Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: DSC-HX1
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Trade-offs abound in Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 megazoom. Though it's fast and has some really novel, useful features, it just doesn't deliver the photo quality expected for its class.
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CNET editors' review
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 price range: $424.95 - $499.99
- Reviewed by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 04/30/2009
- Released on: 04/29/2009
The good: Fast; tiltable LCD; Hand-held Twilight mode produces better-than-average photos in low light; zooms during movie capture.
The bad: Small EVF; no raw support; HDMI output requires dongle; no standard continuous-shooting mode.
The bottom line: Trade-offs abound in Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 megazoom. Though it's fast and has some really novel, useful features, it just doesn't deliver the photo quality expected for its class.
Camera manufacturers seem to have chosen megazooms as their latest battlefield--and thankfully, the fight isn't just about who's got the biggest lens. In this case, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 incorporates several technologies from the Alpha DSLR products, including a 1/2.4-inch 10-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor (for 9-megapixel images) and 20X f2.8-5.2 28-560mm-equivalent optically stabilized lens based on the company's higher-quality G series optics. In theory, the combination should deliver better photo quality than we're used to seeing in this class. In practice, it doesn't. Fast performance, solid video, and some truly interesting features make it worth considering, but the specter of middling photo quality will haunt your decision like the ghost of vacation pictures past.
The design ranges along a continuum from smoothly functional to awkward. It's relatively compact for a megazoom, just over a pound with dimensions of 4.6 inches wide by 3.4 inches high by 3.6 inches deep, with a big grip that makes it comfortable to hold. The body is somewhat cluttered with buttons. On the top left you've got a button that toggles between the too-small electronic viewfinder and the tiltable but low-resolution 3-inch LCD. Behind the pop-up flash sits the stereo microphone. Next to that is the power button, with a review button and custom button that you can use as one of only three shortcuts: white balance, metering or Smile Shutter. At the front top of the grip is the shutter with a zoom switch. The zoom feels pretty typical for this class; it operates smoothly, but because it's stepped you never quite stop where you expect. In the middle lie the focus selection and drive mode buttons.
You adjust aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity via a jog dial that falls under your right thumb. I like this type of operation, and it's a blessing because the standard four-way navigation switch plus enter button is irritating to use. It's too flat, with no travel, so you always feel like you have to press harder but can't. In addition to traversing the menus, this switch toggles macro mode, flash options, self-timer, and display options. Within the top-level menus you can set image size, white balance, metering, bracket size (in third, two-third or full-stop increments) and type (exposure, white balance or color), face detection, flash intensity and red-eye reduction, Dynamic Range Optimization amount, noise reduction amount, color effects, contrast, sharpness and Steady Shot image stabilization mode.
Finally, the mode dial offers all the typical shooting modes--manual and semimanual (PASM), intelligent auto, Easy, Anti Motion Blur (raises ISO sensitivity and shutter speed), programmed scene, and movie--plus two novelties: Sweep Panorama and Hand-held Twilight. In Sweep Panorama mode, you pan the camera horizontally or vertically while it continuously snaps enough shots to build a 4,912x1,080 (standard) or 7,152x1,080 (wide) panorama, which it automatically stitches together when you lift your finger from the shutter. It's fun and amazing to play with, and the results look decent--if you don't look too closely. The 1,080-pixel limitation makes the images too low resolution to resolve any real detail, the exposure gets fixed at the beginning, which can result in blown-out highlights with bad fringing, and anything in motion produces a variety of odd effects. There's no manual but a high-resolution alternative if you'd like the shoot a better-quality panorama.
However, the Hand-held Twilight mode, for low light but flash-free shooting, fares a lot better. Here, the camera bursts several shots at a high ISO sensitivity, then combines them to produce a brighter, sharper photo with lower-than-normal noise. I was initially skeptical, but it works surprisingly well and is a compelling feature for photographic night owls.
