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Nikon L31 vs Sony H400 Comparison

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Nikon L31

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS Sensor

Nikon L31
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Sony H400

20 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

Sony H400
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Nikon L31 vs Sony H400 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two cameras with different body types: Nikon L31, which was introduced in January 2015 is a Ultracompact camera with a 16.0MP 1/2.3' sensor whereas Sony H400, which was introduced in February 2014 is a Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 20.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensor. There is only 11 months difference between L31 and H400 so we are expecting this to be a fair comparison regarding age and technology level.

Here is a brief look at the main features of the Nikon L31 and Sony H400 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon L31 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2015-01-14
  • 16MP - 1/2.3' CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 26-130 mm F3.2-6.5 Zoom Lens
  • 2.70" Fixed Type Screen
  • fps continuous shooting
  • HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution
  • 160g. 96 x 59 x 29 mm

Sony H400 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2014-02-13
  • 20MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 25-1550 mm F3.4-6.5 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3.00" Fixed Type Screen
  • 201k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 1.0fps continuous shooting
  • HD - 1280 X 720 video resolution
  • 628g. 130 x 95 x 122 mm

Let's read on in the following sections in order to better understand in detail how the Nikon L31 and Sony H400 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.


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Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix L31 over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400
Internal Storage
17MB vs None Extra built-in storage
Weight
160 g vs 628 g 468 g lighter
Max Aperture - Wide
3.20 vs 3.40 faster lens at wide
Selfie & Vlogger LCD
Yes vs No Rotate LCD for taking Selfies
CHECK L31 PRICE


Reasons to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 over Nikon Coolpix L31
In-built Image Stabilization
Optical vs None Sharper images at longer focal lengths and slow shutter speeds
Viewfinder
Electronic vs None Better framing and control
Sensor Resolution
20 MP vs 16 MP 25% more pixels
Max ISO
3.200 vs 1.600 100% higher Max ISO
LCD Screen Size
3" vs 2.7" 0.3 inches larger display
LCD Resolution
460k dots vs 230k dots 100% higher resolution screen
Battery Life
300 shots vs 200 shots 100 more frames with a single charge
Microphone Port
Yes vs No High quality audio recording option
Focal Length - Wide
25mm vs 26mm 1 mm wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele
1550mm vs 130mm 1420 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom
63.3× vs 5× more flexible focal coverage
Flash Coverage
8.8m vs 3.6m 5.2m longer range
CHECK H400 PRICE

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs Yes very handy for portraits
Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400
Fixed Screen
Fixed Type vs No Screen tilts or Flips out independently, perfect for both stills and video
External Flash Shoe
No vs No Not suitable for flash photography
RAW Support
No vs No Lower image quality
LCD Screen Resolution
230k dots vs 460k dots Low resolution screens
Manual Focusing
No vs No No manual focusing modes
Environmental Sealing
No vs No not suitable for tough conditions
Max Aperture - Tele
6.50 vs 6.50 Slow lenses at tele
Nikon L31 vs Sony H400: Physical Specs and Body Features Comparison

Size and weight are big decision factors when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, we are going to illustrate the Nikon L31 and Sony H400 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon L31 has external dimensions of 96 x 59 x 29 mm (3.78 x 2.32 x 1.14″) and weighs 160 g (0.35 lb / 5.64 oz) (including batteries). Sony H400 has external dimensions of 130 x 95 x 122 mm (5.1 x 3.74 x 4.81″) and weighs 628 g (1.38 lb / 22.15 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Nikon L31 and the Sony H400. Nikon L31 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 34mm narrower, 36mm shorter and 93mm thinner than Sony H400.

Nikon L31 vs Sony H400 Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of the Nikon L31 and the Sony H400 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of the Nikon L31 and Sony H400.

