Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V Review

The Sony Cyber-shot HX100V is a 16.2 Megapixel super-zoom camera with a 30x stabilized lens and a flip-up 3 inch LCD screen. Released concurrently with the Cyber-shot HX9V pocket super-zoom in February 2011, the HX100V shares the same Exmor-R back-illuminated CMOS sensor in a larger SLR-styled body with a much longer zoom range.

With a sensor in common, the HX100V shares many of the HX9V’s features, including 1080p50/60 HD video, 10fps burst shooting, 3D and sweep panorama modes, along with a built-in GPS receiver. The Cyber-shot HX100V also includes the composite Hand-held Twilight and Anti Motion Blur modes in addition to new Backlight Correction HDR and Background Defocus modes.

The Cyber-shot HX100V is Sony’s first DSLR-styled super-zoom model since the Cyber-shot HX1 back in 2009. Since then Canon and Panasonic have established a strong position in this market with the PowerShot SX30 IS, and the Lumix FZ100 and FZ45 / 40 (not to mention the latest FZ47 / FZ48). Does the Cyber-shot HX100V have what it takes to re-establish Sony in the Super-zoom market, or has two years out of the game given the competition too much of a lead for Sony to regain? Let’s find out in our full review of the Sony Cyber-shot HX100V.

According to dpreview:

There is a lot to like about the HX100V. Its 30x optical zoom lens, which covers 27-810mm (equivalent) is incredibly versatile, the camera feels great in the hand, is comfortable to use and its 16MP sensor provides image quality which, at most ISO sensitivity settings compares well with the best of its competition. Especially impressive is the HX100V’s video mode, which offers a maximum quality of 1080/60p from 60fps sensor output. In addition, as we’ve found with other recent Sony cameras, both compact and interchangeable lens models, high-speed modes like Backlight Correction HDR and Hand-held twilight work well and add real value to the camera.

The Achilles’ heel of the HX100V is without a doubt, its slow operational performance. Its headlline fast framerate modes are exactly that – fast – but basic operations like reviewing images in playback and switching modes involve significant wait times that can easily mean the difference between capturing or missing that special moment.

Category: Camera Reviews, Sony