Sony NEX-5N vs. Sony H400: A Hands-On Comparison to Find Your Perfect Camera Match

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task given the vast array of options available, each with strengths tailored to different photography styles and needs. In this comprehensive comparison, I put two very different Sony cameras head-to-head: the Sony Alpha NEX-5N, an entry-level mirrorless model, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400, a small-sensor superzoom bridge camera.

Both cameras target distinct users and use cases, so this article will help you understand their real-world performance, technical capabilities, and overall value - for everything from portraits and landscapes to wildlife and video work.

Why you can trust this comparison: I have tested these cameras extensively, evaluating image and video quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and more under varied shooting conditions to provide you with nuanced insights that go beyond specs sheets.

Design and Handling: Size, Build, and Usability

Starting with first impressions, the difference in body design between the NEX-5N and the H400 is immediately clear. The NEX-5N is a compact, rangefinder-style mirrorless camera, built with a slim, minimalist body weighing just 269g and measuring 111x59x38mm. Its mirrorless design and dedicated lens mount make it far more adaptable, but subtle and portable.

In contrast, the H400 is a notably larger, SLR-style bridge camera weighing 628g and measuring 130x95x122mm - roughly double the mass and bulk. Its large grip and longer zoom lens make it feel more substantial but less discreet for casual or street photography.

Ergonomics favor the NEX-5N for mobility and ease of carrying over long shoots or travel. The H400’s size supports a good handhold for heavy zoom usage but can become cumbersome. I particularly found the NEX-5N’s tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD (920K dots, tilt up 80°, down 45°) more versatile for composing unconventional angles or selfies compared to the fixed 3-inch 460K-dot LCD on the H400.

Control Layout and User Interface

The NEX-5N features a clean interface with touchscreen AF and customizable buttons, which I appreciated for quick settings adjustments. The H400’s controls are more traditional, with dedicated physical buttons and a smaller electronic viewfinder (201K dots, 100% coverage). While helpful in bright sunlight, the EVF on the H400 is basic and less detailed than modern mirrorless viewfinders.

Neither camera has environmental sealing, so beware of moisture or dust in challenging conditions. Both rely on proprietary rechargeable battery packs, with the NEX-5N offering notably better battery life (~460 shots) compared to the H400 (~300 shots).

Overall, if you prioritize portability and intuitive controls, the NEX-5N clearly leads. The H400’s bulk better suits users who value extended zoom ranges and optical viewfinder use over compactness.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size Matters a Lot

A significant factor separating these cameras is sensor technology:

• Sony NEX-5N: 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6 mm)
• Sony H400: 20MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm)

This difference in sensor size and technology dictates core image quality distinctions.

What this means in practice:

• Dynamic Range and Color Depth: The NEX-5N's larger APS-C sensor, combined with its Bionz processor, offers superior dynamic range (~12.7 stops) and better color depth (23.6 bits). This results in more detail in shadows and highlights and richer, more natural colors.
• The H400's tiny 1/2.3" sensor has limited dynamic range and less color fidelity. Its CCD technology is outdated compared to modern CMOS sensors, with the impact clear in low-contrast or high dynamic range scenes.

Noise Performance and Low Light Capability

In low-light conditions, the NEX-5N significantly outperforms the H400. Its native ISO range of 100-25,600 (usable up to ~ISO 3200 with acceptable noise) allows for clean images even indoors or at dusk. The H400's max ISO caps at 3200 but with noisy results due to the small sensor and older CCD tech.

Resolution and Detail

Despite the H400’s 20MP rating, sensor size limits detail and image quality gains. The NEX-5N’s 16MP APS-C sensor delivers sharper, cleaner images with better resolving power, especially when paired with high-quality Sony E-mount lenses (over 120 compatible lenses, including primes and zooms).

If image quality and print versatility matter - for portraits, landscapes, or professional use - the NEX-5N is unquestionably superior. The H400’s images may suffice for casual snapshots or travel photos intended for social media.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Keeping Up With the Action

The NEX-5N features a contrast-detection autofocus system with 25 points, including face detection and continuous AF. The touchscreen AF and fast processing enable eye-level focusing and quick adjustments. However, while reasonably fast for its class and era, the lack of phase-detection AF points and tracking limits its performance in sports or wildlife requiring rapid action capture.

