Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Sony H400: The Ultimate Bridge Camera Showdown for Practical Photographers

When it comes to bridge cameras, the market offers a spectrum of choices - from bargain superzooms to sophisticated large-sensor shooters. Today, we’re diving deep into a direct, hands-on comparison between two popular yet very different contenders: the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400. Both sport SLR-style bodies and all-in-one zoom versatility, but cater to strikingly different user needs, budgets, and photographic ambitions.

Having personally logged extensive hours with both cameras - scrutinizing image quality, autofocus prowess, video chops, ergonomics, and more - I’ll walk you through a comprehensive breakdown across all major photography scenarios. By the end, you’ll have a clear, knowledgeable insight into which camera earns your hard-earned dollar and serves your creative vision best.

Size, Build, and Handling: Clubs for Thumbs or Glasses for Raising?

First impressions matter. Handling and ergonomics can make or break your shooting experience, especially when you’re spending time in the field or traveling.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II is a noticeably chunkier beast at 808 grams with a solid, SLR-like grip big enough for comfortable, stable handholds - even for folks with larger hands. Its dimensions place it squarely in the “bridge” category where you almost forget it’s not a DSLR. The substantial heft is purposeful: it houses a large 1-inch sensor and a bright lens, along with robust internal mechanics.

On the other hand, the Sony H400 is significantly lighter at 628 grams, making it closer to an ultracompact bridge camera. Its impact-resistant plastic body feels a little more toy-like but is surprisingly manageable for its gigantic zoom range (more on that later). Its grip is smaller and less contoured, which might leave photographers craving more control during extended sessions or in tricky shooting angles.

Verdict: If your shooting style involves longer outings, or you relish having a firm, balanced grip, the FZ1000 II’s ergonomics give it a clear edge. The H400’s lighter build benefits those aiming for an ultra-budget, highly portable long-zoom solution.

Control Layout: Intuitive or Clunky?

Physical controls directly impact how quickly you can react and frame the shot. Here’s a peek under the hood at the top control cluster:

The FZ1000 II sports tactile, well-spaced dials - dedicated exposure, aperture, and shutter speed controls - plus customizable buttons, allowing nuanced manual control - even for demanding hobbyists and pros in a pinch. The mode dial features PASM along with creative modes that mostly feel like a DSLR’s cousin, not a point-and-shoot imposter. Its touchscreen LCD and articulating capabilities add flexibility.

Contrast that with the Sony H400’s simpler top layout, which lacks the precision dials and packs mostly menu-driven controls. It’s fine for beginners, but the absence of dedicated manual dials and a touchscreen slows down operations for serious shooters. It leans toward auto and basic modes, which can frustrate those craving more creative control.

Verdict: For users who appreciate physical dials and quick adjustments, the FZ1000 II feels like coming home. Casual shooters or users wanting a grab-and-go with fewer buttons might prefer the simplified H400.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: Quality Versus Quantity of Zoom?

The true battleground for most cameras lies in sensor performance and resultant image quality - which is where these two part ways decisively.

• FZ1000 II: Sports a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor sized at 13.2 x 8.8 mm, a large sensor class that notably surpasses typical point-and-shoot sizes in dynamic range, noise control, and color depth. It captures 20MP images at a max native ISO of 12,800 (boostable to 25,600). This sensor size allows better low-light performance, richer detail, and improved subject isolation. The anti-alias filter helps reduce moiré while preserving sharpness.

• Sony H400: Packs a smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, at the same advertised 20MP resolution but limited by the smaller physical sensor area (~28 mm² vs. 116 mm² for Panasonic). CCD technology is older and less adept at noise control and dynamic range. The max native ISO stops at 3,200, so it struggles more in dim environments. While the pixel count is similar, pixel density is much higher, which typically degrades image detail and low-light clarity.

Furthermore, the Panasonic’s lens system is significantly faster (F2.8 - F4.0) compared to Sony’s slower F3.4 - F6.5, facilitating better control over depth of field and more usable light capture - especially vital for portrait and low-light uses.

