Sony HX400V Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ต.ค. 2024
- This is my review of the Sony Cybershot HX400V bridge camera. I have given my thoughts and opinions after around 3 months of ownership and am pleased with the image quality overall. I give you my pros & cons of this camera plus there are some photo & video examples at the end. And count how many times I say the word, 'handy' Doh! I filmed the piece to camera on a Panasonic G80/85 with a Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 lens on plus a Rode Video mic pro for the audio and some continuous lights.
The microphone I mentioned in the video is a Sony ECM-GZ1 and cost around £70 (UK). The UV filter is made by Marumi and the Circular Polarizer & Variable ND Filter are made by K&F Concept. The filter thread of the camera is 55MM.
The alternative cameras I mentioned were the Canon SX60, Panasonic FZ300 & FZ82, Nikon P900 & B700.
The sound track I used was called 'Ambient Lights' which I purchaced from www.catooh.com
This is my second Sony camera and I love and it does an amazing job on my bird photos. Thanks for the review.
You are welcome Louise. They are ideal for wildlife and a lot lighter to carry around all day than a DSLR.
First of all. All these years later thanks so much for the reply.
I'm looking at getting this sony next week second hand. They are very expensive in South africa.. Do you think it's still a decent camera to purchase in 2020 for amateur level hobby grade photography.
Thank you. I love my camera even more now. This is my first decent camera and still learning how to take great photos.
Best review I have seen for this camera a few nice tips thrown in, this guy knows is stuff made my mind up cheers Steve.
Thanks Alex. Hope the info helped :-)
I own this camera, and to date, have not used a mic on it, but I will be giving it a try now. ALL the HX SONYS are great, I own all 3 types, thank you
Great. Enjoy the camera. The Sony colours are nice and faithful if you get the white balance right.
Robbie and Gary lucky u bro ohh I want one to 😔
Did you have the E:62:10 error on any of your hx's?
@@EE-pe8br Yes, I had it fixed, the zoom needs to be repaired with that message, works fine now.
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy do you maybe know what caused the problem (maybe have dropped the camera?), how fid you fix it and what did it cost you?
Hi Steve!I'm thinking of buying him one now sh2, it's still worth a 2023 or the phones take pictures so well that there's no point anymore, I'd like to use it to photograph birds but also people and vacations
Yes this camera is quite dated now but has a good optical zoom lens for wildlife. Phone camera are ok for general photos but not suitable for wildlife really as zoom is digital not optical
Really enjoying this video Steve. Great about Dead cat lol. I was waiting to hear about Microphone. Are the filters expensive to buy? I was going to buy a DLSR but think this will suit me well
Dead Cat! Yes I got an angry dog growling at my microphone recently too, a bit embarrassing! The filters are reasonably priced; I use Hoya ones mostly & they are good. Depending on what you like to photograph I would consider a DSLR or even Mirrorless camera system over a 'Bridge' camera. And of course it depends on your budget.
Hi Steve! Great review, so you don’t need to connect the microphone?
No, you simply just place it onto the hotshoe on top of the camera, no wires needed. The camera automatically recognizes you have the microphone attached :-)
Hi thanks for explanation about sony camera 📷
I purchased also one, could I use a wired microphone if yes which model?
Thanks again
No, because there is not a mic port on this camera.
Amazing, now I'm not confused. Hx400v❤️❤️.
Thank you for such deep information 🙂
You're welcome. Enjoy using the camera if you own it.
Thanks for the review Steve. Very useful particularly as I want to do wildlife photography on a budget. Does the camera come with an SD Card or would I have to purchase separately?
It comes with 16gb card
I added you a *LIKE* at 20:39 for mentioning that image-stabilization can't be shut off, the first/only time I ever heard of such.
Yes it is strange. I tried to do an image of the moon with camera on a tripod and the IBIS tries to compensate and drifts about-impossible to get the shot!
@@koolkutz7 Yes thanks from me too - I was just about to buy one of these, but not being able to get the moon is a deal breaker, cheers.
Hi Steve,
I came across this review recently and appreciate the in-depth advice on capabilities and limitations of this camera. Been looking for an external flash that would go with this camera. I am eyeing Godox TT600 / Neewer TT560 (Sony flashes are a bit too expensive so looking for cheaper option), but open for suggestions.
Will keep an eye out for your advice. Thanks in advance.
I just bought one of these as it seemed the best value for a new camera for an amateur like me, just looking for something to produce reasonable photos with decent zoom. At £320 with a couple of extra batteries and carry case thrown in, it seemed decent value. Thank you for all your information.
Yes they are a decent walkabout camera for everyday use. Enjoy.
Hi Steve ,,, loved this comprehensive review! Crystal clear, fair and un biased. You have covered a great deal and particularly things “hidden” like the dedicated Sony microphone. Your wildlife photos at the end are gorgeous and do actually prove the comments made about clarity and colour saturation. Your presentation style is relaxed and confident! You have assisted me in my next purchase - it’s the HX 400v. Thanks for your time placed into producing this and conducting the post edit (I know it takes ages to get it right) it is most appreciated! Regards Dave!
