Cybershot DSC-HX400V review - after one day of testing

[Bobby Handal]

Hello ! decided to post this since I see very little reviews of this camera. I own a variety of cameras and brands, I have no loyalty at all, have been a photographer for 30+ years. I owned a Canon SX40 that I sold , but I wanted an all in one compact camera, friends of mine have the HX300 and have seen great shots.

- The camera size and heft is good, some dials feel cheap, the grip is great.

- the shutter lag is very short, wow, what a difference versus the Canon SX40, I like this.

- the zoom is noisy and amazing range, one of the reasons of buying it. I know there are some cameras with larger range and bigger sensor ones with shorter range, all is a compromise. With that thought in mind I decided to buy and test it, compare it against my other equipment.

What a better way than with photos to review the camera.




I kind of expected a little better flare control than this








start up is quite acceptable , so you are ready to shoot quite fast




The camera has a fanstastic macro capability, however it is on its wide angle side, so your deph of field is tremendous but hard to isolate the subject








with a close up filter and manual focus assist should be great for macro !




you can't get too close in telephoto settings but I guess good enough.






The stabilization and super tele reach are very good




High ISO is not very good, not if you like to pixel peep, but if you keep in under ISO 800 you are ok !






Subject isolation due to long focal length is possible, still have some deph of field due to small sensor, which in this case helps.




I think I am going to have fun with Macros !

The main issues it when you pixel peep you see watercolors, a lot of softness. For normal vacations photos, internet postings , is just fine, perhaps even 11x14's . I would have preferred to sony give me grain than watercolors, me thinks. Got to keep on playing, so far it is a keeper, a nice camera for my collection.

The screen is beautiful but the built in EVF is very small, I hope I can buy a aftermarket magnifying lens or something, I will need it.

If you have any questions let me know. Best regards,





--
www.photoexpedition.net
www.fotoclubhonduras.com

 

[Bobby Handal]

incredible, I guess not much interest on this camera. wow.

 

[AlGor]

Yes you did a great review with so beautifully taken samples and nice annotations!

I like all you did here a lot!

I think people here now more busy with RX's family... I myself have a Canon sx50 and love play with it...but thinking Sony did a very good lob with new bridge cam.(After not success with hx300).

Thanks again.

Al.

 

[ric63]

Bobby,

Don't get upset if people don't reply or comment immediately

Its now the weekend and people are off using their cameras to get some shots like you have just done.

Unfortunately at this point in time this forum is flooded with RX100 people that are not to interested in anything but RX100's and don't read or participate in others threads or images.

This will steady down soon and we will be back on an even keel.

Your review was very well done, and I agree, providing a good range of images at different settings is a great way to go for getting your point across as to how happy you are with this camera.

Your shots and descriptions are great to the point and we'll written.

It shows that again we have another HX400 user that is very happy with his new purchase and thank you for taking the time to review it so others (like me who own a HX100) like me can make better decisions regarding our next super zoom purchase.

As I have mentioned in another thread, the HX400, RX10 & RX100 has put Sony on top of the heap for great cameras with IQ only other manufacturers can dream of.

If only Sony would put an OLED EVF in this baby it would be a perfect camera for super zoom work.

--
Enjoy Your Photography,
Ric.

 

[weathersealed]

thanks, I might take you up on the advice sometimes when I get to using my hx400v, you have some nice photos using it.

 

[stevenic]

Hello ! decided to post this since I see very little reviews of this camera. I own a variety of cameras and brands, I have no loyalty at all, have been a photographer for 30+ years. I owned a Canon SX40 that I sold , but I wanted an all in one compact camera, friends of mine have the HX300 and have seen great shots.

- The camera size and heft is good, some dials feel cheap, the grip is great.

- the shutter lag is very short, wow, what a difference versus the Canon SX40, I like this.

- the zoom is noisy and amazing range, one of the reasons of buying it. I know there are some cameras with larger range and bigger sensor ones with shorter range, all is a compromise. With that thought in mind I decided to buy and test it, compare it against my other equipment.

What a better way than with photos to review the camera.




