes

• A6400: Top-tier dynamic range and resolution, plus weather sealing in some lenses.
• TX30: Limited detail and dynamic range; ruggedness beneficial in light rain.

Wildlife

• A6400: Strong autofocus tracking and burst rate; supports long telephoto lenses.
• TX30: Not recommended; slow AF and fixed lens restrict options.

Sports

• A6400: High FPS and predictive AF make it a capable sports shooter.
• TX30: Lacks tracking and speed.

Street Photography

• A6400: Compact for an APS-C camera, silent shutter mode, tilting screen enhances versatility.
• TX30: Ultra-portable, great for unobtrusive shooting, but limited control.

Macro

• A6400: Can be paired with dedicated macro lenses; high precision AF assists.
• TX30: Some macro mode available but limited by lens and sensor.

Night & Astro

• A6400: Handles high ISOs with less noise; useful for astrophotography with manual controls.
• TX30: Limited ISO range and no manual options.

Video

• A6400: 4K, microphone input, and color profiles suit creators.
• TX30: Basic Full HD, no external audio.

Travel

• A6400: Portable with all-round capabilities; battery life needs planning.
• TX30: Lightweight, waterproof, fits any pocket; perfect for active travelers.

Professional Use

• A6400: Supports RAW, professional workflow tethering, reliability.
• TX30: Not designed for professional applications.

Final Performance Summary

Who Should Choose Which?

• Pick the Sony A6400 if:

  • You are a photography enthusiast or professional needing versatile image quality.
  • You want advanced autofocus and fast burst rates for action or wildlife.
  • You plan to experiment with interchangeable lenses and manual controls.
  • You require robust video features and connectivity.

• Pick the Sony TX30 if:

  • You need an easy-to-use, rugged compact camera for casual use.
  • Portability and water resistance outweigh image quality concerns.
  • You primarily capture snapshots on vacations or outdoor adventures without fuss.

Conclusion: Matching Your Camera to Your Vision

No single camera perfectly fits every user, especially when comparing diverse categories like an advanced APS-C mirrorless and an ultracompact rugged point-and-shoot. The Sony A6400 stands tall as a capable, flexible system for serious photography across disciplines, justified by its sensor, autofocus, and lens ecosystem. Meanwhile, the Sony TX30’s charm lies in its pocket-sized toughness and simplicity.

Before making a decision, consider how much control you want over your images, where and how you shoot, and your budget. Having shot extensively with both models, I can confidently say that the A6400 remains one of the best bang-for-the-buck APS-C mirrorless cameras on the market today, while the TX30 is a handy companion for users prioritizing convenience and compactness.

Offering both technical insights and practical testing experience, I hope this comparison guides you to the camera best aligned with your photographic journey.

All images and test details come from direct evaluation and verified specifications.