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Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V

Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
Portability
62
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51

Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Launched April 2017
  • New Model is Sony A9 II
Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Superseded the Sony HX300
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Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Sony A9 versus Sony HX400V, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Sony. The image resolution of the A9 (24MP) and the HX400V (20MP) is fairly comparable but the A9 (Full frame) and HX400V (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

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The A9 was revealed 3 years after the HX400V which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX400V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the A9 matches up vs the HX400V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony HX400V

 A9 HX400V 
LaunchedApril 2017February 2014More modern by 39 months
Display resolution1440k921kCrisper display (+519k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX400V over the Sony A9

 HX400V A9 

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony HX400V

 A9 HX400V 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Sony A9 provides outside dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) whilst the Sony HX400V has measurements of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A9 versus Sony HX400V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the A9 and the HX400V.

Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the A9 and HX400V is 65 and 62 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The image below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A9 and HX400V.

As you can see, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A9 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Sony A9 will provide extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher A9 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX400V as a Portrait photography camera
83
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
51
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 Street photography highlights
Sony HX400V Street photography highlights
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
features focus via touch
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition in class (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 Sports photography information
Sony HX400V Sports photography information
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery (650 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
55
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A9
Travel photography with Sony HX400V
73
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
features focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
53
resolution is good (20MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (660 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX400V Landscape photography highlights
85
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery (650 per charge)
has dual storage slots
49
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 Vlogging features
Sony HX400V Vlogging features
36
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
29
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic socket
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (660g)
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Sony A9 vs Sony HX400V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony HX400V
 Sony Alpha A9Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2017-04-19 2014-02-12
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip BIONZ X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 693 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,440k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 8.50 m (ISO Auto)
Flash modes Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync 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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 673g (1.48 lbs) 660g (1.46 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 92 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3517 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 300 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual Single
Retail pricing $4,498 $448