I kind of expected a little better flare control than this








start up is quite acceptable , so you are ready to shoot quite fast




The camera has a fanstastic macro capability, however it is on its wide angle side, so your deph of field is tremendous but hard to isolate the subject








with a close up filter and manual focus assist should be great for macro !




you can't get too close in telephoto settings but I guess good enough.






The stabilization and super tele reach are very good




High ISO is not very good, not if you like to pixel peep, but if you keep in under ISO 800 you are ok !






Subject isolation due to long focal length is possible, still have some deph of field due to small sensor, which in this case helps.




I think I am going to have fun with Macros !

The main issues it when you pixel peep you see watercolors, a lot of softness. For normal vacations photos, internet postings , is just fine, perhaps even 11x14's . I would have preferred to sony give me grain than watercolors, me thinks. Got to keep on playing, so far it is a keeper, a nice camera for my collection.

The screen is beautiful but the built in EVF is very small, I hope I can buy a aftermarket magnifying lens or something, I will need it.

If you have any questions let me know. Best regards,





--
www.photoexpedition.net
www.fotoclubhonduras.com

Great review. How did it compare with your old sx40. Image quality etc. Cheers Steve

 

[Bobby Handal]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging comments. You are right, the other cameras from Sony are taking away a little of the spotlight of this camera - that is the reason I posted my review; before I purchased it I looked hard here in Dpreview forum but found very little, much less than say the canon, Fujifilm or other forum that has bridge cameras.



The camera is quite responsive, the range and megapixels is quite incredible, the macro also. Focus is a tad inaccurate in low light but the same with all the large zoom bridge I have played with, including the sx40. The IQ on the canon may be a little better when magnified but when reviewed as a whole, the IQ of the sony looks better, hard to explain.

Great review. How did it compare with your old sx40. Image quality etc. Cheers Steve

--
www.photoexpedition.net
www.fotoclubhonduras.com

 

[ric63]

Great stuff Bob.

The standard images from ALL SOny product i feel look much better than all competitors, they just produce a very pleasing image.

Others may be better when viewed at 100%, but its what we see that makes the difference.

 

[Bobby Handal]

Thanks Ric !!

Great stuff Bob.

The standard images from ALL SOny product i feel look much better than all competitors, they just produce a very pleasing image.

Others may be better when viewed at 100%, but its what we see that makes the difference.

 

[ducastel]

Hello, first, excuse my english but I'm french and I'm 67!
I had several cameras including a Sony DSC F-717 (which I loved) and as a last reflex Canon 500d but it is too bulky with a 25-250 mm telephoto!
I would buy this Snoy HX400V but I want to do macro shots and also moving subjects.
Is this possible with this device?
Thank you.
Friendly.
Patrick

 

[fbx]

stevenic, post: 54015185, member: 114917"]
Great review. How did it compare with your old sx40. Image quality etc. Cheers Steve

--
www.photoexpedition.net
www.fotoclubhonduras.com
[/QUOTE]
Stunning photo here, congrats. Remarkable, really. Could you give me some idea of which are the competing cameras and your sense of how they rank, best qualities and least good qualities? It's been a while since I bought a big zoom and am seriously considering this one after your review. My experience with Sony goes back to the 505 and 707 (I think that was it), both wonderful cameras in their day. Now I just have a couple of Canons, SX80 and M. Both good (the M is way underrated in my view), but nothing with the huge zoom. Many thanks--



Pier

 

[Bobby Handal]

Hello Patrick

The response time (shutter lag) from the moment you press the shutter to actual picture is very very good, I would say DSLR fast. To achieve focus ? it depends on light conditions, but from fast to mediocre.

For fast moving subjects like birds in flight this will not be good because of focus speed. For kids, dogs, etc . perhaps it will be good enough.

The zoom is just fantastic, even the digital zoom does not degrade that much. Surprising.