My personal testing confirms the FZ1000 II delivers images with superior sharpness, richer colors, and retaining highlight and shadow details far better than the Sony H400. The latter often produces images with visible noise above ISO 800 and less vibrant, softer results.

Verdict: For photographers serious about image quality - especially in portraits, landscapes, and low light - the FZ1000 II’s sensor outclasses the H400 hands down, no contest.

The Zoom Race: Reach vs. Speed

If zoom range is your top priority, the Sony H400 has an eye-popping 63.3x zoom (25-1550 mm equivalent), dwarfing the Panasonic’s 16x zoom (25-400 mm equivalent). But zoom length isn’t everything.

The H400’s ultra-long reach is ideal for casual birdwatching, distant surveillance, or travel snapshots where you simply want to “get just a little closer” without swapping lenses. However, the catch here is the lens speed and image quality past the 400mm mark - expect softness and reduced contrast as you max out the zoom.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II’s 25-400 mm, while seemingly modest by comparison, is a fast-aperture lens that excels in clarity, contrast, and sharpness at all focal lengths. Plus, its optical image stabilization is highly effective up to decent zoom ranges, allowing sharper handheld telephoto shots. Indeed, I’ve often preferred its native zoom lens performance over pushing the H400 beyond 600 mm.

Verdict: If extreme zoom is your obsession and you’re willing to sacrifice some image quality and speed, the Sony H400 delivers unmatched reach. For sharp, versatile zoom with quality to back it, the Panasonic is the smarter superzoom workhorse.

Autofocus & Focus Precision: Will It Catch the Action?

Autofocus performance dramatically impacts usability - especially in wildlife, sports, or street photography.

• Panasonic FZ1000 II features 49 contrast-detection AF points with face detection, continuous AF, touch AF, and tracking. It offers manual focus support, focus bracketing, stacking, and post-focus modes. The AF is snappy and accurate in good light - verified in my tests capturing fast-moving birds and street subjects.

• Sony H400, meanwhile, has a simpler AF system, without manual focus options or continuous AF for video, and limited AF point data. Its contrast-detection AF is notably slower and less reliable for moving subjects, often hunting in dimmer conditions.

In fast-action or wildlife photography, the FZ1000 II is an obvious choice, combining speed with precision and various focusing aids that improve keeper rates significantly.

Verdict: For dynamic subjects and demanding focus scenarios, the Panasonic clearly outperforms the Sony H400’s plodding AF.

Displays and Viewfinders: Eye Candy and Practicality

Viewing and composing your shots is part of the joy - or frustration if done poorly.

The FZ1000 II boasts a 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen with 1240k-dot resolution, making it supernatural for video vlogging, awkward angles, and intuitive menu navigation. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) sports a sharp 2360k-dot panel with 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification, delivering a clear, lag-free look at your composition - even in bright daylight.

Conversely, the Sony H400 uses a fixed 3-inch LCD with only 460k dots and no touchscreen support, limiting angle versatility and tactile control. Its EVF resolution at 201k dots is quite poor, making focus confirmation a guessing game in certain lighting.

Verdict: Panasonic provides a modern, versatile, and higher-quality viewing experience well-suited to serious work and creative exploration.

Video Capability: Ready for the V_Log?

For multimedia creators or casual videographers, video performance can be a deal-maker or breaker.

• The FZ1000 II offers 4K UHD video up to 30p, Full HD 1080p up to 60p, and advanced video modes including 4K photo, slow-motion, and high-speed recording. It supports external microphones, giving better audio options for content creators.

• Sony H400 tops out at 720p HD video, limiting clarity and detail significantly. It also lacks a touchscreen for easy focus during video, and no headphone jack for audio monitoring.

During tests capturing landscapes and family events, the Panasonic’s video was crisp, well-exposed, and easy to control. The Sony video felt dated, suited to basic home recording but not much beyond.

Verdict: Content creators and videographers will find the Panasonic FZ1000 II a future-proof investment, unlike the H400.

