Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD

• 023 4  I've been looking for an ultra-zoom compact camera that takes great pictures out of the camera and double as a serviceable camcorder , the HX5V fits the bill , but does it deliver ? Let's find out . The HX5V utilizes a CMOs sensor + bionze processor that provides certain unique features over other cameras , most notable is the handheld twilight ( HHT ) and anti-blur mode , which takes six shots and combines them using noise-averaging to reduce noise and enhance details , saving you the hassle of doing it yourself later . [ . . . ] . HHT mode works equally well indoor and outdoor , so you should take advantage of this feature whenever you want to obtain the best image quality . One caveat is that HHT and anti-blur mode only works well in still scene settings , areas that have any motions ( people walking , water ripple , leaves blown by wind , etc ) , will not benefit from HHT as the processor will not be able to combine the six shots to enhance those areas . Having said that , if you enjoy going to the museum and take flashfree pics , this feature will come in really handy . Another great feature is the camera's burst mode , you can take up to 10fps in full resolution , not many non-SLR camera can achieve this . It does take time to write the files to your memory card , but if you screw up the take , the camera gives you the option to cancel the process so you can retake your shots . It lacks a continuous shooting mode that may be important to some folks . The Sweep Panoramic mode is both awesome and lacking at the same time , it is awesome in that it makes the tedious task of panoramic images so effortless and fun , it's lacking in that the maximum vertical resolution is only 1080pixels if you pan horizontally , panning vertically increase the resolution to 1920 pixels , but coverage angle is reduced . So if you plan to blow up your panorama of the Golden Gate Bridge or Hong Kong Skyline and hang it on your living room , you may be disappointed . I also enjoy using the robust video recorder . It offers the choice of AVCHD in full 1080 glory as well as the more convenient MP4 format . For outdoor shooting , you can pretty much leave your camcorder home . I like the dedicated movie button so you can take video without switching the mode dial first . With the CMOs sensor , your video will not be plague by vertical streaks from CCD cams like the Panasonic ZS7 or Sony H55 , there is also much less blown highlights . However CMOs do not perform as well indoor with artificial lighting . When shooting indoor with natural light during daytime , the video still holds up very well , however video quality takes a dive under incandescent / flourescent lighting , there is lots of chroma noise , and details are soft . The video is still usable if you shoot at 1080 and rescale it to DVD 480p resolution , however viewing it on full HD would not be a pleasant experience . Audio is not as bad as the as some other reviews have claim around the web , two things of note , the mic is very susceptible to wind noise , so a windscreen for outdoor shooting is a must , I made a dead cat windscreen from one of my old stuff animal , and when I need to to shoot outdoor , I just rubberband the windscreen over the mic . Another issue with the mic is the dramatic drop-off in input audio level after 5 feet , so make sure you do not talk too loudly when recording or your voice will completely overwhelm other sound in your recording . Want to take the camera to a loud concert ? I advise you to do some test at home first , put on some ear plug , crank up your stereo system , play music with heavy bass , and then determine how much foam / fabric you need to place over the mic to minimize distortion . If the audio is acceptable and not distorted , then give it a go at the concert , make sure you stand far away from the speakers . A minor but convenient feature is switching between shooting and playback mode , if you are reviewing your shots and want to take another pic quickly , you can press your shutter , it will return you to shooting mode right away . The HX5V produces very pleasing color overall , Red is over-saturated , but it makes image pop . AWB is generally accurate , with a shift toward yellow hue that is easily correctable , skin tones with or without flash is render nicely , unlike the Panasonics that give horrible magenta cast on people's faces . There is slight barrel distortion when taking pictures at wide angle , the distortion becomes quite noticeable when using video , I personally am not too bother by it , but when shooting pictures with people , you may want to avoid framing the person's head near the corners , or they will look stretched . The HDR mode is suppose to improve the dynamic range of high contrast scenes , however , I have not had much success using this . The lithium ion battery that came with the camera drains very quickly , especially if you plan to take lots of video . I bought an OEM backup battery for $8 and it lasts longer than Sony's . The HX5V would be the perfect camera if it delivers better image quality . Like other Sony line of compact cameras , the internal processor applies fairly aggressive noise reduction on every picture across the entire iso speed setting . The noise reduction smudges fine detail and turns water and leaves into oil painting when view in full resolution . It does work well for portraits as it will smooth out your blemish and wrinkles . LOL . If you love taking nature photography , this camera is not suitable for you . I mark down a full-star from the review because there is no option to disable it . Bad Sony . For the P & S crowd who mostly view their pictures on screen / TV or make prints up to 8x10 with minimal post processing , the pictures hold up well . If you happen to need to do some cropping or enlargement beyond 8x10 , you may not be too pleased with the quality . As someone who values image quality quite highly , it was difficult to give a fair assessment for this camera . There is a lot to like about the HX5V - picture quality are quite good right out of the camera , there isn't much post-processing needed to get good prints , however , for the few occasions that you need to blow up your favorite photo to poster size , you have to work much harder to produce a decent quality image due to the in-camera noise reduction . In the end , I decided to keep the camera because I enjoy low light photography and there is no other camera in its class that can match its capability . Indoor video is a letdown , but certainly not a deal-breaker .
• 002 4  I'm usually a digital SLR user , but I've been waiting for a camera like this to come out so I have something to put in my pocket . The features that really made me decide to buy this camera were : 1 . AVCHD 1080i FULL QUALITY video . Check the bitrate - - it's the same as the camcorders . Better than the flip or handheld ' HD ' bitrates 2 . Wide Picture Stitching . I am astounded by the quality of these pictures . Dumbfounded . Check out the ones I've posted . 3 . GPS Tagging . Yep - been waiting for this since iPhoto introduced the feature into its software . 4 . Low-light performance . For a point-and-shoot , you're not going to beat this . Sure , it's no DSLR , but it's pretty great for the price . 5 . Price - a zillion features and a totally reasonable price ! ! ! Mac Compatibility : I tried out the camera with iMovie , and it worked seamlessly ! ! ! I imported 2 minutes of low-light video footage AVCHD in about 30 seconds from an SDHC Class - 6 card . Also used the camera with iPhoto and Aperture , and everything worked great . Update : I've had time to play around with the different settings - - you can see some of my results in the customer uploaded images . The panoramas today came out great ! I am still awed by this feature ( amazon's tiny photos don't do it justice ) . Shooting inside in the MOMA was excellent . Outside , I tried the HDR mode , with limited success ( still need to experiment , but see what I got ) . The handheld twilight mode does what it is supposed to , impressively .
• 004 4  I have been looking for a new P & S for a while and compared the Sony hx5v v . Canon sx210is v . Panasonic zs3 ( as a prelude to the zs7 ) . The most important consideration was image quality - followed closely by convenience , a well defined menu system , lens quality , fit and finish and pocketability . The Sony and Panny both had a gps function which was not important to me . The panny zs3 had poor low light performance and no manual controls . Several bona fide review sites stated that the IQ for the zs7 was inferior to the zs3 so I quickly made a decision that the zs7 was not in contention . For a comparison between the Sony and Canon I spent lunchtime on a couple of days walking around town - taking only photos with the Sony on the trip out . . . and with the Canon on the walk back to my office . With the same drill in the evening to compare low light performance . I accumulated several hundred photos . When taking the photos I would use whatever mode or camera setting was appropriate at the time . Specifically , I did not set the cameras on Auto and just shoot in that mode . I also took a fair amount of video . A couple of days later I loaded all photos and video onto my computer and began viewing and this is where the Sony fell down . The images were very soft . At a small size they looked fine - in fact they looked very good . However , with any magnification , the in-camera noise removal processing was evident and very heavy handed . Other review sites stated this , but I had to see it for myself , and even at ISO 125 ( the lowest Sony allows ) the images were soft . At pixel peeping levels it was very bad . Details were lost and it all looked like plastic . And if the details aren't there , no amount of work in PS or LR will bring them back to life . The evidence of noise at magnification was low , but I'd rather have native noise and remove it with Neat Image than be stuck with an over processed image . Also , there is no manual mode at all . . . all auto function . There is no iris for f-stop control , so to limit light Sony has chosen to use a neutral density filter and you get only 2 f-stops . Therefore , you get one depth of field for all images . That is almost anti-camera to me . Sony claims their CMOS sensor is superior to a CCD sensor . That is apparent in the ability to shoot full resolution images for 10 fps bursts , as well as the hand held twilight and anti blur modes . But , to my eye , I don't see any low light benefit of the CMOS over the CCD and image quality did not compare well , though I don't think that had much to do with the sensor as much as Sony's noise algorithm . The white balance is inconsistent indoors . You can get a custom WB by shooting a white object , but the native AWB will leave you disappointed . Outdoors the colors are warm - no problem there . And it is easy to use anti blur mode to get a quick snapshot anytime and have a good result . I did not give the video an adequate review since the stills were so disappointing . However , the microphones are situated in the exact wrong location . It is difficult to keep from covering one or both of them as you are filming . It is a very poor design . The flash is weak and poorly located - it is easy to block with your fingers . The light from the flash falls visibly off-centered in the image . The Sony has some great technology . The 10 fps burst is great , the hand held twilight and anti blur are clever and practical . The menu system is well designed and intuitive . It is a good point and shoot camera for someone that wants only that without the need for printing beyond 4x6 or only for casual viewing on the computer . The Sony was returned and the Canon sx210is won out . Far better image quality , it has a manual mode with up to 15 second exposure , very good HD video at 720p and good sound , superior low light performance , better flash power as well as being able to adjust the eV + / - for flash photography , better color gamut , the 14x optical on the Canon is nice - some vignetting at 14x , but that is fixable in post process . I do wish the Canon had a faster burst mode .
• 006 4  I'm comparing this camera to my most recent camera : Canon SD1000 and Sony TX1 . I'm just a casual photographer . The most surprising thing about this camera is the weight . If you've owned some high end Sony or Canon PowerShot cameras then holding this camera doesn't feel normal , it's way too light for it's size . . . but that's a good thing . . . . sort of . They achieve this weight reduction by using plastic for many of the body parts ( the SD1000 and TX1 are mostly , if not all metal ) . The back is definitely plastic , I'm not quite sure about the front . The mode dial ( although very welcome ) feels cheap . That's about it for the bad news . The good news is the GPS locks FAST out of the box and the picture quality is very good , on par with 10 - 12 mega-pixel cameras . The Sony extra features such as panorama and 1080 HD video work as advertised and add value to the Sony versus the only current competitor ( with GPS and a mega-zoom ) the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 which has not been released yet . You can compare images between the two cameras on the Imaging Resource site as well as some others . I'm was going to purchase both this camera and the Panasonic to see which one I liked better , however I'm going to be keeping the Sony . I'm very happy with the ease of use , picture quality and the Sony extra features ( such as panorama ) . For a case , I'm using the Case Logic TBC302 . It fits the camera perfectly with barely enough room in the front pocket to hold a spare battery . The Case Logic TBC303 is much larger but not too useful , for example you can't put the battery charger with the camera . It could hold some credit cards or papers , though . Update : Software I usually never install the included software because it's so bloated or just not very good to use . However , the Sony PMB ( which is on a CDROM or on the internal camera memory when plugged into your computer ) is VERY good . Good in that it's not bloated and it just works . You can do everything you expect such as organize and edit your photos or even update / assign GPS data . Also you can download updated GPS data ( which helps the camera lock to GPS faster ) . I would dare say the software is nicer than Picasa or iPhoto due to the speed and built in GPS features . Some other things you can do but I have not tried yet : you can burn a video DVD ( either a normal DVD or a AVCHD DVD with 1080i quality , but you need a PS3 or compatible player to watch those ) . Update : GPS I'm happy to report the GPS function works very well . I took a drive while snapping pictures as a test and then examined the recorded locations . The location was being actively updated because it was able to differentiate my position between shots taken seconds apart going about 40 MPH . Very pleased . Update : Picture Quality On closer inspection , the picture quality is a bit soft . . I wish I could have the camera automatically adjust the sharpening inside the camera ( make it more sharp ) but this is not a big deal as the PMB software has easy edit controls . You can also manually unsharp after you take the photograph . The low light performance is remarkable , especially the low-light modes that actively combine multiple images ( hand-held twilight and back-light HDR modes do this ) . As long as you're steady and you're not shooting a moving subject you can get some pretty remarkable , low-noise images at night . Other final comment : when you turn the camera off , there is a slight delay ( fraction of a second ) before the lens retracts . Not really an issue but just something I'm not used to with my previous cameras and something I just noticed as I'm usually taking quick impromptu photos , on . . photo . . . off . The interface , although totally functional , is not as refined as on my Sony TX1 ( with touch screen ) , the LCD resolution is noticeably lower but , again , totally functional . The mode dial is still bugging me , I feel it's the first thing on this camera that will go . . . But only time will tell .
