Sony DSC-HX400V settings, tips and tricks

Introduction

This is an advanced manual for the SONY HX400V with tips and tricks. I’ll be going through the entire menu system with you and explain you exactly what is what, giving you tips on how to setup your camera along the way. The Sony H400V has little in common with the older HX300, so you’ll see lots of differences in the menu if you come from that camera. Although the basic features did not change (a 1 2/3 BSI CMOS sensor with 20 million pixels and  a 50x zoom ranging from 24-1200 mm), several defects have been corrected  like a more powerful new Bionz X processor, slightly redesigned optical formula, Wi-Fi and NFC, a new user interface like the Sony RX100 and an accessory hot shoe.

This new menu system might look confusing at first, but you’ll quickly get the hang of it if you spend some time reading this Sony HX400V guide. The Sony manual does offer insights on this, but to be honest, it does not give you a page by page explanation as I do. So sit back, read carefully and get ready to learn. If there is a feature that you don’t want to tweak or learn, just skip it and move to the next chapter.

Diving into the MENU system

When you switch on your camera, you’ll be asked to enter a date, time and timezone. This setting is necessary, as all images captured will have a timestamp, making it easy to find your favorite pictures in the future.
After this is setup, press the MENU button. You’ll see a range of icons and pages.
We’ll start at page 1 of the camera Icon (camera settings)

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 1)

Image size:

The larger the image size, the more detail will be reproduced when the image is saved. The smaller the image size, the more images can be recorded. Much depend upon the intended use for your images, but if you can spare the extra expense of a larger SD card, I would recommend you to set the image size to large.

Knowing the size in pixels at different aspect ratios and quality levels can tell you how large you can print. An A3 print is 3508 pixels x 4961 pixels, so you can comfortably print your images on an A3 paper if you set the Image size to Large. Setting image size to medium would correspond to your image filling on a full-screen 4Kmonitor.

The of your image in pixels when Aspect Ratio is 3:2:

• L: 18M 5184×3456 pixels
• M: 8.9M 3648×2432 pixels
• S:: 4.5M 2592×1728 pixels

The size of your image in pixels when Aspect Ratio is 4:3: (RECOMMENDED):

• L: 20M 5184×3888 pixels
• M: 10M 3648×2736 pixels
• S: 5.0M 2592×1944 pixels
• VGA 640×480 pixels

The size of your image in pixels when Aspect Ratio is 16:9:

• L: 115M 5184×2920 pixels
• M: 7.5M 3648×2056 pixels
• S: 2.1M 1920×1080 pixels

The size of your image in pixels when Aspect Ratio is 1:1:

• L: 15M 3888×3888 pixels
• M: 7.5M 2736×2736 pixels
• S: 3.7M 1920×1920 pixels

Aspect Ratio

You can choose 4:3 (which uses the full sensor surface), 3:2, 1:1 or 16:9 (crop but a more broad view). Unless you are not interested in editing your images later, leave as is at 4:3, you can always crop in a photo editor. Remember that if you decide to use a different aspect ratio, what is cropped out will not be saved.

Quality:

The HX400V is not capable of storing RAW images. RAW basically means that all the information captured by the camera’s sensor is saved unprocessed.

Instead, this camera saves it as a JPEG file. This Jpeg will have gone through all your settings like added sharpness, noise reduction, white balance, etc as well as being compressed to a certain degree.
You have two compression options available: FINE (larger) and STANDARD (smaller, less quality) which takes up less space on your SD card but is less suited for editing afterward.

I always recommend setting Quality to Fine. When you’re investing in a good camera like this, you don’t want to miss out on the fantastic detail in can produce.

Panorama size

(Only available when in panorama shooting mode on the mode dial) Size is selectable between standard and wide. Wide means your picture will cover a larger area. Set it to standard, having to scan an even broader area when making panoramas will take some experience with the camera to do efficiently.

Size is selectable between standard and wide. Wide means your picture will cover a larger area. Set it to standard, having to scan an even broader area when making panoramas will take some experience with the camera to do efficiently.

Set it to standard, having to scan an even broader area when making panoramas will take some experience with the camera to do efficiently.

Panorama direction

A panorama picture is a composite of several images stitched together. When in this mode, you’ll see an arrow that guides you in what direction and speed you should pan the camera to take the sequential images that will be stitched together. You can choose the path in this menu (either, up, down, left or right).

You can make panoramas while scanning your camera up-down or left-right.So what is this all about?  This might sound confusing at first, but this comes down to how you hold the Sony DSC-HX400V when shooting panoramas: either in portrait or landscape orientation.

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 2)

File format (for movies)

Selects the movie file format.

• AVCHD: Records HD movies in AVCHD format. This file format is suitable for high-definition TV. Audio: Dolby Digital
• MP4: Records mp4 (AVC) movies. This format is suitable for playback on smartphones or tablets, web uploads, email attachments, etc. Audio: AAC.