The HX1 unequivocally leads its class for performance. It powers on and shoots in a surprisingly zippy 2 seconds, and typically focuses and shoots in 0.4 second. It's a hair slower than the SX1 at focusing and shooting in low-contrast conditions, but delivers in a still respectable 0.7 second. At 1.4 seconds for two sequential shots--1.7 seconds with flash--it's pretty fast.
And, of course, there's the 10-shot ultra high-speed burst mode, which we clocked at 10.6 frames per second. (You can also choose to scale that back to 5fps and 2fps, or drop the resolution and get faster shooting.) Keep in mind, however, that after that speedy 10-shot burst you have to wait another 16 seconds for the camera to write the photos to the card. That's with the fastest card you can currently buy, a SanDisk Extreme III MemoryStick Pro-HG Duo 30MB/sec version. Combined with the lack of a regular slow-but-steady burst that can shoot a larger number of frames, the HX1 becomes far less useful for continuous shooting than it really should be. Too bad, because the AF is quite fast and seems to keep up with the burst. And given the demands placed on the camera--large LCD, high-speed burst, HD video--the battery seems to last a relatively long time.
Alas, the photo quality is the weakest aspect of the HX1. Megazooms typically don't have the best quality, especially given their prices, and the HX1 fares a bit worse than many of its competitors in this respect, mostly from what looks like poor image processing rather than any real issue with the lens or sensor. It's capable of producing relatively sharp photos, and the lens displays little distortion or penchant for inducing fringing artifacts. The colors look good--appropriately saturated and relatively accurate--and it delivers correct, even exposures. But most nonmacro shots are a bit soft and have that smeary look associated with aggressive noise suppression at the default noise-reduction setting and even at low ISO sensitivities. As a result, shots that look nice on the camera display disappoint when viewed or printed at full size.
If you're more interested in video, the camera's 1080p movie capture looks a bit better. Though it does only 1,440x1,080, rather than 1,920x1080, at 30 frames per second, and the video suffers from the same general softness as the stills, the movies it produces (H.264 compressed MPEG-4 files) have solid exposure and focus. Like most models, the camera could really use a wind filter. But the most annoying thing about its video support is the bundled dongle--one of those add-on connectors that you're bound to lose within weeks of unpacking the camera--you need to use to make an HDMI connection to an HDTV.
At its price, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 competes directly with the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, which isn't as fast and lacks the HD video and low-light shooting features of the HX1, but shoots better daylight photos, and the Casio Exilim EX-FH20, which matches it in the novelty features department but also has photo quality issues. While it's always a good rule to figure out what you're most likely to be shooting before choosing a digital camera, it's never been more important than with the HX1.
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User reviews
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The best bridge camera available
by Sooperuser on June 1, 2009
Pros: Great speed.
Excellent video quality. (I sold my camcorder!)
Photo quality is great! (for a Point and Shoot)
Twilight mode is excellent.
Very lightweight.Cons: Viewfinder is useless. Too small.
Wish continuous burst mode was not limited to 10frames.Summary: For those expecting professional greade photos this is not for you. If you need a camera that can do everything well, then buy this camera! The image quality falls between ...
Summary: For those expecting professional greade photos this is not for you. If you need a camera that can do everything well, then buy this camera! The image quality falls between a point and shoot and a DSLR. So it is better than the credit card size cameras but not as good as the big boys. The video quality is better than most camcorders. I am blown away by the combination. I do not agree with the editor's review here. I think that this camera fills a niche market that is all in one. The image quality is great for its market and the video quality surpasses any DSLR including this feature. Let me be clear- there is no other CAMERA that has produced HD video this good! The video is on par with high quality camcorders that cost more money.
So, for my trip to NYC in a few weeks I can take one camera and be fine. Defintely an A+ effort put into this product by Sony. Consider me impressed.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The Most Perfect Cam For My Use :)
by xoxowanits on May 20, 2009
Pros: All the stuff in this camera, i LOVE all of those.
Cons: Those things I expected for this camera to be capable of, but is not...
