{"id":5192,"date":"2014-04-10T18:59:19","date_gmt":"2014-04-10T18:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alinpopescu.eu\/blog\/?p=5192"},"modified":"2015-02-12T06:55:53","modified_gmt":"2015-02-12T06:55:53","slug":"sony-hx400-user-review-steps-ahead-hx300","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alinpopescu.eu\/blog\/sony-hx400-user-review-steps-ahead-hx300\/","title":{"rendered":"SONY HX400 user review – steps ahead from the HX300"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PlayMemories how to<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
afla cum instalezi<\/a> aplicatiile in noul tau aparat, din tari ne-suportate<\/pre>\n<\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n
What’s the difference between HX400 and HX300?<\/h1>\n
When I’ve tested the previous bridge model from SONY, the HX300 (here<\/a> is the review in Romanian), I concluded the camera raised to the expectations and beyond.<\/p>\n
I could not think that a new camera to follow this model, in this case the new  could improve more on what could be done with an ultra-zoom.<\/p>\n
I say “improve more” because you can always come out with marketing stuff like more megapixels or higher ISO values on cameras that this kind of “features” are useless considering the small physical size of the senzor, which is only 1\/2.3 of an inch.<\/p>\n
SONY is not trying to foul its users in this case, but to really improve a camera considered by many an excellent bridge ultra-zoom.<\/p>\n
The exterior<\/h1>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n
I let you find the differences between the two models \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
I’m kidding, of course. Watching them from front, you could barely see differences between the two (left the HX400, right the HX300). With a closer look though, we could see a small bump on top, which corresponds to the Multi Interface Shoe. The zoom ring is now smoother and on front there is a small logo with the optical zoom power.<\/p>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n
Looking at the back of the two cameras, there are no major differences, but one important “tool” is present, thankfully. The EVF sensor which detects the proximity of the user’s face and switches automatically between LCD and EVF. The hot-shoe is better seen here. It looks also that the rubber from the thumb grip was changed, having a better porosity, so theoretically (and in practice also) the camera is better to hold. HX300 had an excellent grip, and its successor its even better.<\/p>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n
Only when you look from above you see that the cameras are different, the new model looking way better in my opinion. The general design of the HX400<\/strong> developed into a better product, getting it closer to the more expensive RX10<\/strong><\/a> model (here<\/a> is the review I did, also in Romanian)<\/p>\n
The zoom ring is smaller, better crafted and on the lens body the Zeiss logo has appeared. The buttons are the same on both cameras, but got new and different functions like the most expected Fn button which acts as a quick menu for rapid access to camera’s most used functions. On the Mode Selector there are now two memory positions and the 3D mode disappeared on the HX400.<\/p>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n
An inside look<\/h1>\n
If you ask me, the ergonomics, the ease of use, the speed a camera performs various actions, means more to the customer than many camera manufactures understand users are expecting from them. It is not the first time SONY listens to his customers and makes steps that, from a marketing department’s point of view, may seem shear suicide , but from the client’s perspective are more than welcomed.<\/p>\n
Inside there is a new beast, a completely different one than its older brother<\/s>\u00a0grandfather<\/em> which was the HX300 :). It looks like SONY is trying to unify the menu system of all its cameras, and, correct me if I’m wrong, all the cameras in the new lineup have now this new Menu and user interface. Make no exception, the HX400 have now the same fluent and easy to navigate menu like the one found in, let’s say the a6000<\/strong><\/a> (a camera I loved and a first fo me: the first review<\/a> in English), completely different than the “chopped” version of the HX300.<\/p>\n
Below is a short clip with the new menu, and if you’re interested in a particular menu page, you can pause the clip and get a better look<\/p>\n