Record setting (also a movie setting)

You can choose the quality of recorded video here. You can change the image size, frame rate, and image quality for movie recording. The higher the bitrate, the higher the image quality. If you’re not familiar with this, leave as is.

When File Format is set to AVCHD:

• 60i/50i: Movies are recorded at approximately 60 fields/sec (for 1080 60i-compatible devices) or 50 fields/sec (for 1080 50i-compatible devices), in interlaced mode, with Dolby Digital audio, in AVCHD format.
• 24p/25p: Movies are recorded at approximately 24 frames/sec (for 1080 60i-compatible devices) or 25 frames/sec (for 1080 50i-compatible devices), in progressive mode, with Dolby Digital audio, in AVCHD format.
• 60p/50p: Movies are recorded at approximately 60 frames/sec (for 1080 60i-compatible devices) or 50 frames/sec (for 1080 50i-compatible devices), in progressive mode, with Dolby Digital audio, in AVCHD format.

When  File Format is set to MP4:

• Movies shot are recorded in MPEG-4 format, at approximately 60 frames/sec (for 1080 60icompatible devices), approximately 50 frames/sec (for 1080 50i-compatible devices), approximately 30 frames/sec (for 1080 60i-compatible devices) or approximately 25 frames/sec (for 1080 50i-compatible devices), in progressive mode, with AAC audio, MP4 format.

Menu items details: Settings also depend on your isterion setting PAL/NTSC

When File Format is set to AVCHD:

• 60i/50i 24M(FX): 50i 24M(FX: Records high image quality movies of 1920 × 1080 (60i/50i). Bit-rate: Approx. 24 Mbps (Max.)
• 60i/50i 17M(FH) (default setting)*: 50i 17M(FH) (default setting): Records standard image quality movies of 1920 × 1080 (60i/50i). Bit-rate: Approx. 17 Mbps (Avg.)
• 60p/50p 28M(PS): Records the highest image quality movies of 1920 × 1080 (60p/50p). Bit-rate: Approx. 28 Mbps (Max.)
• 50p 28M(PS): Records the highest image quality movies of 1920 × 1080 (60p/50p). Bit-rate: Approx. 28 Mbps (Max.)
• 24p/25p 24M(FX): 25p 24M(FX)**: Records high image quality movies of 1920 × 1080 (24p/25p). This produces a cinema-like atmosphere. Bit-rate: Approx. 24 Mbps (Max.)
• 24p/25p 17M(FH): 25p 17M(FH)**: Records standard image quality movies of 1920 × 1080 (24p/25p). This produces a cinema-like atmosphere. Bit-rate: Approx. 17 Mbps (Avg.)

When File Format is set to MP4:

• 1440×1080 12M (default setting): Records movies of 1440 × 1080. Bit-rate: Approx. 12 Mbps (Avg.)
• VGA 3M: Records movies of VGA size. Bit-rate: Average 3 Mbps.

General notes:

• 60p/50p movies can be played back only on compatible devices.
• Movies recorded with the [60p 28M(PS)]/[50p 28M(PS)]/[60i 24M(FX)]/[50i 24M(FX)]/ [24p 24M(FX)] /[25p 24M(FX)] setting in [ Record Setting] are converted by PlayMemories Home in order to create an AVCHD recording disc. This conversion can take a long time. Also, you cannot create a disc in the original image quality. If you want to keep the original image quality, store your movies on a Blu-ray Disc.
• To play back60p/50p/24p/25p movies on a TV, the TV must be compatible with those formats. If the TV is not compatible with the 24p/25p format, 24p/25p movies will be output as 60i/50i movies.

Drive Mode

You can set the drive mode, such as continuous or self-timer shooting.

• Single Shooting (default setting): Shoots one still image. Normal shooting mode.
• Cont. Shooting: Shoots images continuously while you press and hold down the shutter button. Hi: takes about ten images per second, Lo about three.
• Self-timer: Shoots an image after 10 or 2 seconds. (selectable in sub menu) You can change the angle of the LCD screen and shoot images while monitoring the image on the screen.
• Self-Portrait: When the HX400V detects the number of faces you have selected, a beep will sound and the shooting starts after two seconds.
• Self-timer(Cont): Shoots a specified number of images continuously after 10, 5 or seconds or 2 seconds (selectable in the sub menu).
• Cont. Bracket: Shoots images while holding the shutter button down, each with different degrees of brightness. (3 images between .3 and 3 EV difference, selectable in the sub menu.) For processing as HDR on your PC.
• WB bracket: Shoots a total of three images, each with a different color tone according to the selected settings for white balance, color temperature, and the color filter.  (3 images with either LO small changes or Hi large changes)

Flash Mode

Flash off;

obvious

Autoflash:

The flash works in dark environments or when shooting towards a bright light.

Fill-flash:

The flash works every time you trigger the shutter.