Thanks Dave, appreciated :-) If you do get the HX400V enjoy using it.
Very well explained. I just bought this camera, I'm seeing pixelated images. Can you help me in choosing the right option and settings for a photo, say candid indoor. Or do i need additional flash for sharp images?
If you are shooting on the full AUTO mode indoors then the camera might automatically try to raise the ISO so you will get 'grainy' (blotchy) looking images. Yes, try using the pop-up flash indoors or some decent LED lights etc. Hope that helps.
Will this camera be good for TH-cam videos as I thought TH-cam didn't like HD footage? Thanks. Great review. I want to buy this camera to start my channel.
Great video Steve and very helpful I have been thinking of getting this camera for a while I don’t want a DSLR and loads of different lens this fits the bill very well thx
No problem. They are decent walkabout cameras when you don't want to carry lots of heavy DSLR gear.
Thanks Steve for the Nice overview, I have this camera too and am quite satisfied with it. I wish you a nice day!
Glad you like the camera John. It is good value for money on the whole.
Hi John, did you have the E:62:10 error on your sony hx?
@@EE-pe8br Hi Steve, I don't have the error , everything works perfectly. Here a link from someone who googled the internet about the malfunction sony-e-62-10.atspace.cc/
@@john-moes I am happy to hear that, thanks for replying.
Great video I ask is this the mic you bought if its not what is it? Thanks For sharing Ray K UK YNWA> Sony ECMGZ1M.SYH Gun Zoom Microphone for MI Shoe - Black
Yes that is the one. It simply goes straight onto the hotshoe on top of camera, no wires needed 🙂
Hi Steve, A well detailed video on the camera and its lens. Would you recommend this camera for shooting short films? How would it compare against a Canon C100 for image quality for example. I know the Canon is a more expensive camera.
Thanks Shea. The Sony is okay for shooting amateur stuff like family and holidays etc but evn though I have never used the Canon C100 it would be much better video quality than the Sony because it has a much larger super 35mm sensor and a host of professional features. Obviously you would have to buy the appropriate Canon EF mount lenses to which will be more expensive and add bulk/weight. What sort of short films do you want to make?
@@koolkutz7 Hi Steve, at the moment its final year college shorts but i intend to keep filming after college is finished. I wanted a camera that would do me for a few years to make half hour shorts and documentaries. If possible not too bulky. It was suggested to me buy a second hand higher quality camera such as the Canon c100 or similar, but i'm a little hesitant about a used one regarding how much use did it get etc. Any suggestions you have would be much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Thank you Steve. I appreciate the effort you have gone to in putting this helpful video together.
You are welcome.
How Cani detected microphone the camera
It is remarkable value for money,solid,and feels great in the hand,and produces excellent images,just as good,in my view,to the images from my Canon 7d,and it's easier to carry around.
Looking at them on my 23" PC screen, you can't really tell them apart,and A4s print out well,bright and colourful.
There is no RAW facility,but over many years,I have always preferred jpegs anyway,so no big deal,as the jpegs are really good from the Sony anyway.
Thanks for this review! Btw how about the flip screen while vlogging? Do you have any ideas? Thanks!
Yes the trouble with this camera is that it only has a tiltable screen. Maybe you could do what Camera Conspiricies does by placing a mirror behind the camera facing back at you so you can see a reflection of the screen.
@@koolkutz7 thanks!!!
Hey Steve. Considering its 2018 and the mobile phone cameras have become really good. How well does this camera hold up? How is the picture quality of this camera as against the camera of Iphone X or google Pixel? My point being, is this camera worth a buy in 2018?
Thanks for your interest and question. It is difficult for me to answer that as I have never used an iPhone or Pixel camera. I believe that camera phones are getting better due to doing computational photography. The one advantage of using a Bridge camera from Sony (or any camera like this) is the ability to use a powerful optical zoom rather than a digital zoom typically found on a camera phone. The image quality on this Sony is pretty good up to about 400 ISO but then does get grainy, especially in low light situations. The only other option is to buy a camera with a larger sensor for better image quality overall-it all depends what you like to photograph the most.
@@koolkutz7 Thank you very much Steve. Quite happy that you managed to reply!!;)
To be honest, I'm not a professional photographer. Use my mobile phone camera to capture pictures of food and trips. Was getting married next year and would be going to Bali for honeymoon. So thought of getting a nice camera. I just wanted to be sure if the camera will do a better job than my phone.
i click photos with this camera and my phone, looo them and you'll get your answer Instagram @indiahv
What about this compared to the nikon p900 now.. Excluding the zoom difference. Is the image quality at full zoom still good
Yes the image quality is decent throughout the optical zoom range. The clear-image zoom loses some quality and I never use digital zoom anyway. The image quality should be similar to the P900 as they have the same size sensor.