• 007 4  This has loads of useful features and takes good looking photos . GPS + compass lets you see where you were and what direction you were pointing when taking photos . Works with the supplied photo browser software and others like Picasa 3 . Only problem with GPS is that after you power on the camera some of you photos will be tagged with the previous location while the GPS tries to update the location . GPS can be as quick as 15 seconds , but depends on cloud coverage , the number of surrounding buildings , etc . Some of the other features I've found useful after only a few days . HDR mode - combines 2 back-to-back images and merges them giving you more dynamic range in the photo . Anti blur mode - merges 6 shots into 1 to help eliminate motion blur . Panorama stitch - great for cityscape / scenery . ( Only works on the wide angle lens , no zooming allowed ) 25mm lens - great for indoor shots with lots of people . Face detection - easy to focus on people , smile detector makes capturing good shots automatic and helps when trying to take self portraits . 1080i AVCHD capture . ( Yes , you can zoom while taking video ) SDHC / SD / Memory stick compatible , takes either of those memory cards . ( Finally Sony ! ! ) As far as the camera body goes , it is pocket-able . The lens does stick out a bit , too bad they couldn't have made it flush with the body . Stereo microphone , unfortunately the placement of the microphone may be problematic if you hold the camera with 2 hands , holding with one hand is no problem . Flash is tiny , and I've covered it up a few times . For next generation of this product , I would hope they improve the GPS feature , make it quicker , give more feedback about the last GPS position that was locked and how old the location data is . Also the screen is hard to see at an angle , so trying to take shots above you head is difficult . I don't have many gripes so far . I'm liking this camera
• 010 4  Not too long ago cameras in the point and shoot category were considered toys for most advanced amateur photographers . The difference in picture quality and control between a point and shoot and an SLR camera was enormous . That gap has been closing especially in the last two years . With this new Sony HX5V that gap does not exist anymore . I am an advanced amateur photographer . Photography is my passion and has been for many years . My main camera is a Nikon D5000 with a Nikkor 18 - 200 VR II lens . This is a new , high-end model with an amazing lens , worth probably $1500 . After using the Sony HX5V for a week , I am seriously considering selling my Nikon simply because it is hard to justify the price difference . Let's start with picture quality . The two main elements in a digital camera are the lens and the sensor . Up until now , point and shoot cameras have used CCD sensors , which are inferior to CMOS sensors , used in most DSLRs . The difference is especially noticeable in low-light conditions . CMOS sensors produce much less noise and higher picture quality at high sensitivity ( ISO setting ) . The Sony HX5V is one of the first compact cameras to use a CMOS sensor . 10 megapixels is more than what 99.99% of people will ever need . The lens is very versatile : unlike most zooms , this one starts at 25mm wide angle , which means you can take great pictures indoors when you are close to your subject . It has a 10X optical zoom , enough for most purposes . It is one of Sony's G lenses , which means it is made with the same quality standards as their lenses for DSLRs costing hundreds of dollars . The zoom is controlled with a button ( like with most compact cameras ) as opposed to manually ( as with most DSLRs ) which is a drawback of this format . The Sony would sometimes guess I wanted to go full zoom and go all the way - similar to electric car windows that roll all the way down after pressing the button for a second . After looking at the specs and the online photos I expected the camera to be bigger , but it is actually smaller than my smart phone and smaller than the Lumix TZ4 camera it replaces . It fits in my jeans pocket comfortably and I can carry it in my portfolio at all times , which is a huge advantage over any DSLR . The camera is light , the battery lasts a long time and the screen is very bright . The Flash is surprisingly good . It took some pictures of people indoors , a couple pictures in bright light where I used the flash to fill-in the shadows and then I took a picture of our kitchen ( like the ones you see in a realtor ad ) and was surprised by the even illumination and sharpness of the picture . Surely beats my Nikon's built-in flash . On Saturday I took a picture of my daughter's Birthday cake with ISO 3200 setting . The Sony has a cool feature where it takes a couple low-light pictures and combines them to produce a better image . The results are absolutely amazing . I rival any DSLR short of $5,000 to top the quality . At the Austin Rodeo this weekend , I tried the burst shooting mode at the pig races ( really ) . The ability to take 10 shots per second means you won't lose the action . Yesterday at a park downtown I used the panorama feature to pan across the landscape and the Sony took care of building and stitching multiple images into one , it looked perfect ! Some people will enjoy the ability to shoot movies at full HD resolution ( 1920 x 1080 @ 60 frames per second . I is really nice to be able to zoom while shooting video . Movie mode is only a button away , so it is very convenient . The camera includes a GPS sensor and a compass , which means every photo ( outdoors , where the camera can get a satellite signal ) will be tagged with the precise location and orientation where it was shot . Face detection and smile detection will ensure you get all your people in focus and that you will capture the smile you are looking for . There is a full manual mode and an easy mode - making both me ( the advanced photographer ) and my wife ( novice photographer ) happy with the same camera . Last , but not least , the camera includes a HDR function that takes three pictures with different light settings and combines them into one , providing the best image possible for high-contrast scenarios . I plan to test this feature in the next few days . Essentially , the Sony HX5V gives you the same quality sensor ( CMOS ) and lens ( G-class ) as you would get with a DSLR with a powerful 10X zoom and tons of cool features . For $350 ( list ) it is an absolute steal . If you can afford it , it is a no brainer . If you are thinking about buying a DSLR , this Sony could give you a better camera at a fraction of the cost . Sample photos available at :
• 012 4  I've been waiting a long time for someone to develop this camera and Sony finally did it . Pros : GPS , Compass , Picture Quality , AVCHD ( 1080i ) , Weight , Shutter Speed Cons : No GPS Coordinates on screen , just simple indication of GPS Lock Compass Bearing hard to decipher , just simple compass needle This camera is a winner , no it won't replace your GPS or your DSLR ( ok honestly it may replace my DSLR , the image quality is fantastic ! ) , but for what I wanted which is a way to record life from the hiking trail this is the camera to buy . I run secretfalls dot com and I love to be out in the woods hiking , but lugging the DSLR , Camcorder and the GPS , then trying to Geocode after the trip was just time consuming and bulky . I really wanted a small , light weight camera that would geo tag and shoot high quality video and the Sony DSC-HX5V is it . I think the still image quality is as good as my Nikon DSLR , the video quality is not as high as my Sony Camcorder but is more than excellent for the web footage I shoot . The GPS once it has a lock appears very accurate , although it would be nice to have a screen to show actual coordinates to compare to my Garmin . You can turn on the camera and shoot a picture in 2 - 3 seconds which is much better than my previous Nikon . I ran through a couple of the shots I made looking at actual EXIF data for the GPS latitude and longitude , it looks to be accurate to around 15 - 20 feet when I have 3 satellite lock . My Garmin GPS 60CSx is my gold standard and it can typically get me to within 5 feet . The Sony apparently only locks onto 3 satellites and updates at 15 second intervals ( I'm sure to save battery ) . I'm not complaining this is excellent for my use . * UPDATE Low light photography absolutely rocks on this camera , I've taken pictures while leaving work at dusk and the quality is still very good . Can't wait to take some shots sitting around the campfire .
• 014 4  I buy a lot of electronics . And I return a lot of them . I'm picky . I probably return more than I end up keeping . In the optics world , I've owned a Nikon D200 DSLR ( with various lenses from a 30mm f1.4 to an 18 - 200 ) , tried a Panasonic ZS3 for a couple weeks , owned a few mid-quality point-and-shoots and even tried a Sony TG1 HD camcorder . I went into the HX5V with a lot of skepticism . I took a chance when Amazon dropped the price a couple weeks ago and I must say , I am very impressed . This is a keeper . What I like : - Low light shooting is astounding ( and fun ) - It's easy to use - It's responsive - Video quality seems on par with HD camcorders , esp due to the image stabilization - Wide range ( 25mm - 200mm ) - It fits in my pocket , whether I'm wearing jeans or shorts ( but barely ! ) - Build quality seems good ( for this low price point , anyway ) - 2 hours of 1080 recording on a 16gb card , thanks to AVCHD ! - That all of the above qualities are in a single , low-priced camera What I don't like : - Outdoor image sharpness isn't * quite * as good as some similarly-price cameras , but given above advantages over all other cameras , I can live with this because it's still quite good - It barely fits in a loose jeans pocket - If I leave it turned on and connected to my computer , it doesn't turn off automatically ( I can learn to live with this )
• 017 4  There's a reason this camera is selling out everywhere at the moment . I've had more fun taking pictures the last week than I have ever had with any other camera . You know how your old point-and-shoot camera has a bunch of different modes and probably some scene modes that you can hunt around for in menus and which never really seem to do much ? The HX5V has all this stuff on steroids and it's both powerful and useful and easy to get to . The large mode dial on the top of the camera lets you jump back and forth between the different modes ( panorama , fully auto , Hand Held Twilight , etc . ) and I believe the settings are saved in each mode so you rarely have to change anything . No hunting through menus to get to another mode , just spin the dial and off you go . The HX5V is small and easy to hold for an extended period of time . I spent a couple hours wandering around the zoo yesterday pretty much holding it in my hand the whole time without getting tired . Try that with a DSLR . It doesn't matter how good and expensive your camera is if it's so big that you don't bother to take it with you . It's extremely fast and responsive . Pre-focused shots are virtually instantaneous and even with focus you'll almost always get the shot as it's very quick . This is a huge improvement over older cameras I've used . My favorite HX5V features so far : 1 ) Sweep Panorama mode . Spin the dial to the panorama mode , hold the shutter and move the camera around to create a 270 degree panorama shot . The camera takes a whole bunch of pictures and then stitches them all together in a couple seconds , and the results are amazing . This gives you a very interesting and different way to photograph a location , and the camera is worth the price for this alone . 2 ) 10 - shot burst mode . Touch the still / bracket button on the top of the camera and you enable burst mode by default . This will take 10 pictures over a one second period , and is perfect for capturing animals , kids , or any other moving / uncooperative subject . It does take about 20 seconds or so to process and save all ten shots to the memory card before it's ready to shoot again . 3 ) HDR backlight mode . This is one of numerous modes the camera has that involve it taking multiple exposures and then merging them together . In HDR mode it takes two shots in quick succession to expose both highlights and shadows , and then merges the two together to create a result that has the appearance of having much more dynamic range than you could get from a single exposure . It really works well with backlit subjects . 4 ) Hand Held Twilight ( HHT ) mode . This snaps a series of images and then syncs / merges them together to produce a sharp lower-noise image than you could get from a single long-exposure shot . Works great in low light situations . 5 ) Video . the HX5V can capture great looking 1080i High-Definition video . You don't even have to switch into movie mode as there's a dedicated record button that will start recording video while in any mode . So if your subject starts doing something interesting , just hit the button and it's quickly recording full definition video . The results are really quite impressive . 6 ) GPS . The camera contains both a digital compass and a GPS receiver , and will geotag pictures with their location and the direction you were facing . It's great to be browsing your photo collection and be able to click a link in the metadata ( I'm using Adobe Lightroom ) and have a Google maps satellite image come up showing you exactly where the picture was taken . So far it is amazingly accurate , at least when shooting outdoors where it can get a good view of the sky . If the camera has boon off for a long while then it takes about 30s to get a lock on the position , but if you've had it on recently then it only takes a few seconds to re-establish the position when you turn the camera back on . There's a bunch more useful and fun stuff it can do , but those are the most interesting features for me so far . This camera just does so much that it adds new dimensions of fun to taking pictures , and its advanced features are made easier to use than you might expect . There's even an easy mode that increases the size of the text on the display and simplifies the information shown for your less-technology-savvy user . Just a great fun camera overall . G .
• 019 4  The other reviewer complaining about low light shooting insufficiency might have a defective camera , I would call Sony or return the camera for another one ; I believe that one of the superior features of this camera is shooting pictures in low light . I have very good results in that area , and sure it does not compare against my Canon DSLR 40 D equipped with a low stop 2.8 L lens , regardless as an overall performer the Sony DSC-HX5V is a brilliant piece of technology that surpassed my expectations , which makes me very happy with my purchase . A great little camera which will make a lot of people capture more pictures and enjoy the overall experience of shooting the moment . I really do not need to mention what many already stated the picture quality is really good and the video is in a league beyond any other point and shoot camera available on the market today . Sony congratulation & keep up the good work . Roland
• 020 4  1 . Just a few qualifying remarks : I like sony products ( F828 , V3 , R1 ) , I've used many different analog and digital cameras over the years . 2 . Most folks who are really into photography will agree with my contention that there is no close to perfect camera and there definitely is not one camera that is suited to all tasks . Thus , it's a reasonable thing to have at least . . two cameras and certainly unreasonable to expect that one camera will do most things . Thus , whether you'll like this camera ( ie keep it and use it ) will depend on your specific needs / goals for this camera . 3 . My impressions after using this for 2 - 3 months : a . Image Quality : I know that this is going to sound oxymoronic , but this is the worst part of the camera - - > the images are just . . . amateurish looking . I mean , the really depressing thing is that the JPEGS from the HX5V are overtly worse compared to the Sony V3 JPEGS ( ie a relatively ancient camera with ancient technology ) . What I mean by amateurish is that the colors are overly saturated , the white balance isn't as accurate as a modern camera should be , and the images are overtly contrasty . . . and of course , Sony gives the user no option to modify the tone curve . All of these things can be somewhat compensated for via Photoshop etc . . . but it's just an additional step , which really shouldn't be necessary . b . Size : It's pretty small , not as small as some of the other cameras out there , but small enough for most folks - - > definitely small enough to put in your pocket . Compared to something like the LX3 , where the lens barrel still protrudes when turned off , this camera is nice and slim when turned off - - > bottomline , this is the only reason to have this camera ( at least for me ) - - > a decent quality camera , with various features , in a very compact size . c . HD movie : This was another selling point for me ; nice quality video in a very small form factor . d . Most of the other features are just gimmicks , but the one thing that is really cool ( perhaps not of interest to others ) is the panoramic sweep mode . I'm into doing a lot of panoramics with my other cameras and I know how tedious it can be . Thus , when you experience the magical ease of just moving this camera from one side to the next ( shooting 10 fps ) and then see the in camera stitched results ; that is some really amazing technology . Furthermore , the flexibility that Sony allows in the panoramic mode is laudable : ie you can designate whether you want to pan left - - > right , right - - > left , up - - > down , down - - > up . Even more amazing is that since this camera has a compass or some type of gyroscope , it is able to determine at what angle you're shooting the panorama at and thus compensate for it - - > giving you a corrected horizontal panorama ( those of you who shoot panoramas know what I'm talking about ) . The downside as noted above comes down to the image quality - - > the JPEGs are just so-so . Furthermore , you have no control over ISO , shutter speed etc . . . It's all pretty much automated in that sense . What I'm really looking forward to ( most likely way down the road ) is when Sony implements this panoramic sweep technology into their SLR line or Mirrorless line , with the ability to shoot RAW and with different lens . With the HX5 , you can only shoot panos at the 24mm equivalent focal length . Nonetheless , there are certain shooting situations in which I can get really unique and interesting panos with this camera which I wouldn't be able to get with my regular more sophisticated gear . 4 . Thus , if you need a small / compact , nicely designed camera with a nice feature set ( nice focal length range , cool panorama mode , HD video , along with ability to take . . . decent snapshots ) to carry around during those times when lugging around a bigger camera is going to be a pain in the butt ; this is definitely a camera to consider . Just be aware of the pros / cons .
• 022 4  First , this camera is quite a step up from my previous Cannon PowerShot which took grainy pictures unless you were in full sunlight . The quality difference with this camera is amazing . Details and colors pop . The list of features on this camera is too long to detail . The backlight correction and twilight / low light modes have come in handy a couple of times , turning indoor settings into great family memories . The 10 frame burst mode is fun to play with . I've have my son throwing a ball in slow motion and another set of my dogs jumping in the air . Not only is the action great to watch unfold in 10 frames , the quality is amazing . The HD video quality ( in good light ) is phenomenal . Even in poor light the quality is quite acceptable . Amazingly , the mics are better than my dedicated video camera ( crap JVC Everio ) . Flash is ubber-bright in dark settings . It will light up a large room no problem . Just make sure you are not too close to your subject or they will wash out . I have also found putting my finger over half of the flash during normal indoor photos works great adding just the right amount of light to the room . The trick with this camera is you cannot think of it as a simple point-and-shoot . It has EASY mode and Auto Intelligent ( something like that ) for basic shots anyone can take but to really take advantage of this camera you will have to spend some time reading how to use it and then testing the settings in various scenes to learn what works best . Some of the photos I have taken have literally amazed me . The zoom is great too . I took a picture of my daughter at the playground from 40 feet away . The picture looked like I was standing right next to her and you could read the letters off a small sign behind her . Long story longer . . . . it is a great camera . I am glad I spent the money . Just make sure to get the right memory card if you plan to take HD video . Always read the manual before you buy to make sure you know what you are getting in to !
• 025 4  I read a lot of camera reviews . I wanted something that I could easily take along , biking , hiking , etc . I also wanted a camera that takes great shots . I compromised a little on the quality of the shots ( from reviews - so far I think the pictures are great ) , what made me jump for this camera when it came out is the HD video 1080i at 60 frames per second . The video is high quality on a HD TV . You can zoom while taking the video just like a camcorder , but in a miniature package . Software on your computer lets one take one frame of the video and make a 2 mega-pixel jpg picture . You can take action video and pick just the best frame for a still picture . At $350 plus $50 for a fast SDHC card the camera is less money than a Micro four thirds or SLR and a lot easier to carry . I can carry the camera everywhere and never miss that special shot . Sony and Panasonic have similar cameras . The Panasonic has a lot of user functions but the reviews were not kind on these functions . If you need to take a shot quickly , I don't have time to make manual adjustments . With the Sony just put it on EASY and take your shot . For video it has a seperate button that unfortunately does not work while in the EASY setting - a little aggravating . I now turn the dial to movie and press the shutter to start recording . You need to buy a HDMI cable . Amazon sells one for approx . $3.00 and it works great . The AVCHD video format is hard to share . The format works in BluRay players . I am still using Windows XP and it does not recognize the video files except in the Sony software . I have read that Windows 7 recognizes the video format . The camera has built in GPS . When I view a picture in Picasa then Google displays a map with the location where the picture was taken . On a recent mountain biking trip , where I took pictures , the Google maps actually show the trails where the pictures where taken . Pretty nifty - probably good a year from now when I have forgotten where the picture was taken .
• 027 4  I bought this camera for my wife , who is not really into photography . She just wants to take pictures without thinking about it . This camera helps her do that . It is a powerful camera which takes care of just about everything for you . An excellent choice for her ! The main problem is that it doesn't give you much in the way of control . Enthusiasts may want to look at other cameras . I use a Canon Powershot S90 most of the time because it gives me full manual controls as well as RAW files . This camera , by contrast , only has two aperture values ! It's hard to believe and makes artistic photography a bit difficult . But my wife is just not interested in that sort of thing . Although I bought this camera for her , I enjoy the neat extra features in this camera : things like sweep panoramas , 10 frames per second , hand-held HDR mode and AVCHD video . All amazing features not present on my S90 ! So don't get me wrong : there's plenty for enthusiasts to like . Although this could never be my only camera , it's an excellent second camera even for me !
• 029 4  We love this camera ! Just got back from Hawaii and have awesome photos of waterfalls , rainbows and sunsets . The different features all work as they should , it was so easy to get great results . Loved the video mode , panoramic mode , and the high speed shooting mode . The zoom is awesome , I could get great shots of the kids in the ocean while I was on the beach . The zoom works in the video mode too . We have a Mac and we are able to plug the sd card into a card reader and all the photos go into iPhoto and the video ( in avchd mode ) into iMovie . We are very happy with this compact high zoom camera !