Slow sync:

Tells the camera to use a longer shutter speed along with a flash, and thus is better for night shots. In manual and shutter priority modes, there is no difference in flash power. But when using aperture priority, program, or auto, choosing slow sync tells the camera to use a longer shutter speed than it would ordinarily pick.What the slow sync flash mode actual does is first fire the flash for the subject exposure, then allow for a longer shutter speed that will allow for more ambient light to be captured by the sensor.

Advanced Flash:

The flash automatically operates in dark locations or when there is backlighting. In dark locations, the upper limit value of the ISO sensitivity increases in order to maximize the flash range.

Rear Sync:

Capturing an image involves two shutter actions: one when the capture starts and on when it stops. Rear Sync tells the flash to fire right before the shutter closes. Moving objects will show a streak where they came from and a sharp image where they were at the end of the exposure. This conveys a sense of speed with moving objects. Rear Sync is a creative technique, if you’d like to know more about this type of photography, I’d suggest doing a Google search on ‘Rear Sync Flash Photography.’

Wireless:

When using a wireless flash, the shading effect provides a more 3D appearance to a subject than when using an attached flash. This mode is effective when you attach a remote control-compatible external flash sold separately to the camera, and shoot with a wireless flash, placed away from the product. If you’re looking for a suitable flash, you’ll need one that corresponds to the Sony MIS (multi-interface shoe). If you want to save some money, have a look at brands like Godox or Neewer.

Flash compensation:

Adjusts the amount of flash light in a range of –2.0 EV to +2.0 EV. Flash compensation changes the amount of flash light only. Exposure compensation changes the amount of flash light along with the change of the shutter speed and aperture.

Especially when using Slow Sync or Rear Sync Flash modes, you might have to lower the power of the Flash to get a decently exposed image.

Red Eye Reduction:

This anti-Red Eye setting quickly fires the flash before your image capture starts, reducing the red-eye effect often seen when using the flash.

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 3)

Focus area

You might think it is best to leave it on the factory ‘wide’ setting (as this uses all AF points), but for certain scenes, it is often better to use a zone or flexible spot to get it to focus on what you want.

Wide:

Wide focus area uses all focus points on the sensor. Ideal for action scenes where there is a lot of movement going on in your frame.

Center:

Focusses on whatever is centered in your images. A fail-proof way of getting the camera to focus on what you want. If you have any problems using the autofocus and are in a situation where you don’t want to miss any shots, revert to Center and just make sure you have your subject centered.

Flexible spot:

Flexible spot area selects a spot anywhere on the screen where the camera should focus. (similar to Center spot, except not.. in the center)  You can set it to small, medium or large. If you want to use this focus area, set it to medium or large, as the camera will struggle to find focus when set to small (except perhaps for close-up portraits where you’d want to focus on the iris of the eye)

Focus Lock:

Shoots images with the focus locked on the desired subject in auto focus mode.

1. Set the zoom/focus switch to AF/ZOOM.
2. Place the subject within the AF area and press the shutter button halfway down. The focus is locked.
3. Keep pressing the shutter button halfway down, and place the subject back in the original position to re-compose the shot.
4. Press the shutter button down fully to take the picture.

AF Illuminator:

The AF illuminator is a little red light allowing the camera to focus more easily when the shutter button is pressed halfway. It automatically is switched off when you fully press the shutter. Leave it on.

Exposure Comp

If you find that your image is overexposed (for instance when you are shooting at large apertures for a shallow depth-of-field in bright daylight), you can tweak the exposure compensation here in a plus or minus 2 (exact EV dependent on next step) range.

ISO

You can select at which ISO value you’d like to capture your image or change the AutoISO range
I have this range set between 80-800 as this range is virtually noise free, and I don’t like the ISO performance above 1600. When shooting in low light, you might think of using a higher top value (factory setting goes up to 3200).

Tip: Autofocus will also work better at higher ISO.

Metering Mode

Metering mode refers to the way the camera reads the light and sets the exposure.
In multi, it considers the whole frame and sets exposure according to internal algorithms programmed in camera.
In spot or center, the camera only considers what is in that spot or the center (per example, if your subject is completely black, the camera will try to compensate by overexposing the image).

If you like dark or moody portraits, try setting Metering Mode to Spot or Center, and make sure your subjects face is centrally positioned in the frame. You’ll see that the exposure will be more suitable for the face than when set to Multi.

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 4)

White Balance

You can either:

• Auto (default setting): The product automatically detects the light source and adjusts the color tones.
• Daylight: The color tones are adjusted for the daylight. Shade: The color tones are adjusted for shadiness.
• Cloudy: The color temperature is adjusted for a cloudy sky. Incandescent: The color temperature is adjusted for places under an incandescent lamp, or under bright lightings, such as in a photo studio.
• Incandescent: The color temperature is adjusted for places under an incandescent lamp, or under bright lights, such as in a photo studio.
• Fluor.: Cool White: The color temperature is adjusted for white fluorescent lighting.
• Fluor.: Day White: The color temperature is adjusted for neutral white fluorescent lighting.
• Fluor.: Daylight: The color temperature is adjusted for daylight fluorescent lighting.
• Flash: The color temperature is adjusted for a flash.
• C.Temp./Filter: Adjusts the color tones depending on the light source. Achieves the effect of CC (Color Compensation) filters for photography.
• Custom: Uses the white balance setting saved in [Custom Setup].
• Custom Setup: Memorizes the basic white color under the light conditions for the shooting environment.

