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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P51

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX400VSonyCyber-shot DSC-P51
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20142002
Image and sensor
Camera typeBridgeCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.7-type
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution20.4 MP1.98 MP
Largest image5184 × 38881600 × 1200
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 primary-colour interlaced Super HAD CCD; approximately 2.10 million total and 1.98 million effective photosites in the exact P51 manual entry; UK specifications round effective resolution to 2.0 MP
Image formatsJPEG still images; no RAW. Sweep Panorama produces stitched output distinct from single-frame resolutionJPEG stills with Fine/Standard compression; GIF Clip Motion and MPEG-1 movies. No RAW or TIFF recording
ISO detailOrdinary single-frame ISO 80–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use multi-shot noise reduction and image compositingAuto or manually selected ISO 100, 200 or 400; no continuous ISO dial
Image processorBIONZ X12-bit DXP A/D conversion in exact UK specifications; Clear Colour NR, Clear Luminance NR and NR Slow Shutter. September 2002 Europe brochure lists 14-bit for P51, conflicting with exact UK table; 12-bit retained
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens24–1200 mm equivalent41–82 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–6.3f/3.8
Optical zoom50×2×
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 zoomPhysical focal length 6.3–12.6 mm, equivalent to 41–82 mm, F3.8. Full-range autofocus from 8 cm at wide angle or 50 cm at telephoto, without a separate Macro mode. 3× digital enlargement is separate from the 2× optical zoom
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 telephotoAutomatic Multi AF or centre AF with AF-assist illuminator; preset distances 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity, not continuous manual focusing
ShutterMechanical shutter; manual and shutter priority 30–1/4000 second, aperture priority 8–1/2000, Program 1–1/4000 and Intelligent Auto 4–1/4000Automatic mode 1/30–1/1000 second in exact UK table; slow-shutter scene behaviour is separate. No manual shutter selection
Burst detailApproximately 10 fps at maximum resolution for up to ten images; flash and shooting mode affect speedMulti Burst records sixteen 320×240 subframes at intervals 1/30, 1/15 or 1/7.5 second into one composite still, not sixteen full-resolution separate frames. No full-resolution continuous rate established; the UK 1.9-second figure is startup time
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 with Auto, forced, off and red-eye reduction; ISO Auto recommended distance 0.4–2.8 m at both zoom ends. No accessory or hot shoe
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, multi-pattern/spot metering and Twilight, Twilight Portrait or Landscape scenes; no aperture/shutter priority or manual exposure
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps320 × 240 at 16.6 fps
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 HQX 320×240 at 16.6 fps in exact UK specifications; Presentation 320×240 and Video Mail 160×112 modes are separate
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone; AVCHD Dolby Digital stereo or MP4 AAC stereo; optional compatible microphones connect through the Multi Interface ShoeMovies record without sound; operational beep/shutter speaker is separate from audio recording
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicOptical
Screen size3″1.6″
Screen dots921,60061,600
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 1.6-type TFT with 61600 colour-subpixel dots (280×220); launch rounds to 61000 dots
Viewfinder detail0.2-type electronic finder with approximately 201000-dot equivalent resolution, dioptre adjustment, 100% coverage and automatic eye sensorOptical zoom finder; no electronic finder
Connections and design
Wi-FiYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)300 photographs–
Body weight633 g218 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 announced on 20 February 2002 with planned US availability at the end of April 2002; contemporary Imaging Resource full test updated 16 May 2002 and Sony Europe September 2002 brochure establish 2002 product coverage. Earliest actual worldwide first-sale month is unresolved, so year precision retained; planned April timing is not treated as proof of sale. No explicit direct predecessor claim established
Recording mediaMemory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo plus SD/SDHC/SDXC; micro versions require separate adaptersMemory Stick; 16 MB supplied. Manual includes recording tables through 128 MB; later Memory Stick PRO compatibility not established
PortsMulti/Micro USB terminal with Hi-Speed USB 2.0, micro HDMI and Multi Interface ShoeUSB mini-B with normal mass-storage or PTP setting, separate NTSC/PAL VIDEO OUT minijack without audio and DC IN for optional AC-LS1
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 supplied NH-AA-DI Ni-MH AA cells. Exact manual average-use test at 25°C: approximately 280 images/140 minutes at 1600×1200 Fine, LCD on, one shot every 30 seconds, alternating zoom ends, flash every second shot and restart every 10 shots; not labelled CIPA. Separate continuous Standard/no-flash/3-second-interval test: approximately 3000 images/150 minutes LCD on or 3600/180 off. P31 emergency alkaline permission does not apply to P51
ChargingUSB charging; maker specifies USB power supply only with optional AC-UD10 adapterSupplied external BC-CS1 charger: approximately 13 hours for fully depleted supplied Ni-MH cells at 25°C. Cells removed from camera for charging; optional faster kit available. Optional AC-LS1 supplies camera power
DimensionsApproximately 129.6 × 93.2 × 114.8 mm width × height × depth from lens front to viewfinder; depth to rear monitor is 103.2 mm126.9×58×47 mm width×height×depth, excluding protruding portions in manual
Weight detailApproximately 633 g body only, or 660 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick DuoApproximately 218 g body only in exact Sony UK specifications; approximately 275 g with two batteries, Memory Stick and wrist strap in manual and UK table
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 rechargeable AA Ni-MH batteries, BC-CS1 charger and mains lead, 16 MB Memory Stick, USB and video cables, wrist strap, software CD and operating instructions; AC-LS1 optional

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