Summary: 4.5 over 5.0 stars, because it is almost perfect. I?m playing with it for 14 days already and counting, and here are some of Poinky?s features ...
Summary: 4.5 over 5.0 stars, because it is almost perfect. I?m playing with it for 14 days already and counting, and here are some of Poinky?s features I loved the most:
- It is smaller and lighter than I expected before seeing it for real. Very good for traveling. :)
- The 20x zoom is very realistic, I?ve tested it for several times and it did not disappoint me, it?s just big blurry sometimes because of my shaky hands. Here?s one of the pictures I?ve taken 20x zoomed.
- I love the high quality image it produce outdoors, specially when it is bright sunny day. It shoots like a dslr in this category. (bright-lit places) Like this one.
- The retouch system that you can use in the camera itself is a magic. I photographed a decor here at my Tita?s house which is a wooden sunflower. Then I tried some of the retouch tools and here?s the outcomes. The first photo you?ll see is the original picture, the next are retouched. :)
- The battery life is very long, I love it. I could use it for 2-3 days of experimenting and playing with it. Though when you take videos/movies it kills the battery faster, but still good.
- The movie mode is awesome! The zoom still works when you hit the shutter button (which is disabled on my poor p200) and the zoom is a bit slower than the normal zoom for a better effect, and the 20x zoom is still available for video taking. You could use its video for making some of like little movies and music videos.
- It is VERY nice that this cam is not just good in photographing photos, but also taking videos? Unlike some cams that the video and photo quality is not equal. It?s like you bought a camcorder and a mini-dslr in one.
And these are some of ?not-so-good? stuff and the reason why I only gave 4.5 over 5.0 stars.
- In low lit places it?s not THAT nice like how nice it takes when you photograph in bright places. But still good?
- The format of the videos are .MP4 which I?m not really familiar with. But I got a good resolution about this, I got a video converter, and it lessens also the file size, and lessens just 1 to 3% of its quality. ;]
I?m still learning, about those Aperture etc etc, and it?s PERFECT camera for me, a twelve year old girl & for my whole family. :] If you?ll buy a cam, and your priority are excellent features, lighter and smaller than a dslr, then get this. ;] What?s great about this than a dslr is that it has a movie mode. :)1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Poor image quality
by ptople on May 13, 2009
Pros: The HX1 does things no other camera can do
Cons: I have used this camera for two weeks and the image quality will be fall apart when you scale up in photoshop.. this is very disappointing. Pixels can be seen even at the highest quality setting.
Summary: This camera is amazing in making image capture easy, but I would like to see better quality in the images..especially if you want to make prints bigger than 5x7.
Summary: This camera is amazing in making image capture easy, but I would like to see better quality in the images..especially if you want to make prints bigger than 5x7.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Powerfull camera
by John_Nillo on May 7, 2009
Pros: Image quality is very good, sweep panorama is awesome, intelligent scene selection works pretty fast, and enhanced face detection feature can remember faces, and then give them priority in future photos, camera also has smile detection.
Cons: Why not 10Mpx? Just didn't understand !!
Summary: The high speed burst mode 10fps at full 9mpx, really gets that once in a lifetime moment and who cares if it makes you wait for 10-15 seconds to write ...
Summary: The high speed burst mode 10fps at full 9mpx, really gets that once in a lifetime moment and who cares if it makes you wait for 10-15 seconds to write to the card? You have already gotten the moment !!!
I have had others cameras like Pany FZ28 and Canon SX10is, and I can honestly say the HX1 is a camera you should not miss out, this camera is amazing. And I didn?t even talk about the video yet!!! The HD movie capture is better than the others, its huge 1440 x 1080, zooms during movie, with stereo sound record, really a hybrid camera.
Besides, anti motion blur mode is very good in low light, CMOS sensor, a 3" LCD screen, the flash automatically pop-up when required (the others don?t) and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization.