For macro photos it works in wide angle mode, you can touch the subject with the front of the lens !!!, you get incredible deph of field!, everything in focus behind insect or flower, great !! but sometimes you want background not in focus. I have not played enough with camera and macro filter (raynox dcr250) that allows me to use zoom length in other setting instead of wide angle and to be more away from subject (not to scare it).

best regards,

Hello, first, excuse my english but I'm french and I'm 67!
I had several cameras including a Sony DSC F-717 (which I loved) and as a last reflex Canon 500d but it is too bulky with a 25-250 mm telephoto!
I would buy this Snoy HX400V but I want to do macro shots and also moving subjects.
Is this possible with this device?
Thank you.
Friendly.
Patrick

 

[Bobby Handal]

sStunning photo here, congrats. Remarkable, really. Could you give me some idea of which are the competing cameras and your sense of how they rank, best qualities and least good qualities? It's been a while since I bought a big zoom and am seriously considering this one after your review. My experience with Sony goes back to the 505 and 707 (I think that was it), both wonderful cameras in their day. Now I just have a couple of Canons, SX80 and M. Both good (the M is way underrated in my view), but nothing with the huge zoom. Many thanks--

Pier

Thanks for your kind comments on my photo. All cameras are good, the sensor of this camera is very small. I bought it for reach, for vacations and for wife - I tried to convince her not to use her phone (dreamer huh?).

The bigger the sensor the better the quality. period. The bigger the sensor so are the lenses. period. how much is one willing to carry and put up with?that is the key question.

Optics are another question valid to ask. The zeiss branding on this camera motivated me also, and it has proven quite good, hardly no purple fringing (many ultra zooms have this issue)













Above please see 3 photos , this iguana was high up in a tree, first look at the fact that no purple little lines although is horrid backlit . Look at the zoom capability !!

If you want better image quality you may want to look into the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 because of the much larger sensor, but it only reaches 400mm, if this is enough for you I would probably tell you to look into this camera instead. For me, reach is king. If I look at these photos closer I see image mushiness (watercolors effect?) that all small format cameras have. The 1" cameras have less but still have, so the m4/3 but less, again, the larger the sensor the more detail at reviewing close at 100%. If you are going to print at 8x10 , perhaps 11x14 some may not notice a difference between the formats.

good luck in your quest.





--
www.photoexpedition.net
www.fotoclubhonduras.com

 

[ducastel]

hello Bobby ( I reply without quote because I have not understood how to use it !Sorry!).

So, firstly thanks for your fast reply.

Yes, I undestand that I will not be able to obtain the same quality than with my Canon 550d , but it's a choice, I search a bridge with good zoom, and to make macro .

I hesitate between the Lumix FZ200 and this Sony, so as I had a Sony ( 717 ) I beleive that I wiill buy this one to morrow!

If, I buy it, can you will accept that I ask some questions to have some tricks ?

I read that you say nothing about my bad english! You are very polite!

Best regards.

Patrick in Brittany ( France) !

 

[Bobby Handal]

Hello Patrick

I am no expert on this camera, just bought it 12 days ago. I do have 30+ years in photography therefore I understand Exposure, ISO, composition, and many basic photography laws and concepts. If one understands these basic concepts then you can utilize any camera even if automatic with many extras, as long as you can understand what the camera is doing or if you know how to tell the camera what to do.

Of course we are all here to help and to learn, count on us all. However, the most important thing is to read the advanced manual that the camera has.

English is my second language also... many different countries here !! united by one passion: photography !!

Good luck with your purchase and enjoy your new camera !!

best regards,

hello Bobby ( I reply without quote because I have not understood how to use it !Sorry!).

So, firstly thanks for your fast reply.

Yes, I undestand that I will not be able to obtain the same quality than with my Canon 550d , but it's a choice, I search a bridge with good zoom, and to make macro .

I hesitate between the Lumix FZ200 and this Sony, so as I had a Sony ( 717 ) I beleive that I wiill buy this one to morrow!

If, I buy it, can you will accept that I ask some questions to have some tricks ?

I read that you say nothing about my bad english! You are very polite!

Best regards.

Patrick in Brittany ( France) !

 

[ducastel]

Hello Patrick

I am no expert on this camera, just bought it 12 days ago. I do have 30+ years in photography therefore I understand Exposure, ISO, composition, and many basic photography laws and concepts. If one understands these basic concepts then you can utilize any camera even if automatic with many extras, as long as you can understand what the camera is doing or if you know how to tell the camera what to do.

Of course we are all here to help and to learn, count on us all. However, the most important thing is to read the advanced manual that the camera has.

