Canon RP vs a6400? What are the differences?

Which camera should you get ? The Canon EOS RP or the Sony Alpha a6400? These cameras are similar in specifications. This article will help you understand what the Canon EOS RP and Sony Alpha a600 do best, comparisons and which one you should choose as your next or secondary camera.
Canon EOS RP First Glance

What about the Canon RP?

The Canon EOS RP was released January 5th of 2019. The Canon EOS RP is a full frame CMOS 26 Megapixel mirrorless camera. The Canon R series has many other alternatives although this is the “entry” level camera in the R series. Other cameras include the Canon R, Canon EOS R5 and Canon R6.


The Canon EOS RP features include a 3” Articulating screen, 250 shots per battery, the new RF lens mount, low-light capabilities ranging from 50-102,4000 ISO. Currently the Canon EOS RP MSRP is around $1,299 for the body.

The Canon’s Articulating screen has been included in many of it’s camera lineups. This is especially useful for YouTube and social media bloggers. This allows the person to see themselves while holding up the camera or recording themselves with a second person. I have found this to be a feature I take for granted and is very useful for self portrait and videos.

Buy the Canon EOS RP Canon also implemented the Canon 6D’s CMOS sensor into this mirrorless camera. This means that the camera has a sensor size of about 35.9 x 24mm which is larger than the Sony a6400’s at 23.5 x 15.6. This allows the Canon EOS RP better low light capabilities and the reduction of noise in the final images.

A downside of Canon's EOS RP however is the low shots per battery count. You will likely need to purchase another battery if you are shooting long events or normally shoot many photos during an individual photoshoot. The Canon EOS RP is at a disadvantage to Sony’s 410 shots per battery here.

Other features of the Canon EOS RP include 4k Capabilities- however this is short sighted. The RP’s 4k capabilities are cropped in by a certain magnitutied that the full frame sensor is not fully optimized. The RP includes Bluetooth and Wireless Wifi Capabilities to connect to LAN devices or phone devices. This can be useful for things like remote shutter.



Another Downside of the Canon EOS RP is it’s continuous shooting abilities. Currently the Canon EOS RP starts at 5 shots per second, compared to the a6400 at 11 shots per second. This is important for sports photography or taking photos of moving children or wildlife photography. Using this camera may miss shots in between these moments and can be considered slower for a full frame digital camera.

What about the Sony a600?

The Sony Alpha a6400 was released on February 14 2019. This camera includes an APS-C 24.2 Megapixel Sensor. The a6400 weighs in less than the Canon EOS RP at 403g,. vs 485g. on the RP. The sensor size is smaller than the Canon EOS RP at 23.5 x 15.6mm.



The Sony Alpha a6400 includes a 3” LCD screen that flips up vertically. This to sony users is common and is not the same as the full articulating screen. The a6400 has built in flash where the Canon EOs RP does not.

Buy the Sony Alpha a6400 The Sony E-Mount on this camera gives access to hundreds of different lenses already made unlike the Canon EOS RP. The Canon EOS RP requires either an adapter or an EF to RF adapter for the lenses to communicate. This is an advantage of the Sony Alpha a6400, and likely prices of these lenses are inexpensive comparable to the Canon EOS RP. According to Sony's official website there are over 40 interchangeable lenses that are included in the E-Mount series.


Currently the Sony a6400 is around $899 MSRP. This is common in many cameras with an APS-C body. Other features of the Sony a6400 are bluetooth and wifi capabilities the same as the Canon EOS RP. This allows users to take interval photos, timer photos without a shutter release, or seamlessly download their photos onto their phone after taking them.

The Sony Alpha series most importantly gets appraisal from it’s video capabilities compared to the Canon lines. The a600 also includes 4k Video at 24 frames per second and 30 frames per second. As 4k video becomes more available on platforms the demand for this feature will increase.

The a6400 ISO ranges from 100-102,400. Around the same as the Canon EOS RP. This allows the user to take advantage of low light situations without having to use artificial light. Although this option should not always be used because of noise, it is great to have.

Before Making a Decision..

So how can you choose between them? Well it is important to understand what kind of photography you will be doing and your budget. These two are important if you are switching systems, getting lenses or planning to buy new camera bodies.

Let’s start with the photography you want to do. If you are a portrait photographer either one of these is great choice. You want something that can handle fast lenses and have access to these lens. The video editing settings may not interest you too much. A good suggestion here is think in the long term if you are fine with shooting with APS-C lenses or want to go to full frame for dynamic range and low light abilities. The Canon EOS RP is a leg up in the right direction to switch to full frame at a reasonable affordable price.

If you are a videographer/ Youtube/ Social media guru, you may want to look at the video settings of each camera. Which one will be more useful for you? Will the Canon EOS RP’s 4k crop make you switch to the a6400? What lenses will you need? Do you need to be working in low light for your shoots so that the full frame will make a differences?

Secondly, what is your budget and price. Think also in the future. In my belief the lens is often better than the camera. You can purchase an amazing lens and have an entry camera with amazing photos.

The Sony a6400 is comparably cheaper than the Canon EOS RP. The Sony E-Mount lenses are also less expensive than the new Canon RF lenses. Take into account the lenses and the systems that you already use. Take into account if you need full frame now. Oftentimes switching systems can be determined with how many lenses you have. Also realize that canon is releasing new technology on the latest Canon RF lenses and updates to their older line.

Canon RP vs Sony a6400

So let's break it down on what the Canon EOS RP’s advantages have vs the Sony Alpha sa6400

The Canon EOS RP

More megapixels then the Sony a6000 ( 26mp vs 24.2)

Flippy screen vs no Flippy Screen

Focal Points 40 vs 32

Full Frame vs APS-C

Headphone Jack

Low Light capabilities of 2977 vs 1431

Where the Sony a6400 Dominates

Built in Flash

Dynamic range 13.6 vs 11.3

Less Weight 303g vs 485g

Number of lenses 123 vs 19

Price $899 vs $1299

Conclusion

Getting a new camera or switching systems can be fun and frustrating. To look at different specs and determine what will be the best is up to what you aim to do with the camera. Whichever you pick you will allow you to take great photos!

I would personally choose the Canon EOS RP for the low light abilities, full frame sensor, accessibility to new lenses and the flippy screen that helps me create videos! Keep in mind this is my camera for portrait photography and video photos. After reviewing and researching about the cameras these two cameras are similar in some ways but different in others and the Canon EOS RP comes with it’s own hurdles if you are not a previous Canon owner.