Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX400V Digital Camera, Black {20.4MP}

Sony HX400V: 50x optical zoom in a bridge body.

A 24–1200mm equivalent focal range covers everything from wide environmental shots to subjects most photographers can barely see with the naked eye. The 50x optical zoom is backed by optical image stabilization, which matters when you're shooting at telephoto distances where any camera movement gets boosted. Macro focus down to 1 cm opens up close-up work that most superzoom cameras can't touch. The 20.4MP BSI-CMOS sensor pairs with a Bionz X processor for 10 fps burst shooting, useful when the action doesn't slow down for you.

Control runs deeper than the body type suggests. Full manual exposure, aperture priority, shutter priority, and AE bracketing give you the tools to work deliberately. The electronic viewfinder offers 100% coverage, and the 3-inch tilting LCD with 921,000 dots handles awkward angles without forcing you to contort. Built-in GPS logs location data to your images automatically, and Wi-Fi with NFC makes transferring files to a phone quick. At 660g with the lens built in, you're carrying a single piece of gear that would otherwise require multiple lenses and a much heavier bag.

Who It's For

Wildlife and nature observers who want to reach distant subjects will find the 1200mm equivalent end genuinely useful for birds in flight or animals that won't tolerate close approach. Travel photographers who don't want to manage a lens kit benefit from the built-in GPS geotagging every frame automatically. Macro shooters and nature documentarians can get within 1 cm of a subject without additional accessories. Event photographers working in variable conditions can rely on the hot shoe for external flash and the tilting LCD to shoot from crowd level.

Key Features

• 50x optical zoom with 24–1200mm equivalent focal range
• 20.4MP BSI-CMOS sensor with Bionz X processor
• Optical image stabilization across full zoom range
• 10 fps continuous shooting at full resolution
• Macro focus down to 1 cm for extreme close-ups
• Full manual exposure control with aperture and shutter priority
• 100% electronic viewfinder coverage with 8.1x magnification
• 3-inch tilting LCD with 921,000 dots for flexible composition
• Built-in GPS for automatic geotagging
• Wi-Fi and NFC for quick file transfer to smartphone

FAQ

Can you actually shoot at 1200mm equivalent with this camera?

Yes. The 50x optical zoom gets you there without digital zoom, and optical image stabilization keeps the shot steady at those distances where even slight camera shake ruins sharpness. At 1200mm, stabilization isn't a luxury-it's the difference between usable and blurry.

How close can you focus with the macro mode?

Down to 1 cm from the lens. Most bridge cameras tap out at 5–10 cm, so 1 cm puts you in territory usually reserved for macro lenses. That's close enough for product work and extreme close-ups without an add-on lens.

Does the 20.4MP sensor feel limiting compared to newer cameras?

No. The 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor with Bionz X processing handles the focal range well. Print size and crop latitude matter more than raw megapixel count on a sensor this size. If you need 50MP detail, you'd need a much larger sensor and a completely different camera.

Is the electronic viewfinder usable for actual shooting?

Yes. 100% coverage and 8.1x magnification mean you see what you're getting. It lags slightly in low light compared to optical finders, but for a fixed-lens bridge camera, it's genuinely useful-not a gimmick. The tilting LCD backs it up for awkward angles.

What's the battery life actually like in the field?

300 shots per charge (CIPA rated). That's conservative-you'll often exceed it. Optical stabilization and Wi-Fi drain faster than shooting stills with stabilization off, so real-world range depends on how you work. Keep a spare NP-BX1 battery in your bag.

Can you shoot video and stills with equal capability?

Stills are the priority. Video maxes out at 1080p in AVCHD or MPEG-4, which is fine for B-roll or casual clips but not professional work. The microphone is stereo, so you get decent audio without an external mic. Treat video as a bonus, not the main event.

Is GPS in the camera reliable for geotagging?

It works and writes location data to images automatically. Accuracy depends on signal availability-urban environments lock faster than mountains or dense cover. GPS also drains battery noticeably, so toggle it off when you don't need it.