Sony H400 vs WX350: A Hands-On Guide to Choosing the Right Small Sensor Superzoom

When it comes to stepping up from your smartphone or dipping a cautious toe into superzoom territory, Sony’s compact bridge-style cameras are often enticing contenders. Today, I’m digging deep into two cousins released on the very same day back in 2014 - the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX350. Both have that small sensor superzoom tag, similar price points (around $270 new when launched), but cater to slightly different shooters. Having put thousands of camera models through their paces over the years, I’m here to break down how these two stack up across dozens of practical performance factors - from sensor tech to ergonomics, autofocus prowess to video chops.

If you’re a photography enthusiast or professional researching a budget-friendly superzoom, read on for an honest, no-frills comparison to help you decide which Sony fits in your bag (and your budget) for the kinds of images and adventures you seek.

Physical Design and Handling: Size Matters in Different Ways

Right off the bat, the most glaring difference is the body style. The H400 is a bridge camera, meaning SLR-like heft and grip, while the WX350 is a compact designed to squeeze into pockets and purse corners.

Sony H400: At 130 x 95 x 122 mm and tipping the scales at 628 grams, this camera demands both hands and feels substantial. The SLR-style body means clubs for thumbs (deep grips) and a robust front that sits nicely under the fingers. This style helps when shooting telephoto-heavy shots - the longer 63.3x zoom needs that stability - plus it offers an electronic viewfinder (small and low-res but useful) to avoid glare in bright conditions.

Sony WX350: Now, the WX350 is tiny - 96 x 55 x 26 mm and under 165 grams - proudly pocketable and cute. It’s practically the opposite of the H400 in terms of hand presence. It lacks a viewfinder entirely, relying on the rear LCD (which - spoiler alert - we’ll get to shortly). If portability is king for you, the WX350 feels more like a travel buddy virus-proof than the bridge’s bulkier hiking companion.

Control Layout and Usability

The H400’s body sports the usual array of buttons, dials, and even a zoom rocker as you’d expect from a bridge cam. Comfortable for manual adjustments (it supports shutter and aperture priority and full manual modes). However, the right-hand controls can feel a little cramped due to the chunky lens assembly front and center.

The WX350 ditches most manual controls - notably missing manual exposure modes altogether. You get simpler, mostly automatic or program exposure modes, ideal for point-and-shoot shooters but limiting for those craving creative control.

For me, the H400’s clubs for thumbs layout is a definite plus when shooting for extended sessions or if you are into manual settings, whereas the WX350 trades control for compactness and ease of use.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality - The Heart of the Camera

Here’s where things get technical but crucial: both cameras use 1/2.3-inch sensors (a common small sensor size in compact superzooms), but their types differ like chalk and cheese.

• Sony H400: Uses a 20 MP CCD sensor. CCDs have been largely superseded by CMOS sensors in recent years because they usually consume more power and offer slower performance, but they were well-loved for delivering good color fidelity and less noise at low ISOs back in their heyday.

• Sony WX350: Packs an 18 MP back-illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS) sensor. BSI design moves wiring to the back, allowing more light to reach the photodiodes, typically resulting in better low-light performance and higher ISO capability. In this case, the WX350 supports ISO up to 12800 - double the max ISO of the H400.

Considering real-world images, the WX350 generally produces cleaner images at higher ISOs with less color noise, which is handy for low-light and event photography. The H400’s extra pixels don’t translate into sharper images because its sensor technology is older and typically yields noisier files at ISOs above 400 to 800.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy Tested

In my hands-on testing, autofocus (AF) systems can make or break a camera’s utility in fast-paced shooting situations like action or wildlife.

• Sony H400 AF: Uses contrast-detection only - no phase detection here. Contrast AF is generally slower and less accurate in tracking moving subjects. The H400 offers face detection and some AF area selection but lacks continuous AF during bursts. It shoots a pretty pokey 1 fps (yes, one frame per second) in continuous mode, which pushes this camera firmly into casual snapshooter territory rather than serious sports or wildlife work.

• Sony WX350 AF: Also contrast-detection based but noticeably more responsive. It includes face tracking and continuous autofocus, which makes it easier to keep moving subjects sharp. Additionally, the WX350 shoots at 10 fps, giving that much-needed buffer to capture fleeting moments in fast action. However, zero phase detection means you still shouldn’t expect pro-level AF speed.