Overall, the camera is so fun to play with, love it, and highly recommend, you won?t regret.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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"Do not" be fooled. Buyer beware. (You were warned.)
by piero_astorino on July 7, 2009
Pros: The only "true" (in real world, not just on paper) improvement over the camera it replaces (the DSC-50) is they resolved the noise issue with recording movies (too many units had this problem, where is quality control?) and it now records in stero.
Cons: Records only MP4. Need to download Haali Media Splitter & FFDshow just to get it to play back in WMP11. I was stupid for ignoring warnings the CNET staff mention in their video about quality sacrifice. The pictures are terrible despite the lens.
Summary: The only "true" (in real world, not just on paper) improvement over the camera it replaces (the DSC-50) is they resolved the noise issue with recording movies (too many units ...
Summary: The only "true" (in real world, not just on paper) improvement over the camera it replaces (the DSC-50) is they resolved the noise issue with recording movies (too many units had this problem, where is quality control?) and it now records in stero. I returned my DSC-50 because of the noise issue and since it's discontinued they gave me the HX1. It records only in MP4. You will panic until you search the internet for hours and realize you need to download Haali Media Splitter and FFDshow just to get it to play back in Windows Media Player. These types of media players are a must if you want to pass around video to friends easily. Otherwise, you have to burn a DVD. Haven't found one for RealPlayer and the DivX player plays back the files too slow even on my super maxed out raid configured PC. In MP4 format, the video file size is GIGANTIC. Your only choice really is to burn to a DVD since performance to do anything else prevents other options to be realistic or maybe i"m just expecting too much. You can however use the included software to convert your "HD" video to .wmv format. It will degrade the video to a noise filled 680x480 .wmv and will take 4 billion years to convert one minute of MP4 video. Why did they even bother?
The biggest disappointment of all is the picture quality. I read ever review on here, and I don't understand the good ones. This camera is sub par in terms of the photo quality. I mean ever picture I have (tonnes) I took with my DSC-50 noticably to the novice naked eye is far better than any picture taken with the HX1. When the CNET staff video says quailty is sacrified, it was no joke. I was a fool not to listen to the good advice of the staff here.
The burst is the most "annoying" if you count the bad photo quality as "disappointing". It takes an eternity to record a small burst of photos. The DSC-50 before it was far better.
The zoom goes a little further, but I'm surprised it doesn't go out more. The XZoom doesn't really mean anything between cameras as a 10X on one lens could be the equivalent of a 12X on another. Basically they went from 15X to 20X but the HX1 doesn't seem to have made a leap with it's 20X.
The most heart breaking part of all this is I'm going to Rome for a week and I'm stuck with the HX1. I'm going to try to return it. They did improve the absolutely unaccpetable battery life of the DSC-50 but now it's a bulky big battery. And guess what they did??? No idea? They made it a different battery from all the other cybershots so my old extra batteries I bought for the DSC-50 won't work on the HX1. Sony batteries never live up to their specs so I have to buy another one. With Sony, you always need at least two with you.
In the end, I could get into the specs in detail but most people would get lost so I'll keep this high level.
Do not buy this camera. Stick to Canon, Olympus or Nikon. Those are the best. Sony products are now like GM. The heads are running it into the ground in every product line and the brand won't save them for long as the number of customers leaving will grow year after year. Fuji camera's are like Fords, cheap and made cheap.
This camera is a no.1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Picture quality is a huge disapointment...
by lukkas71 on October 19, 2009
Pros: This camera is quite doing well in this areas: functions, display, zoom range, HD quality video, speed, li-on battery supplied.
Cons: Picture quality, picture quality and picture quality... its quite not "handy" as well and bigger as should be.
Summary: I do not use to write comments, but this time just had to... I was selecting from super zoom cameras quite long time, did not care about price, wanted the ...
Summary: I do not use to write comments, but this time just had to... I was selecting from super zoom cameras quite long time, did not care about price, wanted the best what's on the market "all in one" . The huge disapoitment of this camera is picture quality in any situation, the sun in the back, dusk or sunset...it can has any function, but cameara is for pictures not for functions...what is the case of HX1. When a compared pictures in 25% or 100% of size with even very old and cheap Nikon compact, the result was the same, if not worst. In comparation with basic DSLR it was just a shame for this price range camera. If you want to be sure of picture quality just buy DSLR, for the money of this Sony (over 400?) you can get qood one, as i am decided definitely now, as I returned it back. Good luck!
