Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V

Released March 2014

A 50× bridge camera with a 24–1200 mm equivalent Zeiss lens, optical stabilisation, GPS, Wi-Fi and a tilting screen.

Type: Bridge
Sensor: 1/2.3-type
Megapixels: 20.4
Lens: 24–1200 mm equivalent
Video: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Body weight: 633 g

What reviewers say

Photography Blog and TechRadar praised the useful zoom, handheld stabilisation and wireless features, while criticising the lack of RAW recording. Photography Blog found the viewfinder's resolution disappointing; TechRadar liked its usability and automatic switching. Both noted loss of fine detail from noise reduction, while TechRadar found the JPEG colours pleasing.

From photographyblog.com, techradar.com, techradar.com and techradar.com

Product links

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Bridge
Sensor format: 1/2.3-type
Sensor type: Back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Effective resolution: 20.4 MP
Largest image: 5184 × 3888
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 80–3200
Sensor detail: 1/2.3-type progressive-scan Exmor R CMOS, approximately 21.1 million total and 20.4 million effective photosites; optical format is distinct from physical dimensions
Image formats: JPEG still images; no RAW. Sweep Panorama produces stitched output distinct from single-frame resolution
ISO detail: Ordinary single-frame ISO 80–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use multi-shot noise reduction and image compositing
Image processor: BIONZ X

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 24–1200 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–6.3
Optical zoom: 50×
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 10 fps
Lens detail: ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T*, actual 4.3–215 mm; 15 elements in 10 groups including one Super ED, two ED and three aspherical elements, seven-blade iris. Equivalent 24–1200 mm applies to full-resolution 4:3 stills; other aspect ratios and movie stabilisation modes have different crops. Clear Image Zoom and digital zoom are distinct from 50× optical zoom
Autofocus: Single AF, DMF and manual focus; continuous AF in Advanced Sports and movie modes. Nine-point Wide, Centre and flexible spot S/M/L with Lock-on AF. Minimum AF distance from lens front approximately 1 cm wide or 240 cm telephoto
Shutter: Mechanical shutter; manual and shutter priority 30–1/4000 second, aperture priority 8–1/2000, Program 1–1/4000 and Intelligent Auto 4–1/4000
Burst detail: Approximately 10 fps at maximum resolution for up to ten images; flash and shooting mode affect speed
Stabilisation detail: Optical SteadyShot for stills; Intelligent Active movie mode combines optical and electronic correction including rotation, with a different field of view
Flash: Built-in flash; Multi Interface Shoe supports compatible optional flash. ISO Auto range approximately 0.5–8.5 m wide or 2.4–3.5 m telephoto
Exposure controls: Program, aperture priority, shutter priority, Manual and memory recall; multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering, ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps

Video

Highest video resolution: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detail: AVCHD 2.0 Full HD 1920 × 1080 at 60p in Japan, 28 Mbps; regional versions also use 50p. 60i/50i interlaced modes count fields rather than progressive frames. MP4 up to 1440 × 1080 at 30 fps on the Japanese version, or 25 fps on the UK version. Optical zoom operates during movies; 4K output is for still photographs, not 4K movie recording; maker single-clip limit approximately 29 minutes, with MP4 12M limited to approximately 15 minutes by its 2 GB file limit
Audio: Built-in stereo microphone; AVCHD Dolby Digital stereo or MP4 AAC stereo; optional compatible microphones connect through the Multi Interface Shoe

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Electronic
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 921,600
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: Yes
Display detail: 3.0-type Xtra Fine TFT LCD, 921600 dots on Sony UK's specification (Sony Japan rounds to approximately 921000); tilts approximately 90° up and 60° down
Viewfinder detail: 0.2-type electronic finder with approximately 201000-dot equivalent resolution, dioptre adjustment, 100% coverage and automatic eye sensor

Connections and design

Wi-Fi: Yes
Battery life (maker's claim): 300 photographs
Body weight: 633 g
Release detail: Sony Hong Kong's 27 March 2014 release says the exact HX400V is already available. March precision retained; Sony Japan's earlier announcement sets its regional sale for 4 April 2014, not the worldwide first day
Recording media: Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo plus SD/SDHC/SDXC; micro versions require separate adapters
Ports: Multi/Micro USB terminal with Hi-Speed USB 2.0, micro HDMI and Multi Interface Shoe
Wireless connections: IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz, NFC and GPS; maker launch includes GPS route logging. Original PlayMemories Mobile sharing/remote control and downloadable Camera Apps support are launch-era features, not a promise of current service availability
Battery life detail: NP-BX1; maker CIPA approximately 300 photographs with LCD or 380 with EVF. Actual movie shooting approximately 50/55 minutes or continuous movie shooting approximately 85/95 minutes for LCD/EVF respectively; these are battery claims rather than single-clip limits
Charging: USB charging; maker specifies USB power supply only with optional AC-UD10 adapter
Dimensions: Approximately 129.6 × 93.2 × 114.8 mm width × height × depth from lens front to viewfinder; depth to rear monitor is 103.2 mm
Weight detail: Approximately 633 g body only, or 660 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo
Colours: Black
In the box: NP-BX1 battery, AC-UB10C/UB10D adapter, micro USB cable, shoulder strap, shoe cap, lens cap and instructions; regional mains fittings vary

Pros and cons

Pros

24–1200 mm equivalent optical zoom with manual focus or zoom ring
Wi-Fi, NFC and GPS geotagging
Manual exposure, accessory shoe and tilting screen

Cons

No RAW still recording
Full-speed bursts stop after ten images
Screen has no touch controls

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-H400	Bridge	1/2.3-type	20.1	24.5–1550 mm equivalent	1280 × 720 at 30 fps	628 g	2014
SonyCyber-shot DSC-H200	Bridge	1/2.3-type	20.1	22.3–580 mm equivalent	1280 × 720 at 30 fps	430 g	2013
SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX300	Bridge	1/2.3-type	20.4	24–1200 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	623 g	Mar 2013

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

HX400V side view with its lens extended: Sony
HX400V rear screen tilted down: Sony
HX400V with optional fitted case: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V accessory shoe and viewfinder housing close-up: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front studio view, top controls and lens-side details shown together: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V viewfinder housing, rear screen and top controls shown together: Sony

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