• 031 4  I've owned four Canon point-and-shoot cameras , but I wanted something with a little more zoom action , and better lens . This fills the bill perfectly and with a lot of other features . I think its a great combination of a higher-end pocket camera that does many , many other tricks for those who will dig into them enough to try . The manual on the CD is very comprehensive and required reading if you're going to go very deep into the features . I also installed the Sony software with some trepidation , but it works well and doesn't cause any trouble . Features I like : - Low light : With only one day under my belt I haven't stressed the photo quality too much , but the low light capability is amazing . - GPS and compass : seems like a gimmick but it worked very well and accurately . We'll be on a sailboat trip this spring and this feature will help remind us where we were . Great for hiking , backpacking or touring . - Manual mode simple and accessible for those times you want to experiment . - Easy bracketing of exposure and blending in the camera . - Many trick software features , too numerous to mention that are becoming common in all cameras these days . This really seems to hit all the features I want without adding a lot of bulk or expense .
• 032 4  Compact size and weight are very important to me , so I compared the HX5V ( which is smaller and lighter than the Panasonic ZS3 or ZS7 ) to the Panasonic ZR1 ( which is supposed to have largely the same image quality of the ZS3 or ZS7 , but which is smaller and lighter than the ZS3 or ZS7 and has an 8x zoom as opposed to a 12x zoom ) . In my experience , the HX5V can take some absolutely wonderful pictures , but also some not so great ones , and there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why . Yes , all the comments about the funky auto white balance on the HX5V are true - - the camera does produce pictures with a strong yellow cast , especially indoors or using the flash - - but only sometimes . Other times , the auto white balance in Intelligent Auto is fine . And yes , the Panasonic cameras in general , and the ZR1 in particular , produce sharper images than the HX5V on a more consistent basis , especially outdoors - - but not always . BUT , I found that the HX5V does have significantly better low light / indoors capability than the Panasonics , even when not using HHT mode , and especially when not using the flash . I also found that the HX5V did a better job on macros than the ZR1 ( although again , not always ) . Bottom line : I ended up keeping both the HX5V and the ZR1 ( the HX5V for its indoors / low light capability , and the ZR1 for outdoors / all around shooting ) .
• 034 4  I bought this camera after seeing the NY Times review of new low-light compact cameras , because I need to take pictures indoors just about every day , and I was hoping to be able to avoid using a flash . In general I have to say it's been a good purchase . It takes pretty good pictures for a point-and-shoot , and unlike some earlier Sony models , which I didn't consider because they took only proprietary memorystick cards , this one takes standard SD cards . A great step forward . A couple of things that weren't ideal . First , the way it achieves its low-light capability , or at least its lowest-light capability , is by taking a series of 6 shots and compositing them together . My subjects - my kids - tend to move around , and it's not very good at that . It's not any worse than other cameras , and probably a little better , but if you're expecting the Exmor S sensor to give you much _ faster _ photography you may be disappointed . Second , though the memory card is now standard SD , the cable connector is still proprietary . This may be a small thing or it may be a big deal , depending on your workflow . For me it's a real pain . I have several cameras , and I leave a mini-USB cord hanging off of my computer which I can connect to my Canon or Nikon and be downloading in a jiffy ; or use to charge the blackberry ; or etc . Also when I lose the cable that comes with the camera I have a dozen more in a box . It would sure be nice if Sony would use mini-USB too .
• 037 4  I got my camera a few days before leaving for a week in London and Paris . This was the only camera I took and it performed almost flawlessly . I say almost because I had added an 8GB PNY Class 4 SDHC card to the camera . While the documentation says that's spec , I found it to be too slow . Many times I'd turn on the camera and it would ask me to reinsert the memory card . Just powering it down and back up made the problem go away until a few times later when it would again balk . After I returned home , I upgraded to a 16 GB Class 6 card and have not had any problems since . Functionally , the camera was a dream . The panoramic pictures are fantastic and the regular shots were similarly all well exposed . When I got home and ran some of the video clips I captured on my HDTV ( for example : the high speed Eurostar rail link between London and Paris , the elevator ride at the Eiffel Tower ) I was astounded at the quality . When I used the GPS geotag data and linked to a mapping site , the locations were spot on . The menus seemed overwhelming at first but with a bit of use they become easy to work . Overall , I'm thrilled with the camera . My only caveat would be to have extra batteries handy as it seemed to be a very hungry beast !
• 038 4  I've had this camera for over 10 days now . I was looking for a nice compact point & shoot type of camera with better than average pictures and features . The cameras I looked at in the $200 - 300 ranges all seemed to have some picture weaknesses of one thing or another . This camera addresses many of these other camera shortcomings primarily because it has more settings that you can manually change . However , this also makes the camera more difficult to use . I am not a camera expert by any means , but to make full use of this camera I think is going to require some basic exposure / light setting knowledge . The HX5V does very well indoors and with poor light . I took several pictures and was impressed . It really doesn't need much light to get a good picture without flash . Taking a picture of my cat , I needed to use the SCN Pet setting to get a good picture . In regular Easy setting , it gave the reflection on the eyes . I like the multi frame mode which allows you to take 10 pictures in a couple seconds . But with this it takes an additional 15 seconds to write the pics to your memory card . One gripe I have is they only include about 300MB of memory which is only about 9 - 10 shots in high mode . To use this camera you basically have to get a high end SDHC or Sony Memory Stick HD Duo of 16 - 32GB so consider that when you go to buy . Outdoor pictures is where I'm a little disappointed with the HX5V . Just setting the dial to SCN mode and choosing Landscape picture does not give a great outdoors picture . The sky isn't as blue as it should be , the details seem too dark and the color of grass and trees is too light . So that led to going thru the PDF manual . The biggest things I've played around with were the White balance and the Shutter speed and Aperture . You can change the speed and aperture by choosing Manual and Program modes . Changing the Aperture is pretty simple since it only has a few choices . Changing the Shutter speed is difficult because it gives a very wide range . Also , the pdf manual doesn't explain any settings for using Program mode . I guess it should be self explanatory ? I did take several pictures outside adjusting these settings and using HDR mode as well and was able to get some very nice pictures even though the trees don't have leaves yet and the grass isn't yet green . I will have to keep playing with these settings and its difficult yet for me to pinpoint which setting to use for different kinds of pictures . I also did a couple of quick video recordings and they seemed to come out good . I've never had a camera that can do video so I have nothing to base it on . And the GPS feature is cool but a minor feature to me . I do look forward this summer in using it though . To sum up I would say for sure this is a great camera and has an excellent form factor . If it was any smaller my fat fingers would probably be too challenged to use it well . The 10x zoom is great and that was one of the big selling points for me , I didn't want a 4x zoom like many point & shoot cameras . I think this is a great camera but it won't take the great outdoor shots in the same manner as a $1000 dSLR . For indoors and in poor lighting this camera shines . Its difficult to buy a new camera because of the way they market them . I think its ridiculous that Sony , Canon , Nikon etc . all seem to have dozens of different point and shoot models to choose from . Their trying to capture every single price point by manipulating features instead of just making a great camera for a fair price .
• 039 4  After 2 months I have to redo my review . . This camera is trash . The worst picture quality I have ever seen . Unfortunately I used this camera for a very important moment in my life and all the pictures came out horrible and worthless video in anything but full light . I can't believe they put the mic on the top lol . Any way the image quality is horrible most of the time . Every once in a while I get a good shot . But there is never any detail at all . I will upload some shots . I should have known not to buy such a new camera . I am tempted to just throw this camera away . Sony should be ashamed of themselves . Grainy , Blurry , inaccurate colors , forget cropping , just crappy photos about sums it up . I wasted my money don't waste yours . Old Review below . I have had this camera for about 3 weeks now . I upgraded from the Casio Z850 which was a great camera with incredible PQ . I got the Sony for the Wide angle lenses which I need for interior shots as a real estate agent . For that it works great . The panorama is a great way to get large rooms . My complaints are this . The Cheap Plastic body . The Really Flimsy battery door . And my biggest complaint is that I have to take the batter out to charge it . I feel that I have gone back 5 years on this . It is beyond me why they would not allow this to be charged while plugged in to USB . Maybe I was spoiled by my dock with my last camera but to have to take the battery out every time is just stupid . And the charger that comes with it plugs straight into an outlet , no cord so I can't put it with the rest of my electronics . ( edit I was able to run an extension cord and with some velcro got it some what user friendly ) I guess it has been a hard adjustment coming from such a great little camera with solid aluminum body , tons of manual controls , a docking station to charge and transfer , quick startup and in-between shots . I'm not used to having to wait like I do now between pictures . I really miss best shot as well , this camera is really lacking in the preset picture department . With all that being said this is still an amazing camera which takes the best video I have ever seen from a compact camera . On my last camera the video was so bad I never bothered to use it . This camera really shines in that department . Picture Quality is great but there is a serious loss of detail compared to my last camera as well . When enlarge a picture I can see where the over processing really just smudges out the detail . I miss being able to just crop my dogs face and see every hair and bump . Bottom line is I bought this for the wide angle , panorama , and huge zoom . It does very well overall but is far from perfect . I will deal with my small annoyances because I can finally get a whole room in one picture , and that makes it all worth it .
• 041 4  The picture quality is pristine ( absolutely no haloing ) , and the large number of modes allows everyone - - from beginner to professional - - to take exceptional photographs . The panorama function works flawlessly , as does the GPS feature . I recently took this camera on a hiking tour of southern Utah and it performed like a pro . I have seen lots of equipment in the 40 years I have been in the visual communications business , and this little gem ranks near the top . Addendum : I have used this camera for several months now , and have several additional comments . While outdoor pictures are exceptional , indoor shots are not quite up to par . There is a bias toward yellow when shooting auto mode indoors without flash , requiring a manual white balance . Moreover , the manual mode is severely limited , with only f3.5 and f8 settings . Thus , indoor action shots without flash - - often the case due to the limited flash range - - will result in blurring because the f-stop opens to only f3.5 . The ISO can be increased , of course , but the picture may become noisy . When shooting flash , there is a significant time lapse in shutter release . If most of your pictures will be taken outdoors , this is a no-brainer . You can't go wrong with this camera . If most of your shooting will be indoors , it's still a good choice , but may not be the best . That said , no point-and-shoot is going to perform like a high-end SLR . If you want a terrific little camera that will take pictures you can be proud of , this is the one .
• 042 4  There are so many other reviews and Amazon details about the features , operation and specs of this camera that I won't reiterate any of that here . I can only say that , as a die hard Leica film camera guy , this little unit is pretty amazing . For most shots , all one need do is point and shoot . The results are nothing short of superb . The effects of the camera's noise reduction in terms of revealing less detail than one might want can be somewhat mitigated by using the unsharp mask in your photo software . But as far as being able to take no-brainer great pics , this camera rocks . I haven't yet delved into the video side of things , but given the quality of the lens and the photo side I expect nothing less than stellar results . Insofar as my Leica and the use of film , they still have their place . I shoot Kodak Professional Ektachrome transparency film and have the slides scanned to disk . While this is nowhere near as convenient as my little Sony , I have yet to see a digital camera at any price that can take landscape photos like my Leica . Landscape photography really puts a camera to the test , with all of the myriad details and the sheer scope . Plus , Ektachrome slides are a hard copy that can be archived . But I must say that for everyday use , this camera holds its own quite well , using just the Intelligent Auto Program mode , which selects the parameters needed for a great shot , given the conditions . There are , as discussed elsewhere , other modes , but most folks who simply want to grab the camera and capture the moment would find it difficult not to take a great , well balanced shot using Intelligent Auto Program mode . One more thing : I first looked at the Sony DSC-TX7 [ ASIN : B00328HR7G Sony DSC-TX7 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4x Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.5 inch Touch Screen LCD ( Silver ) ] ] , and was similarly impressed with the quality of pics it snapped . However , after actually holding it in my hand and trying to snap a pic , I found that it was so small that I had trouble doing so comfortably . Plus , its touch screen , which occupies the entire back of the camera , holds all of the controls , making it very awkward to operate . IMHO , the DSC-HX5V beats it hands down for ergonomics , plus it has a 10x optical zoom vs . the 4x of the TX7 . And GPS , to boot ! The only comparative disadvantage will be when zooming while shooting video , as the HX5V will record the noise of the lens zooming , while with the TX7 , there is no such noise due to its different construction . Just buy the DSC-HX5V . You can't go wrong .
• 044 4  Received the camera yesterday and spent several hours playing with it after the necessary charging of the battery . First things first , the camera takes astonishing pictures . The video is on an equal par , almost as good as my Canon HD 1080p video camera . It's fairly easy to use . There are many settings , all of which work well . While taking video ( AVCHD or Mp4 ) the zoom is a bit difficult to control , because of the the size of the camera . However , it is truly an amazing camera for the price . Low light stills are great . But low light video is a major disappointment ; very dark and grainy . But , there are several things I don't like . The stereo mic placement is downright bad . It's on top of the camera . If you hold the camera with both hands , you're finger covers the mics . . . not good . The steady cam function doesn't work very well while taking video . The battery life is downright terrible . If you buy this camera , make sure you order at least two extra batteries . BTW / , the software provided is surprisingly good . Don't be afraid to use it .
• 045 4  Have been using Canon Powershot for the past years ( S300 , SD300 , SD800 ) and would like to get something that can take better indoor pictures / videos in weddings and performances . I was looking for compact mega-zoom with decent low light performance and came across the HX5v . ( Tough choice between Canon S210 , Panasonic ZX7 , Sony H55 while Casio and Samsung wasn't even withing my radar ) [ . . . ] Anyway , I got it in time for my kid's dance recital and both video and images , once know which mode to use , has been meeting my expectation . The pictures are somewhat on the soft side for the most part but I think that beats having excessive noise . There are more controls and different ways to capture images than my old canon's and I am actually enjoying exploring how I can get better pictures with this thingy . It's no DSLR but I want something that's more portable and it's a nice upgrade for myself and my family for capturing the precious moments in the next few years to come .
• 047 4  I bought this camera so I could leave my DSLR at home and not miss photos . I chose it for the features ( including zoom ) knowing that I was sacrificing image quality compared to the Panasonic ZS3 , ZS7 or cameras with less zoom ( I was specifically looking at the Canon S90 ) . I LOVE the features and I have a lot of fun shooting , but I will never be able to use images that are more than 50% of the total pixels because the pictures are just too soft . I think that the software is over-correcting for noise or something . Anyhow , I'm satisfied with my purchase and it is the best point and shoot I've ever owned , but I'll keep bringing my DSLR when image quality is crucial .
• 049 4  I took this camera with me on a recent trip to Europe and it was absolutely perfect . It has a ton of great features . All of which are already mentioned in the other reviews so I will not repeat them . My most favorite ones are the isweep panorama and the self portrait timer feature . I am a professional photographer and have a Nikon D3s as my main camera so I am fully aware of this little camera's limitations . Yes , the image quality is not perfect but for a small point and shoot it is excellent . The GPS tagging is invaluable because after a 14 day trip , I hardly can remember all the little town we visited . For the value and all the great features , I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it .
• 051 4  I am not a big Sony fan . . . . mainly due to their VAIO computers ( which at least encouraged me to switch to MacBook Pro as a positive indirect result ) . However , I must say they got this product right . I was using the Nikon P6000 due to GPS but very bad experience : Slow / Delayed GPS / Bulky All attributes I needed : - Excellent picture quality - HD video ( 1080 ) - 10x optical zoom - Speedy - Embebed GPS - Point and shoot size - Easy of use on Night and Panoramic pictures Loved it . Go for it . Best value for money in terms of quality , size , features and simplicity . This time , congrats Sony . . .
