Nikon Coolpix P900 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Bridge · 16 MP · 1/2.3” · Standard HD video
Nikon Coolpix P900
48
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 P900 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V are both bridge cameras with fixed lenses and electronic viewfinders, built for one-body convenience. The Sony arrived in 2014, the Nikon in 2015. The HX400V is the smaller and lighter carry at 130 x 93 x 103 mm and 660 g, against 140 x 103 x 137 mm and 899 g for the P900. That 239 g difference favours the HX400V for travel. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 2, 2015 | December 2, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 140 x 103 x 137 mm | 130 x 93 x 103 mm |
| Camera weight | 899 g | 660 g |
| Optics | 53/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe HX400V is the stronger choice for heavy cropping. Its 20 megapixels give you four million more pixels than the P900's 16, so a distant bird or a large group survives a tighter crop. Both use the same 1/2.3-inch sensor format, so sensor size does not drive that gap. The Sony also shoots 10 frames per second against the Nikon's 7, with autofocus across nine points instead of one for off-centre subjects. The Sony's electronic viewfinder has more than twice as many dots as the P900's, so composition and focus detail render more finely. The Nikon's native ISO range reaches 6400 against the Sony's 3200, and both expand to 12800. The Sony's base sensitivity of 80 ISO sits below the Nikon's 100 for bright daylight exposures. | ||
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. |
Expeed C2 | 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. |
 3:2 |  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. |
10030200 | 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. |
10030200 | 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. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
1544080 | 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. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 92100009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 61/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFull HD capture makes the HX400V the better choice for family events and travel clips you plan to edit or show on a large screen. The P900 tops out at Standard HD, so the Sony's footage holds finer detail. Both cameras offer a top frame rate of 60 fps. The Sony records AVCHD as well as MPEG-4, while the Nikon offers MOV as well as MPEG-4. | ||
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. |
 Standard 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. |
1280 x 720 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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, MOV | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Features | 41/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth cameras tag your photos with GPS coordinates and offer Wi-Fi transfer, a 3-inch flip screen, live view and a built-in flash, so sharing and framing work the same way day to day. The Sony adds a touch screen for quick focus-point selection and supports an external flash, which the Nikon cannot take. Their screen dot counts sit 600 apart, and neither body has weather sealing or Bluetooth. | ||
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe P900's EN-EL23 battery carries a 360-shot rating, 60 shots higher than the 300-shot rating of the Sony's NP-BX1. The Sony counters with USB charging, so you can top it up from a laptop or power bank between stops. Each camera has one card slot. The Sony accepts Memory Stick Duo formats alongside SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the Nikon takes SD types only. | ||
| 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 | EN-EL23 | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
360 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most buyers the Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V is the better-supported pick. Its Full HD video, 10 fps burst, nine AF points, touch screen, external flash support and USB charging suit travel, family events and handheld video work. Choose the Nikon Coolpix P900 for stills-first shooting if you value its higher 360-shot battery rating and 6400 native ISO ceiling. Both share GPS, Wi-Fi, a flip screen and electronic viewfinders, so connectivity stays even.