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Awesome, all in one camera!
by sqshydog on August 28, 2009
Pros: ease of use, all around speed, expansive/flexible features, great photo quality, auto pop-up flash
Cons: mp4 video format, no RAW
Summary: I grew tired of lugging around lenses and was looking for something convenient and easy to replace my DSLR and ancient Sony DSC S85. I'm not a pro but ...
Summary: I grew tired of lugging around lenses and was looking for something convenient and easy to replace my DSLR and ancient Sony DSC S85. I'm not a pro but I like to "play". I originally bought the new Olympus SP590 UZ. I ditched it post haste (!) and tried the Nikon P90. After a few days of playing around with that one and not feeling totally good about the performance and results, I promptly returned that, also. I bought the DSC HX1 that I originally wanted. Simply put, the HX1 is super easy to use and a much better product overall, in my opinion. It is well put together and nicely balanced in the hand. While it is not heavy, it feels like a substantial camera.
The menus are intuitive and incredibly easy to navigate. I was zooming around the various features by touch after only a few minutes of reviewing the layout. They may seem easier to me because I have always had a DSC model camera as a back up, though. I guess I'm used to the way Sony "thinks" in that regard.
Start up is super fast and I don't even notice any shutter lag while taking consecutive shots under normal lighting conditions. Even in lower light, fast shooting situations, this camera is still darned quick and delivers quality photos. My night shots, in hand, came out nicely. With a tripod, they were awesome! In normal (or a bit less than perfect) light, the action shots I've taken in burst mode have come out super crisp. The burst mode does, however, falter under low light conditions and produces action shots with some obvious background blur. That's going to happen to some degree with every point and shoot camera of this ilk and I fully expected that. (In some of my shots, the effect wasn't desired but turned out kinda cool looking.) The Sony burst mode was faster in shooting and recording the images to memory and outperformed the other similar models in MY personal tests.
The scene modes and intelligent scene detection modes produce exactly what I expect from them. This camera is incredibly intuitive in that regard and I'm pleased with what it produces in the various modes. It gives me the best digital representation of what my *eye* sees in almost every instance. Fluorescent lighting is going to present some difficulties no matter what but this one does a darned good job of making up for that.
Video? Well...I didn't buy this camera for the video features but it is a very nice addition. It takes super videos with great sound capture (you will catch the whispers in the background with this one <g>) but the MP4 format? Ugh...what a pain in the rear.
The 20x zoom allows for great flexibility in getting nice, tight shots and the additional digital zoom gives just a little extra boost when and if you need it. The macro mode is spot on, too. The zoom is super smooth and fast, even when digital kicks in. I didn't notice that much of a loss of photo quality in digital zoom mode, either. There was some, as I expected, but not enough to make me totally thumb my nose at that option. If you're frequently relying on the digital zoom to get you in close for a shot, you probably bought the wrong camera to begin with. Don't blame the product. Digital zoom is what it is and has limitations in all products. The Sony far outperformed the other similar cameras that I tried in this particular regard.
I love love love the automatic flash pop-up feature. If the camera detects that flash is required, it flips up the flash all by itself and whammo! You've got flash! The flash recycle time is nominal, too. Rockin'! That's just icing on the cake. It sure beats having to push a button on the side to flip up the flash manually or wait forever for it to be ready to go again .
