Digital camera Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400: description, features, reviews

Many people who chose photography as their profession are skeptical of a technique similar to the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400. Among the real masters of a mirror and a tripod there is an opinion that only DSLRs and mirrorless ones deserve attention. But a real professional understands perfectly well that each camera has a number of tasks, and there is no point in laying out a lot of money for the 5D Mark II to a simple lover of beautiful sunsets or a mother of a growing baby who wants to capture the main events of his life. Therefore, many professional photographers took the appearance of the new model quite adequately, and today they gladly give advice to newcomers.

If you have outgrown the "soap box", but do not plan to photograph on a commercial basis, an inexpensive model with compact dimensions and wide functionality is quite suitable for you. For them, Sony has developed its next child. The digital camera Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 was released relatively recently, in the spring of 2014, so many potential buyers today have many more questions regarding the quality, management, configuration and features of the model. Let's try to fill the gap.

The main distinguishing features

"Sony" delighted fans of cameras with ultrazoom in early 2014, announcing the novelty - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 with a unique 63x zoom lens, which today is the largest in its price segment. This is the first and still the only camera of this class in the world, with a focal equivalent of 35.5 mm in the 24.5-1550 mm format, so it covers the telephoto and wide-angle modes.

Camera Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 is equipped with an electronic viewfinder, helping to rationally arrange the composition, even with an overabundance of sunlight or cloudy weather. The photographer can adapt to the most varied lighting conditions.

Housing

Such a functional is comparable with more expensive models - mirror ones. Specialists "Sony" went even further, giving the camera also the look of the SLR. Outwardly, it strongly resembles classical cameras of this class. Professionals are skeptical about this moment, not everyone liked this move. Any specialist will easily distinguish imitation from the first glance.

Today, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 Black is available only in black, which is reflected in the name. Perhaps the manufacturer plans to release other colors of the case, as we could see it in some other cameras of this class (for example, Nikon Coolpix).

The dimensions of the camera are compact: 129.6x122.3x95.0 mm, well, it weighs only 655 g (complete with battery and card). The body fits comfortably in the hand and does not slip due to the rubberized inserts.

Lens

Professionals note that the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 has a wide range of focal lengths. It was 4.4-277 mm. The photographer thanks to this can capture beautiful landscapes and take group shots without worrying about the fact that someone can not get into the frame.

Huge for its class 63-fold zoom eliminates the sad thoughts about the inability to purchase several interchangeable lenses. Like a professional TV, it will allow you to take photos of wild animals in their natural habitat, without disturbing their peace and without exposing themselves to risks.

Of course, you should not flatter yourself about the characteristics of the lens. He is the most advanced in the class for today, but does not exceed professional optics in terms of performance. Combining the features of a TV and a wide-angle lens, the lens remains amateur. If you are dreaming about a career of a fashion photographer with a queue of customers, painted for six months ahead, remember: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 can play its role exclusively at the training stage. But a truly competitive professional needs technology of a higher class.

Matrix

A lot of features have a matrix (20.1 megapixels) installed on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400. The responses of professionals in this regard sometimes differ: some find it simply excellent and express confidence in its work, well, some people are convinced that for such a camera it is too good. After all, for the production of many models of semi-professional SLR cameras matrices are used more modestly. It is difficult to say who is right, because the result of shooting always depends on the user directly. His skills determine whether he will be able to make full use of the potential of the camera or not. Technically, the matrix Super HAD CCD 1 / 2.3 (7.76 mm) makes it possible to make high-precision images of good quality. You can print them out even in large formats, all the details will be discernible.

Shooting modes

Built-in Intelligent Auto mode on non-professional cameras, like the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400, is a must. Most owners of such equipment are amateurs who do not know how, and do not really want to immerse themselves in the camera settings.

Automatic mode itself selects the necessary parameters, analyzing the lighting, the distance to the object and other conditions in which to take a picture. The photographer does not have to take care of all the little things, but will only focus on the plot.

In addition to intelligent automatic mode, there are other options: simple shooting, aperture priority, panorama, manual exposure, shutter priority.

The camera allows you to choose a scene: shooting in night lighting, high sensitivity, portrait and night portrait, landscape, beach with excessive sunlight, fireworks, snow, still life, animals, party. There are in the menu of this camera and various effects: bright colors, soft colors, toy camera, color filters. They can be applied not only to photos, but also to video recordings.

Party mode will choose the settings when taking photos at a party. The camera will adapt to the surrounding conditions. The special Advanced Flash function allows to increase the sensitivity of the camera automatically and changes the flash range, thereby improving the illumination of objects distant from the photographer. This mode is suitable for rooms with insufficient lighting, where the built-in camera flash will not be enough.

"Videography" mode

Photo and video - two main modes of shooting in Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400. Overview of the possibilities of creating video in HD format should start with a description of the technology Optical SteadyShot, which helps to stabilize the image. It relieves the operator from the need to constantly use a tripod. Zoom allows you to shoot even those objects that are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.

Just turn the mode switch, which is on the upper surface of the camera body, to switch it from the "Photo" mode to the "Video" mode.

Battery

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 is equipped with an X-Series lithium ion battery with a large capacity, which is an average of 300 frames or 2.5 hours of video mode. This reserve is quite enough not only for walking around the neighborhood or a party, but also for a trip or excursion.

Camera display

The 3-inch ClearPhoto monitor with a resolution of 460 800 pixels is another distinguishing feature of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400. The owners' reviews unanimously testify that even in direct sunlight the image on the monitor remains clear.

Professionals remind that there are no protective anti-impact coatings on this camera, the display requires careful treatment. With careless handling, scratches and even cracks are inevitable. Going on a long journey or for a walk, be sure to use a trunk.

Equipment

Buying a camera, together with it you will get a removable belt with the manufacturer's logo, a battery and a charger for it, a cord for connecting to a computer, a cover on the lens.

In addition, you can purchase a lot of accessories: a bag or a backpack for carrying a camera and everything needed, a lens hood, a lens cleaning kit. Of course, you will need a flash card. Some immediately acquire an additional battery, but, as a rule, it is relevant for professionals who make a few thousand pictures a day. Although if you like to travel, especially where there is no electricity, a replacement battery will always come in handy.

All these things greatly facilitate the work of the photographer and help keep the technique in good condition for many years.