Sony H200 vs H400

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2013 and February 2014. Both the H200 and the H400 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The H200 has a resolution of 15.2 megapixels, whereas the H400 provides 19.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Sony H200		Sony H400
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
24-633mm f/3.1-5.9		24.5-1550mm f/3.4-6.5
15.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor		19.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
720/30p Video		720/30p Video
ISO 100-3,200		ISO 80-3,200
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Electronic viewfinder (210k dots)
3.0" LCD – 460k dots		3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
0.8 shutter flaps per second		0.7 shutter flaps per second
240 shots per battery charge		300 shots per battery charge
123 x 83 x 87 mm, 530 g		130 x 95 x 122 mm, 628 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Sony H200 and the Sony H400 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony H400 is notably larger (21 percent) than the Sony H200. Moreover, the H400 is markedly heavier (18 percent) than the H200. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the H200 nor the H400 are weather-sealed.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

#		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Sony H200	123 mm	83 mm	87 mm	530 g	240	n	Jan 2013	249	ebay.com
2.		Sony H400	130 mm	95 mm	122 mm	628 g	300	n	Feb 2014	319	ebay.com
3.		Canon SX410	104 mm	69 mm	85 mm	325 g	185	n	Feb 2015	279	ebay.com
4.		Canon SX710	113 mm	66 mm	35 mm	269 g	230	n	Jan 2015	349	ebay.com
5.		Canon SX520	120 mm	82 mm	92 mm	441 g	210	n	Jul 2014	399	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX600	104 mm	61 mm	26 mm	188 g	290	n	Jan 2014	249	ebay.com
7.		Canon SX400	104 mm	69 mm	80 mm	313 g	190	n	Jul 2014	249	ebay.com
8.		Canon G1 X Mark II	116 mm	74 mm	66 mm	553 g	240	n	Feb 2014	799	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX60	128 mm	93 mm	114 mm	650 g	340	n	Sep 2014	549	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX510	104 mm	70 mm	80 mm	349 g	250	n	Aug 2013	249	ebay.com
11.		Nikon B500	114 mm	78 mm	95 mm	541 g	600	n	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
12.		Nikon L840	113 mm	78 mm	96 mm	538 g	590	n	Feb 2015	299	ebay.com
13.		Sony HX400V	130 mm	93 mm	103 mm	660 g	300	n	Feb 2014	499	ebay.com
14.		Sony H300	128 mm	89 mm	92 mm	590 g	350	n	Feb 2014	219	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The H200 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 22 percent) than the H400, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the H400 offers a higher resolution of 19.9 megapixels, compared with 15.2 MP of the H200. This megapixels advantage translates into a 0.59999999999999 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the H400 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.19μm versus 1.36μm for the H200). However, it should be noted that the H400 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 1 month) than the H200, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony H400 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the H400 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.8 x 19.3 inches or 65.4 x 49.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.6 x 15.5 inches or 52.3 x 39.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.2 x 12.9 inches or 43.6 x 32.7 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony H200 are 25.9 x 14.7 inches or 65.8 x 37.2 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 11.7 inches or 52.7 x 29.8 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 9.8 inches or 43.9 x 24.8 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 are ISO 80 to ISO 3200 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

#		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Sony H200	1/2.3	15.2	5184	2930	720/30p	19.9	11.2	529	44
2.		Sony H400	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	20.1	11.4	630	45
3.		Canon SX410	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	20.2	11.6	720	47
4.		Canon SX710	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.2	11.6	712	47
5.		Canon SX520	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.1	11.5	672	46
6.		Canon SX600	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	20.0	11.4	620	45
7.		Canon SX400	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	720/30p	20.1	11.5	672	46
8.		Canon G1 X Mark II	1.5-inch	13.0	4160	3120	1080/30p	21.5	10.8	581	58
9.		Canon SX60	1/2.3	14.2	4608	3072	1080/60p	19.2	10.8	127	39
10.		Canon SX510	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/24p	20.0	11.3	586	45
11.		Nikon B500	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60i	20.3	11.7	810	48
12.		Nikon L840	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60i	20.2	11.6	721	47
13.		Sony HX400V	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	20.1	11.4	629	45
14.		Sony H300	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	20.1	11.4	630	45
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (720/30p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the H400 has an electronic viewfinder (210k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the H200 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Sony H200 and Sony H400 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

