Just Posted: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V review

I think you might be exaggerating by about 4 seconds or so on the standby time.
You press the movie button and there is a short pause before it starts recording. When you press the button to stop it stops immediately but it takes the camera a couple of seconds to process before you can do anything else.

Oct 24, 2011permalink

Cy Cheze

Not exaggerating. Whatever is going on, the Movie Button takes about 5 seconds to go from standby to record. Even if the record begins before the red RECORD sign appears, you cannot be sure, and the zoom remains frozen for a bit longer. If you want to stop the video record and shoot a still shot, you've got to wait plenty long. To procede from Auto to Program (or any other mode) you must also be plenty patient. This is a hastle if you want to include a back-lit / HDR or HHT shot amidst others.

Oct 24, 2011permalink

oRBIT2002

My trust in Sony disappeared with the HX9V and the terrible noisereduction. The HX100V seems to suffer from this aswell (look at the pictures in 100%), it doesn't look good. Perhaps not visible on small prints but visible on screen.

Oct 24, 2011permalink

harrisoncac

No matter you like this review and the actual camera itself, B&H has now run out of stock of SONY HX100V.

Frustrated.

Oct 24, 2011permalink

arjunvkp

I think I'd prefer my HS20 over this??

Oct 23, 2011permalink

Macist

I've had this camera for a few months now and it is the perfect travel superzoom, with one glaring exception: the GPS function is very poorly implemented.

Every time the camera is turned off, the GPS turns off as well, which means that it can take a minute or two after the camera is powered for it to be able to lock coordinates and tag the photo.

The delay means that the majority of the photos taken while traveling will not have GPS coordinates.

This is the only reason I would get rid of the camera (or advise someone not to buy it if they intend to use it as a travel camera).

Otherwise, the PQ quality is very decent (for a superzoom) and the versatile zoom range packed in a relatively compact camera, plus the usable viewfinder and HDR, make this one of the top choices for anyone looking for a superzoom.

If SONY can fix he GPS problem with a firmware (give us the option to keep the GPS On, while the camera is Off, like Panasonic does), this would be the best travel camera, period.

Oct 23, 2011*permalink

Cy Cheze

You are correct that the GPS takes too much time to activate to function properly for most shots, unless you leave the camera on for lots of time before taking a shot. However, the slow operating performance in general is a more serious hinderance. GPS, all alone, is seldom of any great importance, unless you need some dire proof that you reached the K2 summit.

Oct 24, 2011permalink

Macist

With few exceptions, I have found that the camera does well in intelligent auto mode, so I leave it there for 90% of the shots.

But the GPS is necessary for a travel camera, so that I can remember where a particular shot was taken five+ years from now. When one travels, it's basically:

"Wow, this looks good!" -- turn camera on, take a shot or two, turn camera off and keep going. No time for GPS to lock, so the photo is not tagged, and a few years (or even months) later, you start wondering if this was in village A or village B, plus often you have no idea what the name of the place was anyway.

To boot, with GPS tagging you can plot your trip on a map (virtually every online photo service provides this feature), which is actually kind of fun and cool :)

The mode changing delay has been much less of a hindrance for me.

Oct 24, 2011*permalink

Ashley Pomeroy

Well, the lens seems decent - at 800mm the image quality doesn't appear any worse than at the wider end - but the noise reduction is distressing, and the 10fps mode is hobbled by the ten-shot buffer (the impression I get from the review is that if you shoot e.g. five shots and then stop, the camera locks up for several seconds, rather than letting you shoot another five shots immediately).

Unless I missed it you didn't do a resolution chart, but the output doesn't scream of sixteen megapixels at me. It's interesting to compare it with DPReview's sample shots from the Sony F-828 and Olympus C-8080WZ, from 2004; they're physically smaller but don't seem to have any less detail. The HX100 is much better at higher ISOs, and has HD video, but the actual stills quality doesn't seem like the result of seven years of progress.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

kkardster

I guess it's good to be first - even if it took 8 months. I'd like to see full reviews of the Canon SX40 and Panasonic FZ150 soon - followed by a decent SuperZoom (18X+?) category comparison piece now that the major players have released their updated models.