English is my second language also... many different countries here !! united by one passion: photography !!

Good luck with your purchase and enjoy your new camera !!

best regards,

hello Bobby ( I reply without quote because I have not understood how to use it !Sorry!).

So, firstly thanks for your fast reply.

Yes, I undestand that I will not be able to obtain the same quality than with my Canon 550d , but it's a choice, I search a bridge with good zoom, and to make macro .

I hesitate between the Lumix FZ200 and this Sony, so as I had a Sony ( 717 ) I beleive that I wiill buy this one to morrow!

If, I buy it, can you will accept that I ask some questions to have some tricks ?

I read that you say nothing about my bad english! You are very polite!

Best regards.

Patrick in Brittany ( France) !

 

[dr jim]

Fantastic PP on this black and white!

 

[aaanouel]

Congrats for your new acquisition!

About your examples...

I kind of expected a little better flare control than this

• So over exposed and highly backlighted... I wouldn't expect anything else from any camera in those circumstances and those settings... ha!

Start up is quite acceptable , so you are ready to shoot quite fast

• OK

The camera has a fanstastic macro capability, however it is on its wide angle side, so your deph of field is tremendous but hard to isolate the subject

• As we well know, ittle sensors have considerably deeper DOF so it's recommendable to choose the right backgrounds.

With a close up filter and manual focus assist should be great for macro !

• No doubt about it!
It's great for macros, indeed! and even more powerful and better than a APS-C sensor camera with specialized lenses.

You can't get too close in telephoto settings but I guess good enough.

• Yeah, so better to use a close-up lens for macros as you've already proved.

The stabilization and super tele reach are very good

• That's right, one of the bests.

High ISO is not very good, not if you like to pixel peep, but if you keep in under ISO 800 you are ok !

• That's correct.

Subject isolation due to long focal length is possible, still have some deph of field due to small sensor, which in this case helps.

• But by the contrary in many cases, it's really hard to get great bokeh.

I think I am going to have fun with Macros !

• Sure you will!!!

HX100V up to HX400V are quite versatile cameras, in fact, after getting A65 I had to re-purchased HX100V (a long story) just for Macros and Super-Tele captures, in despite of JPEG artifacts they produce better shots than using specialized but limited lenses and all-in-one camera!

Have fun! & ✎ ✔✔✔✔✔ Txs4Sharing

--

www.photoexpedition.net
www.fotoclubhonduras.com

 

[andy10]

Hi

I'm a refugee from the fuji forum, owning a HS25 which I have liked but but is currently being repaired again. I will continue using it assuming they can repair it, but looking ahead, I think it might not be a fuji next time round. The ones I have had have certainly not lasted long enough.

Two things I have liked about the fuji are it's manual zoom and the ability to use AA batteries, which at times has been useful when in wild places where recharging isn't possible.

So......

Am I correct in saying the sony does allow you to manually zoom using a switch between focus and zoom on the side of the camera?

How many photos are you getting out of the battery and have you compared it to any generic spare batteries.

If you use lowish speed continuous shooting does the camera recover for future shots reasonably quickly? (An issue shooting wildlife)

Congratulations on the excellent pictures in your review.

 

[WaltKnapp]

incredible, I guess not much interest on this camera. wow.

This group is dominated by the FX crowd. I know I've given up pretty much on the group as far as HX discussion. But that does not mean lack of interest or Use. Even though I have a very complete Alpha 700 system it still sees a lot of use in the business of not carting much some of the time or providing me with the longest tele I have. Even if Tamron ever sends the 150-600 tele I have pre ordered to use with my Alpha 700s that will still not quite make as long a tele.

BTW, it's not watercolor, whatever that is. It's that Sony overcompresses the jpegs and what you see is jpeg compression artifacts. This has been a problem through all generations of HX cameras I've owned and probably most of the entire cybershot line. You can improve them some using software like Topaz DeJpeg, which is what I use on all photos out of my HX cameras. Needs to be applied to the straight out of the camera jpeg before doing any other PP for best results. Can't clean it all out so you will still see it at 1:1 but who uses the camera like that? I'm always resizing the shots for display online and such and don't even have anyplace to hang a large print if I made one.