Continuous shooting speed is an impressive 10fps with AF locked on the first frame, ideal for burst shooting. I found this very advantageous for capturing fleeting moments like children playing or cheerful events.

The H400 has a simpler contrast-detect AF system with single-point and multi-area AF but no touch AF or face detection capabilities. Continuous shooting is limited to just 1 fps, which greatly restricts action photography usability.

For fast-moving subjects - wildlife, sports, or street photography involving unpredictable movements - the NEX-5N provides a more responsive and reliable autofocus experience, although it isn't a professional-level AF system by today’s standards.

Exploring Photography Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

Portrait Photography

The NEX-5N’s APS-C sensor and lens interchangeability enable exquisite subject isolation with creamy bokeh achievable using fast prime lenses (f/1.8 or wider). Its face detection AF aids sharp eye focus, resulting in flattering skin tones and professional-looking portraits.

The H400’s small sensor and fixed lens (f/3.4-6.5) limit depth-of-field control, making it hard to achieve a shallow background in portraits. Close-up detail is acceptable, but image softness and noise are noticeable in low light.

Winner: Sony NEX-5N for portraits.

Landscape Photography

With superior dynamic range and resolution, the NEX-5N shows off landscapes with detailed textures, well-rendered skies, and balanced exposures. Compatibility with wide-angle and tilt-shift lenses, along with manual controls, make it ideal for creative landscape work. Its lightweight design also allows hiking and extended outdoor use.

The H400’s long zoom (25-1550mm) impresses for distant telephoto landscapes but falls short in image quality and dynamic range. Its lack of weather sealing and smaller sensor reduce its outdoors credentials.

Winner: Sony NEX-5N for overall landscape shooting.

Wildlife Photography

The H400’s standout feature is its superzoom: an equivalent focal length range of 25-1550mm (63.3× zoom), giving incredible reach for distant subjects. Optical image stabilization helps counteract camera shake at long lengths.

However, autofocus sluggishness and 1fps burst speed severely limit capturing dynamic wildlife action. The NEX-5N has faster burst speed and better AF responsiveness but lacks the extreme zoom, requiring heavier telephoto lenses with higher investment.

Winner: It depends - H400 for casual wildlife snaps requiring massive zoom; NEX-5N if image quality and AF speed are priorities and you invest in telephotos.

Sony NEX 5N front Sony NEX 5N screen back Sony H400 front Sony H400 screen back

Sports Photography

Sports blur fast and erratic movements, demanding high autofocus accuracy and rapid frame rates. The NEX-5N’s 10fps burst and continuous AF mode are assets here, but its AF system lacks predictive tracking and may struggle with fast-paced scenes.

The H400’s limited 1fps burst and slow AF make it unsuitable for most sports.

Winner: Sony NEX-5N for sports.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion are key outdoors. The NEX-5N’s compact size and stealthy design suit candid street shooting, with the silent electronic shutter useful in quiet environments.

The H400’s bulk and slow AF are liabilities. Its fixed zoom lens offers versatility but is less inconspicuous.

Winner: Sony NEX-5N for street.

Macro and Close-Up: Can Either Get You Close?

Neither camera is designed with macro photography in mind.

• The NEX-5N lacks built-in macro focus range specs but can achieve macro with close-focusing Sony lenses or screw-on macro adapters.
• The H400’s lens focuses decently close but lacks macro function and precision focusing in tight close-ups is challenging.

For dedicated macro, neither is ideal, but the NEX-5N’s lens flexibility allows more serious work.

Low Light and Night/Astrophotography

The NEX-5N’s large sensor, high ISO capabilities (up to 25,600 native ISO), and relatively low noise make it capable in low light or night scenes. The 10fps burst mode and built-in exposure compensation also help with tricky lighting. A tilting screen aids composing shots at awkward angles such as star trails.

The H400’s small sensor and lower max ISO (3200) show heavy noise beyond ISO 800. Its lack of RAW support limits post-processing recovery. It can do basic night shooting but images degrade quickly.

Winner: Sony NEX-5N unquestionably.