DRO/Auto HDR

DRO:

This stands for Dynamic range optimize and analyses the contrast of your scene in real-time. It produces an image with optimal brightness and recovered shadow detail. You can use this function even while the subject is moving or during the continuous shooting.

• D-Range Optimizer: Auto (default setting): Corrects the brightness automatically.
• D-Range Optimizer: Lv1 ― D-Range Optimizer: Lv5: Optimizes the gradation of a recorded image for each divided area. Select the optimization level from Lv1 (weak) to Lv5 (strong)

Auto HDR:

This feature Shoots three images with different exposures and then overlays the bright area of the underexposed image and the dark area of the over exposed image to create a picture with an extended range from highlight to shadow.
The highlight detail in auto HDR is better than that in DRO and with reduced noise. The shutter is released three times, so using this function for moving subjects is not recommended.

• Auto HDR: Exposure Diff. Auto (default setting): Corrects the exposure difference automatically. Auto HDR: Exposure Diff. 1.0EV ―
• Auto HDR: Exposure Diff. 6.0EV: Sets the exposure difference, based on the contrast of the subject. Select the optimal level between 1.0 EV (weak) and 6.0 EV (strong). For example, if you set the exposure value to 2.0 EV, three images will be composed of the following exposure levels; −1.0 EV, optimal exposure, and +1.0 EV

Creative Style

This menu setting allows you to select the desired image processing. You can adjust exposure (shutter speed and aperture) as you like with [Creative Style], unlike with [Scene Selection] where the product adjusts the exposure.

• Standard (default setting): For shooting various scenes with rich gradation and beautiful colors.
• Vivid: The saturation and contrast are heightened for shooting striking images of colorful scenes and subjects such as flowers, spring greenery, blue sky, or ocean views.
• Portrait: For shooting the skin color in a soft tone, ideally suited for shooting portraits.
• Landscape: The saturation, contrast, and sharpness are heightened for shooting vivid and crisp scenery. Distant landscapes also stand out more.
• Sunset: For shooting the beautiful red of the setting sun.
• Black & White: For shooting images in black and white monotone.
• Sepia: For shooting images in sepia monotone.

Contrast, Saturation, and Sharpness can be adjusted for each Creative Style item. Select an item to be set by pressing the right/left side of the control wheel, then set the value using the top/bottom side of the control wheel.

• Contrast: The higher the value selected, the more the difference of light and shadow is accentuated, and the bigger the effect on the image.
• Saturation: The higher the value selected, the more vivid the color. When a lower value is selected, the color of the image is restrained and subdued.
• Sharpness: Adjusts the sharpness. The higher the value selected, the more the contours are accentuated, and the lower the value selected, the more the contours are softened.

Picture Effect

Think of this menu as an Instagram app right in your camera, with all kinds of retro filters and effects. These are only available when quality is set to Jpeg (Not in RAW). You can perform detailed settings for some of the effects by using the left/right side of the control wheel.

• Off (default setting): Disables the Picture Effect function.
• Toy Camera: Creates a soft image with shaded corners and reduced sharpness.
• Pop Color: Creates a vivid look by emphasizing color tones.
• Posterization: Creates a high contrast, abstract look by heavily emphasizing primary colors, or in black and white.
• Retro Photo: Creates the look of an aged photo with sepia color tones and faded contrast.
• Soft High-key: Creates an image with the indicated atmosphere: bright, transparent, ethereal, tender, soft.
• Partial Color: Creates an image which retains a specific color, but converts others to black and white.
• High Contrast Mono.: Creates a high-contrast image in black and white.
• Soft Focus: Creates an image filled with a soft lighting effect.
• HDR Painting: Creates the look of a painting, enhancing the colors and details.
• Rich-tone Mono.: Creates an image in black and white with rich gradation and reproduction of details.
• Miniature: Creates an image which enhances the subject vividly, with the background defocused considerably. This effect may often be found in pictures of miniature models.
• Watercolor: Creates an image with ink bleed and blurring effects as if painted using watercolors.
• Illustration: Creates an illustration-like image by emphasizing the outlines.

Focus Magnifier

Another quite handy feature if you want to check if your image is in focus. It means that you can check the focus by enlarging the image before shooting. Great for shooting in manual focus or DMF. You can also set how long the magnified image will be shown in the Focus Magnif. Time setting. (custom settings).

Press on the center of the control wheel to enlarge the image and select the position you want to enlarge using up/down/left/right side of the control wheel. You can change the magnifier scaling in two steps by pressing in the center, and close the focus magnifier mode and return to the normal shooting display by pressing three times

You can change the magnifier scaling in two steps by pressing in the center, and close the focus magnifier mode and return to the normal shooting display by pressing three times.

