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Sony HX400V Comparison Review

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in February 2014 and is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 20.2 megapixel.

camera

Is the Sony HX400V a good camera? The HX400V has a Camera Elo of 1788. This rating puts the HX400V below average of all superzoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the HX400V ranks among the top 40 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Sony HX400V
Fixed lens compact camera
24-1200mm f/2.8-6.3
20.2 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
1080/60p Video
ISO 80 - 3 200 (80 - 12 800)
Electronic viewfinder (210k dots)
3.0 LCD, 921k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
10 shutter flaps per second
300 shots per battery charge
130 x 93 x 103 mm, 660 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Sony HX400V vis-à-vis a credit card. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Sony HX400V vs credit card front
HX400V versus credit card top view
HX400V and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Sony HX400V alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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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 HX400V 130 mm 93 mm 103 mm 660 g 300 n Feb 2014 499ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX70 127 mm 91 mm 117 mm 608 g 325 n Sep 2018 549 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon SX60 128 mm 93 mm 114 mm 650 g 340 n Sep 2014 549ebay.com
4.
 
Kodak AZ901 139 mm 104 mm 119 mm 777 g 400 n Jan 2016 499 amazon.com
5.
 
Nikon B700 125 mm 85 mm 107 mm 565 g 350 n Feb 2016 499ebay.com
6.
 
Sony HX99 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 449ebay.com
7.
 
Sony HX95 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 242 g 370 n Aug 2018 429ebay.com
8.
 
Sony HX350 130 mm 93 mm 103 mm 652 g 300 n Dec 2016 449ebay.com
9.
 
Sony HX90V 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 245 g 360 n Apr 2015 429ebay.com
10.
 
Sony H400 130 mm 95 mm 122 mm 628 g 300 n Feb 2014 319ebay.com
11.
 
Sony H300 128 mm 89 mm 92 mm 590 g 350 n Feb 2014 219ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Sony HX400V was launched in the US market at a price of $499. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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.

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Check HX400V offers at
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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Sony HX400V features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Sony HX400V among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

Sony HX400V sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. 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 alternatives.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony HX400V 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.111.462945
2.
 
Canon SX70 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1106351
3.
 
Canon SX60 1/2.3 14.2 4608 30721080/60p19.210.812739
4.
 
Kodak AZ901 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/30p20.311.780648
5.
 
Nikon B700 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.411.881848
6.
 
Sony HX99 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105851
7.
 
Sony HX95 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.612.1105751
8.
 
Sony HX350 1/2.3 19.9 5152 38641080/60p20.511.989649
9.
 
Sony HX90V 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36721080/60p20.211.673847
10.
 
Sony H400 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.111.463045
11.
 
Sony H300 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.111.463045
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The HX400V indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the HX400V can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Sony HX400V in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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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 HX400V210 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon SX702360 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX60922 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 6.4/s Y Y
4.
 
Kodak AZ901202 n3.0 / 920 swivel n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Nikon B700921 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Sony HX99638 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Sony HX95638 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Sony HX350202 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Sony HX90V638 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony H400210 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/2000s 0.7/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony H300none n3.0 / 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.
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The LCD screen on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the HX400V

One convenient feature of the HX400V is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection 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-HX400V and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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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 HX400VYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
2.
 
Canon SX70-stereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
3.
 
Canon SX60Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Kodak AZ901-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Nikon B700-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
6.
 
Sony HX99-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
7.
 
Sony HX95-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
8.
 
Sony HX350-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
9.
 
Sony HX90V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Sony H400-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Sony H300-mono / mono--micro2.0Y--
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It is notable that the HX400V offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The HX400V has a zoom lens built in (4.3-215mm f/2.8-6.3), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 1200mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the HX400V can be found in the free online Sony HX400V Manual or on the Sony support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the HX400V handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall rankings 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]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony HX400V4/5+ +....4/54/5 Feb 2014 499ebay.com
2.
 
Canon SX70..+ +3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Sep 2018 549 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon SX603/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 549ebay.com
4.
 
Kodak AZ901........3.5/53/5 Jan 2016 499 amazon.com
5.
 
Nikon B700..+....4/54/5 Feb 2016 499ebay.com
6.
 
Sony HX99........4/54.5/5 Aug 2018 449ebay.com
7.
 
Sony HX95............ Aug 2018 429ebay.com
8.
 
Sony HX350..........4/5 Dec 2016 449ebay.com
9.
 
Sony HX90V4/5+ +....4/54.5/5 Apr 2015 429ebay.com
10.
 
Sony H400..o....3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2014 319ebay.com
11.
 
Sony H300..+....4.5/54/5 Feb 2014 219ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Sony HX400V FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the HX400V.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Sony HX400V?

The camera is build around a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Sony HX400V to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Sony equipped the HX400V with the BIONZ X image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Sony HX400V?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200.

Does the Sony HX400V feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

Which battery does the Sony HX400V use?

The camera gets its power from the NP-BX1 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Does the Sony HX400V support geotagging?

The HX400V has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) module and can embed location information in the EXIF data of the captured image.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Sony HX400V
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-1200mm f/2.8-6.3
    Launch Date February 2014
    Launch Price USD 499
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 20.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5 184 x 3 888 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.18 μm
    Pixel Density 71.80 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 3 200 ISO
    ISO Boost 80 - 12 800 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ X
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Resolution 210k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen
    V-logging Friendliness No front-flip
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support no
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in
    Geotagging GPS built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type NP-BX1 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)300 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 130 x 93 x 103 mm
    (5.1 x 3.7 x 4.1 in)
    Camera Weight 660 g (23.3 oz)

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