Battery Life and Storage: Can It Last the Day?

Managing power and storage connectivity is vital for extended shoots or travels.

• Panasonic’s DMW-BLC12PP battery rated for around 350 shots per charge under CIPA standards (real-world usage closer to 400+). It uses SD cards supporting UHS-I acceleration for faster write speeds.

• Sony H400’s battery clocks ~300 shots rated, slightly less robust. It supports a broader range of storage including Memory Stick PRO Duo formats, a bit outdated but versatile.

While both cameras use single card slots, Panasonic’s slightly better battery and faster write speeds complement its more demanding sensor and video capabilities.

Connectivity: Wireless Freedom vs. Wired Reliance

Wireless features make offloading or quick sharing easier on the go.

• Panasonic FZ1000 II includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing remote shooting, easy smartphone transfers, and tethered control via Lumix apps.

• Sony H400 offers no wireless connectivity, requiring USB or card reader transfers for all files.

A minor gripe? Today’s wireless connectivity is almost a must, so the Panasonic scores important points here.

Putting It All Together: Scores and Use-Case Performance

Looking holistically, the Panasonic FZ1000 II consistently scores higher across key photography disciplines - particularly portraits, landscape, wildlife, and video. Its large sensor, fast lens, superior autofocus, and video capabilities make it a true all-rounder bridge camera.

The Sony H400 finds its niche primarily in super-telephoto casual zoom - great for hobbyists or those on tighter budgets who want a “point-and-shoot with monster reach.” Its biggest strength lies in zooming power, with compromises all around in image quality, control, and video.

Strengths and Weaknesses At a Glance

Real World Recommendations: Who Should Pick Which?

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 II if…

• You want image quality that visibly beats entry-level compacts or smartphones, especially for portraits, landscapes, or video.
• You need versatile video capabilities, including 4K and external audio inputs.
• You crave fast and reliable autofocus to capture action and wildlife effectively.
• You’re willing to pay a premium for a more robust, ergonomic camera with abundant manual controls.
• You shoot in challenging lighting or need better low-light performance.
• You want a single camera for a variety of photography genres - from travel and street to macro and night.

Choose the Sony H400 if…

• Your budget is very tight and you want the longest zoom range possible without breaking the bank.
• You mostly shoot outdoors in bright daylight and don’t expect professional-grade image quality.
• You’re photographing subjects far away casually (e.g., family events, distant wildlife) and don’t mind trade-offs in AF speed and low-light ability.
• Video and advanced controls are not a priority.
• Size and weight need to be kept to a minimum while retaining significant zoom reach.

Final Verdict: Bridging the Divide Between Ambitions and Budget

Bridge cameras are inherently compromises, straddling point-and-shoot simplicity and DSLR versatility. The Panasonic FZ1000 II clearly stakes its claim as a premium, large sensor superzoom, suitable for enthusiasts and semi-pro shooters who want a true all-rounder. Its robust feature set, image quality, and ergonomics justify its higher sticker price.

Meanwhile, the Sony H400 serves as a niche entry-level superzoom designed for budget-conscious buyers chasing extreme telephoto reach. It gets the job done as a lightweight, inexpensive grabber for zoom obsessed hobbyists, but falls short in nearly every other technical and creative aspect.

So, whether you’re a cheapskate zoom hound or a pixel-peeping enthusiast, your photography goals and wallet size will clearly decide the winner here. But if you want my seasoned advice, the FZ1000 II is the smarter investment for most serious photographers and content creators craving a one-camera solution that doesn’t feel like a dumbed-down compromise.

Gallery: See What They Shoot Like

Panasonic FZ1000 II front Panasonic FZ1000 II screen back Sony H400 front Sony H400 screen back

To wrap it up: If image quality, autofocus, and video matter to you, the Panasonic FZ1000 II is the superior, future-proof choice. If absolute zoom length and rock-bottom pricing top your list, the Sony H400 might still deserve a spot in your kit.

Happy shooting - may your next camera be exactly what your creative heart desires!