Sony a6400 vs Nikon D800e

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a6400 and Nikon D800e. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a6400 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D800e is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a6400 were released 2019 and Nikon D800e was released 2012. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a6400 2019
Nikon D800e 2012

Type of camera

Sony a6400 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D800e is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a6400 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D800e has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a6400 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D800e 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a6400 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800e has 36,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a6400 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D800e 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800e has a 51 % larger resolution than Sony a6400. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a6400 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D800e. Sony a6400 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Nikon D800e has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a6400 100-32000
Nikon D800e 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a6400
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800e

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a6400 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800e can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a6400 11
Nikon D800e 6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a6400 and Nikon D800e can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D800e weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 123% heavier than Sony a6400 and its 403 gr (or 0.89 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a6400 403 gr
0.89 lb
Nikon D800e 900 gr
1.98 lb

Sony a6400 vs Nikon D800e Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a6400 and Nikon D800e, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
Name Sony a6400 Nikon D800e
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
Release Year 2019 2012
Release Date 2019-01-15 2012-02-07
MSRP 899 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
ISO Range 100 - 32000 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 10 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 425 51
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 921600 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.07× (0.71× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 2359296 N/A
Photography features
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
Frames per second 11 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 6 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1)
No
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a6400
Nikon D800e
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 410 shots 900 shots
Width 120 mm 146 mm
Height 67 mm 123 mm
Depth 60 mm 82 mm
Weight 403 gram 900 gram