2009 is already shaping up to be another bumper year for the superzoom 'bridge' camera. Since the publication of our superzoom test at the start of this year there have been a number of new models released with new features such as bigger zooms, better video and fast burst modes. Sony's entry in this category, the HX1, features a 20x lens (that extends from 28mm at the wide end all the way to 560mm at the telephoto end), HD video recording, a large 3' tilting LCD screen, up to 10 frames per second continuous shooting speeds, and special shooting modes that help you get better pictures easier. All this built around an all-new CMOS sensor.
Until recently, almost all compact (small sensored) cameras were built around CCD sensors. This is because CMOS sensors have more circuitry built into the chip than CCD sensors and, with less room for actually capturing light, noise and noise reduction issues will have a detrimental effect on image quality.
Manufacturers have been working on these problems with CMOS sensors for a number of years in DSLR cameras, where all but the cheapest models feature CMOS sensors. Canon, which has been at the forefront of this CMOS sensor development, released the CMOS-sensored SX1 IS which we reviewed last month. Given Sony's heavy involvement in the sensor design and fabrication industry it is not surprising that it has followed suit with the CMOS based HX1.
While the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS utilizes its CMOS sensor to record 1080p (30fps) HD video, a fast 4fps continuous shooting speed, and offers RAW file recording, the HX1 uses its CMOS technology in some less conventional ways. The first of these is a super fast (as fast as the top end professional sports cameras) 10 fps continuous shooting. This relies not only on the sensor's speedy processing but also on a fast physical shutter, which in turn enables three unique shooting modes: Sweeping panorama (which stitches panoramas together as you shoot), Anti Motion Blur (which takes 6 images, and combines them to try and minimise the amount of blur in an image) and Twilight mode (which uses 6 stacked images to reduce the noise produced in images shot in low light situations).
While the HX1 may not feature RAW file recording, there are many manual settings such as three noise reduction settings, many white balance settings, a full range of manual modes, and many others for the photographer who wants ultimate control. Does this combine to make a compelling package that should command your money? Lets find out in our review.
 Sony DSC-HX1 |
 Sony DSC-H50 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | • 1/2.4 " Type CMOS |
• 1/2.3 " Type CCD |
| Maximum Image Size | 3456 x 2592 | 3456 x 2592 |
| Lens | • 28-560mm equiv.(4:3), 31-620mm (16:9) • 20x Optical zoom • F2.8-8.0(W)-5.2-8.0(T) |
• 31-465mm equiv. |
| Video Recording | HD Up to 1440x1080 30fps | Up to VGA (640x480) 30 fps |
| Sensitivity | • Auto |
• Auto • ISO 80-3200 |
| Special Scene Modes | Sweeping Panorama, Twilight, Anti-Shake, | None |
| LCD screen | • Tilting |
• Tilting • 230,000 pixels • 3.0 inch TFT LCD |
| Continuous shooting | max 10 fps | max 1.6 fps |
| Weight (no batteries) | 514g (18.1oz.) | 547g (19.3 oz) |
| Other | HDMI output |
| Price | • UK: £429.99 • US: $499.95 |
|---|---|
| Sensor | • 1/2.4" Exmor CMOS Sensor |
| Image sizes | • 3456 x 2592 |
| Image sizes (Panorama) |
• 7152 x 1080 • 4912 x 1080 • 4912 x 1920 • 3424 x 1920 |
| Movie clips | • 1440 x 1080 (30fps) • 1280 x 720 (30fps) • 640x480 (30fps) |
| File formats | • Still Image : JPEG (EXIF 2.2), DPOF v1.1, DCF v2.0, MPF baseline |
| Lens | • Sony G lens |
| Conversion lenses | Yes, Tele:VCL-HD1757 (Optional) |
| Digital zoom | Approx. 40x |
| Image Stabilization | Optical SteadyShot |
| Focus | 9 points / Center Weighted AF / Flexible Spot / Semi-Manual / Manual |
| AF area modes | Intelligent |
| Focus Mode | • Multi • Center • Flexible Spot |
| Focus distance | • Normal :W:Approx.1cm(0.03') to Infinity, T:Approx.150cm(4.92') to Infinity |
| ISO sensitivity | • Auto |
| Metering modes | • Multi • Center • Spot |
| Shutter speed | • Auto(2 sec- 1/4,000) • Program Auto(1 sec- 1/4,000) • Aperture Priority(8 sec- 1/2,000) • Manual(30" - 1/4,000) |
| Aperture | • Auto (F2.8./F8.0(W), • Program auto (F2.8/F8.0(W) • Manual( F2.8/F8.0(W) |
| Shooting modes | • Mode dial: Intelligent Auto, P Auto, easy, SCN, movie, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual |
| White balance | • Auto |
| Self timer | • Off • 10sec • 2sec |
| Continuous Shooting | 10.0 fps / 5 fps / 2 fps (10 shots max) |
| Flash | • Modes :Auto, Flash On, Slow Sync, Flash Off |
| Viewfinder | • 0.2 inch • approx. 201K pixels |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0 inch TFT LCD |
| Digital input/output | • USB 2.0 High Speed |
| Microphone / Speaker | Stereo / Mono |
| Video output | • HD(1080i) - HDMI • Composite • NTSC/ PAL |
| Storage | • Internal memory (Approx. 11 MB) • Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/ Pro HG Duo |
| Power | InfoLITHIUM H type 6.8V |
| Weight (no batt) | Approx. 514g (18.1oz.) |
| Dimensions | 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4 5/8" x 3 3/8" x 3 5/8") |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital
Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help
you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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This article is Copyright 2009 dpreview.com and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact: Phil Askey
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 9.1MP 20x Optical Zoom Digital Camera with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 Inch LCD | $299.00 |
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 9.1MP 20x Optical Zoom Digital Camera with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 Inch LCD | $299.00 |
Sony DSC-HX50V/B DSC-HX50, HX50, DSCHX50 Cyber-shot 20.4MP High Zoom Digital Camera Bundle with 64GB SD Memory Card + Memory Card Reader-Writer + Wasabi Power Replacement Battery for Sony NP-BX1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 + Soft Carrying Case + 7" Spider Tripod and Accessories | $434.00 |
Sony DSC-HX50V/B 20.4MP Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD Screen (Black) | Too low to display |
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 30x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch LCD (Black) (2012 Model) | $359.00 |
Focus Camera Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200/B Compact Zoom Digital Camera in Black + Sony 32GB Class 10 Secure Digital Memory Card + Sony Camera Case + 4 AA Rechargeable Batteries w/ Charger + Accessory Kit | $228.00 |
Sony DSC-HX300/B 20 MP Digital Camera with 50x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Black) | $428.00 |
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 16x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch LCD (Black) (2012 Model) | $229.99 |
Sony DSC-H200 Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Black) | $179.95 |
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H200 Digital Camera (Black) with 32GB Card + Batteries & Charger + Case + Tripods + Accessory Kit | $239.95 |
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX300 Digital Camera (Black) with 32GB Card + Battery & Charger + Backpack + Tripod + 3 Filters + Accessory Kit | $459.95 |
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