@@koolkutz7 thanks so much for the reply. I'm hoping to pick up a second hand one next week.. I've been reading alot of people complaining about the e62 10 error so I'm worried about the reliability of the camera. It's a lot of money for me
@@thebigaverage-jordanspeck9045 no problem. I think the error is common with that model where the temperature warning symbol comes on I think, mine was okay but didn't have the camera that long. Maybe also look at the Panasonic FZ330 or FZ82, I am very happy with both of those and no faults so far.
Nice review done. May I know how can I zoom and focus moon images the best?
To take pictures of the moon put camera on full optical zoom, Manual Mode, ISO 200, F6.3, 1/250th sec shutter speed, White balance-either Daylight or Custom 4000K, make sure steady shot is ON, then take the picture, review & adjust ISO up/down to lighten darken.
Far play steve great review and very helpfull
Is the microphone worth it ? I shoot vdieos but I didn’t know Sony sold the mic
It does improve the audio somewhat but being Sony brand I feel it is a bit overpriced for what it is. The advantage is that it's easy to use; simply place on hotshoe and it works-no wires dangling down by camera.
Thank you for the review. I used to own the previous version of this camera (HX300) and I liked it a lot. HX400V is a much better camera though.
Thanks for the good review. I own a fz300 25-600mm and do lot of bird photography but I definitely need more zoom and I am looking at this Sony for the zoom range and also for the Zeiss lens
Yes the Sony certainly gives you a lot more telephoto zoom range. Maybe also have a look at the Panasonic FZ80/82; I own it and it's pretty decent for stills and can shoot 4K video-it has a 20-1200mm zoom range.
@@koolkutz7 thanks a lot for your reply, I will check the FZ80/82 as well
Cheers Steve just bought this yesterday and found your video on line for this camera but only watched a few minutes and will watch later the full vid and I can tell right away this is going to help me a lot, I will subscribe 😎👍
I have purchased the HX 350 and loved it. I now have bought the HX400V but I've never worked out how to set the camer to blur water I could love to be abled to do this but it would be great to save this on one of the ready buttons 1 or 2 I have autism so a step by step instructions would be fantastic.
You can create blurry water effects on this camera but you need 2 things to achieve it; 1. a sturdy tripod. 2. an ND (neutral density) filter-it helps block out sunlight and slow the shutter speed down to make the water look blurry. First, put camera on tripod; set the Mode dial on top of camera to M (manual). Get your screw-in ND Filter (maybe an ND8) which should be 55mm diameter and put it onto front on lens. Now look at the screen on camera and set aperture about F5.6, shutter speed to about 4 seconds. Set the ISO to about 100. Try this on a brook, stream or waterfall. Now set the self-timer to 2 seconds, press shutter and review the image. If it looks too dark try longer shutter speed, if it's too light try shorter shutter speed, maybe 2 seconds, or a darker ND filter ND16-or you can buy a variable ND filter which dials in the darkness easy. Hope this helps a bit-there are lots of YT video on this subject too.
this may be silly but i have always used this as a point and shoot and have enjoyed the results but i have a sturdy tripod and an ND filter although i gave all these i don't know how to set shutter speed to 4 seconds and i can't set aperture or even how to set up the ISO. i'm trying with this camera to do more manual photography and thought this to be the best camera to start me off.
@@emilystarring5504 Okay. So there is a circular MODE dial on top of camera with different letters on it, P A S M etc. Turn the dial to S to set the shutter speed. To change shutter speed turn dial on back of camera until it reads 4sec or 4". To set ISO press MENU button, scroll down camera menu by using the up/down pad then set ISO to either 80 or 100.. Then do all the other steps as described in my last reply.
I went and looked at the microphone you linked but it's out of my budget. Are there any non sony branded mics that are cheaper?
I'm not sure because it uses the special Sony hotshoe on top of the camera not a cable that you plug in so it's doubtful.
Very helpful review thank you so much keep up the good and hard work love your channel ❤️
Thanks, appreciated :-)
Greetings, I own this camera, but I need Mike, can you help me get me in Sudan now, the HX400V camera
Where did you get your filters from? I got my camera from Jessops but they wouldn't advice on filters due to the way the lens goes back into the camera. Also I use my for taking photos at my Taekwon-Do Classes, however I find the pics a bit out of focus inside building evening pics. Even on auto! Any advice?
I get my filters from various online shops such as Amazon, SRB Photographic, Premier Ink, WEX etc (UK). The autofocus will struggle in low light (as do most cameras). The problem is you have to push the ISO setting up high which reduces the image quality. And of course you probably want a fast shutter speed for martial arts/action shots so even less light! You will need at least 1/500th or faster to 'freeze' the action or maybe try flash, even though shutter speed will reduce the flash will freeze the action.
I like the way you present. humor. :)
Hi Steve love my hx400v and would like to add a gimbal (hohem, crane or dji have you tried any?
