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Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
Portability
62
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V Key Specs

Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX10V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX30V
Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony HX300
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Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Sony HX20V versus Sony HX400V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are built by Sony. The sensor resolution of the HX20V (18MP) and the HX400V (20MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The HX20V was revealed 19 months earlier than the HX400V which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera and the Sony HX400V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the HX20V scores against the HX400V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony HX400V

 HX20V HX400V 
Screen resolution922k921kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX400V over the Sony HX20V

 HX400V HX20V 
RevealedFebruary 2014July 2012More recent by 19 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Sony HX20V and Sony HX400V

 HX20V HX400V 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Sony HX20V features outside measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) and the Sony HX400V has specifications of 130mm x 93mm x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Examine the Sony HX20V versus Sony HX400V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the HX20V versus the HX400V.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the HX20V and HX400V is 90 and 62 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V top view buttons comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements simply by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the HX20V and HX400V.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony HX400V to provide more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older HX20V will be behind in sensor technology.

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V sensor size comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
Portrait photography with Sony HX400V
45
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
51
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
includes face detect focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
Sony HX400V as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
50
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than average in class (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX20V Sports photography advice
Sony HX400V Sports photography advice
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
55
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX400V as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
53
good MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (660 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX20V Landscape photography information
Sony HX400V Landscape photography information
50
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
49
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX400V as a Vlogging camera
34
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
29
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic support
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
heavier than average in class (660g)
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Sony HX20V vs Sony HX400V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX20V and Sony HX400V
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20VSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-07-20 2014-02-12
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip BIONZ Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 922k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.10 m 8.50 m (ISO Auto)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Flash Off / Autoflash / Fill-flash / Slow Sync. / Advanced Flash / Rear Sync. / Wireless (with optional compliant flash)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 254g (0.56 pounds) 660g (1.46 pounds)
Dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 300 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-BG1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $397 $448