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 5)

If you’ve stumbled on my guide trying to find where to turn on Long Exposure noise reduction, I’ll have to disappoint you. Although one on the most requested features, the DSC-HQ90V does not have this functionality.

High ISO NR

Here you can select the amount of noise reduction applied to images with high ISO settings (when quality is set to jpeg). As Sony has rather aggressive noise reduction, I would chance it to Low. (if not, you run the risk of getting paint-like, smeared images at higher ISO values)

Lock-on AF

This is a very powerful autofocus feature. When turned ON, it allows you to track a subject. In the iAuto mode, you can access this feature (when turned ON and the camera is set to AF) by pressing the Center button of the multi-controller. You’ll see a square on your screen, then center your desired tracking subject and the camera will continue to track it, even when it exits your frame and reappears.

Smile/Face Detect

This is another powerful feature. It can be set to automatically detect on focus on faces and enable a function called Smile Shutter. When the latter is enabled, the camera will automatically capture an image when a smile is detected. Did I hear you say Selfie? Yes, it’s the ultimate selfie tool.

Soft skin effect

Sets the effect used for shooting the skin smoothly in the Face Detection function. I don’t like the results, so on my camera, it is turned off.

Auto Object Framing

When enabled, the Sony HX400V will automatically crop your captured image to what it deems best. Meaning it will cut the picture for a nicer composition. A nice feature if you don’t want to bother too much with the technical side of photography.

Scene Selection

Allows you to shoot with preset settings according to the scene.

1. Set the mode dial to SCN (Scene Selection).
2. MENU → (Camera Settings) → [Scene Selection SCN] → desired mode. When [Mode Dial Guide] is set to [On], you can select the desired settings after you have changed the position of the mode dial.

These presets are available:

• Portrait: Blurs background and sharpens the subject. Accentuates the skin tones softly.
• Adv.Sports Shooting: Allows you to shoot subjects with fast movements, such as sports. While the shutter is pressed halfway, the movement of the subject is predicted and the focus will be adjusted.
• Landscape: Shoots the entire range of a scenery in sharp focus with vivid colors.
• Night Scene: Shoots night scenes without losing the dark atmosphere.
• Hand-held Twilight: Shoots night scenes with less noise and blur without using a tripod. A burst of shots are taken, and image processing is applied to reduce subject blur, camera shake, and noise.
• Night Portrait: Shoots night scene portraits using the flash.
• Anti Motion Blur: Allows you to shoot indoor shots without using the flash and reduces subject blur. The product shoots burst images and combines them to create the image, reducing subject blur and noise.
• Pet: Allows you to shoot images of your pet with the best settings.
• Gourmet: Allows you to shoot food arrangements in delicious and bright colors.
• Beach: Allows you to shoot scenes on the beach in bright and vivid colors even under the sunlight.
• Snow: Allows you to shoot clear images, preventing sunken colors in snowy scenes or other places where the whole screen appears white.
• Fireworks: Allows you to shoot images of fireworks in all their splendor.
• Soft Skin: Allows you to shoot images of faces with a smoother look.
• High Sensitivity: Allows you to shoot still images even in dark locations without using the flash, and reduces subject blur. Also allows you to shoot dark movie scenes more brightly.

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 6)

Movie

You can adjust the shutter speed or aperture value to your desired settings for recording movies. You can also check the image angle before shooting.

• Program Auto: Allows you to shoot with the exposure adjusted automatically (both the shutter speed and the aperture value).
• Aperture Priority: Allows you to shoot after adjusting the aperture value manually.
• Shutter Priority: Allows you to shoot after adjusting the shutter speed manually.
• Manual Exposure: Allows you to shoot after adjusting the exposure (both the shutter speed and the aperture value) manually

SteadyShot (for movies)

Sets SteadyShot when shooting movies.

Here you have three options:

• Intelligent Active: Provides the most powerful SteadyShot effect. I set it to this.
• Active (default setting): Provides a more powerful SteadyShot effect.
• Standard: Reduces camera shake under stable movie shooting condition.

Auto slow shut. (also a movie setting)

Sets whether or not to adjust the shutter speed automatically when recording movies if the subject is dark. Less light always means a longer shutter time in order to get a correct exposure. As when shooting stills, you might get some blur when you use this feature.

On: The shutter speed automatically slows when recording in dark locations. You can reduce noise in the movie by using a slow shutter speed when recording in the dark.

Off: The recorded movie will be darker than when On is selected, but you can record movies with smoother motion and less object blur.

Micref Level

You can select the microphone level for movie recording to Normal (for dialogue) or Low (for concerts etc).

Wind noise reduct.

Sets whether or not to reduce wind noise during movie recording.

Shooting tip list

This setting basically turns the on-screen shooting tips on or off. If you’re not fully comfortable with the camera, this is an excellent tool in order to get acquainted with all the functions and settings. Once it starts getting on your nerves, it means you know enough to turn it off :).

