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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S500

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX400VSonyCyber-shot DSC-S500
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20142006
Image and sensor
Camera typeBridgeCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-typeOther
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution20.4 MP6 MP
Largest image5184 × 38882816 × 2112
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 dimensionsOptical 1/2.5-type Super HAD CCD; optical format is not a physical dimension. Exact instruction manual gives approximately 6,003,000 effective / 6,183,000 total pixels; Singapore archive different effective count is not used
Image formatsJPEG still images; no RAW. Sweep Panorama produces stitched output distinct from single-frame resolutionJPEG/Exif 2.21, Fine or Standard quality; maximum 2816×2112, with 3:2 2816×1872, 3M, 2M and VGA settings. No RAW recording
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 equivalent32–96 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–6.3f/2.8–4.8
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 5.4–16.2 mm F2.8–4.8. Macro approximately 5 cm wide / 35 cm telephoto; normal focus approximately 50 cm in maker archive. Singapore Carl Zeiss branding conflicts with actual Sony lens nameplate and UK table
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 telephotoSingle autofocus; no manually adjustable focus or distance presets. UK archive lists no AF illuminator and exact manual labels the front lamp only as self-timer lamp; Singapore affirmative entry conflicts
ShutterMechanical shutter; manual and shutter priority 30–1/4000 second, aperture priority 8–1/2000, Program 1–1/4000 and Intelligent Auto 4–1/4000Maker archive gives Auto 1/8–1/2000 second; Singapore table additionally gives Program auto 1–1/2000 second
Burst detailApproximately 10 fps at maximum resolution for up to ten images; flash and shooting mode affect speedExact handbook: maximum three frames at all supported sizes/qualities, flash off, approximately 2-second recording interval. Singapore maker table separately qualifies approximately 2 seconds at 6M Fine / 1 second at VGA Standard; UK unqualified 1-second entry not used as a sustained full-resolution rate
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 telephotoExact instruction manual Auto ISO range approximately 0.5–2.5 m wide / 0.5–2.0 m telephoto; red-eye reduction pre-flash available
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 six scene modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Candle. No manual or aperture/shutter-priority exposure. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; multi-pattern or spot metering. ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200 and 400
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps320 × 240 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 limitAVI Motion JPEG, 320×240 at 30 fps with recorded sound. No movie-sound playback through the camera buzzer; sound plays on TV or computer. UK archive 640×480 template entry conflicts with exact handbook
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″2.4″
Screen dots921,600110,000
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 2.4-inch TFT, maker states 110,000 dots in exact instruction manual and UK archive; dots are not captured image pixels. No touchscreen or tilting
Viewfinder detail0.2-type electronic finder with approximately 201000-dot equivalent resolution, dioptre adjustment, 100% coverage and automatic eye sensorNo separate viewfinder; composition uses rear LCD
Connections and design
Bluetooth–No
Wi-FiYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)300 photographs60 photographs
Body weight633 g146 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 dayImaging Resource exact-model specification database records Date Available August 4 2006. Year 2006 retained conservatively because the precise first-sale day is not independently corroborated. Contemporary Sony US reporting planned August shipment; Sony China announced its regional model November 22 2006. No predecessor inferred from the maker calling it a new S-series member after S600.
Recording mediaMemory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo plus SD/SDHC/SDXC; micro versions require separate adaptersApproximately 25 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo, including MagicGate variants. No card supplied
PortsMulti/Micro USB terminal with Hi-Speed USB 2.0, micro HDMI and Multi Interface ShoeSeparate USB mini-B (Full-Speed USB 2.0) and A/V OUT mini-jack; NTSC/PAL composite video and audio. Exact manual Full-Speed specification overrides Singapore Hi-Speed heading
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 LR6 alkaline AA cells: approximately 60 shots / 30 minutes CIPA. Optional NH-AA-DB NiMH pair: approximately 350 shots / 170 minutes, not supplied. Alkaline values vary by brand, settings and conditions; supplied cells described as trial-use batteries
ChargingUSB charging; maker specifies USB power supply only with optional AC-UD10 adapterSupplied alkaline batteries cannot be recharged. Optional compatible NiMH cells require an external charger; no charger supplied. Optional AC-LS5K mains adaptor separate
DimensionsApproximately 129.6 × 93.2 × 114.8 mm width × height × depth from lens front to viewfinder; depth to rear monitor is 103.2 mm92.4×62.3×31.2 mm width×height×depth in UK archive; exact instruction manual rounds to 92×62×31 mm excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 633 g body only, or 660 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo146 g body only in UK archive; approximately 198 g including two batteries and wrist strap, etc. in exact instruction manual. Plastic body in Singapore maker 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 AA alkaline batteries, dedicated USB cable, A/V cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD and instruction manual; rechargeable cells, charger and Memory Stick Duo excluded

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