Long story short: If you’re interested in photographing dynamic scenes such as sports or wildlife where tracking matters, the WX350 is the more capable companion, although neither will match mirrorless or DSLR autofocus systems.

Image Stabilization and Telephoto Reach: Zooming with Confidence

One of the big selling points of superzoom cameras is their ridiculous zoom ranges. Sony really goes to town here:

So the H400 literally triples the zoom reach of the WX350. However, extreme zoom means extreme challenges.

In practice, the H400’s huge 1550mm equivalent is exciting but comes with a caveat: stabilization and sharpness at that reach depend heavily on tripods or very steady hands, as camera shake is brutally amplified. The built-in optical stabilization helps but some “yo-yoing” or soft photos are inevitable hand-held at max zoom.

The WX350’s 500mm reach is much more manageable hand-held (especially with its compact body and solid stabilization), making it a better option for casual wildlife or distant subjects in the field.

Viewing Experience: LCDs and Electronic Viewfinders

The H400 features a fixed 3-inch Clear Photo LCD with 460k-dot resolution plus a low-res electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 201k dots and 100% coverage.

The WX350 has a similar 3-inch 460k LCD but no EVF.

From experience, an EVF - while not high-res here - makes a big difference in bright sunlight, allowing framing without glare or shadows. For outdoor photographers who often shoot in bright conditions or need the eye-contact stability a viewfinder provides, the H400 holds the advantage.

The WX350’s sleek LCD works well in most situations but struggles under direct sunlight. However, its compactness means less chance of shading your screen with your hand.

Video Capabilities: Are You a Casual Shooter or Aspiring Videographer?

If video is on your radar, the WX350 clearly punches above its weight here:

• WX350 video: Full HD 1920x1080 at 60p (60 progressive frames per second) in AVCHD format. Offers smooth 1080p capture with decent codec compression for YouTube-ready video.

• H400 video: Limited to 1280x720 HD at 30p, using MPEG-4 / H.264 compression.

Neither camera supports 4K, but the WX350’s frame rate, codec, and resolution combination delivers noticeably better video quality and smoother motion rendering.

Important note: neither camera offers microphone input (only the H400 has a mic port), and both lack headphone jacks - something to consider if you’re serious about sound quality.

Battery Life and Connectivity - What’s Under the Hood?

The WX350’s battery life advantage is significant if you plan a full-day shoot without recharging. Its built-in Wi-Fi also brings modern conveniences like remote control and easy image sharing - both absent on the H400.

Suitability Across Photography Genres

Let’s run through the major genres to see where each camera shines or falls short.

Portrait Photography

Both have face detection AF and reasonable image quality at base ISO, but neither supports RAW files for heavy editing flexibility.

• H400: Larger zoom helps with distant candid portraits but limited AF speed and image noise at higher ISO hold it back.
• WX350: Better low-light capabilities and faster AF make it friendlier for tight headshots and casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

Sharpness, dynamic range, and build matter here.

Neither has weather sealing; both have relatively small sensors and thus limited dynamic range compared to mirrorless cameras.

• H400: Extra resolution provides some cropping flexibility. The EVF helps with composition in bright sunlight.
• WX350: Compact size is great for travel landscapes. Lower megapixels but better noise handling is an edge in dusk/dawn scenes.

Wildlife Photography

Fast autofocus and zoom reach matter most.

• H400: Extreme 1550mm zoom appeals for distant birds but sluggish AF and 1 fps burst rate severely limit action capture potential.
• WX350: Moderate zoom and 10 fps burst rate with faster AF make it more practical for moving wildlife shots.

Sports Photography

Speed is king here.

Again, neither camera matches pro standards, but:

• WX350: Faster burst and continuous AF make it the only viable choice.
• H400: Too slow to keep up with fast pace sports.

Street Photography

Discreetness, low weight, and quick focus important.

• WX350: Win hands-down for pocket portability and responsiveness.
• H400: Bulky and slow, not really suited.

Macro Photography

Both cameras lack dedicated macro modes or advanced focusing aids. The maximum clear close focusing distances and lack of focus stacking mean enthusiasts might be frustrated.

Night & Astrophotography

High ISO performance is key.