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 7)

Memory

Allows you to register up to 3 often-used modes or product settings in the product. You can recall the settings using just the mode dial.

Items that can be registered:

• Shooting mode
• Aperture (F number)
• Shutter speed
• Camera Settings
• Optical zoom scale

To recall registered settings: Set the mode dial to MR, then press the right/left side of the control wheel or turn the control wheel to select the desired memory number.

To change registered settings: Change the setting to the desired one and re-register the setting to the same mode number

(MENU → Custom settings (wheel) → page 1)

MF assist

This works in conjunction with the Focus Magnifier on Page 5 of the camera settings. You might remember that you can select the area to magnify there when using manual focus (MF). MF assist will need to be turned on if you want to use this feature.

Focus Magnif Time

You can set how long to hold the magnified area during MF assist. 2 sec, 5 seconds or no limit.

Two seconds is how I have it set up.

Grid Line

Having a grid line on your screen is a helpful aide for the composition of your image.
The human brain is hard-wired to recognize the structure, and most people find a well-composed image more eye-pleasing.
During photography history, rules have been developed on how to compose the different elements best within a scene. Many landscapes you’ll see have the horizon run through the middle of the image for instance, but this is just composition in its simplest form. Many photographers with a thorough understanding of these techniques go far beyond that.
A good starting point is using the in-camera grid to make your brain aware of the possibilities in composition.
The Rules of 3rds, Square and Diag +square are available in the Sony HX400V.

Auto Review

Select the amount of time the camera displays your image directly after capturing the image. 10, 5 and 2 sec is available, or you can turn this feature OFF if it annoys you.

Peaking Level

• Peaking Level is a manual focusing aid that works when you have your camera set to MF or DMF.
• You’ll see a type of noise outlining the parts of your image where the focus lies; you can adjust the sensitivity to high, mid or low.
• Which setting is best depends on what lens you use, as with a sharper lens it can be configured to low, while more soft lenses benefit from a medium or high setting to clearly visualize what you’re focusing on.

Peaking Color

You can choose the color of this Peaking between Red, white and yellow. I have it set to red, as this contrasts nicely with most scenes you capture.

MENU – Custom Settings – page 2

Exposure set guide

Sets the guide displayed when exposure settings are changed in the shooting screen.  Excellent tool when you’re getting to know the functionality of your new camera. If you’re familiar with Sony’s feature, turn it OFF.

Zoom setting

Set to Optical zoom only, using the optical zoom capabilities of your lens. If you set this to digital zoom, the camera will be basically cropping pixels out.

Finder/Monitor

Sets the method for switching the display between Electronic Viewfinder and the screen.

• Auto (default setting): When you look into the Electronic Viewfinder, the display is switched to the Electronic Viewfinder automatically.
• Viewfinder: Switch between the Electronic Viewfinder display and the screen display by pushing up/down the pop-up finder. When the Electronic Viewfinder is pushed down, the image is displayed only on the screen. When the Electronic Viewfinder is pushed up, the screen is turned off and the image is displayed only in the Electronic Viewfinder.

Write Date

Sets whether to record a shooting date on the still image. Remember that you won’t be able to delete the date stamp on your image if it is turned On.

Function menu set

You can assign the functions to be called up when you press the Fn (Function) button.

Custom keys setting

Assigning functions to the various keys allows you to speed up operations by pressing the appropriate key when the shooting information screen is displayed.

MENU – Custom Settings – page 3

Movie button

Sets whether or not to activate the MOVIE button.

• Always (default setting): Starts movie recording when you press the MOVIE button in any mode.
• Movie Mode Only: Starts movie recording when you press the MOVIE button only if the shooting mode is set to Movie mode.

MENU – Wireless functionality – page 1

Send To Smartphone

• You can send one or several images directly to your wireless device (phone or tablet) by pressing this button.
• You can either decide to choose which images you want to transfer on the camera or on the wireless device (via the Sony PlayMemories app, available for free in the apple or android store).
• You’ll have to connect the camera via Wifi first (it makes a Wifi access point), using the instruction on the Sony DSC-HX400V screen.
• It works just like connecting to any other access point with your phone or tablet.
• You should do this as quickly as possible, just to get it out of the way.
• When your phone has wirelessly connected to the camera once, and you’ve entered the password, it will remember this, and make it a lot faster to connect later.

Send to Computer

You’ll need to physically connect the computer to the camera using the supplied USB cable, and you can push selected pictures to your Sony PlayMemories desktop software (installed from the CD or downloaded from their website). This can even be set up to continue pushing images after the camera has turned off.

View On TV

If you have a Wifi-enabled TV, you can view images and slideshows directly from your camera through your home wireless network.

One Touch NFC

Enables Quick, one-touch connection (as opposed to first accessing the camera’s wireless network and then navigating to the Playmemories app) with NFC (near-field communication) capable devices.

I have not tried this (as my iPhone does not have NFC) but it looks a lot easier to use.

Airplane Mode

Disables all wireless functionality, just like airplane mode does on your phone.

