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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S50

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX400VSonyCyber-shot DSC-S50
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20142000
Image and sensor
Camera typeBridgeCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.7-type
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution20.4 MP2.02 MP
Largest image5184 × 38881600 × 1200
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range80–3200–
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 dimensionsOptical 1/2.7-type Super HAD colour CCD with approximately 2.11 million total / 2.02 million effective photosites in exact Sony Japanese announcement. Maximum output 1600×1200 contains 1.92 million image pixels; contemporary review output-pixel figures are not transferred as maker sensor count. Optical format is not physical dimensions
Image formatsJPEG still images; no RAW. Sweep Panorama produces stitched output distinct from single-frame resolutionJPEG, uncompressed TIFF plus simultaneous JPEG, or black-and-white GIF Text mode. Maximum 1600×1200, also 1600×1072 (3:2), 1024×768 and 640×480. Email mode adds a 320×240 JPEG. No RAW. Supplied 4 MB Memory Stick is too small for TIFF; exact guide lists approximately two full-resolution TIFF/JPEG pairs on 16 MB
ISO detailOrdinary single-frame ISO 80–3200; ISO 6400 and 12800 use multi-shot noise reduction and image compositing–
Image processorBIONZ X–
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens24–1200 mm equivalent39–117 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–6.3f/2.8–2.9
Optical zoom50×3×
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationNone
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 zoomSony 3× zoom, physical 6.1–18.3 mm F2.8–2.9; 35 mm equivalent 39–117 mm. Normal autofocus approximately 25 cm wide / 60 cm telephoto; macro approximately 3 cm wide / 60 cm telephoto. Digital processing beyond 3× extends total zoom to 6×, not an additional 6× optical range
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 telephotoAutofocus and macro autofocus, plus approximate preset manual distances 0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m, 7 m and infinity. Half-press locks autofocus and automatic exposure
ShutterMechanical shutter; manual and shutter priority 30–1/4000 second, aperture priority 8–1/2000, Program 1–1/4000 and Intelligent Auto 4–1/4000Sony exact announcement: Auto 1/30–1/725 second; shutter priority 8–1/725 second. Exact operating instruction confirms still shutter-priority range
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 viewNo optical lens or sensor-shift stabilisation. Orientation sensor controls vertical-image playback, not camera-shake correction
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, recommended range 0.3–2.5 m, Auto/red-eye Auto/forced on/off with High/Normal/Low flash level. No external flash terminal; S70 external-flash feature does not apply
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 plus seven Program AE settings: aperture priority, shutter priority, twilight, twilight plus, landscape, panfocus and spot metering. Aperture-priority selection across nine steps F2.8–F11, with telephoto restrictions; shutter-priority 18 still-image steps 8–1/725 second, or 12 movie steps 1/8–1/725. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps. White balance Auto, Indoor, Outdoor or Hold; five sharpness levels; solarise, monochrome, sepia and negative-art effects. ISO control not published in exact instruction
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 limitMPEG-1 movies with monaural audio at 320×240, maximum 15 seconds per clip; 160×112 video-mail mode up to 60 seconds. Exact frame rate not stated in read maker sources and left unpublished. Separate Voice mode attaches 5–40 seconds of audio to a still photograph. S30 has no movie/audio recording; S70 higher-quality MPEG mode is separate
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone; AVCHD Dolby Digital stereo or MP4 AAC stereo; optional compatible microphones connect through the Multi Interface Shoe–
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicNone
Screen size3″2″
Screen dots921,600123,200
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenYesYes
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° downFree-angle 2-inch TFT, 123,200 component dots (560×220); dots are not image pixels. Screen rotates for face-to-face/self-portrait and high/low-angle shooting, with normal/bright backlight. No touchscreen or separate optical/electronic eyepiece
Viewfinder detail0.2-type electronic finder with approximately 201000-dot equivalent resolution, dioptre adjustment, 100% coverage and automatic eye sensor–
Connections and design
Wi-FiYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)300 photographs–
Body weight633 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 dayConservative actual-sale year 2000 supported by contemporary Digicamera June 2000 news describing current DSC-S50 retail prices in Shinjuku. Sony announcement of 2 February 2000 planned Japanese sale on 15 April; that plan alone does not establish actual first-sale day/month. No exact official predecessor relationship inferred
Recording mediaMemory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo plus SD/SDHC/SDXC; micro versions require separate adaptersFull-size Memory Stick, supplied 4 MB. No SD slot. JPEG, TIFF and movie capacities depend on image size; approximately four 1600×1200 JPEGs on supplied card. No internal image storage published
PortsMulti/Micro USB terminal with Hi-Speed USB 2.0, micro HDMI and Multi Interface ShoeUSB digital I/O, monaural A/V OUT minijack with NTSC/PAL selection, and DC IN for AC-L10 adapter. Built-in microphone and speaker. No HDMI or external-flash terminal
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 limitsNP-FM50 InfoLITHIUM rechargeable lithium-ion pack: nominal 7.2 V, 1180 mAh / 8.5 Wh. Exact pre-CIPA instruction claims approximately 2500 VGA photographs / 150 minutes at 25°C, normal LCD, fully charged battery, about five-second intervals and replacement Memory Sticks; normally charged pack 2300 / 140 minutes. This rapid single-frame test is not CIPA or a continuous burst. Separate playback and low-resolution movie runtime are not still-shooting endurance; no unqualified shot headline
ChargingUSB charging; maker specifies USB power supply only with optional AC-UD10 adapterIn-camera charging with supplied AC-L10 adapter through DC IN, camera switched off. Approximately 90 minutes normal charge or 150 minutes full charge for completely discharged NP-FM50. No USB charging claimed
DimensionsApproximately 129.6 × 93.2 × 114.8 mm width × height × depth from lens front to viewfinder; depth to rear monitor is 103.2 mmExact operating instruction maximum dimensions 113×68×69 mm width×height×depth. Early Japanese announcement gives 113.1×67.8×68.8 mm excluding maximum projections
Weight detailApproximately 633 g body only, or 660 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick DuoExact operating instruction approximately 370 g including NP-FM50, Memory Stick, wrist strap and lens cap. Early Japanese release prints 315.6 g body / 423 g loaded in shared S50/S30 table, conflicting with later instruction loaded weight; optional body-only headline omitted rather than infer a subtraction
ColoursBlack–
In the boxNP-BX1 battery, AC-UB10C/UB10D adapter, micro USB cable, shoulder strap, shoe cap, lens cap and instructions; regional mains fittings varyNP-FM50 battery, AC-L10 AC adapter and power cord, USB cable, A/V cable, lens cap and cap strap, wrist strap, 4 MB Memory Stick, CD-ROM/software and operating instructions; exact shared manual distinguishes S30 video-only cable

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