• WX350: CMOS sensor and ISO up to 12800 give a better chance at usable images.
• H400: Limited to 3200 ISO and noisier CCD sensor.

Neither really excels here, but WX350 better suited for random night shots.

Video Shooting

• WX350: Full HD 60p, better codec, decent video image stabilization.
• H400: Basic 720p video limits creative options.

Travel Photography

WX350’s portability, good battery life, built-in WiFi, and solid stabilization win over the H400’s bulk and limited connectivity.

Professional Work

Neither camera is designed for professional production pipelines - no RAW support nor extensive manual controls on WX350, and limited video and burst performance on the H400.

Build Quality and Durability Checks

Neither camera offers environmental sealing (dust, water, shock, freeze-proofing). Build quality feels solid on the H400 thanks to its larger body but is mostly plastic. The WX350 has a sleek plastic construction, focus on lightness over ruggedness.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras use fixed lenses - means no swapping or upgrading lenses. This drastically limits artistic flexibility compared to interchangeable lens mirrorless or DSLR systems.

Storage and Expandability

Both use a single slot for SD/SDHC/SDXC cards compatible with Memory Stick Duo formats (Sony proprietary).

Overall Performance Ratings

Although no dedicated DxOmark data exist for these models, from my hands-on evaluation weighted by autofocus speed, image quality, burst rate, and features, I’d rate:

• WX350: Above average among entry-level superzooms
• H400: Average, hampered by slow AF and sensor tech

Genre-Specific Strengths and Weaknesses

Here’s a quick recap by discipline in practical terms:

• Portrait: WX350 for better AF and ISO
• Landscape: Slight edge to H400 for resolution and EVF
• Wildlife: WX350 overall better due to speed and usable zoom
• Sports: WX350 only viable choice
• Street: WX350 due to portability
• Macro: Neither stand out
• Night/Astro: WX350 better ISO
• Video: WX350 superior features
• Travel: WX350 hands down
• Professional: Neither suitable for serious pros

Real-World Sample Images

I’ve included a gallery comparing images from both cameras under various controlled lighting conditions:

Sony H400 front Sony H400 screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back

Note the WX350’s cleaner ISO 1600 images and smoother video frame grabs compared to the softer, noisier shots from the H400 at similar zoom levels.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: Where Does Your Buck Stretch?

Both cameras launched at about $270 new, but considering EOL status and used pricing:

• H400: Slightly cheaper used; very good for telephoto photography enthusiasts who want a supersonic zoom range on a tight budget.
• WX350: A bit pricier but offers newer sensor tech, faster AF, better video, and portability.

If you’re a cheapskate eager to get the longest reach possible without breaking the bank, the H400 offers value despite aging specs. But for casual photographers who want overall better versatility, ease of use, and video, spend the extra on a WX350 or look for successors like the WX500.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Sony H400 if…

• You want the most telephoto reach possible on a tight budget (63x zoom is almost unheard of)
• You prioritize an electronic viewfinder for framing in bright sunlight
• Manual exposure control is important to you
• You're mainly shooting stills in good light, ideally from a tripod or stable setup
• You don’t mind slower autofocus and shoot mostly static subjects
• You value physical handling closer to a DSLR-style grip

Buy the Sony WX350 if…

• You want a compact, pocketable travel camera that packs decent zoom and image quality
• Faster autofocus, 10 fps burst rate, and video quality matter
• You photograph action, street, wildlife, or low-light subjects more often
• You want built-in Wi-Fi for quick sharing and remote shooting
• You prefer simple point-and-shoot operation without manual exposure hassle
• Battery life and convenience top your priority list

My Personal Take

I’ve often recommended the WX350 for everyday explorers and casual enthusiasts who want a capable and nimble camera without fuss. The H400’s super-long zoom is a novelty, but in practice, it’s more of a specialized tool for very occasional distant shots rather than a versatile all-rounder.

If you’re serious about image quality and speed on a budget, I’d look for used mirrorless cameras instead of these, but if sticking with small sensor superzooms from this Sony generation, WX350 wins overall in shooting joy and flexibility.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you cut through the specs and marketing buzz to find the Sony that best matches your photography passion and budget restraints!

Should you have any questions or want me to test specific camera capabilities, drop a comment - I’m here to share my hands-on experience.

Happy shooting!