No I haven't sorry. I have only used a Manfrotto micro tripod but a gimbal would be better for stability for sure 🙂
Thank you for the video review. I would also give it an 8 out of 10. There are far better cameras out there, of course, but not at this price range. Overall, it's a very good go-to camera. I think its biggest asset is its quick deployment. The HX400V is very ergonomic - controls in manual mode are easy to adjust for that quick shot. It has a big camera feel - very stable. Quick focusing in manual mode is easy to obtain.
Yes I think you summed it up well. It is a good all-rounder with decent features and it is a lighter than carrying a huge telephoto lens round all day! (even if the image quality is not as good).
Steve Ferneyhough Thank you again for your review. You were very thorough. I see you have a mic for this camera. Would you produce a microphone test video with it using your voice? Just curious how the microphone performs on this camera and how the camera settings adjust for it. Because of the camera's wide angle lens, I wonder if it would be good for close up interviews - or for "run and gun" testimonial videos - assuming you had a decent shotgun mic?
I have actual sold that particular microphone now but maybe I have some footage using it. I found it to be okay but but really amazing performance-seems a bit overpriced to me. It might be okay though for testimonial type work but don't expect it to be super clear. On other cameras I now use the Rode Video Mic Pro (the one with the rycote cradle) & a Rode 'deadcat' furry cover on and that is very good; clear with nice depth to it.
@@koolkutz7 Thanks for the quick response. I do have a Rode NGT2 and Video Micro - they both sound great. Just curious about a lightweight mic to use on this camera for those run-and-gun testimonials. Take care and have a great day!
Nice camera, I have the the Sony H300 it's a pretty good camera when you first start out and I've been getting pretty good photos but I will be getting this Sony HX400v eventually as this camera has a lot more bells and whistles.
Yes it has lots of good features.
Hello Steve I'm also a TH-camr uploading videos on trains. Currently I'm using Nikon B500 & I want to upgrade my camera. My budget is under 400 pounds. Shall I go for a DSLR or this one
You might be better buying a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera for TH-cam videos. Such as canon M50 or Panasonic g7 or an Olympus Pen with a kit lens. I bet used ones would be reasonably priced too.
Very nice video, Steve.. Bought the same one last April.. I must say I'm very impressed with its performance & features especially its 50x zoom & focus peaking.. Thank you..
Yes the 50X optical zoom is impressive.
What is the actual focal range of the lens? AND, here in 12/2020, has SONY solved the E:62:10 error? Many Thanks for a great review!
The zoom lens range is 20mm-1200mm (in 35mm terms) which is a 50X optical zoom. I don't know if they have fixed that error-best to check the official Sony website.
No, the problem is unfortunately not fixed yet
I use this camera as well; excellent point about not being able to turn the image stabilization off; and for the very reason you mention- weird "floating" image look when shooting video. Would seem like a simple enough thing to fix with a firmware update. Otherwise love this camera.
Yes the strange floating drives you nuts, espesially when you want to work on a tripod, the images drifts around; as you say, surely it would be easy to put an 'off' option in the camera. I have a Panasonic FZ330 & that has the option to turn it completely off!
@@koolkutz7 Hm, I just bought one 2nd hand, because of all the .. investment in reading and Sony fan. But this weird thing of not being able to turn off the stabilisation is ... not o.k. Tad Tamura speaks about a firmware undate: a. is this possible, b. if yes: have you experience and if so, which are the results, stabilisation ordered? Thanks for reading my question.
Hi Steve, can you tell me what website you purchased that camera strap at? I like it a lot, but cannot find it on the Internet.
Hi Gary. I bought it off Amazon UK. It was only about £5 and is very comfortable, if a little long!
I have a sony hx400v will a Sony external microphone work to some extent? I know they are not completely compatible but is it so much that I will notice? I shoot outside.
I only noticed a bit of an improvement when shooting with this mic outdoors. I find that just sticking a bit of foam over the internal mic can work ok to combat wind noise too.
Very good and informative video. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
We I feel that the Sony will do all I need or things get expensive and over complicated. I priced up the camera and bits and bobs and it comes to £487.00. I need to find a suitable toy for the Mic when I get it. It will be used more for Vlogging, Thanks Steve.
Good afternoon! Tell me which microphone to buy for this camera? Thanks...!
It's the official Sony gz1-m www.sony.co.uk/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras-microphones/ecm-gz1m
@@koolkutz7 Thank you very much!
@@koolkutz7 Hi. I'm from Brazil and my english is not good yet. I found your video and I really want to find this microphone. can you tell me if i can find it here in Brazil? I want to buy this camera to make videos for TH-cam. Do you recommend ?
@@liliamcordara5070 Hello Liliam. Have a look on the official Sony website for the microphone-not sure if you can buy it in Brazil or not-it costs about £70 in UK. If you want to make videos for TH-cam of yourself there are better cameras out there as you can't turn the screen round to see yourself. Maybe the Panasonic FZ330 (called the FZ300 in some regions) would be better value as you can turn the screen all the way round and it is touchscreen (the Sony is NOT), and you can plug any 3.5mm mic into it too. I own the Panasonic too & it has nice 4K video quality, the Sony is only 1080p. Hope that helps.
