Sony H400 vs Sony RX100 V: A Deep Dive Comparison for Serious Photographers

When shopping for a versatile digital camera, especially within Sony’s extensive lineup, buyers inevitably face choices shaped by sensor size, lens capability, image quality, and user experience. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V represent two distinctly different design philosophies found under the Cyber-shot brand: the H400 is an entry-level superzoom bridge camera with a fixed long zoom lens focused on reach and simplicity, while the RX100 V is a premium compact with a large sensor, fast optics, and high-performance autofocus designed for demanding enthusiasts and professionals on the go. This comparison article explores these two models in detail, drawing upon extensive hands-on testing and technical analysis to empower photographers in selecting the right tool to suit their needs.

First Impressions and Build Quality: Size, Feel, and Controls

Physically, the Sony H400 is considerably larger and more robust than typical point-and-shoot cameras, adopting a bridge (SLR-like) body style designed to mimic the ergonomics of a DSLR, but it remains far more affordable and user-friendly for beginners. It weighs 628g with dimensions of 130x95x122 mm. The large handgrip and thumb rest provide a secure hold during extended shooting sessions, though the plastic construction and lack of weather-sealing place it firmly in the consumer category.

In stark contrast, the RX100 V boasts a compact, pocketable form factor at only 299g and 102x58x41 mm, utilizing a sophisticated magnesium alloy shell. This solid construction delivers a refined tactile experience yet maintains exceptional portability. Controls are more deliberately placed, and while smaller in size, the buttons and dials respond with professional-grade precision.

From the top view, the RX100 V exhibits a well-organized control layout including a dedicated mode dial, exposure compensation dial, a customizable function button, and a hot shoe for an external flash - features catering to enthusiasts requiring fast, tactile adjustments. The H400’s simpler interface includes shaft dial control for zoom, a mode dial, and a flash pop-up button, but lacks physical dials for exposure or custom settings, limiting manual control fluidity.

Verdict: For photographers valuing ergonomics and direct manual operation, the RX100 V delivers a commanding advantage, combining ruggedness and refined interface engineering in a compact shell. The H400’s size and grip are well suited for extended zoom use but at the cost of sophistication and ruggedness.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Core of Photography

The heart of any camera's imaging prowess lies in sensor size, resolution, and technology. The Sony H400’s 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measures 6.17x4.55 mm, offering 20 MP resolution (5152 × 3864). This sensor format is typical for superzoom bridge cameras but inherently limited in dynamic range, high ISO performance, and noise control due to its physical size.

The RX100 V features a significantly larger 1-inch backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8 mm, also with a 20 MP resolution (5472×3648). The relatively expansive sensor area (116.16 mm² versus 28.07 mm²) directly corresponds to superior light-gathering ability and image quality.

Technically, this sensor difference manifests in notable DxO Mark scores: the RX100 V achieves an overall score of 70, with excellent color depth (22.8 bits) and wide dynamic range (12.4 EV), while the H400 remains untested officially but is widely acknowledged to fall short in this regard due to its smaller CCD sensor. Low-light sensitivity is where the gap widens, with the RX100 V’s low-light ISO rating at 586 compared to the H400’s maximum native ISO of 3200 with limited usable quality.

In practice, the RX100 V produces images with richer detail, more nuanced shadows and highlights, and cleaner results at higher ISO. The H400’s images tend to degrade with noise and reduced sharpness in dim environments, an expected tradeoff of its sensor type and size.

Verdict: When image quality is paramount - especially in dynamic or low-light scenes - the RX100 V’s sensor technology places it miles ahead. The H400’s sensor is adequate for daylight or well-lit scenarios but struggles beyond that.

Optics and Zoom Capability: Reach vs Speed

The Sony H400’s standout feature is an extraordinary 63.3x optical zoom lens spanning 25–1550 mm equivalent focal length with an aperture range of F3.4-6.5. This range makes it one of the most powerful zooms available in a consumer bridge camera, ideal for extreme telephoto applications such as distant wildlife or surveillance-style photography. The tradeoff is a slower maximum aperture, especially at the tele end, which limits low-light reach and depth-of-field control.

The RX100 V sports a fast 24-70 mm (2.9x zoom) lens with bright F1.8–2.8 aperture, optimized for image quality rather than zoom length. Its shorter focal range suits portraits, street, landscape, and travel photography where speed and sharpness matter more than extreme reach. Its lens construction includes aspherical elements and advanced coatings to minimize chromatic aberration and flare.

