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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S40

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX400VSonyCyber-shot DSC-S40
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20142005
Image and sensor
Camera typeBridgeCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.7-type
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution20.4 MP4.065 MP
Largest image5184 × 38882304 × 1728
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range80–320080–400
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 dimensions4,231,000 total and 4,065,000 effective photosites in the exact maker guide. Optical 1/2.7-type is not a physical sensor measurement
Image formatsJPEG still images; no RAW. Sweep Panorama produces stitched output distinct from single-frame resolutionJPEG Exif 2.2, maximum 2304×1728 or 2304×1536 3:2; no RAW
ISO detailOrdinary single-frame ISO 80–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use multi-shot noise reduction and image compositing–
Image processorBIONZ XSony Real Imaging Processor
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens24–1200 mm equivalent32–96 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–6.3f/2.8–5.1
Optical zoom50×3×
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 zoomCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar physical 5.1–15.3 mm F2.8–5.1, equivalent to 32–96 mm. Automatic ND filter switching. Exact UK archive gives close focus 12 cm wide / 50 cm telephoto; no conversion-lens compatibility
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 telephotoMulti-area or centre autofocus, Single or Monitor AF, AF illuminator. No manual focus or distance presets
ShutterMechanical shutter; manual and shutter priority 30–1/4000 second, aperture priority 8–1/2000, Program 1–1/4000 and Intelligent Auto 4–1/4000Exact UK archive gives Auto 1/8–1/2000 second; slow-shutter noise reduction
Burst detailApproximately 10 fps at maximum resolution for up to ten images; flash and shooting mode affect speedMaximum four 4M Fine frames; exact maker archive quotes approximately 0.7-second interval, not sustained burst. Multi Burst records 16 subframes within one 1M image
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 Auto, forced, slow-synchronised or off; red-eye reduction. Guide gives approximately 0.2–3.8 m wide / 0.5–2.1 m telephoto at Auto ISO
Exposure controlsProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority, Manual and memory recall; multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering, ±2 EV in 1/3 EV stepsAuto, Program auto and seven scenes. No manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority; ±2 EV compensation in 1/3 EV steps
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps640 × 480 at 30 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 limitMPEG-1 mono audio, VGA Fine 640×480 at 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO; internal memory cannot record Fine mode
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone; AVCHD Dolby Digital stereo or MP4 AAC stereo; optional compatible microphones connect through the Multi Interface Shoe–
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicOptical
Screen size3″1.5″
Screen dots921,60076,800
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-inch TFT, 76,800 dots (320×240); display dots are not captured image pixels
Viewfinder detail0.2-type electronic finder with approximately 201000-dot equivalent resolution, dioptre adjustment, 100% coverage and automatic eye sensorSeparate optical finder visible in exact maker photographs and guide. Archived UK specification incorrectly marks optical finder NO
Connections and design
Bluetooth–No
Wi-FiYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)300 photographs110 photographs
Body weight633 g132 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 February announcement planned mid-March US / April Europe. Japanese maker release confirms 15 April 2005 Japanese launch; contemporary June 2005 retail coverage establishes 2005 sale. Earliest actual worldwide sale month unresolved, so year precision retained. No assumed predecessor link
Recording mediaMemory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo plus SD/SDHC/SDXC; micro versions require separate adapters32 MB internal memory; original Memory Stick or Memory Stick PRO, optional. No card supplied
PortsMulti/Micro USB terminal with Hi-Speed USB 2.0, micro HDMI and Multi Interface ShoeMini-B Hi-Speed USB 2.0; no A/V connector listed in exact guide
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 limitsApproximately 110 shots / 55 minutes with supplied alkaline AA pair, LCD on; 140 shots LCD off. Optional NH-AA-DA rechargeable pair gives 480 shots LCD on or 580 LCD off. Guide CIPA test at 25°C, Fine, Single AF, one shot every 30 seconds, alternate zoom extremes, flash every other shot and off every ten. Archived UK table instead claims 380 shots / 190 minutes with supplied batteries; unresolved conflict, guide conditions used Japanese maker release quotes 550 shots using different optional NH-AA-2DB batteries, not supplied alkalines.
ChargingUSB charging; maker specifies USB power supply only with optional AC-UD10 adapterNo charger supplied; optional rechargeable AA pair requires compatible external charger. Optional AC-LS5K adaptor excluded
DimensionsApproximately 129.6 × 93.2 × 114.8 mm width × height × depth from lens front to viewfinder; depth to rear monitor is 103.2 mm99×51.7×34.2 mm width×height×depth excluding maximum protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 633 g body only, or 660 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo132 g body in exact UK archive; exact guide approximately 180 g including two batteries and wrist strap. US marketing sheet and German announcement give 135 g body / 184 g loaded; regional conflict retained
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, software CD and guides; rechargeable batteries and charger optional

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