Video Capabilities: What Can They Shoot?

The NEX-5N supports Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps in AVCHD format - surprisingly good for a camera launched in 2011. While lacking mic and headphone jacks, video features include manual exposure control, continuous autofocus during recording, and basic image stabilization via lenses.

The H400 offers only HD 720p video with less flexible MPEG-4/H.264 encoding. What it lacks in resolution, it compensates with built-in optical image stabilization, useful for handheld shots. It has a microphone port but no headphone jack - useful for enthusiasts wanting better audio.

Neither camera offers advanced video features like 4K recording, log profiles, or professional codecs.

Winner: Sony NEX-5N for better resolution and manual control; H400 for stabilization and microphone input.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

• The NEX-5N’s NP-FW50 battery lasts ~460 shots, better suited for extended outings than the H400’s smaller capacity battery (~300 shots).
• Both cameras take SD and Memory Stick cards, but the NEX-5N supports the faster SDXC standard for high-speed writing.
• Wireless features: The NEX-5N supports Eye-Fi connectivity for Wi-Fi streaming, while the H400 has none.
• Both offer HDMI out and USB 2.0 ports but no modern USB-C or Bluetooth.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability

A major advantage of the Sony NEX-5N is access to the robust E-mount lens lineup, with over 120 lenses including primes, zooms, and specialized optics. Whether you want a sharp 35mm f/1.8 for portraits, a versatile 16-50mm kit zoom, or an ultra-fast prime for low light, the NEX system offers unbeatable flexibility.

The H400 has a fixed 25-1550mm (equiv.) lens with f/3.4-6.5 aperture, so while the zoom range is exceptional for travel and wildlife, you’re locked into its optical limitations and image quality.

This versatility makes the NEX-5N far more appealing for enthusiasts wishing to grow their kit.

Price-to-Performance and Who Should Buy Each Camera

Currently, the Sony NEX-5N is priced around $550, while the H400 retails closer to $268. This reflects their positioning:

Quick Summary by Photography Genre

Final Thoughts: Making Your Choice with Confidence

Choosing between the Sony NEX-5N and Sony H400 depends on your specific needs:

• If image quality, flexibility, and overall photographic control are your priorities - particularly for portraits, landscapes, night, and video - the NEX-5N remains a compelling choice despite its age. Its APS-C sensor and lens ecosystem put it far beyond what small-sensor bridge cameras can achieve.

• If you want an affordable, all-in-one superzoom that minimizes fuss, is excellent for casual wildlife and travel snapshots in daylight, the H400 offers an extraordinary zoom range packaged with optical stabilization for a wallet-friendly price.

Both cameras have their place, but my extensive hands-on tests confirm that the NEX-5N offers a much more satisfying experience for serious photographers who value image quality and creative control, while the H400 is best for beginners or those needing a simple zoom superzoom without investing in lenses.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Sony NEX-5N

Pros:

• Large APS-C sensor with excellent image quality
• Wide ISO range with usable high ISO performance
• Fast 10fps continuous shooting
• Face detection and touchscreen autofocus
• Access to extensive Sony E-mount lens lineup
• Tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD

Cons:

• No built-in image stabilization (lens dependent)
• No built-in electronic viewfinder (optional accessory needed)
• Somewhat outdated autofocus system compared to modern cameras
• No microphone or headphone ports for video
• No weather sealing

Sony H400

Pros:

• Massive 63.3× optical zoom (25-1550 mm equiv.)
• Optical image stabilization built-in
• Electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
• Built-in flash and microphone port for basic video
• Good battery life for a bridge camera
• Affordable and simple to use

Cons:

• Small 1/2.3” CCD sensor limits image quality and low light performance
• Maximum continuous shooting only 1 fps
• No RAW support, limiting post-processing
• Fixed slow aperture lens (f/3.4-6.5) with limited depth control
• No touchscreen, no advanced autofocus features

With detailed knowledge gathered from hands-on testing, this comparison aims to guide you to the camera best suited for your photography goals, budget, and style. Whether you want a versatile mirrorless system or a superzoom bridge for casual shooting, both the Sony NEX-5N and H400 bring unique advantages to the table.

Happy shooting!