Nikon L31 vs Sony H400 Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of the Nikon L31 and the Sony H400 Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon L31 and Sony H400.
Nikon L31 vs Sony H400 Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of the Nikon L31 and the the Sony H400 Size

Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon L31 is significantly lighter (468g ) than the Sony H400 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Bridge Cameras

L31
H400
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Bridge Cameras

L31
H400
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither the Nikon Coolpix L31 nor Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 provides any type of weather sealing in their bodies, 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

Sony H400's 3.00" LCD screen is slightly larger than Nikon L31's 2.7" screen.

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.


Nikon L31 vs Sony H400: Sensor Comparison

Nikon L31 has a 16.0MP 1/2.3' (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Sony H400 has a 20.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Bionz(R) processor.

Below you can see the L31 and H400 sensor size comparison.

Nikon L31 vs Sony H400 Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon L31 and Sony H400 Cameras


Nikon L31 and Sony H400 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 L31 vs Sony H400 Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon L31 features a 26-130 mm F3.2-6.5 5× zoom lens whereas Sony H400 features a 25-1550 mm F3.4-6.5 63.3× zoom lens.

Sony H400 has 1mm wider coverage than the Nikon L31. On the other hand, with a max aperture of f3.20, Nikon L31 is faster at widest end. On the tele end, Sony H400 has 1420mm longer reach than the Nikon L31. Both cameras has a max aperture of f6.50 at tele end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

L31
H400
Widest - Olympus TG-850 iHS
Average
Telezoom

DSLR-Like Cameras

L31
H400
Longest - Canon SX520 HS
Average
Max Aperture at Tele

DSLR-Like Cameras

L31
H400
Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV
Average
Max Aperture at Wide

DSLR-Like Cameras

L31
H400
Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6
Average
What types of Photography are Nikon L31 and Sony H400 Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Nikon L31 and Sony H400 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 L31 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Sony H400 for Portrait Photography

POOR
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Street Photography

POOR

Sony H400 for Street Photography

GOOD
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Sports Photography

POOR

Sony H400 for Sports Photography

AVERAGE
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
130 mm Tele Lens
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 200 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.50
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Exposure Mode
1550 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Manual Focus Mode
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Unknown Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.50
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Daily Photography

POOR

Sony H400 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE
Compact Body
160g
5.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
62.0X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
628g
Body Thickness 122mm
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Sony H400 for Landscape Photography

POOR
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Very High Resolution Sensor: 20.0MP
Manual Exposure Mode
25 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

Nikon L31 vs Sony H400: 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 L31 and Sony H400, 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 L31 and Sony H400 scores compare:

Nikon L31
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #105 out of 155 in Ultracompact cameras
Ranked #1132 out of 1260 in all Cameras
Sony H400
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #68 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked #661 out of 1260 in all Cameras

Sony H400 is the overall winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Nikon L31 in all criteria except one: Portability.
If small size and light body is a big priority for you, choose Nikon L31. Otherwise, Sony H400 is the better camera overall.

Nikon L31
Nikon L31
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Sony H400
Sony H400
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Sony H400 vs Nikon L31 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Nikon Coolpix L31 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400
Brand Nikon Sony
Announced 2015-01-14 2014-02-13
Body Type Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor
Type CMOS CCD
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 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Max Resolution 4608 x 3456 5152 x 3864
Max Native Light sensitivity 1,600 ISO 3,200 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 n/a
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens Focal Range 26-130 mm (5×) 25-1550 mm (63.3×)
Max Aperture F3.2-6.5 F3.4-6.5
Macro Focus Range 10cm n/a
Screen
Type Fixed type Fixed type
Size 2.70" 3.00"
Resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder Resolution no electronic viewfinder 201k dots
Viewfinder Coverage n/a 100%
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/2000s 1/2000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization Digital only Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 3.60 m 8.80 m
External Flash
Continuous Shooting n/a 1.0 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 1280 x 720 1280 X 720
Video Formats Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity None None
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 160g 628g
Dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm 130 x 95 x 122mm
Battery Life 200 shots 300 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
Report a correction Report a correction


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