• 053 4  This is the first Sony digital camera that I have kept . I have been a Canon powershot fan for years . My goal is to actually have a camera with me to capture a photo opportunity when it happens . I left behind the SLR size with 35mm film and have always been more than happy to have the picture then the best possible resolution . I always loved the Canon sharpness , but wished for better video and zoom range . This Sony is not perfect but nothing ever is . What it does do right is accurate color , noise reduction that can compromise fine detail while pixel peeping , but also eliminates artifacts and fringing that my Canon cameras were prone to . This is an interesting camera and is loaded with technology and options . I am very satisifed ( always a tall order ) with this camera and think you will be as well . The 25mm wide lens is great at capturing a crowd in a small room ( no more backing up ) , while the 250mm zoom is effective at bringing the subject closer . The screen is bright enough outdoors and the camera handles well with one hand ( except for the poorly placed movie button that is easy to press inadvertently during one hand operation ) . It is larger than SD Powershot Canon cameras but incredibly small for having a 10x zoom and all the technology packed into the unit . Price was 316 when Amazon had its initial allocation .
• 055 4  I got this camera a couple days ago and I love this little thing . I wont get into to much details on the specs since a lot of people have done great reviews on the camera . For me , I needed a small camera for everyday shooting . I like to take pics of things I see on the way to work , dinners with friends , pics of food , etc . I also need a camera for my little vacations . ( My IPhone 3GS didnt cut it : ) I own a Canon DSLR Rebel XT and the 5D Mark II with a series of lenses and I don't like carrying those cameras along for basic shooting ; to big , heavy , expensive . My last trip , it was a pain carrying my 5D with me in the airports . So I have also been waiting on a small camera that practically almost does everything in a small package . ( Wide angle 25mm , 10x zoom , 1080 HD video , GPS , Panoramic , low light pictures ) and now I have it ! I looked at the Canon S90 , Lumix LX3 , and more . Liked the S90 , but has a small optical zoom and no HD video . The LX3 was a little to big and pricey and no long optical zoom as well . This camera is a great everyday / family / pet / vacation camera with tons of features . You also dont have to worry about carrying a tripod with you to get a decent low light picture on the run to show friends and family . If you are a big into photography and dont care about video and want to get the best pics out of a small camera , I recommend getting the Canon S90 . My friend has one and it produces some great pictures through RAW format . Oh , one thing I like about the AVCHD video is that you can put the copy the videos on the thumb drive and play it on your PS3 with ease . When you upload the AVCHD into IMovie09 , it will covert it down so you will lose some quality . I think it will also convert the frame rate from 60 to 30 ; noticed it wasnt as smooth as when I played it on the PS3 . The only features I wish this camera had were RAW format , a faster aperture ( F2.0 ) , a 3 : 2 picture format , and to move the mic in a different area . I have read about the sound issues and I am noticing them . People are saying they notice a little buzz kind of sound in the background . They are hearing a series of focusing , but also the camera's image stabilization . When I first recorded video on my 5D Mark II , I kept hearing this annoying sound and when I put my ear close to my camera , I noticed the IS was the culprit and had to turn it off ; so I think this is the same issue . The mic is located right above the lens so it is very easy to pick up the mechanical movements of the lens . And . . . The panoramic feature awesome ! No more post processing in software ! Take the pic , pop the SD card in my netbook , and email them ! Update : ( Colors ) I took some pictures in low light and I am seeing what some people are saying about how the pictures look to orange / yellow . I imported these photos into Lightroom and turned the temp down about 10 - 15 and got rid of the inaccurate colors . The camera shoots a little to warm in low light settings , I will provide an update on outdoor pictures and some samples in the future .
• 057 4  I'm not fond of Sony's use of proprietary cards , connectors , etc . but when I saw this camera supported normal SDHC cards , I decided to give it a try . I'm glad I did ! Having upgraded from any older Canon S3 I'm thrilled to have all the same functionality , optical zoom , and more , in an even more compact body . Here's a quick rundown of what I like and what I don't . Pros : 1 . Great video options , up to full HD quality 2 . Decent action shots for a compact ( up to 10fps ! ) 3 . Good macro ability 4 . Awesome panorama function built-in 5 . Custom white balance works pretty well 6 . Low light and HDR features 7 . 10x optical zoom 8 . GPS built-in and locks fairly quickly ( compared to some other models ) 9 . Decent battery life 10 . Auto functions generally work well 11 . Some other bells and whistles like face and smile detection ( face detection works great , smile detection not so much ) Cons : 1 . Poor manual functions ( very limited aperture selection , no A-priority or S-priority ) 2 . Noisy in low light ( typical for most compacts ) 3 . Action shots not sharply focused ( albeit far better than most compacts . . . just nothing like SLR quality ) 4 . Crappy auto white balance indoors , particularly in low light 5 . Video quality setting requires going through two different menus 6 . Files saved on card in hard-to-find locations 7 . Proprietary Sony cable ( always * something * proprietary with Sony ! ) 8 . Other cameras in this class go higher than 10x zoom 9 . Uses lithium battery instead of easy-to-find AA or AAA's 10 . Battery is not InfoLithium ( doesn't show remaining battery life time , you have to buy additional battery for this ) 11 . LCD screen lower quality than competitors Overall , very pleased with this camera , and I picked it over other similar cameras for its excellent video capability , panorama function , low light capability and decent action shots . I'm very happy with my choice .
• 058 4  Just bought this camera for my wife for Mother's Day and used it to tape my daughters singing a duet tonight . Unfortunately , although I bought a fast ( Class 6 ) memory card it was not fast enough . The manual says to use Class 4 or better . However , it does not tell you that if you are doing video you need a class 6 minimum at the lowest setting and up to a class 16 ( which they don't make ) for high quality video . If you record in high quality you NEED to by a SONY Memory stick with at least 16 MB / s speed . I wish I had know this before a messed up taping my daughters and several other friends kids too . I really like the camera but you would think they would let you know this up front . . .
• 060 4  Lots of tings have been said so just a few comments : 1 . This is by FAR the most flexible small digicam out there in terms of covering the greatest range of shooting conditions . You need to know how to us it but if you can , the HDR , Night Shot , Manual , Panorama functions gives a huge range of capabilities to get the shot . I have owned three Panasonic superzoom small digicams ( TZ5 , ZS3 etc ) to complement my Panasonic LX3 which is my main camera . This Sony beats all the other Sony in terms of capacity to cover the greatest range of environment . The electronic wizadry really does work beautifully ! 2 . The only drawback is that the resolution is lower than the Panasonic in ideal lighting . However , the overall capability significantly offset Panasonic's resolution advantage . M
• 062 4  First off , I won't comment on picture quality . I feel like I can take some awe inspiring photos from this thing , but overall , it's all matter of preference , bias , lighting , etc . There's plenty of pictures from this camera that you can find under photos , and if you'd like a more scientific comparison of camera quality , I'd recommend this site : [ . . . ] With that out of the way , I'm very delighted with this camera . Let me list the reasons : - Panoramas . I actually decided on a Sony for the sweep panorama mode . I'm a big fan of virtual tours ( for instance , Google Streetview ) and wanted to make my own . This would have been a nightmare on my previous camera - it could take an hour and ~ 30 photos to get a 360 ° x ~ 90 ° panorama . With this it takes 5 minutes tops for the same result ( I include the time it takes to stitch photos together ) . Just click and drag , and the camera does the rest . The camera lets you take panoramas both lengthwise and widthwise , but only allows a max of ~ 225 ° lengthwise and ~ 180 ° widthwise , so you will still have to stitch photos together if you want a 360 ° panorama . Still , you won't find another camera on the market that takes 360 ° sweeps . Some feel picture quality is lacking on sweep panoramas . I have to disagree - if you know how much memory a full resolution panorama takes up , you might just welcome the convenience . There's also potential issues with motion blur , but if just go slow and steady and you'll never notice . Besides , if you find yourself disappointed , you can always stitch you panoramas like on every other camera . - Wide angle lens . Goes nicely with panoramas . - 10x zoom . Can't get enough of that zoom . - Geotagging . This is actually a surprise feature for me - I didn't expect it would be of much use . Turns out its quite a boon if you're making a virtual tour and can't figure out where you've taken a photo . - Software . I usually just ignore proprietary software , but this has been an exception . You'll need the software if you want to use geotagging ( from what I can tell ) , but the software seems well built and offers good features . You can organize photos as dates on a calendar or as points on Google maps , as well as tag and rate your photos . It reminds me of a photo journal , tracking where and when you saw something . - Easy mode . I was expecting to be a big fan of manual mode , and the camera does offer this feature if you're up to it . Turns out , though , that I take much better photos when I just ignore the details and capture moments as they pass . Naturally , your mileage may vary , but seriously consider this feature if you're just starting out . TL ; DR The one and only camera for photo journals and virtual tours .
• 064 4  I just received the HX5V yesterday and was quite surprised by the SOOC pictures . I didn't adjust any settings and just started shooting , in bright sunlight , and the colors look great . I have tested the sweep panorama feature and it's awesome . I then went to one of my favorite restuarants that has little light and tested the twilight mode and the pictures turned out great . I did a quick test on the video . It's great but the sound could be a little better . The HX5V is seriously a FUN camera . If you want a serious camera , it might be in your best interest to look at DSLR's . * * update 4 / 19 / 10 * * After reviewing my images , I want to state they look okay at small sizes but really awful when zoomed in . It goes to show you not to review a product before testing it out thouroughly . I still think it's a fun camera . It's just not for me . I ended up sending it back and purchasing the Panasonic FZ35 . * * Update 4 / 15 / 10 * * After having this camera for 2 weeks , I'm probably returning it . Video was equal to image quality for my needs and the video isn't good in low light . I found it to have a lot of noise inside my house and at a restaurant we went to . I still think this is a very good camera but am hoping to find another that has better video in low light conditions .
• 065 4  I haven't used that camera a lot but two things are worth noticing . 1 . I really like the low light mode and the panorama mode , very easy and cool . 2 . The pics are NOT sharp . My old Sony is much better ( though it cannot take low light things ) . Bear that in mind . . . .
• 068 4  By far the best image quality of any camera that I have owned . The GPS option is awesome . The video quality is superb . The audio for the video is easily effected by misplacement of fingers or wind . The camera also does not have much in the way of manual settings or some of the neat automatic camera settings that I have seen in other models . All around though I highly recommend .
• 071 4  The main reason I wrote this is because I find alot of comments on battery life . . . I bought mine last week and used it yesterday . . . . . . . By the end of the day at the Sea World , San Diego , it took 447 shots on a single battery charge . . . Including more than 15 minutes video , , , So the battery life is outstanding . . . If this is not enough , then you can buy a battery for about $9 from amazon . . . I just got mine ( the battery ) for about $9 includung shipping and it works great.I will include the link in the comments . . . I will not comment on other things since there are alot of reviews for this camera . . . . But it's amazing and you will not regret . . .
• 074 4  I purchased this camera the day it became available on the market from another store . The video quality is just amazing ! I was able to record HD video of a wedding party , as you can imagine it's dark in the room with spot lights . When reviewing the video , I was amazed at the quality and how I was able to see every detail . The product description says that you can hear the zoom operating during recording , it may be true , but only if it's library quiet as I was able to record a video while zooming in a quiet place and did not hear any zoom sounds . Another great feature I want to describe is smile shutter . As a father of little kids , I have to say it is very useful . Just the other day , I was trying to get my kids to smile to take their pictures and as you can imagine it was hard . Then I remembered this feature , turned it on and as soon as my kids smiled , the camera automatically took the pictures . So this will definitely be useful for parents . The High Speed Shooting feature is very useful ; however , I had hard time getting it work . I was trying to use it during a game , but it was taking the pictures for some reason very slowly . I had the setting set to take 10 hi-res pictures . Another time I tried using it on my kids at home and it was fast ; however , there was a lot of distortion on the pictures . Overall , the camera is great , I just need to learn all of its features .
• 081 4  I have had this camera for maybe two weeks and I am impressed with all the features they have put in . The most impressive part with this camera is the 25mm - 250mm ( 10x ) zoom that works in video mode . And it is no skimpy video more , full on HD . And the auto focus is also working ( well ) in video mode . I have seen that often in video mode , if they allow zoom , that either the focus is lost for a little when zooming . But not on this one . You can download many raw video clips on my blog . Check : [ . . . ]
• 083 4  We had a Cannon and I dropped it when we were on vacation . This was purchased as a replacement and is by far the best point and shoot I have seen . We are very happy with our well researched choice . Great for video and low light situations .
• 085 4  I have just had this camera for 4 days but I think I have tried all the features . If you read the manual and follow the instructions it takes great pictures . I love the Sweep Panorama mode . Also the GPS feature works great . Next shot delay is short and low light pictures come out good . So far I would recommend this camera to anyone . The only reason I gave it a 4 in Ease of use is the manual is 160 pages .
• 088 4  On paper , this camera is great ! Great features , awesome zoom , even HD at 1080i . However , on real world usage , the camera fails blatantly - mainly by the single most important issue : image quality . I read a lot of reviews on this camera , but I really believe they fail to cover the most important issue - this camera produces really bad pictures . Even during day , with plenty of light , the image quality is miserable - using the low ISO available , great light conditions , etc you can't look at the photo at 100% ratio . The picture is totally blurred and has no detail . The lens are also another big issue with this camera - out of each 10 photos , 3 / 4 had serious problems with distortion , etc . The cars seemed either oval or narrowed . The buildings are not straight , etc . Seriously a shame from a current top model ( P & S ) from Sony . Even without being a total photo freak , this camera is awful . It simply produces some of the worst photos I have ever took . Don't just go with the zoom and other features . There are certainly better alternatives in the market . How can Sony be putting cameras in the market that are worst than other P & S from 4 years ago ?
• 093 4  I so desperately wanted to believe the claims about this camera . I was excited to read about it when it was announced . Over the last year I've been looking to replace my Sony camera after 10 years of dependable and rugged use . I almost bought a Canon G11 earlier this year , but held off for several more months after I heard that Sony announced the HX5V . I have been a hugh fan of Sony for decades , 90% of my electronics are Sony , but this camera is a HIGH dissapointment . You came so close to succeeding but somehow you lost it in the end . It's like you had a great vision , great plans , but when it came right down to it , you cut corners big time on the quality . Sort of like what Toyota is did , got lost with their quality control . This is a point and shoot camera for Outdoor Only . For indoor pictures you have to keep playing with the settings get the colors somewhat close to being accurate , which defeats the purpose of a point and shoot . By the time you take several pictures and make several changes to the setting after each picture , The Moment is never captured . Any indoor moments that were taken , the totally inaccurate color makes the picture too ugly to share with others . That is especially true with any florescent lighting , extremely tedious to try correct the color . And as soon as you switch to video , it's like looking out of a fish bowl . Top and bottom lines are curved , no matter how it's zoomed . But if you're not shooting topics with any straight edge items in the picture , you'll be ok . I thought Sony finally got it right , with the compact size , SD memory , resolution , zoom , and video option . But it was such a let down with the fish bowl effect , and the totally inaccurate indoor pictures . Have been considering the Canon G11 which really shines in closeups and macro , but that's not my life . Come on Sony , new devices are suppose to improve from previous , don't add in extra features which are worse than 10 years ago . Would have been miles ahead if you would have cut out the video option and keep the quality of accurate indoor pictures . Flash level setting is not adjustable either . The door for Battery / Memory card is very flimsy , probably will break after a year of veery gentle use when changing the battery or memory card if you're lucky . I can also see it getting broken if it slips out of you hands and lands on the table you're sitting at . If it drops to the floor , it's not a case of if it will break , it'll be a question of how may pieces will it break into . I've only written 1 or 2 reviews in my life . Reading other peoples reviews have helped me to think of numerous thing to consider , so I thought I would provide some feedback since this camera was such a big dissapointment . Unless this camera is defective ( I've read other complaints about fish bowl effect on other sites ) I would give the HX5V a value of $200 , not the $350 camera that it's selling for .