Another question: Do all the microphone functions work both GUN and ZOOM? I don't have the ZOOM function working on this microphone. The system says that this device is not supported. Can there be any nuance?
Nice video....lots of useful info....thanks! I just bought this camera and one thing v/odd ….when I take a picture the view screen is filled with colorful graphics surrounding a v/small image of the picture I just took -?- usually the image just appears for a few seconds and goes but this is very odd. So, I can see the image I took because it's ting and surrounded by colorful graphics?! Can I turn this "off" or is it set....I haven't found an explanation so I you might know I'd appreciate the expertise! Many thanks....Jack in western Colorado/USA.
I think it sounds like the way you are viewing the images in playback mode on the screen. You can usually toggle through various viewing options; so when you have taken a photo and then press PLAY, the image is displayed, right? If you press something like the 'INFO' button (can't quite remember) it will display the image with/without text or whatever. Sometimes you need to press it several times to cycle through the options. Hope that helps.
Gee thanks! @@koolkutz7 That did it! :-)
I knew it had to be simple but it baffled me for two days!
@@jackgj3771 Glad you worked it out. Enjoy!
Is there a place/online where you can buy all the filters together maybe? Just saw better your remote-solution: is this a shutter-remote(cable) and/or zoom??
Not sure if there is a zoom option available. For filters I use camera shops online that I use and trust. I find Hoya are a good brand.
@@koolkutz7Thanks. See for remote-zoom: th-cam.com/video/mTPBfOmzmzg/w-d-xo.html. Your remote in film: shutter.
Steve Im having a problem when shooting Movies it seems to record to the onboard memory instead of the SD card. I can't find the settings have you any idea please?
Not sure I can help with that one, never happened to me on that camera. Have you tried using a different memory card in case the one that is inserted is full or become corrupted?
Which converters do I need to use for sony hx400 to work with mic
No converters needed. Simply place the Sony microphone on the hotshoe on top of camera & it works automatically.
Hi Steve,
Does this camera accept a wireless radio mike? Looking for a new camera to shoot video on.
Regards,
Bill.
Hi Bill. I'm not sure about that sorry. I have just looked in my Sony brochure but it just lists 3 microphones that fit directly onto the hotshoe like the one I show in the video. Best to check the Sony website for compatibility.
Thanks for the reply steve,
How old is your camera? you posted the review in 2017, but some review's that I've seen have been fron as far back as 2014.
Regards,
Bill.
Hi Bill. I purchased mine early 2017, but yes I think it came out a few years ago and as far as I am aware Sony has not replaced/upgraded this model.
Great video . Whats the code for your Sony camera bag . Thanks
It is the LCS-U11 Soft Carrying Case -about £20 approx.
@@koolkutz7 thanks
Could you send me a link to buy the same dead cat cover as you have and how to change the microphone level settings on the camera please as I have the same camera.
The fluffy deadcat cover was homemade from a dog toy I purchased from my local discount store called B&M Bargains here in the UK. To change the microphone levels on this camera you have to enter the menu (about page 5 I think-not sure I have not got the camera anymore), then scroll down to option that says 'Micref Level' and choose low, medium or high etc.
Thanks a lot for your review, I'm on the point of buying one ....birds in wet-lands. But, very important issue: can one zoom in at distance, via a cable may be? Cannot find such a thing. Shivering with de hand, always tricky...
I have just looked on Amazon and you can buy a third-party shutter release cable for about £10!
@@koolkutz7 Looking for the remote: zoomlens!
@@JitskeTrijntje The lens diameter is 55mm for screw-in filters.
@@koolkutz7 th-cam.com/video/mTPBfOmzmzg/w-d-xo.html. Remote!
Hi, my husband and I travel often on a motorcycle. Naturally I’m looking for one camera that will cover a lot of scenarios. I like to take shots from the back of the bike, nature and wildlife, as well as trying to shoot our pic with a timer setting. Is there a remote? Enjoyed your review.
This camera is a good all-rounder, especially for wildlife etc. There is a remote port & I bought a cheap compatible wired remote control from Amazon for under £10 (Pixel brand I think). Or you could install & use Sony's image App on your phone then control the camera from that remotely. Hope that helps.
Steve Ferneyhough Thanks, good to know about the app. I think that would work best for me!
Yes that could be the best option. Bear in mind the screen only tilts on this camera, not a fully articulating screen unfortunately (and it is not touchscreen either).
Steve Ferneyhough Do you feel the tilt is useful? I liked the idea of holding the camera above head and being able to see your shot. Has it been a feature you've used much, and if so, what circumstances?
The tiltable screen is useful for overhead shots and I use it when I take images of mushrooms etc very low to the ground or landscapes when I want a low perspective.
