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Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
Portability
62
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V Key Specs

Nikon P520
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Superseded the Nikon P510
  • Successor is Nikon P530
Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Older Model is Sony HX300
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Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V Overview

Let's look much closer at the Nikon P520 versus Sony HX400V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the P520 (18MP) and the HX400V (20MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The P520 was manufactured 12 months earlier than the HX400V and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the P520 matches up versus the HX400V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Sony HX400V

 P520 HX400V 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX400V over the Nikon P520

 HX400V P520 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014January 2013Fresher by 12 months

Common features in the Nikon P520 and Sony HX400V

 P520 HX400V 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution921k921kIdentical screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon P520 has got external dimensions of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") accompanied by a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Sony HX400V has measurements of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") and a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Check out the Nikon P520 versus Sony HX400V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the P520 and the HX400V.

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P520 and HX400V is 66 and 62 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V top view buttons comparison

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking a spec sheet. The visual below should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the P520 and HX400V.

As you can see, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony HX400V to give extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older P520 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon P520
Portrait photography with Sony HX400V
41
has manual focus
decent MP (18 megapixels)
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
51
manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
provides face detect autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon P520 Street photography details
Sony HX400V Street photography details
51
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (550 grams)
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P520 Sports photography advice
Sony HX400V Sports photography advice
46
long zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (200 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
55
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P520 Travel photography info
Sony HX400V Travel photography info
57
decent MP (18MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1000mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery (200 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (550g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
53
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (660g)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon P520
Landscape photography with Sony HX400V
46
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
49
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 Vlogging advice
Sony HX400V Vlogging advice
57
reasonably wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (550 grams)
29
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone port
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (660 grams)
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Nikon P520 vs Sony HX400V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Sony HX400V
 Nikon Coolpix P520Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix P520 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-29 2014-02-12
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1000mm (41.7x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 8.50 m (ISO Auto)
Flash settings - Flash Off / Autoflash / Fill-flash / Slow Sync. / Advanced Flash / Rear Sync. / Wireless (with optional compliant flash)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 550 gr (1.21 lb) 660 gr (1.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 300 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL5 NP-BX1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $380 $448