• 098 4  There is no doubt that there's a lot to like about this camera . I saw it demo'd at the Consumer Electronics Show ( CES ) in January 2010 . I spent about 40 minutes discussing it with Sony's technical staff at the show , and I eagerly waited for its formal release in March . * IF * you're considering this camera specifically for low lighting , read on . . . I shoot often in very low lighting , and that was primary reason for selecting the camera . Here are some of the problems I had in low light : - Flash was too bright . This was the #1 reason I had to return the camera . There's no manual control to reduce the harshness of the flash . Even if the overall exposure is reduced 2 stops ( - 2 EV ) , faces are still washed out . This ran counter to Sony's reputation of having nice balanced foreground / background lighting . - Blurred subjects . Although the camera is a good low-light performer if the subjects aren't moving , the shutter is simply open too long for acceptable shots . I've used a number of small format cameras in nightclubs , and surprisingly the HX5V yielded very few usable shots . While testing the camera , it was very frustrating seeing people around me getting superior shots with other cameras , with or without flash . - Blurred background with a flash . Again , this was a result of the shutter staying open too long . In twilight mode we want the shutter to stay open long enough to pick up the background lighting , but my hand-held tests resulted in too many pics where the background lighting moved due to camera shake . Sometimes small lights in the background went right across people's faces in the final photo . Setting the ISO high and trying a combination of manual and preset scene settings didn't help . There really needs to be an option to capture some background lighting without the shutter staying open for so terribly long that the shot gets ruined . - Only Moderate detail captured . These cameras are equipped with Sony's premium G series lenses . My other low light compact is a Fuji FinePix F100fd . With the Fuji , I can crop a small portion of a photo and an amazing amount of detail is preserved . The Sony images are a little soft upon close inspection . I * really * wanted to like this camera more . Certainly nothing currently out there out-performs it avchd video recording ( which by the way , does pretty well in low light ) . And the camera got a great review at imaging-resource . If low light performance is paramount , you may want to consider the Fuji FinePix 200EXR and the Canon S90 .
• 100 4  Is this a joke ? The pictures have extremely exaggerated yellows . My ancient 5MP Kodak EasyShare CX7525 that I got for less than $100 takes MUCH better pictures . What is the point of a camera when the colors are not even close to reality ? Looking through the LCD viewfinder , everything is washed out with a yellow tint , and that's how the pictures come out . All the fancy features are pointless if they are not actually taking pictures of what is there . I'm returning this garbage and the one I bought for my brother ; you couldn't pay me to add its putrid photos to my collection . I don't think I'll ever purchase another Sony camera . ( I'm just an amateur taking occasional photos . You don't need to be an expert or even use a camera much at all to see this problem . Anyone without severe vision damage should be disgusted with this . )
• 104 4  My wife loves this camera . The GPS function works well , the HDR mode is wonderful , and the twilight function is amazing . The videos are also very good . The downside is that the photos are just not as sharp as my old Nikon 8700 ( I was hoping I could replace it with this unit ) . If Sony comes out with a little higher-end model that includes the features this model has , takes sharper images ( particularly night shots ) , and has more manual controls , I will snap it up . If you are not planning to publish your photos , this camera should be everything you need and is worth the price .
• 106 4  First off : - I'm not a shutterbug - Admittedly , I am looking more for a camcorder that fits in your pocket , with a camera as a bonus - I can't speak for the picture quality So the problem I have had is the video quality . In most ways it is good except for the colour saturation . I compared it to a Lumix ZS3 . The The Sony is sharper , smoother motion with less artifacts , less grainy , more detail . However , the colour looks very washed out compared to the ZS3 which looks very rich . The result is that the 720p video on the ZS3 looks overall better . Quite a bit better . There is no setting that can change this AFAIK . Only the white balance has had an effect , and not much . Perhaps I have a bad unit , as dpreview posters have stated they are getting varied results between units . I'll contact Sony and see what happens . With everything else the camera is great for this noob . Lighter and smaller than the ZS3 . ( note : using class10 card )
• 109 4  This is a great camera for the price , especially with the built-in compass and GPS capability . I have no complaint with the camera itself except for the microphone placement which is located where one naturally places fingers to hold the camera . My complaint is with the lousy documentation . You really have to dig in order to learn how to use the GPS information recorded with each image or movie . I own cameras from Sony's major competitors , Nikon and Canon , and both companies provide user manuals that are far superior . I was considering buying this camera for a niece who will by biking through a some fantastic Colorado scenery this summer but I'm having second thoughts now because Sony has made the learning curve so steep for a digital camera novice . It's a shame that such a fine instrument is sold with such deplorable documentation .
• 111 4  First , let me say that I love Sony products . . . when they don't kill you with their proprietary software , that is . This camera was great for pictures , but I bought it for dual still image & video camera use . Unfortunately , the video portion of this camera was sorely lacking . I understand the whole HD video thing is new , but Sony couldn't find a user-friendly way to get the videos from this camera to my Sony Vaio computer to my Sony Vegas editing software ? Come on , you're killing me here . I'm a loyal Sony fan , but I don't have a month to learn Sony's new software ; I tried it , but I felt like I was just going in circles . Since the video portion of the camera is not drag and drop , at least give me some easy-to-follow instructions for accessing and downloading . But that doesn't happen with camera , and so back it goes : ( Thanks Amazon for taking it back !


• 070 4  Ive taken about a 1000 pics with it and I like it . It is both the most Ive ever spent and the best camera I ever owned . I got a 4gig pro duo mark2 memory , which is as fast as the camera can handle and it takes 834 pics on it at full res . for video buy a camcorder . the vid quality from the HX5V is better than my 2 year old sony 30gig hard drive camcorder but it will only record 29 minutes if you have enough memory . The camcord will go hours on one battery . For short videos its fine check out reviews to see sample vids . Buy the cheap 5 dollar replacement battery at amazon it works as good as original and even gives minutes left instead of bars . I use the software that comes with it and I like it too . you need it to utilize the gps on google earth at least its easy with PMB software .
• 087 4  Love this camera , I had a sony before but this compact size and great camera does what it says . Simply love it
• 101 4  OK , so I get it now . I previously said the camera sucked , but I was unaware that it was possible to switch the pref to MP4 . I didn't read the manual and didn't look for the prefs . I'm changing my review to 5 stars ! : )
• 103 4  I have just received my Camera along with a 16 GB Magic Gate card and a spare battery , the still photos and videos are good except that parts moving at speed like cars on the road cause non acceptable blurring . Among the thing i did not like is the mics locations , as they could be easily covered by the left hand as you shoot , and the power button that occasionally turns on without intention . One more thing is that it is heavy , i had the W70 DSC from Sony 3 years ago and it is way lighter than this one


• 075 4  Best camera i have ever used in my live.i compared with SLR and My handycamera.But i feel that Hx5v is 3 times better than them.Quality is superb as this is HD camera , i would suggest this camera as best in the world comapre to any camera .
• 094 4  Easy to use Quality photo Great Full HD video Fun Panorama shooting incredible zoom ability Worth the $ $


• Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I was interested in both the TX7 and the HX5V because of the HDR and low-light features . I couldn't make up my mind from the specs alone so I bought both , with the intent of giving one of them to my son as a graduation present . I have separately reviewed the TX7 , and there I give my take on these two features , which are identical for the two cameras . In this review I'll just focus on the differences between the two . There are three major ones : size , interface , and zoom range . Curiously , despite the vastly different lens design , I could see no difference in the optical performance . You can check this out yourself by visiting [ . . . ] and taking a look at the full-size samples of the HX5V and the TX5 ( the TX7 has not been yet reviewed as I write this , but the lens is the same as that on the TX5 ) . Both are at the top of the compact class , especially at higher ISOs . As to size , the HX5V appears bulky next to the slim TX7 . The real difference is in the thickness . It's quite noticeable when the cameras are sitting side-by-side . The HX5V is heavier , but in actual use this isn't very noticeable . Both cameras fit easily into your pants pocket . The TX7 will also fit into your shirt pocket . Interestingly , I found that the HX5。
  's greater thickness is an asset while shooting . It feels more comfortable in the hands . I hold the camera in my left hand with the thumb and index finger . When shooting with the TX7 it's very easy for my left middle finger to drift over the lens , ruining the shot if I'm not paying attention to the screen ( easy to do in bright sunlight ) . Not so for the HX5V , since the protruding lens in the shooting mode prevents this . In my TX7 review I say how much I like the touchscreen in that camera . The HX5V has the traditional button navigation . I much prefer the touchscreen . It's a lot quicker . However , the navigation on the HX5V is definitely better than on my previous compact , a Canon SD700IS . Also , as with the TX7 , the text and icons are clean and very readable , even with my poor eyesight . The TX7 has a 920MP screen , while the HX5。
  's screen has only 230MP . You'd think there would be a noticeable difference between the two , but even looking at them side-by-side I don't see much of any . Another difference is the shutter release . In the HX5V it's a round button , which is much better than the tiny thin bar on the TX7 . However , the button is located next to the control wheel , which is also round . In fact , the wheel is on the right , where you'd normally expect to find the shutter release . I found myself pressing on this a few times , vainly trying to take a shot . It's the zoom where the HX5V really shines . The 25mm - 250mm range is a great range ( though with Samsung's HZ35W and HZ30W you get a whopping 24mm - 360mm ) . What's more , the HX5。
  's resolution is sharp at all focal lengths . My SD700IS is a little soft at its maximum . To really test the HX5V at its maximum 250mm focal length I compared it to my DSLR ( a Canon 20D , circa 2004 ) with a Canon 300mm EF 4.0 L lens . The L-series Canon lenses are the white-bodied lenses you see professional sports photographers using . They are top-of-the-line . Many years ago I foolishly spent nearly $1000 to buy a used one on e-Bay . It's very , very sharp . I took shots with both cameras mounted on a tripod , using the self-timer to minimize shake . Compared to the Canon combo the HX5V looked like a rowboat sitting next to a battleship . In taking the shots I adjusted the camera-to-target position to account for the different focal lengths ( the effective focal length of the 300mm lens with the 20D's sensor is huge ) so that the image in the viewfinder or on the screen was roughly the same . The target was a box of fertilizer , with lots of fine print . Both cameras were set to their lowest ISO settings . On the monitor they looked the same , even at large magnifications , but the proof is in the printing . So I first made a moderately cropped 8x10 print of the image produced by each camera ( the uncropped prints would have been about 11x14 ) . I could see no difference between the two . I then did severely cropped 8x10s , where the uncropped prints would have been roughly 16x20 . Again , no difference . I kept at it , making prints at huge magnifications . I was feeling like the guy in Antonioni's Blow Up . I made 8x10s of a tiny portion of the image , where the uncropped print would be a giant 32x40 - - essentially a poster . At this level the HX5V showed some haloing around the details , but the sharpness was the same . I was amazed by this . I would have bet money that at some point the Canon combo would have been sharper , but the facts are the facts . Which leads me to give some advice . If you're reading this review you've probably already settled on a compact camera , but if you're considering a DSLR I think you should stick with the compact . I wouldn't have said this a few years ago . I've had a couple of film compacts over my life , but rarely used them because the quality was not as good as the bigger camera . That's not true anymore . Yes , a DSLR has certain advantages over a compact , but to me they pale next to the one fundamental truism in photography : a camera in your pocket is worth a lot more than a camera sitting at home on the shelf . We should all get into the habit of slipping a little camera like the HX5V or the TX7 into our pocket or purse each day , just like a wallet or car keys . So , which camera am I going to keep ? I'm embarrassed to say that I can't seem to part with either . I guess I'll get my son something else for graduation .
• 001 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I'm usually a digital SLR user , but I've been waiting for a camera like this to come out so I have something to put in my pocket . The features that really made me decide to buy this camera were : 1 . AVCHD 1080i FULL QUALITY video . Check the bitrate - - it's the same as the camcorders . Better than the flip or handheld ' HD ' bitrates 2 . Wide Picture Stitching . I am astounded by the quality of these pictures . Dumbfounded . Check out the ones I've posted . 3 . GPS Tagging . Yep - been waiting for this since iPhoto introduced the feature into its software . 4 . Low-light performance . For a point-and-shoot , you're not going to beat this . Sure , it's no DSLR , but it's pretty great for the price . 5 . Price - a zillion features and a totally reasonable price ! ! ! Mac Compatibility : I tried out the camera with iMovie , and it worked seamlessly ! ! ! I imported 2 minutes of low-light video footage AVCHD in about 30 seconds from an SDHC Class - 6 card . Also used the camera with iPhoto and Aperture , and everything worked great . Update : I've had time to play around with the different settings - - you can see some of my results in the customer uploaded images . The panoramas today came out great ! I am still awed by this feature ( amazon's tiny photos don't do it justice ) . Shooting inside in the MOMA was excellent . Outside , I tried the HDR mode , with limited success ( still need to experiment , but see what I got ) . The handheld twilight mode does what it is supposed to , impressively .
• 003 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I have been looking for a new P & S for a while and compared the Sony hx5v v . Canon sx210is v . Panasonic zs3 ( as a prelude to the zs7 ) . The most important consideration was image quality - followed closely by convenience , a well defined menu system , lens quality , fit and finish and pocketability . The Sony and Panny both had a gps function which was not important to me . The panny zs3 had poor low light performance and no manual controls . Several bona fide review sites stated that the IQ for the zs7 was inferior to the zs3 so I quickly made a decision that the zs7 was not in contention . For a comparison between the Sony and Canon I spent lunchtime on a couple of days walking around town - taking only photos with the Sony on the trip out . . . and with the Canon on the walk back to my office . With the same drill in the evening to compare low light performance . I accumulated several hundred photos . When taking the photos I would use whatever mode or camera setting was appropriate at the time . Specifically , I did not set the cameras on Auto and just shoot in that mode . I also took a fair amount of video . A couple of days later I loaded all photos and video onto my computer and began viewing and this is where the Sony fell down . The images were very soft . At a small size they looked fine - in fact they looked very good . However , with any magnification , the in-camera noise removal processing was evident and very heavy handed . Other review sites stated this , but I had to see it for myself , and even at ISO 125 ( the lowest Sony allows ) the images were soft . At pixel peeping levels it was very bad . Details were lost and it all looked like plastic . And if the details aren't there , no amount of work in PS or LR will bring them back to life . The evidence of noise at magnification was low , but I'd rather have native noise and remove it with Neat Image than be stuck with an over processed image . Also , there is no manual mode at all . . . all auto function . There is no iris for f-stop control , so to limit light Sony has chosen to use a neutral density filter and you get only 2 f-stops . Therefore , you get one depth of field for all images . That is almost anti-camera to me . Sony claims their CMOS sensor is superior to a CCD sensor . That is apparent in the ability to shoot full resolution images for 10 fps bursts , as well as the hand held twilight and anti blur modes . But , to my eye , I don't see any low light benefit of the CMOS over the CCD and image quality did not compare well , though I don't think that had much to do with the sensor as much as Sony's noise algorithm . The white balance is inconsistent indoors . You can get a custom WB by shooting a white object , but the native AWB will leave you disappointed . Outdoors the colors are warm - no problem there . And it is easy to use anti blur mode to get a quick snapshot anytime and have a good result . I did not give the video an adequate review since the stills were so disappointing . However , the microphones are situated in the exact wrong location . It is difficult to keep from covering one or both of them as you are filming . It is a very poor design . The flash is weak and poorly located - it is easy to block with your fingers . The light from the flash falls visibly off-centered in the image . The Sony has some great technology . The 10 fps burst is great , the hand held twilight and anti blur are clever and practical . The menu system is well designed and intuitive . It is a good point and shoot camera for someone that wants only that without the need for printing beyond 4x6 or only for casual viewing on the computer . The Sony was returned and the Canon sx210is won out . Far better image quality , it has a manual mode with up to 15 second exposure , very good HD video at 720p and good sound , superior low light performance , better flash power as well as being able to adjust the eV + / - for flash photography , better color gamut , the 14x optical on the Canon is nice - some vignetting at 14x , but that is fixable in post process . I do wish the Canon had a faster burst mode .