In practical terms, the H400 enables photographers to capture distant subjects without changing lenses or resorting to digital zoom, but image quality softens noticeably at the extremes of the zoom range. The RX100 V’s lens delivers crisp, contrasty images with smooth bokeh and controlled distortion across its zoom range.

Verdict: For superzoom convenience, the H400 is unrivaled, but for optical performance, speed, and versatility, the RX100 V’s lens is a superior, professional-grade optic.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus (AF) precision and responsiveness can make or break shooting action or wildlife subjects. The Sony H400 uses a contrast-detection AF system with limited focus point data, single-servo AF, and simple face detection but no phase-detection or hybrid autofocus technologies, and it lacks continuous AF for moving subjects.

Conversely, the RX100 V features an advanced hybrid AF system combining 315 phase-detection points covering 65% AF area, supplemented by contrast detection, enabling lightning-fast autofocus acquisition speeds of around 0.05 seconds. It supports continuous AF tracking with eye detection, providing accurate focus maintenance on human subjects during movement and video recording.

Burst shooting with AF tracking also highlights the difference: the H400 can only manage a slow 1 fps continuous rate, restricting its usefulness for fast action. The RX100 V shoots an impressive 24 fps with AF/AE tracking, capturing fleeting moments effectively.

Verdict: Action, wildlife, and sports enthusiasts will find the RX100 V’s autofocus system far more capable and reliable. The H400’s AF is geared towards casual photography with static subjects.

User Interface and Display: Composition and Usability

The rear LCD screens of both cameras measure 3 inches but differ strongly in resolution and flexibility. The H400 sports a basic fixed Clear Photo LCD with 460k-dot resolution. This screen delivers decent visibility but lacks touch or articulation, impacting usability in creative angles or outdoor viewing under bright light.

The RX100 V upgrades this with a tilting 3-inch screen at 1.23M-dot resolution, offering far superior detail and tilting flexibility, aiding composition for high or low-angle shots and selfies. Though not a touchscreen, the bright, sharp display eases menu navigation and image review.

Viewfinders further underscore this divide: the H400 has a 201k-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF), adequate but somewhat dim and low resolution for fine manual focus. Conversely, the RX100 V’s EVF boasts a 2.36M-dot OLED panel with 0.59x magnification, rivaling that found on mid-range mirrorless cameras, facilitating precise manual focusing and exposure evaluation.

Intuitively, RX100 V’s interface feels more professional, enabling rapid access to custom settings and quick switching between modes, while H400’s simpler menus and control layout cater to beginners with minimal complexity.

Verdict: The RX100 V excels for precise composition and user control with its high-resolution tilting display and detailed EVF.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Photography

For hybrid shooters valuing high-quality video, the Sony RX100 V offers 4K UHD recording at 30p with 100 Mbps bitrate in XAVC S format and Full HD at up to 120 fps for slow-motion sequences. Its optical image stabilization and fast autofocus tracking contribute to smooth footage. However, the lack of microphone or headphone jacks limits sound input options.

The H400, more limited in this respect, outputs 720p HD video at a standard frame rate with MPEG-4/H.264 compression. It includes a built-in microphone but no external audio interfacing. While stabilized, video quality, dynamic range, and manual exposure during video capture are minimal, adequate only for casual home movies or travel snippets.

Verdict: Professionals and serious videographers will appreciate the RX100 V’s advanced codec support and 4K capabilities, whereas the H400 provides video functionality strictly as a secondary feature.

Battery Life and Storage: Endurance for Extended Use

The Sony H400 supports approximately 300 shots per charge, powered by a proprietary battery pack. Its larger size accommodates a battery with greater capacity, suitable for all-day shooting but not exceptional endurance by today's standards.

The RX100 V, meanwhile, offers around 220 shots per full charge using the NP-BX1 battery, reflecting its high-performance sensor and fast processor at the expense of power efficiency. Users intending to shoot extensively, especially video, should carry spare batteries.

Both cameras utilize a single card slot compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC and Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo media, standard for their respective classes.

Verdict: Moderate battery performance limits intensive shooting sessions for both, with the H400 better positioned for longer stills usage and RX100 V requiring more frequent charging or backup cells.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Connectivity represents another area of divergence. The RX100 V incorporates built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for remote shooting and instant image transfer via smartphone apps, an invaluable feature for social media users and roadside photographers.

The H400 lacks any wireless features, relying solely on USB 2.0 and HDMI for wired data transfer and external display.