WPS Push

If your access point has the WPS button, you can register the access point to the camera easily by pushing the WPS button.

MENU – Wireless functionality – page 2

Access Point Set

Here you can setup an access point for your camera to the internet.

It enables the Sony DSC-HX400V to install PlayMemories apps from the internet directly. Works just like setting an access point (WiFi connection) on your phone.

Edit Device name

If you wish, you can change the name of the Device Access point perhaps to make it easier to identify which A6000 is yours in certain situations.

Disp MAC. address

Displays the MAC address of your Sony DSC-HX400V.

SSID/PW reset

The Sony DSC-HX400V shares the connection information for Send to Smartphone and Smart Remote Embedded with a device that has permission to connect. If you want to change the device that is permitted to connect, reset the connection information.

Reset Network set

Resets all the network settings to default settings.

MENU – Playmemories settings- page 1

Application List

You’ll find The Smart remote control camera app (wich allows you to use your phone as a remote control via PlayMemories phone app for iPhone and Android) and the Playmemories Camera app here.

You can access your online PlayMemories account here, or create an account (once you’ve set up your camera connection with your Wifi network).

You’ll also be able to download new apps available for purchase in the Sony Playmemories online app store like the Time-lapse and smooth reflection app.

If you do not want to connect your camera to the internet, you can always install new apps (and updates) if you connect the camera to your Mac or PC with the supplied USB cable, using the Sony PlayMemories desktop application.

Introduction

You’ll find information about the service and available countries and regions here.

MENU – playback options – page 1

Delete

Delete on or multiple images stored on your SD card.

View Mode

select how the camera will arrange captured images in the viewing browser.

Image Index

Select whether you want the image browser to display 12 (larger) or 30 (smaller) images per page.

 

Slide Show

Select whether you want the camera to repeat slideshows when all pictures are viewed or not, and choose the interval between slides.

Rotate

Change the orientation of images in-camera.

Enlarge Image

Select an image and enlarge a portion of that image. Useful for checking details and focus.

MENU – playback options – page 2

4K Still Image PB

Outputs still images in 4K resolution to an HDMI-connected TV that supports 4K.

Protect

Protect images (selectable or per date) from accidentally being erased.

Motion Interval ADJ

Change the interval of the image tracking of the subject’s motion in high-speed, like a stroboscopic image.

Specify Printing

Specify Printing is a feature that allows images to be marked for printing later. Registered images are displayed with the DPOF mark. (DPOF stands for Digital Print Order Format)

MENU – Setup – page 1

Monitor Brightness

Manually set the Monitor brightness (recommended leave to zero) or change to a brighter setting for Sunny Weather.

Volume settings

Change the playback volume for recorded video or demos.

Audio Signals

You can turn off audio signals like the beep when te camera achieves focus. Useful if you want a more stealthy operation (although you’ll still hear the second curtain shutter).

GPS signals

You can record the location information with the images when the built-in GPS sensor of this product can acquire the location information. Using the software PlayMemories Home, you can import the images recorded with the location information to a computer and enjoy viewing them on a map which shows their shooting location. Refer to the Help of PlayMemories Home for details.

• On: The GPS function is activated.
• Off: The GPS function is turned off. The status icon on the screen may differ depending on the conditions of the signals emitted from the satellites.
• No icon is displayed: GPS is set to Off or an error has occurred.

MENU – Setup – page 2

Title Menu

choose between tiles or a tiled front page when accessing the MENU or a direct tab style menu layout.

Mode Dial Guide

You can display the description of a shooting mode when you turn the mode dial and change the settings available for that shooting mode. Handy when you are learning how to use the Sony DSC-HX400V.

Delete confirm

You can set whether Delete or Cancel is selected as the default setting on the delete confirmation screen.

Display Quality

You can change the display quality. Set to standard to preserve battery life.

• High: Displays in high quality.
• Standard: Displays in standard quality.

Pwr Save Start time

Selects the time it takes for the camera to go into sleep mode if you don’t use it.

Demo Mode

Demo mode is only used in retail stores for demonstration purposes.

MENU – Setup – page 3

HDMI Resolution

When you connect the product to a High Definition (HD) TV with HDMI terminals using an HDMI cable (sold separately), you can select HDMI Resolution to output images to the TV.

• Auto (default setting): The product automatically recognizes an HD TV and sets the output resolution.
• 1080p: Outputs signals in HD picture quality (1080p).
• 1080i: Outputs signals in HD picture quality (1080i).CTRL for HDMI.

CTRL for HDMI

When connecting this product to a BRAVIA compatible TV using an HDMI cable, you can operate this product by aiming the TV remote control at the TV.

Either ON or OFF.

USB connection

Selects what will happen when you connect your camera to your PC or MAC.

