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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX400VSonyCyber-shot DSC-S980
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20142009
Image and sensor
Camera typeBridgeCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOSSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution20.4 MP12.1 MP
Largest image5184 × 38884000 × 3000
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range80–3200100–3200
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 1/2.3-type Super HAD CCD, approximately 12.1 million effective / 12.4 million total pixels. Optical format is not a physical dimension. Exact shared instruction manual labels S980 separately from 10.1 MP S950
Image formatsJPEG still images; no RAW. Sweep Panorama produces stitched output distinct from single-frame resolutionJPEG/Exif 2.21; maximum 4000×3000, with 3:2 4000×2672 and 16:9 4000×2248/1920×1080 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 equivalent33–132 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–6.3f/2.5–5.6
Optical zoom50×4×
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationElectronic only
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 4× zoom, physical 5.8–23.2 mm F2.5–5.6; 35 mm equivalent 33–132 mm. Closest focus approximately 5 cm wide / 50 cm telephoto
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; nine-area multi AF, centre AF or five distance presets: 0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m, 7 m and infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focus. Face detection up to eight faces; no AF illuminator
ShutterMechanical shutter; manual and shutter priority 30–1/4000 second, aperture priority 8–1/2000, Program 1–1/4000 and Intelligent Auto 4–1/4000Auto 1/8–1/2000 second; Program auto 1–1/2000 second in exact Asia-Pacific maker table
Burst detailApproximately 10 fps at maximum resolution for up to ten images; flash and shooting mode affect speedUp to 100 images while shutter held; approximately 1-second recording interval. Focus, exposure and white balance fixed to first frame, flash off, ISO limited to Auto or 100–400; self-timer burst up to five frames. No unrestricted sustained rate inferred
Stabilisation detailOptical SteadyShot for stills; Intelligent Active movie mode combines optical and electronic correction including rotation, with a different field of viewElectronic SteadyShot only; no optical lens or sensor-shift stabilisation. Exact handbook excludes flash use and Easy Shooting and notes additional processing time
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 telephotoAuto ISO range approximately 0.5–3.5 m wide / 0.5–1.5 m telephoto. Auto, forced flash, slow sync and off; 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 stepsAuto, Easy Shooting, Program auto, High Sensitivity and six scene modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Snow. No manual or aperture/shutter-priority exposure. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering. ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200
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 mono sound. Movie size fixed to 320×240 in instruction manual; conflicting European archive 640×480 template excluded. Optical zoom cannot change during movie recording
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″2.7″
Screen dots921,600230,400
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 2.7-inch TFT, 230,400 dots; dots are not image pixels. No touchscreen or tilting; histogram display
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 photographs310 photographs
Body weight633 g135 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 dayMaker European February 17 2009 release planned availability from late February. Imaging Resource exact-model database records Date Available March 15 2009, supporting conservative year 2009; precise first-sale day/region not independently corroborated. No replacement inferred: higher-resolution alternative does not establish official successor
Recording mediaMemory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo plus SD/SDHC/SDXC; micro versions require separate adaptersApproximately 12 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo (no enhanced PRO-HG transfer speed). No card supplied
PortsMulti/Micro USB terminal with Hi-Speed USB 2.0, micro HDMI and Multi Interface ShoeCombined USB/A/V OUT terminal with Hi-Speed USB 2.0, mono audio and NTSC/PAL composite video. Exact manual overrides European A/V No template entry. PictBridge compatible; no external microphone input
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 limitsSupplied NP-BK1 rechargeable lithium-ion pack: approximately 310 shots / 155 minutes CIPA at 25°C. Separate viewing claim 4800 images / 240 minutes is not shooting endurance
ChargingUSB charging; maker specifies USB power supply only with optional AC-UD10 adapterExternal BC-CSK or BC-CSKA charger supplied, region-dependent; optional AC-LS5K mains adaptor separate. USB charging not listed
DimensionsApproximately 129.6 × 93.2 × 114.8 mm width × height × depth from lens front to viewfinder; depth to rear monitor is 103.2 mm93.1×55.7×23.8 mm width×height×depth excluding protrusions in exact instruction manual and European maker archive. Imaging Resource overview 25.9 mm thickness not used
Weight detailApproximately 633 g body only, or 660 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo135 g body only in European maker archive; approximately 157 g with NP-BK1 battery pack and strap, etc. in instruction manual. Different reviewer weights are not substituted
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-BK1 battery pack, BC-CSK/BC-CSKA charger, dedicated USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, software/handbook CD and instruction manual; Memory Stick Duo separate

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