You seem to spend a bit of time expounding on what it doesn't have and cannot do. But you come around to the same conclusion that I do, that is that it just works. Yes, I have a Panasonic FZ80 and an FZ200, but the camera that I use 99 percent of the time is my HX400V.
I hope it lasts forever.
Yes I like the 4K and the touchscreen and the 60x zoom of the FZ80 and even RAW capability, and the full zoom 2.8 aperture of the FZ200 is a good feature. But Sony just makes good stuff, kinda like Toyota does.
Maybe not the highest specs, but it just works.
Hello! I'm thinking of buying him one now sh2, it's still worth a 2023 or the phones take pictures so well that there's no point anymore, I'd like to use it to photograph birds but also people and vacations
Even modern cell phones can't replace having a 50x or 60x or 60x lens that you get with a bridge camera.
Sony HX400V HX300
Canon SX60 SX540 SX50 SX70
All good units
What if you want to put a multi tool on to the camera to attach more things like lights and monitors? Will the mic still work then?
I think you would have to use a rig or bracket that attaches underneath via the tripod thread since the Sony mi relies on the hotshoe on top.
What about low-light photos/videos, is it good? I am in dilemma selecting this or RX100.
It is not great in low light and/or when you use higher ISO settings. You might find the Sony RX100 is better.
The rx100 would be better but the problem is the rx100 overheating problems however the hx 400 does not overheat it's pretty good I've used it up to 29 minutes no problems
The polarizing filter what mm is it? Or in general the filter lenses what size are they (pricing this same camera almost exact same set up) a waiting its arrival but pricing the extras want to price the correct lens thanks
The filter thread size on this camera is 55mm. I have bought various filters from Amazon, Premier Ink & SRB Photographic (I am based in the UK). Get a multicoated (HMC) UV filter for protection first and leave it on most of the time.
Steve Ferneyhough thanks
55mm and the Polaroid / Neewer are under £20 on amazon and brilliant
Thank you for teaching me about my camera 📷😃
You are welcome-enjoy using it :-)
what is the videoing quality like. does it freeze at all or over heat?
it sounds great sept that screen is not fully agile to take selfies
The video quality is quite good, clear with decent colours. It shoots up to 1080 Full HD. It did not have any overheating issues, but I tend to only take small video clips, maybe 1-2 mins at a time. And yes, unfortunately, the screen only tilts, so no selfie option!
@@koolkutz7 thank you. What memory card should I get for it?
I would probably buy a Sandisk 32GB Extreme Pro 95Mb Class 10 UHS 3, that way it will cope with high speed burst photos and Full HD video no problem.
@@koolkutz7 thank you
@@koolkutz7 im getting this camera tomorrow snd im veeery excited and hsppy about it... can u plz do a part two of this camera when ever u can plz also i paid 10 pound more then u did how was yours cheaper
I heard some wind noise on that very last short video clip. Was the external mic attached?
Not sure sorry, it was a while ago!
Which is better Camera for beginners under RS. 30000 Sony Cyber shot dsc hx400v or Nikon D5300 ?
I would probably buy the Nikon D5300 as it has a bigger sensor and will produce clearer images, especially at higher ISO settings. It is easy to use as you can try auto and scene modes to begin with, then try other advanced settings as you get more experience/confidence.
Very nice review. Thank u so much. I hv the same camera. Help me how to take close up pics with blurred back ground like u did some nice ones.
To blur the background the camera need to be quite close to your subject and the background far away and use the lens at the telephoto setting, maybe 300mm plus.
Thank u Steve. Will try the way u said. Love to see some more of yr Sony hx400v close up pics.
Здравствуйте! Подскажите пожалуйста, можно ли на фотокамеру сони HX400 v подключить внешний микрофон, если да, то какой именно?
Sorry I can only speak English if you have a question. Thanks
Does it have a Microphone socket?
No Jim it does not have a microphone port. That's why you have to use the official Sony one that connects directly onto the hotshoe (no wires required) as shown in my video; it costs about £70 (UK).
Is there any chance to connect RODE mic with microUSB to 3,5mm exit?
I don't know sorry, I have only ever used the official Sony mic that goes on the hotshoe.
@@koolkutz7 Ok, thank u Steve.
Thanks very good video. This decided my choice for the HX400V
Great. Glad you liked the video. It produces some nice images, particularly in good light.
Hi mate , I just bought this model ! First professional camera , I'm having difficulty with using my zoom ! Focus isn't staying when I use full zoom, any tips .
It can be tricky to lock focus on these cameras at full zoom, especially when there is low contrast or bland scenes. Try pressing the shutter halfway locked onto a strong contrasting subject with edges, then holding the shutter re-compose and take the image. Failing that, you can switch to manual focus (on side of lens barrel), then use the focus peaking (bright colours shimmer on screen) & that tells you where the camera is focusing.
Steve Ferneyhough cheers mate 👍
You are welcome-sorry I didn't reply earlier, must have missed you original comment. Have fun with your camera. Feel free to ask if you get any other issues.