#		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Sony H200	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/1500s	0.8/s	Y	Y
2.		Sony H400	210	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/2000s	0.7/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon SX410	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	0.5/s	Y	Y
4.		Canon SX710	none	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/3200s	6.0/s	Y	Y
5.		Canon SX520	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	1.6/s	Y	Y
6.		Canon SX600	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/2000s	3.9/s	Y	Y
7.		Canon SX400	none	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/1600s	0.8/s	Y	Y
8.		Canon G1 X Mark II	optional	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	5.2/s	Y	Y
9.		Canon SX60	922	n	3.0 / 922	swivel	n	1/2000s	6.4/s	Y	Y
10.		Canon SX510	none	n	3.0 / 461	fixed	n	1/1600s	3.8/s	Y	Y
11.		Nikon B500	none	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/4000s	7.4/s	Y	Y
12.		Nikon L840	none	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/4000s	7.4/s	Y	Y
13.		Sony HX400V	210	n	3.0 / 921	tilting	n	1/4000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
14.		Sony H300	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/1500s	0.8/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

Both the H200 and the H400 have zoom lenses built in. The H200 has a 24-633mm f/3.1-5.9 optic and the H400 offers a 24.5-1550mm f/3.4-6.5 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the H200 provides a wider angle of view at the short end than the H400, but less tele-photo reach at the long end. The H200 offers the faster maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the H200 and the H400 write their files to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

#		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Sony H200	-	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Sony H400	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
3.		Canon SX410	-	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon SX710	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon SX520	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon SX600	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
7.		Canon SX400	-	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon G1 X Mark II	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Canon SX60	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Canon SX510	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Nikon B500	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
12.		Nikon L840	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
13.		Sony HX400V	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Sony H300	-	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

It is notable that the H400 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the H200 does not provide wifi capability.

Both the H200 and the H400 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Sony. Further information on the features and operation of the H200 and H400 can be found, respectively, in the Sony H200 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony H400 Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Sony H200 or the Sony H400 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200:

• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (0.8 vs 0.7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/3.1 vs f/3.4).
• Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
• More compact: Is smaller (123x83mm vs 130x95mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 98g or 16 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (22 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2013).

Arguments in favor of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (19.9 vs 15.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 8%.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/2000s vs 1/1500s) to freeze action.
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (300 versus 240) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 1 month) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the match-up finishes in a tie (7 points each). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony H200 and the Sony H400 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the H200 or the H400. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

#		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Sony H200	..	..	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jan 2013	249	ebay.com
2.		Sony H400	..	o	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2014	319	ebay.com
3.		Canon SX410	..	o	..	..	..	..	Feb 2015	279	ebay.com
4.		Canon SX710	..	+	..	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2015	349	ebay.com
5.		Canon SX520	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jul 2014	399	ebay.com
6.		Canon SX600	..	+	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jan 2014	249	ebay.com
7.		Canon SX400	..	+	..	..	..	..	Jul 2014	249	ebay.com
8.		Canon G1 X Mark II	3/5	+	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	799	ebay.com
9.		Canon SX60	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	549	ebay.com
10.		Canon SX510	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2013	249	ebay.com
11.		Nikon B500	..	+	..	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2016	299	ebay.com
12.		Nikon L840	..	+ +	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	299	ebay.com
13.		Sony HX400V	4/5	+ +	..	..	4/5	4/5	Feb 2014	499	ebay.com
14.		Sony H300	..	+	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2014	219	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

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