• Auto (default setting): Establishes a Mass Storage or MTP connection automatically, depending on the computer or other USB devices to be connected. Windows 7 or Windows 8 computers are connected in MTP, and their unique functions are enabled for use.
• Mass Storage: Establishes a Mass Storage connection between this product, a computer, and other USB devices.
• MTP: Establishes an MTP connection between this product, a computer, and other USB devices. Windows 7 or Windows 8 computers are connected in MTP, and their unique functions are enabled for use.

USB LUN Setting

Improves compatibility with external devices by limiting the functions of the USB connection.
Older devices that are not able to connect to the camera might work when set to single. Otherwise, use Multi.

USB power supply

You can charge theSony DSC-HX400V via USB. This setting sets whether to supply power via the micro USB cable when the product is connected to a computer or an USB device.

MENU – Setup – page 4

Language

Set your preferred language. The advantage of setting it to Eglish is that you’ll find much more information online when you need any troubleshooting.

Date Time Setup

Change date, time, date format and Daylight savings time.

Area setting

Select your region, or change region when abroad, the camera will automatically change time and date for you.

MENU – Setup – page 5

Format

Format your SD card before use; this will erase any images still on the memory card.

File Number

Number your files according to a number of shots or reset it to start from 1.

Select REC folder

Selects where the camera will store newly captured images.

New Folder

Make a new folder for easily organizing events and locations

Folder name

Choose whether to have folder names in standard form (DSC) or create a new one by date. Setting folders by date will make organizing your images easier.

Recover Image DB

If you have a storage card error, you can try to rebuild the database to possibly retrieve lost images.

MENU – Setup – page 6

Display media info

Displays the recordable time of movies and the number of recordable still images for the inserted memory card.

Version

Check what version of the operating system your camera and lens are running. Sony sporadically releases updates with new features, so it might be worth checking if any new firmware versions are available.

 Setting Reset

Fully resets the camera to factory settings.

In the next chapter, I’ll go over all the functionality that I find most useful

Mode dial functions: what’s the difference between intelligent and superior auto?

Intelligent Auto

• This mode lets the camera detect what kind of scene you are photographing. It switches to the scene setting it finds most appropriate, including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and AF mode.
• These different scene settings are the same you’ll find manually selectable in SCN mode.
• All Sony cameras do a good job at detecting scenes, although the advanced photographer will prefer to shoot in Aperture, Shutter priority or fully manual mode in order to have more control over things like depth-of-field, movement, and focusing area.

Superior Auto

• Does the same scene recognition and (when the camera decides it is appropriate) adds hand-held twilight, anti-motion blur, and backlight correction HDR in order to optimize dynamic range, movement and exposure.
• It uses multiple images shot in close succession at high quality and combines them into one jpeg. Works well on stills but should not be used for movement.

Peaking

Peaking enhances the outline of in-focus ranges using a specific color in Manual Focus or Direct Manual Focus shooting.

• This works in MF and DMF focusing modes
• MENU → (Custom Settings) → [Peaking Level] → desired setting.
• It displays a color selectable noise in the regions where the focus is on.
• A low setting is recommended in enough light on the Sony DSC-HX400V.
• In dim light, you might need to go to medium to get a good idea of where the focus is at.

Lock-on AF

Depending on the options selected in [Focus Area] or [Center Lock-on AF], the available functions varies when pressing the key. Found in the Focus Area setting. When you press the key when the [Focus Area] is set to [Wide] or [Center] and [Center Lock-on AF] is [On], [Center Lock-on AF] will activate. The camera will automatically focus while pressing the key when the [Focus Area] is [Wide] or [Center], [Focus Mode] is set to other than [Manual Focus], and [Center Lock on AF] is set to [Off].

• When you press the center button, the camera detects the subject positioned in the center of the screen and continues to track the subject.
• MENU → (Camera Settings) → [Lock-on AF] → [On]
• Align the target frame (A) over the subject and press in the center of the control wheel. Press again to stop tracking.
• If the camera loses track of the subject, it can detect when the subject reappears on the monitor and resume tracking.
• Press the shutter button fully down to shoot the image.

Smile/face detect

When set to On, The Sony DSC-HX400V will automatically detect and focus on faces. This is a very powerful feature.

Go to MENU → (Camera Settings) → [Smile/Face Detect.] and select either:

1. On : Automatically selects a face to be brought into focus.
2. Smile shutter: Automatically detects and shoots a smile. When the Smile/Face Detect. is set to Smile Shutter, you can select the Smile Detection Sensitivity from Slight Smile, Normal Smile or Big Smile.

Conclusion

Although the Sony DSC-HX400V compact camera is deemed an enthusiast oriented or ‘beginner’ camera, you’ll find that it has many of the advanced features of the Sony RX and even ILC line. An advanced manual like this can help you make the most of it, and make you a better photographer. If you’re just starting out in photography, I would suggest taking a look at the SCN or Scene selections that give you a good starting point for any type of activity or subject you’d like to shoot.

There are many hidden features and functions like this inside the Sony HQ400V, and I would suggest taking some time to learn some of them. I know that and advanced guide like this looks daunting at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it by easily following along with your camera’s menu system.