Nikon A900 vs Sony HX400V Comparison

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Nikon A900

20 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

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Sony HX400V

20 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

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Nikon A900 vs Sony HX400V Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing A900 and HX400V, two Small Sensor Superzoom cameras from Nikon and Sony. Nikon A900 was introduced to market in February 2016 and Sony HX400V was launched in February 2014. As you can see, HX400V is 2 years older than A900. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon A900 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2016-02-23

20MP - 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS Sensor

ISO 80 - 3200

24-840 mm F3.4-6.9 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3.00" Tilting Screen

7.0fps continuous shooting

4K (UHD) - 3840 x 2160 video resolution

Built-in Wireless

289g. 113 x 67 x 40 mm

Sony HX400V Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2014-02-12

20MP - 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor

ISO 80 - 12800

24-1200 mm F2.8-6.3 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3.00" Tilting Screen

Electronic viewfinder

10.0fps continuous shooting

Full HD - 1920 x 1080 video resolution

Built-in Wireless

Built-in GPS

660g. 130 x 93 x 103 mm

Replaced Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 Compare

Nikon A900 was replaced by Nikon Coolpix A1000. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Nikon Coolpix A1000 vs Nikon Coolpix A900
Nikon Coolpix A1000 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

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Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix A900 over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V

Weight	289 g vs 660 g	371 g lighter
Timelapse Recording	Yes vs No	creative shooting
Max Video Resolution	3840 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080	Higher Resolution Video
Bluetooth	Yes vs No	Connect your camera to other devices via Blueetooth

CHECK A900 PRICE

Reasons to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V over Nikon Coolpix A900

External Flash Shoe	Yes vs No	Better for flash photography
Viewfinder	Electronic vs None	Better framing and control
GPS	BuiltIn vs None	track your location
Max ISO	12.800 vs 3.200	300% higher Max ISO
Continuous Shooting	10.0fps vs 7.0fps	3 fps faster
Microphone Port	Yes vs No	High quality audio recording option
Focal Length - Tele	1200mm vs 840mm	360 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom	50x vs 35x	more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide	2.80 vs 3.40	faster lens at wide
Max Aperture - Tele	6.30 vs 6.90	faster lens at tele
Flash Coverage	8.5m vs 6.0m	2.5m longer range
AE Bracketing	Yes vs No	Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR

CHECK HX400V PRICE

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix A900 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V

Wireless Connection	Yes vs Yes	Better connectivity
Image Stabilization	Optical vs Optical	Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Adjustable LCD Screen	Tilting vs Tilting	Flexible shooting positions
Built-in Flash	Yes vs Yes	Useful in low-light
Face Detection Focus	Yes vs Yes	very handy for portraits
Max Resolution	20 MP vs 20 MP	Bigger prints and more details
LCD Screen Resolution	921k dots vs 921k dots	High resolution screens
Manual Exposure	Yes vs Yes	better exposure control
Focal Length - Wide	24mm vs 24mm	Very good wide angle coverage
Focal Length - Tele	840mm vs 1200mm	Very good Telezoom
NFC Connection	Yes vs Yes	Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices
Smartphone Remote	Yes vs Yes	Remote control your camera with a smartphone

Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix A900 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V

RAW Support	No vs No	Lower image quality
Environmental Sealing	No vs No	not suitable for tough conditions

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Nikon A900 vs Sony HX400V: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon A900 has external dimensions of 113 x 67 x 40 mm (4.45 x 2.64 x 1.57″) and weighs 289 g (0.64 lb / 10.19 oz) (including batteries). Sony HX400V has external dimensions of 130 x 93 x 103 mm (5.1 x 3.67 x 4.06″) and weighs 660 g (1.46 lb / 23.28 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V. Nikon A900 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 17mm narrower, 26mm shorter and 63mm thinner than Sony HX400V.

Comparison image of Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V.

Comparison image of Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V.

Top View Comparison image of Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon A900 is significantly lighter (371g ) than the Sony HX400V which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Bridge Cameras

A900

HX400V

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Bridge Cameras

A900

HX400V

Min

Average

Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Nikon Coolpix A900 nor Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing
Top Bridge Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3.00".