• 005 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I'm comparing this camera to my most recent camera : Canon SD1000 and Sony TX1 . I'm just a casual photographer . The most surprising thing about this camera is the weight . If you've owned some high end Sony or Canon PowerShot cameras then holding this camera doesn't feel normal , it's way too light for it's size . . . but that's a good thing . . . . sort of . They achieve this weight reduction by using plastic for many of the body parts ( the SD1000 and TX1 are mostly , if not all metal ) . The back is definitely plastic , I'm not quite sure about the front . The mode dial ( although very welcome ) feels cheap . That's about it for the bad news . The good news is the GPS locks FAST out of the box and the picture quality is very good , on par with 10 - 12 mega-pixel cameras . The Sony extra features such as panorama and 1080 HD video work as advertised and add value to the Sony versus the only current competitor ( with GPS and a mega-zoom ) the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 which has not been released yet . You can compare images between the two cameras on the Imaging Resource site as well as some others . I'm was going to purchase both this camera and the Panasonic to see which one I liked better , however I'm going to be keeping the Sony . I'm very happy with the ease of use , picture quality and the Sony extra features ( such as panorama ) . For a case , I'm using the Case Logic TBC302 . It fits the camera perfectly with barely enough room in the front pocket to hold a spare battery . The Case Logic TBC303 is much larger but not too useful , for example you can't put the battery charger with the camera . It could hold some credit cards or papers , though . Update : Software I usually never install the included software because it's so bloated or just not very good to use . However , the Sony PMB ( which is on a CDROM or on the internal camera memory when plugged into your computer ) is VERY good . Good in that it's not bloated and it just works . You can do everything you expect such as organize and edit your photos or even update / assign GPS data . Also you can download updated GPS data ( which helps the camera lock to GPS faster ) . I would dare say the software is nicer than Picasa or iPhoto due to the speed and built in GPS features . Some other things you can do but I have not tried yet : you can burn a video DVD ( either a normal DVD or a AVCHD DVD with 1080i quality , but you need a PS3 or compatible player to watch those ) . Update : GPS I'm happy to report the GPS function works very well . I took a drive while snapping pictures as a test and then examined the recorded locations . The location was being actively updated because it was able to differentiate my position between shots taken seconds apart going about 40 MPH . Very pleased . Update : Picture Quality On closer inspection , the picture quality is a bit soft . . I wish I could have the camera automatically adjust the sharpening inside the camera ( make it more sharp ) but this is not a big deal as the PMB software has easy edit controls . You can also manually unsharp after you take the photograph . The low light performance is remarkable , especially the low-light modes that actively combine multiple images ( hand-held twilight and back-light HDR modes do this ) . As long as you're steady and you're not shooting a moving subject you can get some pretty remarkable , low-noise images at night . Other final comment : when you turn the camera off , there is a slight delay ( fraction of a second ) before the lens retracts . Not really an issue but just something I'm not used to with my previous cameras and something I just noticed as I'm usually taking quick impromptu photos , on . . photo . . . off . The interface , although totally functional , is not as refined as on my Sony TX1 ( with touch screen ) , the LCD resolution is noticeably lower but , again , totally functional . The mode dial is still bugging me , I feel it's the first thing on this camera that will go . . . But only time will tell .
• 011 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I've been waiting a long time for someone to develop this camera and Sony finally did it . Pros : GPS , Compass , Picture Quality , AVCHD ( 1080i ) , Weight , Shutter Speed Cons : No GPS Coordinates on screen , just simple indication of GPS Lock Compass Bearing hard to decipher , just simple compass needle This camera is a winner , no it won't replace your GPS or your DSLR ( ok honestly it may replace my DSLR , the image quality is fantastic ! ) , but for what I wanted which is a way to record life from the hiking trail this is the camera to buy . I run secretfalls dot com and I love to be out in the woods hiking , but lugging the DSLR , Camcorder and the GPS , then trying to Geocode after the trip was just time consuming and bulky . I really wanted a small , light weight camera that would geo tag and shoot high quality video and the Sony DSC-HX5V is it . I think the still image quality is as good as my Nikon DSLR , the video quality is not as high as my Sony Camcorder but is more than excellent for the web footage I shoot . The GPS once it has a lock appears very accurate , although it would be nice to have a screen to show actual coordinates to compare to my Garmin . You can turn on the camera and shoot a picture in 2 - 3 seconds which is much better than my previous Nikon . I ran through a couple of the shots I made looking at actual EXIF data for the GPS latitude and longitude , it looks to be accurate to around 15 - 20 feet when I have 3 satellite lock . My Garmin GPS 60CSx is my gold standard and it can typically get me to within 5 feet . The Sony apparently only locks onto 3 satellites and updates at 15 second intervals ( I'm sure to save battery ) . I'm not complaining this is excellent for my use . * UPDATE Low light photography absolutely rocks on this camera , I've taken pictures while leaving work at dusk and the quality is still very good . Can't wait to take some shots sitting around the campfire .
• 013 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I buy a lot of electronics . And I return a lot of them . I'm picky . I probably return more than I end up keeping . In the optics world , I've owned a Nikon D200 DSLR ( with various lenses from a 30mm f1.4 to an 18 - 200 ) , tried a Panasonic ZS3 for a couple weeks , owned a few mid-quality point-and-shoots and even tried a Sony TG1 HD camcorder . I went into the HX5V with a lot of skepticism . I took a chance when Amazon dropped the price a couple weeks ago and I must say , I am very impressed . This is a keeper . What I like : - Low light shooting is astounding ( and fun ) - It's easy to use - It's responsive - Video quality seems on par with HD camcorders , esp due to the image stabilization - Wide range ( 25mm - 200mm ) - It fits in my pocket , whether I'm wearing jeans or shorts ( but barely ! ) - Build quality seems good ( for this low price point , anyway ) - 2 hours of 1080 recording on a 16gb card , thanks to AVCHD ! - That all of the above qualities are in a single , low-priced camera What I don't like : - Outdoor image sharpness isn't * quite * as good as some similarly-price cameras , but given above advantages over all other cameras , I can live with this because it's still quite good - It barely fits in a loose jeans pocket - If I leave it turned on and connected to my computer , it doesn't turn off automatically ( I can learn to live with this )
• 015 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) This camera does not have the same image quality as say the Canon S90 or the Panasonic LX3 . Nevertheless , I would say the image quality is good for a point and shoot and the colors are definitely an improvement over the Sony WX1 . If you want more in-depth analysis on pixels and IQ , I suggest doing a search on dpreview or look at images on flickr or picasa to draw your own conclusions . There are also a number of reviews online such as cameralabs and imaging-resource . With that being said , what makes this camera so great are its features . And there are a lot of them ! I personally enjoy the panoramic shots and being able to capture expansive scenery in one swoop . The smile detection feature is also a lot of fun as I find my family and friends posing in front of the camera and trying to trigger the smile shutter . The anti-motion blur is useful to reduce camera shake . For instance , if you zoom in 10X optically or 20X digitally , it is difficult to keep your hands steady , but if you use anti-motion blur with its 6 superimposed images , the pictures come out clear . Nice ! Features : - iSweep Panoramic : improved version over the Sony WX1 . You do get a ghosting effect with fast moving objects . However , for people that are walking , the subject appears only once . - Anti-Motion Blur : takes 6 shots with one press of the shutter and superimposes the images to create one image with no blur . I find this feature useful when you can't keep your hands still such as in a crowded stadium / concert / bar or when you're zoomed in on a distant subject . - Handheld Twilight : same thing as Anti-Motion Blur but the colors are warmer . Use this setting for low-light or night pictures for good results . - 1080i / 720p HD Movie : Video appears smooth with the new Active Mode stabilization and you can optically zoom 10X while recording . It also has stereo sound but the left and right microphones are located on top of the camera , so you have to be careful when holding it to not cover the mic . - HDMI Output : the camera comes with an HDMI adaptor to hook up to your HD TV . It does not come with the cable , so I bought this one and it works Mediabridge Ultra Series - 6ft High Speed HDMI Cable - Version 1.3 Category 2 Certified - 1080p - Blu-Ray - PS3 . - Slideshows : seems very minor , but I particularly enjoy being able to upload your own music onto the camera . So with the HDMI adaptor and cable , you can instantly play your own slideshows for friends and family . If you do not have an HD TV , the camera also comes with a standard A / V cable bundle - GPS and compass : From my experience , it locks on in about 10 - 15 seconds . It varies depending on climate and location . And I have been able to have the GPS lock on indoors as well . However , I do not use it and I have it turned off . I can see it being useful for travel or hiking . - High Dynamic Range : Takes two shots at two different exposures and superimposes them to capture detail that would be lost in shadows . It works but I wish it took 3 shots from bracketing instead of just two shots . - 10 fps : It does take 10 pictures in one second in full resolution . However , it takes about 15 seconds to store those 10 shots and in that time you cannot take another picture . You can change the burst mode to 5 fps and 2 fps which is a nice option . - Smile Shutter : camera has face detection and smile detection as it will automatically take a picture whenever it detects a smile . I find it pretty accurate and it's fun for the kids to test if the camera can read their smirk or joker-like smile . - Manual Mode : allows you to pick a shutter speed between 30 seconds to 1 / 1600th of a second . but only allows two aperture settings - at wide angle at f3.5 and f8 and at telephoto it is at f5.6 and f13 . the shutter speed is useful if you have a tripod and you want to capture more light . but the camera is lacking in shutter and aperture priority . Overall , a great camera and a lot of FUN to use . It has a ton of features to accommodate almost any setting . Whether or not this is the right camera for you . . well you have to evaluate your priorities , do you want better image quality and portability then look at the Canon S90 or Panasonic LX3 . If you want high zoom and HD video in a small package , then also take a look at the Panasonic ZS7 and Canon SX210IS in addition to this camera . If you already bought the camera , I suggest the Case Logic TBC - 302 Camera Case . It fits it perfectly and the front zipper pocket allows you to store 2 extra batteries or 1 battery and extra memory card . You can let it hang off of your belt loop or you can take the carabiner off and just stick it in your pocket ( which I do ) . It's small enough to fit in loose fitting jeans / slacks or cargo shorts . Caselogic TBC - 302 Ultra Compact Camera Case with Storage ( Black ) I also bought the ZAGG Invisible Screen Protector for the Sony DSC-H20 . It's not listed for this model but both cameras have 3 inch LCD screens and it fits .
• 016 4  This camera does not have the same image quality as say the Canon S90 or the Panasonic LX3 . Nevertheless , I would say the image quality is good for a point and shoot and the colors are definitely an improvement over the Sony WX1 . If you want more in-depth analysis on pixels and IQ , I suggest doing a search on dpreview or look at images on flickr or picasa to draw your own conclusions . There are also a number of reviews online such as cameralabs and imaging-resource . With that being said , what makes this camera so great are its features . And there are a lot of them ! I personally enjoy the panoramic shots and being able to capture expansive scenery in one swoop . The smile detection feature is also a lot of fun as I find my family and friends posing in front of the camera and trying to trigger the smile shutter . The anti-motion blur is useful to reduce camera shake . For instance , if you zoom in 10X optically or 20X digitally , it is difficult to keep your hands steady , but if you use anti-motion blur with its 6 superimposed images , the pictures come out clear . Nice ! Features : - iSweep Panoramic : improved version over the Sony WX1 . You do get a ghosting effect with fast moving objects . However , for people that are walking , the subject appears only once . - Anti-Motion Blur : takes 6 shots with one press of the shutter and superimposes the images to create one image with no blur . I find this feature useful when you can't keep your hands still such as in a crowded stadium / concert / bar or when you're zoomed in on a distant subject . - Handheld Twilight : same thing as Anti-Motion Blur but the colors are warmer . Use this setting for low-light or night pictures for good results . - 1080i / 720p HD Movie : Video appears smooth with the new Active Mode stabilization and you can optically zoom 10X while recording . It also has stereo sound but the left and right microphones are located on top of the camera , so you have to be careful when holding it to not cover the mic . - HDMI Output : the camera comes with an HDMI adaptor to hook up to your HD TV . It does not come with the cable , so I bought this one and it works Mediabridge Ultra Series - 6ft High Speed HDMI Cable - Version 1.3 Category 2 Certified - 1080p - Blu-Ray - PS3 . - Slideshows : seems very minor , but I particularly enjoy being able to upload your own music onto the camera . So with the HDMI adaptor and cable , you can instantly play your own slideshows for friends and family . If you do not have an HD TV , the camera also comes with a standard A / V cable bundle - GPS and compass : From my experience , it locks on in about 10 - 15 seconds . It varies depending on climate and location . And I have been able to have the GPS lock on indoors as well . However , I do not use it and I have it turned off . I can see it being useful for travel or hiking . - High Dynamic Range : Takes two shots at two different exposures and superimposes them to capture detail that would be lost in shadows . It works but I wish it took 3 shots from bracketing instead of just two shots . - 10 fps : It does take 10 pictures in one second in full resolution . However , it takes about 15 seconds to store those 10 shots and in that time you cannot take another picture . You can change the burst mode to 5 fps and 2 fps which is a nice option . - Smile Shutter : camera has face detection and smile detection as it will automatically take a picture whenever it detects a smile . I find it pretty accurate and it's fun for the kids to test if the camera can read their smirk or joker-like smile . - Manual Mode : allows you to pick a shutter speed between 30 seconds to 1 / 1600th of a second . but only allows two aperture settings - at wide angle at f3.5 and f8 and at telephoto it is at f5.6 and f13 . the shutter speed is useful if you have a tripod and you want to capture more light . but the camera is lacking in shutter and aperture priority . Overall , a great camera and a lot of FUN to use . It has a ton of features to accommodate almost any setting . Whether or not this is the right camera for you . . well you have to evaluate your priorities , do you want better image quality and portability then look at the Canon S90 or Panasonic LX3 . If you want high zoom and HD video in a small package , then also take a look at the Panasonic ZS7 and Canon SX210IS in addition to this camera . If you already bought the camera , I suggest the Case Logic TBC - 302 Camera Case . It fits it perfectly and the front zipper pocket allows you to store 2 extra batteries or 1 battery and extra memory card . You can let it hang off of your belt loop or you can take the carabiner off and just stick it in your pocket ( which I do ) . It's small enough to fit in loose fitting jeans / slacks or cargo shorts . Caselogic TBC - 302 Ultra Compact Camera Case with Storage ( Black ) I also bought the ZAGG Invisible Screen Protector for the Sony DSC-H20 . It's not listed for this model but both cameras have 3 inch LCD screens and it fits .
• 018 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) The other reviewer complaining about low light shooting insufficiency might have a defective camera , I would call Sony or return the camera for another one ; I believe that one of the superior features of this camera is shooting pictures in low light . I have very good results in that area , and sure it does not compare against my Canon DSLR 40 D equipped with a low stop 2.8 L lens , regardless as an overall performer the Sony DSC-HX5V is a brilliant piece of technology that surpassed my expectations , which makes me very happy with my purchase . A great little camera which will make a lot of people capture more pictures and enjoy the overall experience of shooting the moment . I really do not need to mention what many already stated the picture quality is really good and the video is in a league beyond any other point and shoot camera available on the market today . Sony congratulation & keep up the good work . Roland
• 021 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) First , this camera is quite a step up from my previous Cannon PowerShot which took grainy pictures unless you were in full sunlight . The quality difference with this camera is amazing . Details and colors pop . The list of features on this camera is too long to detail . The backlight correction and twilight / low light modes have come in handy a couple of times , turning indoor settings into great family memories . The 10 frame burst mode is fun to play with . I've have my son throwing a ball in slow motion and another set of my dogs jumping in the air . Not only is the action great to watch unfold in 10 frames , the quality is amazing . The HD video quality ( in good light ) is phenomenal . Even in poor light the quality is quite acceptable . Amazingly , the mics are better than my dedicated video camera ( crap JVC Everio ) . Flash is ubber-bright in dark settings . It will light up a large room no problem . Just make sure you are not too close to your subject or they will wash out . I have also found putting my finger over half of the flash during normal indoor photos works great adding just the right amount of light to the room . The trick with this camera is you cannot think of it as a simple point-and-shoot . It has EASY mode and Auto Intelligent ( something like that ) for basic shots anyone can take but to really take advantage of this camera you will have to spend some time reading how to use it and then testing the settings in various scenes to learn what works best . Some of the photos I have taken have literally amazed me . The zoom is great too . I took a picture of my daughter at the playground from 40 feet away . The picture looked like I was standing right next to her and you could read the letters off a small sign behind her . Long story longer . . . . it is a great camera . I am glad I spent the money . Just make sure to get the right memory card if you plan to take HD video . Always read the manual before you buy to make sure you know what you are getting in to !