I'd really like to see DPR adopt a category comparison model which can be updated to remain relevant as new models are released instead of waiting a year or more [if ever] and finally publishing something that's still missing the latest from one or more vendors.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Barry Stewart

Con: Self-timer cancels after one use. I'm not sure this is a con. On my Olympus E-5, I took a few family shots with the 12 second timer and it didn't reset — which was handy at the moment.

BUT: Half an hour later, after being powered down and turned back on, I gave the camera to my brother-in-law to take a few shots of me and the camera was very unresponsive. Surprise! The self-timer stays on until told differently. Even more surprising, he actually got two good photos with that 12 second delay.

By contrast, my E-330 cancels itself when the camera is powered down. (This may be an custom option on the E-5... haven't gone there yet.)

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Dear DP,

this being my first post, I could not resist but to write down my utter dissapointment with this review. The IQ assessment is just embarrasing, as Panasonic FZ-150's output is just so obviously superior at any ISO level. Even people interested in buying superzooms are not that much psychovisualy impared so as not to recognize texture armaggedon left by overzealous noise reduction in HX100's output.

I mind you, I own no Panasonic and am no fan or adversary of any brand. I am just sad for HX100 being yet another megapixel race victim. I am equally dissapointed by this review, probably marking the end of DPreview's reputability. 73% ? No way !!!

Oct 22, 2011permalink

I'm curious to know if you actually read the review in its entirety. If all we did was judge cameras on the studio scene, we'd actually save a lot of time on our end, but would be less than helpful for users who don't view their images at 100% onscreen. We've noted the IQ differences between the HX100V and the FZ150 in the review. But we've yet to see a current superzoom best the FZ150 and in comparison with its peers, the HX100V is far from the worst performer in this regard.
Keep in mind that our ratings are relevant only to cameras in the same category, and are based on a variety of criteria beyond IQ and low ISO noise reduction so how far below the (non-existent because we haven't reviewed it yet) score for the FZ150 would you like to see the HX100V rated?

Oct 22, 2011*permalink

I don't feel good about being so harsh, but the truth is that I still consider the review to be misleading. At least regarding the IQ assessment.

After all, cameras are all about taking pictures, and most people expect IQ to be excellent when they plan to spend $400 on a photographic device.

Its not only about viewing image at 100% onscreen. You may want to have an A4 print at 600DPI.With fine detail gone, the result would resemble painting rather than photography.

Downsized images suffer from "megapixel race" too. Once you lose the details, no amount of downsizing can recover them. Even after you downsize the 16MP image (to say 3MP), you get sharp edges but the fine texture is gone, ie painting again.

Finally, I searched the review carefully but could not find the place where FZ150's IQ is mentioned. But I've found a vague statement that HX100's output is rather good in the category of 1/2.33"-sized sensors. I dare to disagree.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

@AD - OK, fair enough, when compared to P500 and 810UZ, then the HX100V seems to be doing a decent job, but on the other hand, the FZ150 shows (and so would the SX40, IMHO) what a superzoom with a 1/2.3" sensor actually is capable off, in terms of still image IQ at low and high ISOs.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

What part of the review do you feel is misleading? We've shown the HX100V side by side against 3 current superzooms. We never said it was the best in this category, but its clearly not the worst, as you can see in the studio comparison tool.
One thing we try to do in these reviews is make qualitative assessments that are in line with the camera's intended audience. If you're used to shooting with an entry-level DSLR, m4/3 or enthusiast APS-C model, then sure, you could characterize the HX100V's IQ as "unacceptable". But we don't feel that's a particularly useful comparison.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

I wouldn't (and didn't) call it directly "misleading", but maybe you were a bit too nice/diplomatic in your assessments, for example when saying in the conclusion that the HX100V "produces some of the better image quality you will find in this class of camera". People could easily take that to mean that the HX100V is near the top in its class, which it IMO isn't. Both the FZ150 and the SX40 are (again IMO) considerably better.