Neither model supports GPS tagging or environmental sealing, which restricts their use in more demanding outdoor conditions.

Performance in Various Photography Disciplines

To further contextualize these cameras, let’s analyze their suitability across key photography genres.

Portrait Photography

The RX100 V’s larger sensor, fast lens, and precise eye-detection autofocus allow for luscious skin tones, excellent subject-background separation due to shallow depth-of-field, and accurate focus on eyes and faces. In comparison, the H400’s slower lens and distant autofocus system deliver flatter depictions with less bokeh quality and skin tone delicacy.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters benefit from the RX100 V’s wider dynamic range and higher resolution, which preserve details in shadows and highlights while capturing intricate textures. The H400 offers an extensive zoom reaching distant vistas but suffers in image quality consistent with its smaller sensor. Its lack of weather sealing reduces confidence shooting in rough environments.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The H400’s extraordinary 1550mm equivalent focal length is a compelling feature for casual wildlife shooters, but the camera’s slow autofocus, limited burst rate, and modest image quality restrict its viability for action or professional use.

The RX100 V, while limited in zoom reach, compensates with superior AF speed, continuous tracking, and rapid 24 fps burst shooting suitable for fast-moving subjects at closer range, such as sporting events or bird flight.

Sony H400 front Sony H400 screen back Sony RX100 V front Sony RX100 V screen back

Street Photography

Portability, discreteness, and low-light performance are critical for street photography. The RX100 V wins decisively here due to its compactness, bright, quiet lens, and effective ISO handling. The H400’s bulk and slow lens render it less suitable for candid street shots.

Macro Photography

With a minimum focus distance of 5 cm, the RX100 V allows detailed close-ups with sharpness and background blur. The H400 lacks macro capabilities, making it less versatile for this genre.

Night and Astro Photography

The RX100 V’s 1-inch sensor and higher maximum ISO enable better astro and night shots, with less noise at high sensitivities. The H400’s weak low-light performance curtails nighttime usability.

Travel Photography

The H400’s superzoom lens reduces the need for multiple lenses but at a significant size and weight penalty. The RX100 V balances high image quality, compact size, lens speed, and Wi-Fi connectivity, making it a preferred travel companion for enthusiasts seeking both quality and portability.

Summarizing Overall Performance and Value

Integrated performance ratings synthesized from detailed tests reinforce the RX100 V’s leadership due to superior sensor technology, autofocus system, lens quality, and video specification, despite a higher price tag (~$998). The H400 (~$268) excels in budget-conscious zoom reach but is compromised on image quality and speed.

Tailored Recommendations by Photographer Type

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

With both cameras featuring fixed lenses, external lens options are unavailable. However, the RX100 V’s image quality and control make it closer in experience to interchangeable-lens cameras, whereas the H400 remains a self-contained unit serving a generalist role.

Reliability, File Format, and Workflow Integration

The RX100 V supports RAW shooting, allowing professional-grade post-processing flexibility, whereas the H400 is limited to JPEG only. RAW format enables nuanced adjustments critical in professional workflows, a decisive factor for serious photographers. Both cameras record to widely supported SD cards and connect via USB 2.0, but RX100 V’s Wi-Fi streamlines tethered shooting and sharing.

Closing Thoughts: Which Sony Camera Should You Choose?

After meticulous examination of specifications, real-world testing experiences, and detailed technical analysis, the decision between the Sony H400 and Sony RX100 V crystallizes into a choice between reach and image quality.

Choose the Sony H400 if:

• You primarily need extreme zoom reach for casual distant subjects without investing in lenses.
• Budget considerations are paramount.
• You prefer larger handgrip ergonomics over compact portability.
• Image quality nuances and advanced controls are low priorities.

Choose the Sony RX100 V if:

• You demand excellent image quality, rapid autofocus, and 4K video in a compact form.
• You shoot action, portraits, low-light scenes, or want creative control with RAW.
• Portability and connectivity elevate your shooting style.
• You view the camera as a professional backup or primary tool aligned with advanced workflows.

In conclusion, while the H400 impresses with reach and affordability, the RX100 V justifies its premium through comprehensive photographic performance and versatility essential in mature photography pursuits. Your choice should align closely with your photographic ambitions, environment, and budget. Trust in Sony’s engineering here lies in selecting the camera that best unlocks your creative potential.

This article reflects direct hands-on experience with both cameras across multiple scenarios over extensive sessions, ensuring insights are grounded in real-world usage and technical rigor.