• 024 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I read a lot of camera reviews . I wanted something that I could easily take along , biking , hiking , etc . I also wanted a camera that takes great shots . I compromised a little on the quality of the shots ( from reviews - so far I think the pictures are great ) , what made me jump for this camera when it came out is the HD video 1080i at 60 frames per second . The video is high quality on a HD TV . You can zoom while taking the video just like a camcorder , but in a miniature package . Software on your computer lets one take one frame of the video and make a 2 mega-pixel jpg picture . You can take action video and pick just the best frame for a still picture . At $350 plus $50 for a fast SDHC card the camera is less money than a Micro four thirds or SLR and a lot easier to carry . I can carry the camera everywhere and never miss that special shot . Sony and Panasonic have similar cameras . The Panasonic has a lot of user functions but the reviews were not kind on these functions . If you need to take a shot quickly , I don't have time to make manual adjustments . With the Sony just put it on EASY and take your shot . For video it has a seperate button that unfortunately does not work while in the EASY setting - a little aggravating . I now turn the dial to movie and press the shutter to start recording . You need to buy a HDMI cable . Amazon sells one for approx . $3.00 and it works great . The AVCHD video format is hard to share . The format works in BluRay players . I am still using Windows XP and it does not recognize the video files except in the Sony software . I have read that Windows 7 recognizes the video format . The camera has built in GPS . When I view a picture in Picasa then Google displays a map with the location where the picture was taken . On a recent mountain biking trip , where I took pictures , the Google maps actually show the trails where the pictures where taken . Pretty nifty - probably good a year from now when I have forgotten where the picture was taken .
• 026 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I bought this camera for my wife , who is not really into photography . She just wants to take pictures without thinking about it . This camera helps her do that . It is a powerful camera which takes care of just about everything for you . An excellent choice for her ! The main problem is that it doesn't give you much in the way of control . Enthusiasts may want to look at other cameras . I use a Canon Powershot S90 most of the time because it gives me full manual controls as well as RAW files . This camera , by contrast , only has two aperture values ! It's hard to believe and makes artistic photography a bit difficult . But my wife is just not interested in that sort of thing . Although I bought this camera for her , I enjoy the neat extra features in this camera : things like sweep panoramas , 10 frames per second , hand-held HDR mode and AVCHD video . All amazing features not present on my S90 ! So don't get me wrong : there's plenty for enthusiasts to like . Although this could never be my only camera , it's an excellent second camera even for me !
• 028 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) We love this camera ! Just got back from Hawaii and have awesome photos of waterfalls , rainbows and sunsets . The different features all work as they should , it was so easy to get great results . Loved the video mode , panoramic mode , and the high speed shooting mode . The zoom is awesome , I could get great shots of the kids in the ocean while I was on the beach . The zoom works in the video mode too . We have a Mac and we are able to plug the sd card into a card reader and all the photos go into iPhoto and the video ( in avchd mode ) into iMovie . We are very happy with this compact high zoom camera !
• 030 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I've owned four Canon point-and-shoot cameras , but I wanted something with a little more zoom action , and better lens . This fills the bill perfectly and with a lot of other features . I think its a great combination of a higher-end pocket camera that does many , many other tricks for those who will dig into them enough to try . The manual on the CD is very comprehensive and required reading if you're going to go very deep into the features . I also installed the Sony software with some trepidation , but it works well and doesn't cause any trouble . Features I like : - Low light : With only one day under my belt I haven't stressed the photo quality too much , but the low light capability is amazing . - GPS and compass : seems like a gimmick but it worked very well and accurately . We'll be on a sailboat trip this spring and this feature will help remind us where we were . Great for hiking , backpacking or touring . - Manual mode simple and accessible for those times you want to experiment . - Easy bracketing of exposure and blending in the camera . - Many trick software features , too numerous to mention that are becoming common in all cameras these days . This really seems to hit all the features I want without adding a lot of bulk or expense .
• 033 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I bought this camera after seeing the NY Times review of new low-light compact cameras , because I need to take pictures indoors just about every day , and I was hoping to be able to avoid using a flash . In general I have to say it's been a good purchase . It takes pretty good pictures for a point-and-shoot , and unlike some earlier Sony models , which I didn't consider because they took only proprietary memorystick cards , this one takes standard SD cards . A great step forward . A couple of things that weren't ideal . First , the way it achieves its low-light capability , or at least its lowest-light capability , is by taking a series of 6 shots and compositing them together . My subjects - my kids - tend to move around , and it's not very good at that . It's not any worse than other cameras , and probably a little better , but if you're expecting the Exmor S sensor to give you much _ faster _ photography you may be disappointed . Second , though the memory card is now standard SD , the cable connector is still proprietary . This may be a small thing or it may be a big deal , depending on your workflow . For me it's a real pain . I have several cameras , and I leave a mini-USB cord hanging off of my computer which I can connect to my Canon or Nikon and be downloading in a jiffy ; or use to charge the blackberry ; or etc . Also when I lose the cable that comes with the camera I have a dozen more in a box . It would sure be nice if Sony would use mini-USB too .
• 035 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) This camera takes amazing videos in 1080i . I watched them on my laptop and my bigscreen TV . The videos are so realistic that I want to put my hand into the laptop screen and touch the trees . Sony engineers , an outstanding achievement !
• 040 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) The picture quality is pristine ( absolutely no haloing ) , and the large number of modes allows everyone - - from beginner to professional - - to take exceptional photographs . The panorama function works flawlessly , as does the GPS feature . I recently took this camera on a hiking tour of southern Utah and it performed like a pro . I have seen lots of equipment in the 40 years I have been in the visual communications business , and this little gem ranks near the top . Addendum : I have used this camera for several months now , and have several additional comments . While outdoor pictures are exceptional , indoor shots are not quite up to par . There is a bias toward yellow when shooting auto mode indoors without flash , requiring a manual white balance . Moreover , the manual mode is severely limited , with only f3.5 and f8 settings . Thus , indoor action shots without flash - - often the case due to the limited flash range - - will result in blurring because the f-stop opens to only f3.5 . The ISO can be increased , of course , but the picture may become noisy . When shooting flash , there is a significant time lapse in shutter release . If most of your pictures will be taken outdoors , this is a no-brainer . You can't go wrong with this camera . If most of your shooting will be indoors , it's still a good choice , but may not be the best . That said , no point-and-shoot is going to perform like a high-end SLR . If you want a terrific little camera that will take pictures you can be proud of , this is the one .
• 043 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) Received the camera yesterday and spent several hours playing with it after the necessary charging of the battery . First things first , the camera takes astonishing pictures . The video is on an equal par , almost as good as my Canon HD 1080p video camera . It's fairly easy to use . There are many settings , all of which work well . While taking video ( AVCHD or Mp4 ) the zoom is a bit difficult to control , because of the the size of the camera . However , it is truly an amazing camera for the price . Low light stills are great . But low light video is a major disappointment ; very dark and grainy . But , there are several things I don't like . The stereo mic placement is downright bad . It's on top of the camera . If you hold the camera with both hands , you're finger covers the mics . . . not good . The steady cam function doesn't work very well while taking video . The battery life is downright terrible . If you buy this camera , make sure you order at least two extra batteries . BTW / , the software provided is surprisingly good . Don't be afraid to use it .
• 046 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I bought this camera so I could leave my DSLR at home and not miss photos . I chose it for the features ( including zoom ) knowing that I was sacrificing image quality compared to the Panasonic ZS3 , ZS7 or cameras with less zoom ( I was specifically looking at the Canon S90 ) . I LOVE the features and I have a lot of fun shooting , but I will never be able to use images that are more than 50% of the total pixels because the pictures are just too soft . I think that the software is over-correcting for noise or something . Anyhow , I'm satisfied with my purchase and it is the best point and shoot I've ever owned , but I'll keep bringing my DSLR when image quality is crucial .
• 048 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I took this camera with me on a recent trip to Europe and it was absolutely perfect . It has a ton of great features . All of which are already mentioned in the other reviews so I will not repeat them . My most favorite ones are the isweep panorama and the self portrait timer feature . I am a professional photographer and have a Nikon D3s as my main camera so I am fully aware of this little camera's limitations . Yes , the image quality is not perfect but for a small point and shoot it is excellent . The GPS tagging is invaluable because after a 14 day trip , I hardly can remember all the little town we visited . For the value and all the great features , I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it .
• 050 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I am not a big Sony fan . . . . mainly due to their VAIO computers ( which at least encouraged me to switch to MacBook Pro as a positive indirect result ) . However , I must say they got this product right . I was using the Nikon P6000 due to GPS but very bad experience : Slow / Delayed GPS / Bulky All attributes I needed : - Excellent picture quality - HD video ( 1080 ) - 10x optical zoom - Speedy - Embebed GPS - Point and shoot size - Easy of use on Night and Panoramic pictures Loved it . Go for it . Best value for money in terms of quality , size , features and simplicity . This time , congrats Sony . . .
• 052 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) This is the first Sony digital camera that I have kept . I have been a Canon powershot fan for years . My goal is to actually have a camera with me to capture a photo opportunity when it happens . I left behind the SLR size with 35mm film and have always been more than happy to have the picture then the best possible resolution . I always loved the Canon sharpness , but wished for better video and zoom range . This Sony is not perfect but nothing ever is . What it does do right is accurate color , noise reduction that can compromise fine detail while pixel peeping , but also eliminates artifacts and fringing that my Canon cameras were prone to . This is an interesting camera and is loaded with technology and options . I am very satisifed ( always a tall order ) with this camera and think you will be as well . The 25mm wide lens is great at capturing a crowd in a small room ( no more backing up ) , while the 250mm zoom is effective at bringing the subject closer . The screen is bright enough outdoors and the camera handles well with one hand ( except for the poorly placed movie button that is easy to press inadvertently during one hand operation ) . It is larger than SD Powershot Canon cameras but incredibly small for having a 10x zoom and all the technology packed into the unit . Price was 316 when Amazon had its initial allocation .
• 054 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I got this camera a couple days ago and I love this little thing . I wont get into to much details on the specs since a lot of people have done great reviews on the camera . For me , I needed a small camera for everyday shooting . I like to take pics of things I see on the way to work , dinners with friends , pics of food , etc . I also need a camera for my little vacations . ( My IPhone 3GS didnt cut it : ) I own a Canon DSLR Rebel XT and the 5D Mark II with a series of lenses and I don't like carrying those cameras along for basic shooting ; to big , heavy , expensive . My last trip , it was a pain carrying my 5D with me in the airports . So I have also been waiting on a small camera that practically almost does everything in a small package . ( Wide angle 25mm , 10x zoom , 1080 HD video , GPS , Panoramic , low light pictures ) and now I have it ! I looked at the Canon S90 , Lumix LX3 , and more . Liked the S90 , but has a small optical zoom and no HD video . The LX3 was a little to big and pricey and no long optical zoom as well . This camera is a great everyday / family / pet / vacation camera with tons of features . You also dont have to worry about carrying a tripod with you to get a decent low light picture on the run to show friends and family . If you are a big into photography and dont care about video and want to get the best pics out of a small camera , I recommend getting the Canon S90 . My friend has one and it produces some great pictures through RAW format . Oh , one thing I like about the AVCHD video is that you can put the copy the videos on the thumb drive and play it on your PS3 with ease . When you upload the AVCHD into IMovie09 , it will covert it down so you will lose some quality . I think it will also convert the frame rate from 60 to 30 ; noticed it wasnt as smooth as when I played it on the PS3 . The only features I wish this camera had were RAW format , a faster aperture ( F2.0 ) , a 3 : 2 picture format , and to move the mic in a different area . I have read about the sound issues and I am noticing them . People are saying they notice a little buzz kind of sound in the background . They are hearing a series of focusing , but also the camera's image stabilization . When I first recorded video on my 5D Mark II , I kept hearing this annoying sound and when I put my ear close to my camera , I noticed the IS was the culprit and had to turn it off ; so I think this is the same issue . The mic is located right above the lens so it is very easy to pick up the mechanical movements of the lens . And . . . The panoramic feature awesome ! No more post processing in software ! Take the pic , pop the SD card in my netbook , and email them ! Update : ( Colors ) I took some pictures in low light and I am seeing what some people are saying about how the pictures look to orange / yellow . I imported these photos into Lightroom and turned the temp down about 10 - 15 and got rid of the inaccurate colors . The camera shoots a little to warm in low light settings , I will provide an update on outdoor pictures and some samples in the future .
• 056 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I'm not fond of Sony's use of proprietary cards , connectors , etc . but when I saw this camera supported normal SDHC cards , I decided to give it a try . I'm glad I did ! Having upgraded from any older Canon S3 I'm thrilled to have all the same functionality , optical zoom , and more , in an even more compact body . Here's a quick rundown of what I like and what I don't . Pros : 1 . Great video options , up to full HD quality 2 . Decent action shots for a compact ( up to 10fps ! ) 3 . Good macro ability 4 . Awesome panorama function built-in 5 . Custom white balance works pretty well 6 . Low light and HDR features 7 . 10x optical zoom 8 . GPS built-in and locks fairly quickly ( compared to some other models ) 9 . Decent battery life 10 . Auto functions generally work well 11 . Some other bells and whistles like face and smile detection ( face detection works great , smile detection not so much ) Cons : 1 . Poor manual functions ( very limited aperture selection , no A-priority or S-priority ) 2 . Noisy in low light ( typical for most compacts ) 3 . Action shots not sharply focused ( albeit far better than most compacts . . . just nothing like SLR quality ) 4 . Crappy auto white balance indoors , particularly in low light 5 . Video quality setting requires going through two different menus 6 . Files saved on card in hard-to-find locations 7 . Proprietary Sony cable ( always * something * proprietary with Sony ! ) 8 . Other cameras in this class go higher than 10x zoom 9 . Uses lithium battery instead of easy-to-find AA or AAA's 10 . Battery is not InfoLithium ( doesn't show remaining battery life time , you have to buy additional battery for this ) 11 . LCD screen lower quality than competitors Overall , very pleased with this camera , and I picked it over other similar cameras for its excellent video capability , panorama function , low light capability and decent action shots . I'm very happy with my choice .
• 059 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) Lots of tings have been said so just a few comments : 1 . This is by FAR the most flexible small digicam out there in terms of covering the greatest range of shooting conditions . You need to know how to us it but if you can , the HDR , Night Shot , Manual , Panorama functions gives a huge range of capabilities to get the shot . I have owned three Panasonic superzoom small digicams ( TZ5 , ZS3 etc ) to complement my Panasonic LX3 which is my main camera . This Sony beats all the other Sony in terms of capacity to cover the greatest range of environment . The electronic wizadry really does work beautifully ! 2 . The only drawback is that the resolution is lower than the Panasonic in ideal lighting . However , the overall capability significantly offset Panasonic's resolution advantage . M
• 061 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) First off , I won't comment on picture quality . I feel like I can take some awe inspiring photos from this thing , but overall , it's all matter of preference , bias , lighting , etc . There's plenty of pictures from this camera that you can find under photos , and if you'd like a more scientific comparison of camera quality , I'd recommend this site : [ . . . ] With that out of the way , I'm very delighted with this camera . Let me list the reasons : - Panoramas . I actually decided on a Sony for the sweep panorama mode . I'm a big fan of virtual tours ( for instance , Google Streetview ) and wanted to make my own . This would have been a nightmare on my previous camera - it could take an hour and ~ 30 photos to get a 360 ° x ~ 90 ° panorama . With this it takes 5 minutes tops for the same result ( I include the time it takes to stitch photos together ) . Just click and drag , and the camera does the rest . The camera lets you take panoramas both lengthwise and widthwise , but only allows a max of ~ 225 ° lengthwise and ~ 180 ° widthwise , so you will still have to stitch photos together if you want a 360 ° panorama . Still , you won't find another camera on the market that takes 360 ° sweeps . Some feel picture quality is lacking on sweep panoramas . I have to disagree - if you know how much memory a full resolution panorama takes up , you might just welcome the convenience . There's also potential issues with motion blur , but if just go slow and steady and you'll never notice . Besides , if you find yourself disappointed , you can always stitch you panoramas like on every other camera . - Wide angle lens . Goes nicely with panoramas . - 10x zoom . Can't get enough of that zoom . - Geotagging . This is actually a surprise feature for me - I didn't expect it would be of much use . Turns out its quite a boon if you're making a virtual tour and can't figure out where you've taken a photo . - Software . I usually just ignore proprietary software , but this has been an exception . You'll need the software if you want to use geotagging ( from what I can tell ) , but the software seems well built and offers good features . You can organize photos as dates on a calendar or as points on Google maps , as well as tag and rate your photos . It reminds me of a photo journal , tracking where and when you saw something . - Easy mode . I was expecting to be a big fan of manual mode , and the camera does offer this feature if you're up to it . Turns out , though , that I take much better photos when I just ignore the details and capture moments as they pass . Naturally , your mileage may vary , but seriously consider this feature if you're just starting out . TL ; DR The one and only camera for photo journals and virtual tours .