Both cameras feature Tilting screens where you can change the angle of the screen to make it easier to shoot from waist or over the head levels.

Nikon A900 vs Sony HX400V: Sensor Comparison

Both Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V have 20.0 MP resolution sensors but Nikon A900's sensor is 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) and Sony HX400V's sensor is 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ).

Since Sony HX400V's has a larger sensor area with the same resolution, this means that it also has a larger pixel area hence better light collecting capacity for a given aperture compared to Nikon A900.

Below you can see the A900 and HX400V sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V Cameras

Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Nikon A900 vs Sony HX400V Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon A900 features a 24-840 mm F3.4-6.9 35x zoom lens whereas Sony HX400V features a 24-1200 mm F2.8-6.3 50x zoom lens.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 24mm. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f2.80, Sony HX400V is faster than Nikon A900 at this focal length. On the tele end, Sony HX400V has 360mm longer reach than the Nikon A900. At f6.30, it is also faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

A900

HX400V

Widest - Olympus TG-850 iHS

Average

Telezoom

DSLR-Like Cameras

A900

HX400V

Longest - Canon SX520 HS

Average

Max Aperture at Tele

DSLR-Like Cameras

A900

HX400V

Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV

Average

Max Aperture at Wide

DSLR-Like Cameras

A900

HX400V

Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6

Average

What types of Photography are Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V Good for?

In this section, we rank and compare Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Nikon A900 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Sony HX400V for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE

Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Image Stabilization
Manual Exposure Mode
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Image Stabilization
External Flash Shoe
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Nikon A900 for Street Photography

GOOD

Sony HX400V for Street Photography

GOOD

Image Stabilization
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.80
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Nikon A900 for Sports Photography

POOR

Sony HX400V for Sports Photography

AVERAGE

Image Stabilization
Manual Exposure Mode
Fast Continuous Shooting: 7.0fps
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
Wireless Connection
840 mm Tele Lens
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.90
Read the details

Image Stabilization
External Flash Shoe
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
Wireless Connection
1200 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
No RAW shooting capability
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.30
Read the details

Nikon A900 for Daily Photography

GOOD

Sony HX400V for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Compact Body
289g
35.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Body Thickness 40mm
Read the details

50.0X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
660g
Body Thickness 103mm
Read the details

Nikon A900 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Sony HX400V for Landscape Photography

POOR

Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Manual Exposure Mode
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Built-in GPS
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Nikon A900 vs Sony HX400V: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Nikon A900 and Sony HX400V scores compare:

Nikon A900

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #60 out of 477 in Compact cameras
Ranked #516 out of 1243 in all Cameras

Sony HX400V

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #28 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked #424 out of 1243 in all Cameras

Sony HX400V has a higher Overall Score than the Nikon A900 and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.

Sony HX400V vs Nikon A900 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Nikon Coolpix A900	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Brand	Nikon	Sony
Announced	2016-02-23	2014-02-12
Body Type	Compact	SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor
Type	BSI-CMOS	BSI-CMOS
Size	1/2.3"	1/2.3-inch
Dimensions	6.17 x 4.55 mm	6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area	28.07mm²	28.07mm²
Megapixels	20 megapixels	20 megapixels
Max Resolution	5184 x 3888	5184 x 3888
Max Native Light sensitivity	3,200 ISO	12,800 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	80 ISO	80 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points	n/a	9
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount	fixed lens	fixed lens
Lens Focal Range	24-840 mm (35x)	24-1200 mm (50x)
Max Aperture	F3.4-6.9	F2.8-6.3
Macro Focus Range	1cm	1cm
Screen
Type	Tilting	Tilting
Size	3.00"	3.00"
Resolution	921k dots	921k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage	n/a	100%
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter	1/4000s	1/4000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization	Optical	Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	6.00 m (at Auto ISO)	8.50 m (ISO Auto)
External Flash
Continuous Shooting	7.0 fps	10.0 fps
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution	3840 x 2160	1920 x 1080
Video Formats	MPEG-4, H.264	MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	Built-In	Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	289g	660g
Dimensions	113 x 67 x 40mm	130 x 93 x 103mm
Battery Life	300 shots	300 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	None	Built-in
DxO Sensor Scores
	Report a correction	Report a correction