Aside from not having to lug around lenses, I feel like I do have a real SLR in my hands when I get a wild hair to go commando and into the full manual mode! All in all, I don't feel like I "stepped down" from a DSLR/SLR by buying this camera. I just stepped over into a new area of the photography world. It does everything that my DSLR could and would do with only a very few, small sacrifices. Unless you're a hard-core professional with heavy duty equipment and speed requirements, this camera should top your list of cameras that give you more bang for the buck. It's super easy for the new or casual user, has expansive features for the advanced user and the high quality construction is what I have come to expect from any Sony product. -
Impressive camera for the Price.
by Randyincv on August 12, 2009
Pros: Sweep Panorama is astounding. The 20x Zoom is just right. I have no issues with the image quality, I've done an 11 x 20 print and it turned out well. (I work for HP, so I know a LOT about printing photos) The 10FPS works well.
Cons: The abscence of Nightshot/nightframe and RAW was disappointing. I also with a Lenshood/filter adapter is available but going from 28-560MM on the zoom would require about a 120MM Filter to be able to get the whole range, regrettable. Zoom seems slow.
Summary: While I have listed a few bad points, I do NOT dislike this camera. I bought it for what it does, it's size and it's powerful features. I ...
Summary: While I have listed a few bad points, I do NOT dislike this camera. I bought it for what it does, it's size and it's powerful features. I use High end Canon DSLRs and almost need a pack animal to haul my 6 lenses around. This camera is SMALL, lightweight and I don't have to constantly worry about the security of $20K worth of Cameras and lenses. I travel often and having a "convenient" camera is very helpful. I bought it to fill the "Gap" I did a "sweep Panorama" shot inside of a covered bridge here in Oregon. I was pleasantly surprised when I got an email from the senior editor from Webshots writing me to tell me how cool the shot was and how impressive the camera performed. I figure when they have about 600 Million Photos on Webshots and I get an email about a single photo, I'm on to something good. I photographed our daughter's college Graduation from Oregon State, I was able to zoom in on her from ACROSS the football field and get shots, handheld, that were so clear you could see the freckles on her face. I was stunned. Don't expect this camera to perform like a Top End Canon or Nikon, because it won't. But it you want small size, powerful features and superior image quality I think that this camera is as good as it currently can get. I'm old and jaded and not easily impressed, but this camera impresses me!
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Overall a very good camera
by avcnet on August 10, 2009
Pros: The variety of features one can use and the outstanding video. Image quality is excellent. Very good lens. The speed and accuracy of exposure.
Cons: I just can't understand why Sony did not allow for attachmets such as a lens hood or uv filter ...polarizer etc. to be added to the lens. Also,..the lens cap flies off when you turn on the camera. DA !
Summary: I like the camera quality and features. Some things however were not conceived very well that you would never expect to be omitted ...see Cons. I am going to try ...
Summary: I like the camera quality and features. Some things however were not conceived very well that you would never expect to be omitted ...see Cons. I am going to try and find a lens hood that can attach to the outer barrel. Sony ..why the baloney ?
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For my application it is excellent
by mikeauknz on July 24, 2009
Pros: The Size and Weight and Features "for what is does is amazing '' it is not a canon 5d11 but it is on the way..
Cons: If you take the time to work around the biggest weakness which is the progressive shutter on pulling either a left or right hand shoot it causes the video to have a serious skipping look on the HD.. and not enough pixels ..
Summary: I looked at several applications and other similar products and bang for dollar this is very cool. No need to carry 4 lens, fits in my jacket pocket.. and you ...
Summary: I looked at several applications and other similar products and bang for dollar this is very cool. No need to carry 4 lens, fits in my jacket pocket.. and you are your own indie film maker...Audio is excellent ... try before you buy...The Panoramic is excellent, the low light setting is great, the HDR feature is cool ...and for multi media and web applications this is a mix of what you need in one simple application put a bit of soft foam over the mic and you are away!!
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: DSC-HX1
- Description: In photography, timing is everything. With the ultra-fast, 10-shots-per-second speed of the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1, it's easy to capture a swinging bat just before it hits the ball. Remarkable Exmor" CMOS technology even makes it easy to capture photos in low light while maintaining smooth color gradation and crisp detail. Especially useful for beautiful landscape shots or shooting skyscrapers, the Sweep Panorama mode takes seamless 224-degree shots with breathtaking 9.1 megapixel results? just press the shutter and sweep in a horizontal or vertical direction. And don't miss the 20x optical zoom or the Intelligent Auto mode that eliminates the guesswork by automatically adjusting camera settings for you. Got a shaky hand? Optical SteadyShot image stabilization has you covered by reducing blur for sharp, lifelike images.