• 063 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I just received the HX5V yesterday and was quite surprised by the SOOC pictures . I didn't adjust any settings and just started shooting , in bright sunlight , and the colors look great . I have tested the sweep panorama feature and it's awesome . I then went to one of my favorite restuarants that has little light and tested the twilight mode and the pictures turned out great . I did a quick test on the video . It's great but the sound could be a little better . The HX5V is seriously a FUN camera . If you want a serious camera , it might be in your best interest to look at DSLR's . * * update 4 / 19 / 10 * * After reviewing my images , I want to state they look okay at small sizes but really awful when zoomed in . It goes to show you not to review a product before testing it out thouroughly . I still think it's a fun camera . It's just not for me . I ended up sending it back and purchasing the Panasonic FZ35 . * * Update 4 / 15 / 10 * * After having this camera for 2 weeks , I'm probably returning it . Video was equal to image quality for my needs and the video isn't good in low light . I found it to have a lot of noise inside my house and at a restaurant we went to . I still think this is a very good camera but am hoping to find another that has better video in low light conditions .
• 066 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) When buying this camera I was not sure how small it would really be when holding , I was definitely pleasantly surprised once unboxing . The video quality is also very good . I was almost more interested in the video quality than the picture quality and was very close to buying a flip camera . However , once I saw the video quality of this and the zs7 , I decided upon a digital camera . . . . and am not disappointed I made that choice . Picture quality can be a little . . . odd . . . at times . But overall is very good . Zoom is good and the image stabilization & gps are excellent added bonuses . In end the I decided to buy this over the zs7 because of the panorama capabilities , which is probably the coolest feature of the camera . Check out a more full review at . . . [ . . . ]
• 067 4  When buying this camera I was not sure how small it would really be when holding , I was definitely pleasantly surprised once unboxing . The video quality is also very good . I was almost more interested in the video quality than the picture quality and was very close to buying a flip camera . However , once I saw the video quality of this and the zs7 , I decided upon a digital camera . . . . and am not disappointed I made that choice . Picture quality can be a little . . . odd . . . at times . But overall is very good . Zoom is good and the image stabilization & gps are excellent added bonuses . In end the I decided to buy this over the zs7 because of the panorama capabilities , which is probably the coolest feature of the camera . Check out a more full review at . . . [ . . . ]
• 069 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) Ive taken about a 1000 pics with it and I like it . It is both the most Ive ever spent and the best camera I ever owned . I got a 4gig pro duo mark2 memory , which is as fast as the camera can handle and it takes 834 pics on it at full res . for video buy a camcorder . the vid quality from the HX5V is better than my 2 year old sony 30gig hard drive camcorder but it will only record 29 minutes if you have enough memory . The camcord will go hours on one battery . For short videos its fine check out reviews to see sample vids . Buy the cheap 5 dollar replacement battery at amazon it works as good as original and even gives minutes left instead of bars . I use the software that comes with it and I like it too . you need it to utilize the gps on google earth at least its easy with PMB software .
• 072 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I'm still learning everything about the camera since i have it only about a month but so far it's a good little camera . Picture quality is great at times and just ok other times . Not sure why this is , but like i said i'm still learning about all the differant settings . Camera does taken AWESOME HD videos with the ability to zoom while recording . Zoom is a little slow but still ok . It's basically like have a camera / video camera that you can stick in your pocket . Another great feature is the panorama mode letting you take a 180 to 360 degree shot of whatever . Be great at a sporting event or open scenery shot . Overall i'd give it almost 4 * ' s out of 5 .
• 073 4  I'm still learning everything about the camera since i have it only about a month but so far it's a good little camera . Picture quality is great at times and just ok other times . Not sure why this is , but like i said i'm still learning about all the differant settings . Camera does taken AWESOME HD videos with the ability to zoom while recording . Zoom is a little slow but still ok . It's basically like have a camera / video camera that you can stick in your pocket . Another great feature is the panorama mode letting you take a 180 to 360 degree shot of whatever . Be great at a sporting event or open scenery shot . Overall i'd give it almost 4 * ' s out of 5 .
• 076 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) Been shooting with this camera for a few days now , and so far , it's great . I'll just add a few items to my wishlist for the camera . - A button to turn off LCD display while camera is on standby , to stretch battery life , or more menu options for the power saving functions . 1 min or 3 min full shutdown isn't enough control . - Save exposure settings when camera powers down . Each time it loses the EV adjust , White Balance , spot metering , etc . , and each must be reset if you're shooting in same conditions and pause long enough for the auto power off . Or make it adjustable to hold on to settings or initialize each time . - Add a mini-USB jack . The proprietary connector and big octopus cord is clunky and probably expensive to replace . - Charge battery in the camera via USB connection
• 077 4  Been shooting with this camera for a few days now , and so far , it's great . I'll just add a few items to my wishlist for the camera . - A button to turn off LCD display while camera is on standby , to stretch battery life , or more menu options for the power saving functions . 1 min or 3 min full shutdown isn't enough control . - Save exposure settings when camera powers down . Each time it loses the EV adjust , White Balance , spot metering , etc . , and each must be reset if you're shooting in same conditions and pause long enough for the auto power off . Or make it adjustable to hold on to settings or initialize each time . - Add a mini-USB jack . The proprietary connector and big octopus cord is clunky and probably expensive to replace . - Charge battery in the camera via USB connection
• 078 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) This is an amazing camera ! ! ! Nobody will be disappointed with this camera . Everything you need is there . The wide angel that can take the picture with this camera is so awesome ! ! ! ! ! 1 ! 1 You can take a big group pictures without going too far from your object which I love it . And there are so many other features like taking pictures in the low light which was the biggest concern I had and it also takes really nice HD Videos without any problem . This camera works like a compact DSLR Camera and mini camcorder . Thanks to the sony for doing such a wonderful job in this small camera . I love to carry Sony DSC-HX5V with me all the time to capture the best moment whenever I can find .
• 079 4  This is an amazing camera ! ! ! Nobody will be disappointed with this camera . Everything you need is there . The wide angel that can take the picture with this camera is so awesome ! ! ! ! ! 1 ! 1 You can take a big group pictures without going too far from your object which I love it . And there are so many other features like taking pictures in the low light which was the biggest concern I had and it also takes really nice HD Videos without any problem . This camera works like a compact DSLR Camera and mini camcorder . Thanks to the sony for doing such a wonderful job in this small camera . I love to carry Sony DSC-HX5V with me all the time to capture the best moment whenever I can find .
• 080 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I have had this camera for maybe two weeks and I am impressed with all the features they have put in . The most impressive part with this camera is the 25mm - 250mm ( 10x ) zoom that works in video mode . And it is no skimpy video more , full on HD . And the auto focus is also working ( well ) in video mode . I have seen that often in video mode , if they allow zoom , that either the focus is lost for a little when zooming . But not on this one . You can download many raw video clips on my blog . Check : [ . . . ]
• 084 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I have just had this camera for 4 days but I think I have tried all the features . If you read the manual and follow the instructions it takes great pictures . I love the Sweep Panorama mode . Also the GPS feature works great . Next shot delay is short and low light pictures come out good . So far I would recommend this camera to anyone . The only reason I gave it a 4 in Ease of use is the manual is 160 pages .
• 086 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) Love this camera , I had a sony before but this compact size and great camera does what it says . Simply love it
• 089 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I like a lot about this camera . Feature-packed at a good price and small in size . I like the ability to record movies in HD in either AVCHD or MPG . Sound is pretty good considering mics are on top and not in front which would be best I think ( not well placed for holding camera ) . I like the low-light setting that takes multiple pictures . I really like the 10x optical zoom ( compared to 3x - 5x on most cameras - not enough for me ) . Just a lot of features . The movie mode , HDMI output capability , low light Exmor R sensor , GPS , compact size and a good price ( compared to a $500 Canon G11 that doesn't have half these features or range and is bigger ) . And the support for SD cards ( finally ) . Now to get rid of that bulky proprietary cable output . . . . Overall a great camera .
• 090 4  I like a lot about this camera . Feature-packed at a good price and small in size . I like the ability to record movies in HD in either AVCHD or MPG . Sound is pretty good considering mics are on top and not in front which would be best I think ( not well placed for holding camera ) . I like the low-light setting that takes multiple pictures . I really like the 10x optical zoom ( compared to 3x - 5x on most cameras - not enough for me ) . Just a lot of features . The movie mode , HDMI output capability , low light Exmor R sensor , GPS , compact size and a good price ( compared to a $500 Canon G11 that doesn't have half these features or range and is bigger ) . And the support for SD cards ( finally ) . Now to get rid of that bulky proprietary cable output . . . . Overall a great camera .
• 091 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) PROS - very good pictures and amazingly bright and sharp full hd indoor video , easy to view pics and vids on hd tv with included HDMI cable , easy to charge battery system , uses standard sd cards , many features for anyone who wants to stray from EASY point and shoot mode - - CONs - lcd screen is easily smeared with finger prints , should have included a printed booklet similar to what you get with a bravia hdtv as the pdf file is not convenient and the in-camera assist screens are a major path to frustration - - However , the PROS far outweigh the CONS and am very pleased with this purchase . Would like to give it a better rating such as 9 out of 10 but Amazon's system is in 20% increments - We don't live in a perfect world and few things therein are ever perfect .
• 092 4  PROS - very good pictures and amazingly bright and sharp full hd indoor video , easy to view pics and vids on hd tv with included HDMI cable , easy to charge battery system , uses standard sd cards , many features for anyone who wants to stray from EASY point and shoot mode - - CONs - lcd screen is easily smeared with finger prints , should have included a printed booklet similar to what you get with a bravia hdtv as the pdf file is not convenient and the in-camera assist screens are a major path to frustration - - However , the PROS far outweigh the CONS and am very pleased with this purchase . Would like to give it a better rating such as 9 out of 10 but Amazon's system is in 20% increments - We don't live in a perfect world and few things therein are ever perfect .
• 095 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I bought the camera about two weeks ago . I am no camera expert by any means , just your average joe . So far it seems fine , but I think they should have used a better higher resolution LCD screen because in bright sunlight not easy to see and in regular light a bit faded compared to the higher resolution screens . Also , I would have preferred a wi-fi chip over a GPS chip too .
• 096 4  I bought the camera about two weeks ago . I am no camera expert by any means , just your average joe . So far it seems fine , but I think they should have used a better higher resolution LCD screen because in bright sunlight not easy to see and in regular light a bit faded compared to the higher resolution screens . Also , I would have preferred a wi-fi chip over a GPS chip too .
• 097 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) There is no doubt that there's a lot to like about this camera . I saw it demo'd at the Consumer Electronics Show ( CES ) in January 2010 . I spent about 40 minutes discussing it with Sony's technical staff at the show , and I eagerly waited for its formal release in March . * IF * you're considering this camera specifically for low lighting , read on . . . I shoot often in very low lighting , and that was primary reason for selecting the camera . Here are some of the problems I had in low light : - Flash was too bright . This was the #1 reason I had to return the camera . There's no manual control to reduce the harshness of the flash . Even if the overall exposure is reduced 2 stops ( - 2 EV ) , faces are still washed out . This ran counter to Sony's reputation of having nice balanced foreground / background lighting . - Blurred subjects . Although the camera is a good low-light performer if the subjects aren't moving , the shutter is simply open too long for acceptable shots . I've used a number of small format cameras in nightclubs , and surprisingly the HX5V yielded very few usable shots . While testing the camera , it was very frustrating seeing people around me getting superior shots with other cameras , with or without flash . - Blurred background with a flash . Again , this was a result of the shutter staying open too long . In twilight mode we want the shutter to stay open long enough to pick up the background lighting , but my hand-held tests resulted in too many pics where the background lighting moved due to camera shake . Sometimes small lights in the background went right across people's faces in the final photo . Setting the ISO high and trying a combination of manual and preset scene settings didn't help . There really needs to be an option to capture some background lighting without the shutter staying open for so terribly long that the shot gets ruined . - Only Moderate detail captured . These cameras are equipped with Sony's premium G series lenses . My other low light compact is a Fuji FinePix F100fd . With the Fuji , I can crop a small portion of a photo and an amazing amount of detail is preserved . The Sony images are a little soft upon close inspection . I * really * wanted to like this camera more . Certainly nothing currently out there out-performs it avchd video recording ( which by the way , does pretty well in low light ) . And the camera got a great review at imaging-resource . If low light performance is paramount , you may want to consider the Fuji FinePix 200EXR and the Canon S90 .
• 099 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) Is this a joke ? The pictures have extremely exaggerated yellows . My ancient 5MP Kodak EasyShare CX7525 that I got for less than $100 takes MUCH better pictures . What is the point of a camera when the colors are not even close to reality ? Looking through the LCD viewfinder , everything is washed out with a yellow tint , and that's how the pictures come out . All the fancy features are pointless if they are not actually taking pictures of what is there . I'm returning this garbage and the one I bought for my brother ; you couldn't pay me to add its putrid photos to my collection . I don't think I'll ever purchase another Sony camera . ( I'm just an amateur taking occasional photos . You don't need to be an expert or even use a camera much at all to see this problem . Anyone without severe vision damage should be disgusted with this . )
• 102 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) I have just received my Camera along with a 16 GB Magic Gate card and a spare battery , the still photos and videos are good except that parts moving at speed like cars on the road cause non acceptable blurring . Among the thing i did not like is the mics locations , as they could be easily covered by the left hand as you shoot , and the power button that occasionally turns on without intention . One more thing is that it is heavy , i had the W70 DSC from Sony 3 years ago and it is way lighter than this one
• 105 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) First off : - I'm not a shutterbug - Admittedly , I am looking more for a camcorder that fits in your pocket , with a camera as a bonus - I can't speak for the picture quality So the problem I have had is the video quality . In most ways it is good except for the colour saturation . I compared it to a Lumix ZS3 . The The Sony is sharper , smoother motion with less artifacts , less grainy , more detail . However , the colour looks very washed out compared to the ZS3 which looks very rich . The result is that the 720p video on the ZS3 looks overall better . Quite a bit better . There is no setting that can change this AFAIK . Only the white balance has had an effect , and not much . Perhaps I have a bad unit , as dpreview posters have stated they are getting varied results between units . I'll contact Sony and see what happens . With everything else the camera is great for this noob . Lighter and smaller than the ZS3 . ( note : using class10 card )
• 107 4  bought the HX5V and Im returning it - - if you like a sharp , vivd picture this camera doesnt cut it - - - much worse than my current Olympus 750 , and my Nikon D70 . was looking for a 10X zoom small camera , and am a fairly knowledgable foto person , and after fooling with all the different controls , just cant get a shrp foto
• 108 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) This is a great camera for the price , especially with the built-in compass and GPS capability . I have no complaint with the camera itself except for the microphone placement which is located where one naturally places fingers to hold the camera . My complaint is with the lousy documentation . You really have to dig in order to learn how to use the GPS information recorded with each image or movie . I own cameras from Sony's major competitors , Nikon and Canon , and both companies provide user manuals that are far superior . I was considering buying this camera for a niece who will by biking through a some fantastic Colorado scenery this summer but I'm having second thoughts now because Sony has made the learning curve so steep for a digital camera novice . It's a shame that such a fine instrument is sold with such deplorable documentation .
• 110 4  This review is from : Sony DSC-HX5V 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD ( Electronics ) First , let me say that I love Sony products . . . when they don't kill you with their proprietary software , that is . This camera was great for pictures , but I bought it for dual still image & video camera use . Unfortunately , the video portion of this camera was sorely lacking . I understand the whole HD video thing is new , but Sony couldn't find a user-friendly way to get the videos from this camera to my Sony Vaio computer to my Sony Vegas editing software ? Come on , you're killing me here . I'm a loyal Sony fan , but I don't have a month to learn Sony's new software ; I tried it , but I felt like I was just going in circles . Since the video portion of the camera is not drag and drop , at least give me some easy-to-follow instructions for accessing and downloading . But that doesn't happen with camera , and so back it goes : ( Thanks Amazon for taking it back !