• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Canon SL2 advantages over Sony A6400

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $549 vs $848
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens

Sony A6400 advantages over Canon SL2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.54x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    87 vs 22 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    42 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A6400

Review Excerpt

  • Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.

  • Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3400

Canon SL2
Nikon D3400
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony A6400
Nikon D3400
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Canon SL2
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6400
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D3500

Canon SL2
Nikon D3500
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Sony A6400
Nikon D3500
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon SL2
Canon SL3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony A6400
Canon SL3
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony A6100

Canon SL2
Sony A6100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6400
Sony A6100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
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