General
- Product Type Digital camera - Compact
- Width 4.5 in
- Depth 3.6 in
- Height 3.3 in
- Weight 16 oz
Main Features
- Resolution 9.1 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Optical Sensor Type Exmor CMOS
- Total Pixels 10,300,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 9,100,000 pixels
- Light Sensitivity ISO 125, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200, ISO auto (125-3200)
- Digital Zoom 2 x
- Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
- Shooting Programs Macro, Landscape, Back light, Portrait mode, Twilight mode, Twilight portrait, Backlight portrait
- Special Effects Sepia, Vivid, Black & White
- Image Stabilizer Optical (Steady Shot)
- Image stabilizer feature Optical stabilization helps prevent blurry pictures, especially for handheld cameras at slow shutter speeds or when using high optical zoom. This camera utilizes built-in Super SteadyShot stabilization to assist in taking sharper pictures.
- Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec
- Min Shutter Speed 30 sec
- Exposure Metering Spot, Multi-segment, Center-weighted
- Exposure Modes Manual, Program, Automatic, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority
- Exposure Compensation ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
- Face Detection Yes
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Flash, Cloudy, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent light (daylight), Fluorescent light (cool white), Fluorescent light (warm white)
- White Balance Bracketing Yes
- Digital Video Format H.264
- TV Tuner None
- Video Capture H.264 - 1280 x 720, H.264 - 1440 x 1080, H.264 - 640 x 480
Memory / Storage
- Supported Flash Memory Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo
- Integrated Memory 11 MB
- Floppy Drive None
Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Pop-up flash
- Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
- Red Eye Reduction Yes
- Effective Flash Range 1 ft - 30 ft
- Features AF illuminator, Flash +/- compensation
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 5 mm - 100 mm - F/2.8-5.2
- Focal Length 5 mm - 100 mm
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 28 - 560 mm
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Auto Focus Points (Zones) 9
- Min Focus Range 0.4 in
- Macro Focus Range 1cm
- Lens Aperture F/2.8-5.2
- Optical Zoom 20 x
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
- Lens Construction 10 group(s) / 13 element(s)
- Features ED glass, Aspherical lens
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Self Timer Delay 2 sec, 10 sec
- Additional Features DPOF support, Direct print, Face detection, Audio recording, Auto power save, Date/time stamp, Built-in speaker, Histogram display, Resizing an image, Exif Print support, PictBridge support, Built-in help guide, PRINT Image Matching, Progressive scanning, USB 2.0 compatibility, Digital image rotation, Digital noise reduction, Dynamic Range Optimizer, RGB primary color filter, Sweep Panorama technology, Blink Detection technology, Smile Detection technology, Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN), Automatic display brightness adjustment
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type Electronic
- Viewfinder Color Support Color
- Viewfinder Diagonal Size 0.2 in
- Viewfinder Resolution 201,600 pixels
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Folding
- Display Format 230,400 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
- Microphone Technology Electret condenser
- Microphone Operation Mode Stereo
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x USB, 1 x Component video output, 1 x HDMI output
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x Memory Stick PRO Duo
Software
- Software Drivers & Utilities, Sony Picture Motion Browser
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support MS Windows XP, Apple Mac OS 9.1, Apple Mac OS 9.2, MS Windows Vista, Apple Mac OS X 10.1 - 10.5
- Peripheral Devices USB port, CD-ROM drive
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case None
- Included Accessories Lens cap, HDMI adapter, Shoulder strap
- Cables Included A/V cable, USB cable
Power
- Power Device Battery charger - External
Battery
- Supported Battery Sony NP-FH50
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Sony
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.sonystyle.com
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