I have this great camera many years now. But now it has 62:10 error on display after I dropped my camera bag.
I think this is a common error with this camera model that has been reported by some users. Not sure how to fix it though.
Can you change the film quality settings or does it only film in the HD? Thanks again
The max film quality is 1080p (Full HD) at 50p. I think you can do lower too at 720p etc
@@koolkutz7 brilliant thanks bud. It's a good camera I think so I'll be after one next couple of weeks.
@@wildsolitude101 Enjoy using it :-)
@@koolkutz7 hope your channel continues to grow. Good work mate
@@wildsolitude101 Thanks, appreciated :-)
Hi Steve,
After watching your video I bought an ecm-gz1m mic. The problem is that my hx400v is saying thet this mic is incompatible
with the camera. Could you shed some light on this? Or maybe someone else watching this video cam make some suggestions
any info would be welcome.
Regards,
Bill.
The GZ1 microphone will only work on the HX400V if the mic is set to GUN postion. You cannot use the ZOOM mode. Try that first and that should work :-)
Hi Steve,
Tried that and still no joy. The incompatible message didn't appear but the mic still doesn't work. I'm going to have to return it
as I think it is faulty. Will the ECM-W1M work on it? If anyone Watching your vid can shed some light on this I woould be greatful.
Thanks for your reply.
Regards,
Bill.
when you connect the sony external mic on the camera, do you end up with an audio from external mic and audio from internal mic when you go into to edit the footage?
If you connect the external mic it automatically syncs with camera and you get the audio from that mic, not the internal mic when editing (in other words-just one audio track, not 2).
great so no syning is needed? and thanks for responding Steve
Sir iam from india there is any other opertunity for buying Mike for DSC Hx400v
I using the same camera but I need external mic
You need the Sony Gun zoom microphone
ECM-GZ1M (same as mine) & it slots onto the hotshoe on top of camera, no other wires needed.
@@koolkutz7 thanku for ur valuable suggestions sir
Actually I have to record message from 20 meters so I have recieve wire from amplifier to plug in mic to camera so what type of gadgets I required
@@Prudhvirajparicherla I don't think you will be able to then with that camera as it has no mic port.
@@koolkutz7 sir, that sony gun zoom microphone is somuch expencive ...there is any other alternate option in economic
Could you give link where I can purchase Sony microphone please?
Yes here is the link: www.proav.co.uk/sony-ecm-gz1m-zoom-microphone-for-cameras-with-multi-interface-shoe
@@koolkutz7 thankyou
Do you have a link to that external mic ??
www.sony.co.uk/electronics/handycam-camcorders-microphones-speakers/ecm-gz1m
Hi Stev,
Sorry to bother you, but I've just looked at my hotshoe and some of the pins seem to be out of alignment.
The pins in question from left to right are number 4, 7, 15, and the last one. Could you please advise me if
this is how they should be by looking at your own. I would be greatful for your assistance.
Many thanks
Regards,
Bill.
Hi Bill. Sorry but I have sold mine now so I can't go and look for you. Also I don't know if the ECM-W1M mic will work on it sorry. Maybe someone out there has the answer. You could go on Sony's website and there should be a camera-accessory compatibility chart.
I have a Sony HX400V, excellent camera until it suffers the dreaded sony E:62:10 error which corrupts the stabilisation when zooming and also makes distance focusing unstable. When out of warranty period it costs as much as a new camera to repair this problem!
It did not happen on mine but I know someone who has suffered the same thing, must be very frustrating!
Yes it is very frustrating. One minute you have a great camera and the next you have this dreaded Sony error message that I now find is common to Sony cameras and your camera is now difficult to use and hard to focus and stabilise. What is worse is the high cost if repair. I would never buy another Sony camera.
@@philmont606 do you know why you got e:62:10 error? Have you dropped your camera or something similar?
Hi Steve, can you tell me how quick does the f stops number raise while zooming?
I can't quite remember as I don't own the camera anymore. Maybe check out the official Sony website for further info.
@@koolkutz7 can i ask why you dont own it anymore?
@@EE-pe8br I wanted to opgrade the video quality to 4K so I purchased a Panasonic FZ82. The Sony only shoots Full HD video.
do you think even now its good camera for beginner to work with ?? or wanna suggest some other with similar or better price factor & features.. I would like to use camera for daily freelancing photography & some outdoor jungle views
Good question. The HX400V is a good all-rounder, but rather bulky to carry round. I would have a look at the Panasonic TZ90 (same size sensor as the HX400V) or the Panasonic TZ100 (shorter zoom range but larger 1 inch sensor).
Steve Ferneyhough well said boss.. but you talked about this camera is not good at bokeh mode.. cant we just use that focus ring to get blurry background..?? & how are colour saturation & overall texture of image if compared to canon 1300d , nikon 3400 or even those one you suggested..??
