The short version
- Mode dial (top) to M for full manual control.
- In M: rear control wheel sets shutter speed, top control dial sets aperture.
- Press the right side of the control wheel to open ISO (the default shortcut), or use the Fn menu.
- Dedicated exposure compensation dial on top for P, A and S modes.
- Auto ISO minimum shutter speed: MENU, Camera Settings 1, ISO, ISO AUTO Min. SS.
- Kit lens is the E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS. The E-mount library is the deepest of any beginner system.
Last updated · Exposure Triangle Simulator editorial team
Where everything lives on the A6400
| Control | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Mode dial | Top | M, A, S, P, Auto, movie and memory recall (MR) slots. |
| Control wheel | Back, rotary with 4-way press | Shutter speed in M and S. Right side opens ISO by default. |
| Control dial | Top rear, by the thumb | Aperture in M and A. |
| Exposure comp dial | Top | Dedicated dial for brightening or darkening in P, A and S. |
| Fn button | Back | Opens the Function menu: twelve customizable slots including ISO, metering and focus mode. |
Nearly every button on the A6400 can be reassigned under Setup, Custom Key Settings. If you shoot one genre a lot, put your most-used setting on the C1 or C2 button.
Manual mode on the A6400
- Turn the mode dial to M (Manual Exposure).
- Set shutter speed: turn the rear control wheel. The shutter speed guide explains which speeds freeze and which blur.
- Set aperture: turn the top control dial. The aperture guide covers the depth of field tradeoffs.
- Set ISO: press the right side of the control wheel, then turn the wheel to pick a value. Start at ISO 100 in daylight and read the ISO guide before raising it.
- Check the meter and shoot. The exposure scale at the bottom of the screen and viewfinder shows over and under. Center it, focus, shoot.
Auto ISO on the A6400
Open the ISO setting and turn the wheel past 32000 until it reads ISO AUTO. Now set the guardrails: open MENU, go to Camera Settings 1, then ISO, and set ISO AUTO Min. SS so the camera never drifts below a shutter speed you choose (1/250 for general use, 1/500 and up for action). Cap the top end too, so noise stays inside what you will accept.
This combination, manual aperture and shutter with guarded Auto ISO, is how many experienced Sony shooters work every day. You control the look, the camera handles the changing light.
Three setups that just work
Dial these in on the A6400 with the 16-50mm kit lens.
| Setup | Mode and settings | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait, blurry background | A · 50mm · f/5.6 · ISO 100 | Zoom all the way in, open the aperture as wide as the kit lens goes at 50mm. Turn on Eye AF and let it lock onto the eyes. |
| Landscape, sharp throughout | A · 16mm · f/8 · ISO 100 | f/8 keeps the foreground and horizon sharp. Focus about a third of the way into the scene. |
| Action, freeze motion | S · 1/1000 · Auto ISO | Control wheel to 1/1000, Auto ISO with a 1/1000 minimum shutter speed floor. Use AF-C with tracking and continuous shooting for bursts. |
A6400 button combos, one box
| Want to change | Do this |
|---|---|
| Shooting mode | Mode dial → M, A, S or P |
| Shutter speed (M) | Rear control wheel |
| Aperture (M) | Top control dial |
| ISO | Right side of control wheel (or Fn menu) |
| Auto ISO | ISO setting → turn wheel to ISO AUTO |
| Auto ISO min shutter speed | MENU → Camera Settings 1 → ISO → ISO AUTO Min. SS |
| Exposure compensation | Dedicated top dial in P, A, S |
Want these as a printable card? Grab the free camera settings cheat sheet and practice the moves on the simulator first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change shutter speed and aperture on the Sony A6400 in manual mode?
In M, the rear control wheel sets shutter speed and the top control dial sets aperture.
How do I change ISO on the Sony A6400?
Press the right side of the control wheel, which opens ISO by default, or open the Fn menu and choose ISO.
Where is Auto ISO minimum shutter speed on the A6400?
MENU, Camera Settings 1, ISO, then ISO AUTO Min. SS. Set a floor like 1/250 so Auto ISO never drifts slower.
What is a good portrait setting on the Sony A6400?
A mode, 50mm on the kit zoom, f/5.6 wide open, ISO 100, with Eye AF keeping the eyes sharp.
Can I customize the A6400 buttons?
Yes. Almost every button is reassignable under Setup, Custom Key Settings. Put your most-used setting on C1 or C2.