I totally agree with KanousSmoth about the pancake style lenses. Having a small setup makes you way less intimidating when you are out on the street. I have been shooting with the a6400 for a long time now and honestly, being discreet is half the battle. If you want something really budget friendly but still want autofocus, you should look at the TTArtisan AF 27mm F2.8 Sony E. It usually goes for under $160 and it is tiny. The 40mm equivalent focal length is a great middle ground between the 35mm and 50mm looks. Another solid option if you want more flexibility is the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary. It is a bit pricier than a prime, but it has basically replaced most of my street primes because it is so small and sharp. Having that f/2.8 throughout the range is a lifesaver when the sun starts going down. Definitely worth considering if you dont want to keep swapping lenses while walking around.

For street photography on the a6400, I'd highly recommend the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN. It's around $300 and delivers exceptional image quality with beautiful bokeh. The focal length (45mm equivalent) is perfect for street shooting, and the fast aperture handles low light situations wonderfully. It's compact enough for all-day carrying but feels solid in hand.

The Sony 20mm f/2.8 pancake ($350) transformed my street photography. On the a6400, it gives you a 30mm equivalent view which is perfect for environmental street shots. The pancake design means your camera fits in a jacket pocket, and people don't notice you as much as with larger lenses. It's also super lightweight for all-day shooting. It's not the fastest lens, but in daylight that hardly matters, and the wider focal length helps with handheld stability anyway.

The Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 has been my go-to street lens. At around $250, it's significantly cheaper than Sony's options while delivering excellent image quality.

I've been shooting street with my a6400 for two years now, and honestly, the Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS has been worth every penny. Yes, it's pricier than some options (~$450), but the optical stabilization is a game-changer for handheld shots in challenging light. The focal length gives you that classic street perspective, and autofocus is lightning fast. If you can stretch your budget a bit, this lens won't disappoint.

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Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.