Nikon Coolpix B500 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Bridge · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Nikon Coolpix B500
53
SCORE
|
Sony · Bridge · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V
59
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Coolpix B500 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V are both bridge cameras with a fixed lens in an all-in-one body. The B500 arrived in 2016, two years after the HX400V, and is the smaller and lighter camera to pack, at 541 g and 114 x 78 x 95 mm against 660 g and 130 x 93 x 103 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 23, 2016 | December 2, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 114 x 78 x 95 mm | 130 x 93 x 103 mm |
| Camera weight | 541 g | 660 g |
| Optics | 53/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe HX400V is the stronger choice for eye-level shooting, with its electronic viewfinder of 2359296 dots, while the B500 has none and must frame every shot on the rear screen. Its 20 MP also gives more pixels than the B500's 16 MP for cropping a distant bird. Its 9 autofocus points against 1 spread focusing across more of the frame, and continuous shooting reaches 10 fps against 7 fps for a bird taking off. Both use a CMOS sensor in the 1/2.3-inch format, and both have in-body stabilisation, which helps steady handheld shots. Their shutters both reach 1/4000 second. The B500's standard ISO range tops out at 6400 against 3200 on the Sony, while the HX400V reaches 12800 in expanded mode. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 5184 x 3888 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
7 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Unspecified | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
12530200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
12530200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
144080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
10300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlowing fast action like a dog on a beach works equally well on either, because both record Full HD video and reach a top video frame rate of 60 fps. The B500 adds a built-in timelapse feature for clouds or a sunset without extra gear, while the HX400V also records AVCHD alongside MPEG-4 for a second editing choice. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFor geotagging travel photos, the HX400V is the better choice, with built-in GPS recording where each shot was taken, while the B500 has none. It also supports an external flash and a touch screen for quick settings changes, neither of which the Nikon offers. The B500 has Bluetooth for connecting to your phone, which the Sony lacks. Both offer WiFi for wireless transfer, a 3-inch flip-out LCD for waist-level or self-portrait work, and a built-in flash for dim interiors. Neither has weather sealing, so both need care in rain. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
No |  Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 43/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe B500 offers the higher rated battery life, 600 shots against 300 for the HX400V under their respective test conditions. Its four AA batteries also let you carry spares from any shop. Both charge over USB, and neither has dual card slots. Both write to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, so a standard SD card works in either. The HX400V also accepts Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo and Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo media, useful if you already own Sony cards. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick Pro Duo / Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | 4 x AA batteries | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
600 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V if you like composing through a viewfinder in bright sunlight, want GPS tags on travel photos, or shoot fast action that benefits from 10 fps and 9 autofocus points. Its external flash support and touch screen add further control for photographers who want it.
Choose the Nikon Coolpix B500 if you prefer a lighter, smaller body, longer rated battery life from AA batteries you can replace anywhere, or built-in timelapse for sunsets and clouds. It also has Bluetooth for phone transfer. Both share the 1/2.3-inch sensor format, in-body stabilisation and Full HD video.