Request a product

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P20

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX400VSonyCyber-shot DSC-P20
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20142001
Image and sensor
Camera typeBridgeCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.7-type
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSCCD
Effective resolution20.4 MP1.11 MP
Largest image5184 × 38881216 × 912
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range80–3200100–400
Sensor detail1/2.3-type progressive-scan Exmor R CMOS, approximately 21.1 million total and 20.4 million effective photosites; optical format is distinct from physical dimensions1/2.7-type interlaced primary-colour CCD, 1.30 million total and 1.11 million effective photosites; optical format designation is not physical sensor width
Image formatsJPEG still images; no RAW. Sweep Panorama produces stitched output distinct from single-frame resolutionJPEG, uncompressed TIFF, GIF for Text and Clip Motion; TIFF is not sensor RAW
ISO detailOrdinary single-frame ISO 80–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use multi-shot noise reduction and image compositing–
Image processorBIONZ X12-bit DXP analogue-to-digital conversion
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens24–1200 mm equivalent42 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–6.3f/4.5
Optical zoom50×1×
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisation–
Maximum continuous burst10 fps–
Lens detailZEISS 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 zoomFixed 6.00 mm lens, 42 mm equivalent, F4.5; 3× precision digital zoom is not optical zoom. Normal focus range 0.6 m–infinity; mechanical macro setting approximately 15–19 cm in exact English manual, compared with 15–20 cm rounded in Japanese announcement
AutofocusSingle 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 telephotoFixed-focus/panfocus lens with a separate mechanical macro switch; no autofocus or motorised focusing (exact manual and ASCII hands-on review)
ShutterMechanical 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 detailApproximately 10 fps at maximum resolution for up to ten images; flash and shooting mode affect speed–
Stabilisation detailOptical SteadyShot for stills; Intelligent Active movie mode combines optical and electronic correction including rotation, with a different field of view–
FlashBuilt-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 telephotoBuilt-in flash, approximately 0.7–2.0 m at ISO Auto; Auto, forced, off and red-eye reduction
Exposure controlsProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority, Manual and memory recall; multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering, ±2 EV in 1/3 EV stepsAutomatic exposure with ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; Twilight mode. White balance Auto, Indoor, Outdoor or Hold; spot metering selectable
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps320 × 240
Video detailAVCHD 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 limitSilent MPEG-1 at 320×240 Presentation or 160×112 Video Mail; 128 MB Memory Stick holds approximately 22 minutes 40 seconds or 90 minutes respectively. Frame rate unpublished in exact maker documents read; not inferred from copied database tables
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone; AVCHD Dolby Digital stereo or MP4 AAC stereo; optional compatible microphones connect through the Multi Interface ShoeNo movie sound recording; operational warning sounds do not establish a movie microphone
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicOptical
Screen size3″1.5″
Screen dots921,600123,200
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenYesNo
Display detail3.0-type Xtra Fine TFT LCD, 921600 dots on Sony UK's specification (Sony Japan rounds to approximately 921000); tilts approximately 90° up and 60° downFixed 1.5-type TFT, 123200 colour-subpixel dots (560×220)
Viewfinder detail0.2-type electronic finder with approximately 201000-dot equivalent resolution, dioptre adjustment, 100% coverage and automatic eye sensorEye-level optical finder; use the LCD for macro framing to avoid viewfinder parallax
Connections and design
Wi-FiYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)300 photographs–
Body weight633 g187 g
Release detailSony 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 daySony Japan announced planned 1 August 2001 availability; the full exact-model ASCII hands-on test published 2 August 2001 confirms the 2001 generation. Earliest actual worldwide retail month remains unresolved, so year precision used
Recording mediaMemory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo plus SD/SDHC/SDXC; micro versions require separate adaptersMemory Stick; 4 MB supplied, maker launch table includes 128 MB. PRO compatibility not established
PortsMulti/Micro USB terminal with Hi-Speed USB 2.0, micro HDMI and Multi Interface ShoeUSB mini-B and DC IN; no video output
Wireless connectionsIEEE 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 detailNP-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 limitsTwo AA alkaline batteries supplied; AA NiMH/NiCd or optional NP-FS11 InfoLITHIUM S also supported. Manual continuous still test at 25°C, VGA Standard, no flash, approximately 3-second intervals: alkaline 30 minutes/600 shots LCD on or 60/1200 off; NP-FS11 90/1800 on or 120/2400 off. Not CIPA or average-use battery life. Japanese announcement rounds optional-pack claim to 2200 shots
ChargingUSB charging; maker specifies USB power supply only with optional AC-UD10 adapterOptional NP-FS11 charges in-camera with optional AC-LS1 adapter in approximately 180 minutes from fully discharged at 25°C; do not charge AA batteries in camera
DimensionsApproximately 129.6 × 93.2 × 114.8 mm width × height × depth from lens front to viewfinder; depth to rear monitor is 103.2 mm123×62×46 mm maximum width×height×depth
Weight detailApproximately 633 g body only, or 660 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick DuoApproximately 187 g body (Sony Japan announcement); 229 g with NP-FS11 and Memory Stick, or approximately 230 g with two AA batteries, Memory Stick and strap in exact English manual
Materials–Plastic body with translucent blue front trim (ASCII exact hands-on review)
ColoursBlack–
In the boxNP-BX1 battery, AC-UB10C/UB10D adapter, micro USB cable, shoulder strap, shoe cap, lens cap and instructions; regional mains fittings varyTwo AA alkaline batteries, USB cable, wrist strap, 4 MB Memory Stick, software CD and operating instructions; Japanese software package differs regionally

More comparisons