Unfortunately, due to the smaller sensor size, you would find it difficult to get that creamy 'bokeh' effect. You can try using the telephoto zoom, and if the subject is close to you and the background far away it looks decent. The Canon & Nikon DSLR's are a step up from this camera; bigger sensor, faster autofocus and better iamge detail overall, but you need to buy the lenses of course. You can change the saturation, contrast, sharpness etc on pretty much any digital camera to suit your style/taste.
HX500V any time soon? Wish list 4k, time lapse, touch scrreen
I do hope so. The HX400V has been out for ages now but no sign of a replacement yet. If you want those features why not look at the Panasonic FZ300/330. I own one and it is very good. It has 4K video, vari-angle touch screen, weather sealed body, microphone port, Leica 25-600mm f2.8 lens and you can do timelapse and post focus, 4K photo etc.
CAN YOU HELP TO KNOW , WHICH ONE MICROFON IS BEST FOR SONY DSC? I WILL BUY. THANK YOU
The microphone you need is here in the link (shown in my video): www.ebuyer.com/801399-sony-ecm-gz1m-gun-zoom-microphone-for-handycam-camera-accessories-at-ebuyer-ecmgz1m-syh?msclkid=8b55fa08089118e53f499b571c05125f&PLAs%7C%7CBing%7C%7CPhoto%7C%7CAccessories%20%26%20Lenses%7C%7CMedium&PLAs%7C%7CPhoto%7C%7CCamera%20and%20Camcorder%20Accessories
@@koolkutz7 thank full
i own the camera
is it safe to attach a external mic on it?
can i fit a microphone on it?
will some different company's microphone work with it? i mwan other than sony...
You can place a microphone on the 'multi-interface' hotshoe but it probably has to be the official Sony one-I don't know if there are any thirds party compatible mic's. be aware also that the camera does not have a mic port.
hello sir is cool can you help me . i have this camera. how to take a portrait photo with a blurry background
Yes, use the zoom lens at about 5x at least then choose the max aperture available, then have your model near to you but far away from the background if possible.
Hello, could you tell me the model of the camera bag. I want to buy one bag but i don't find the correct model.
It is a Sony one. Sorry, not sure exactly which model but I think they are listed on Sony's official website. It costs approx £20-£25.
Can you plug this camera into an external battery pack to do an 8 hour time lapse? All I have found on the internet is thoughts opinions and assumptions, could you take the time to find out this answer 100%?
To be honest I have no idea. I am not even aware you could plug it in to an external battery. Sorry I can't help more with that.
Nice review and my camera is just on the way!
Never saw a dead cat that looked so much as a dead cat.
It wasn't a real dead cat...honest :-)
Nice authentic roadkill hues on that one 👍🏼
Great review Sir. Thank you.
How to take images with background blurred ...not able to figure out on Sony dschx400v...pls suggest...thanks
It is harder to blur out the background on this type of camera due to the smaller sensor. What may help is taking the photo on a long zoom, 20x or 30x and place your subject near to the camera and the background further away from your subject-this helps to get some background blur a bit anyway.
The viewfinder hasn‘t got many megapixel. Is that noticable, or us it ok?
I mean pixels
The viewfinder is not that great to be honest, but clear enough to compose when needed.
Thanks
What is controlled by rotating ring?? Aperture or zooming?
Not sure what you mean by rotating ring, but the dial on the back usually controls the aperture or shutter speed depending on what mode you are in; there is a toggle switch on top of camera near shutter button that controls zoom; a side-lever controls zoom (but can be changed) and a rotating ring on the lens that usually contols the focus manually.
Hey where did you get that microphone
I bought the microphone from a UK camera website for about £70.
@@koolkutz7 ah ok thanks so much
Can you say me the name of the dead cat?
It was a homemade one from a dog chew toy!
@@koolkutz7 Ok
Ohh, can u talk bout the flash?
how to add external voice recorder
I don't think you can add an external voice recorder-or do you mean an external microphone? It is easy to place a Sony microphone onto this camera, simply slide it onto the hotshoe on top of the camera and you are ready to record audio with your video. Hope that helps.
thanks for the support, I need some more information that how external sony Microphone works, the voice is noise free or any option to set bit like voice recorder.
The little Sony microphone is quite good and cost me around £80 (UK price). But it is not noise-free really. I noticed that there is some camera noise when the AF is on. For better sound consider using a Zoom H1 recorder. They are very nice stereo quality and you can use it alone or on a computer for narration etc. Costs around £80-£100 approx.
ok, thanks
thanks I have ZOOM H1which I want to use as a MIC with sony camera, but no option found. Maybe I will replace with otherone which have this option.
How to plug the microphone..?
You don't need to plug in the microphone. You simply place it on the flash hotshoe on top of camera & it connects automatically.
So what If I will use boya mic.?
I Continous use hx200v but it has no output for mic for video shooting.....
There is no mic port but you can use the Sony microphone as featured in my video. Just place it straight onto the hotshoe and it works fine.