Oct 23, 2011permalink

Steen, it was me who called the review misleading, and I still stand by this wording.

Amadou, I did you inspect the studio shots evenly throughout entire area of the picture ? Have a look at the right hand part ! There you'll find the reason for many people's dissapointment.

Even at ISO 100 the hair&clock is blurred and not sharp. Probably the lens distortion is the reason for this behaviour. Manufacturers prolong the focus into absurd numbers, lurking the customers into buying the product based on the magical "30x" writing on the box. Nobody actually needs 800mm focal length, but what's worse, this range comes with many compromises regarding lens quality.

This lens decentering issue is aggravated by excessive noise (and implied noise reduction) due to high pixel density, which is just yet another marketing trick.

No, I am not asking you to compare HX100 with DSLR or m4/3 or APS-C compacts. There were many devices in the category which produced better pictures than HX100V.

Oct 23, 2011permalink

Come on... spend 5 min looking at the Sony talk forum and find me all the disappointed HX100v owners.
I'm a pixel peeper and I own DSLRs and m 4/3 cameras. I wasn't narrow minded enough to expect the HX100v's output to be detailed at 100%. It has a great zoom, sharp lens and unbelievable video quality.
The only people that have been disappointed are the ones that think they need to view a 16 Mp image at 100%.
If you can't manage to print a good image from the HX100v at A4/tabloid size then you are doing something wrong. If you are also trying to print such images at 600 x 600 then you need to rethink your workflow. Glossy magazines are usually printed no higher than 300 x 300 and anything over 150 dpi is perfectly acceptable in advertising.
The HX100v is more than capable for my needs and many others.
I miss the days of the Fuji S100sf which had a decent sized sensor and low enough pixel count but those days are gone.

Oct 23, 2011permalink

putomax

don't have this one, i have the sony hx9v and DP nailed the cons.
don't know if (like the hx9v) the hx100v will charge batteries internally,
if it does, that would be another big "con".

in my experience, i can say these cameras have many interesting features,
making them very versatile (i.e. twilight mode, panorama, 3d, etc.) but coming to IQ, they're nothing near... let's say canon s95 or g12 (which i've used).

i am currently editing a fullHD video with sony's footage and photos and nikon d700 pics. and i can state 3 things:

1 - sony's still images are nothing to cry about; to make the most out
of the overpopulated sensor one has to go in manual mode with lesser contrast, real color mode and underexpose. it's a shame sony didn't allow a REAL exposure lock (not to mention some kind of pre-manual focus)!!!

2 - nikon d700 quality is/still AMAZING... i bet the new FF DXXX camera would be something

3 - sony's video (1080p60) is freakingtastic!!!

gashô

Oct 22, 2011*permalink

straylightrun

So in summary, DSLR's have better IQ than digital cameras?

WHAT AN AMAZING DISCOVERY, WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT

Oct 22, 2011permalink

putomax

that's a pretty bad summary of my words, compi, ;-)

<DSLR's have better IQ than digital cameras?>
both are digital devices.

the actual improvement of non-dslr's cameras is FAST
and FIRM, i reckon dslr are bound to disappear... i guess the same will happen with dedicated video cameras.
STILL, today DSLRs (not talking medium format or bigger) squeeze better the light into the sensor and make the most with the info out of the sensor.
... as you seem to care quite a deal, i'll tell you i bought the sony because of the video... and not to carry all the time more than 3 kg in the bag.

*
i said d700 was great
i said hx9v is pretty mediocre, regarding IQ
and i said the cousin of hx100, sony hx9v's (it's just a mini-brick) video is REALLY GOOD!

gashô

Oct 22, 2011permalink

straylightrun

Cool story bro.

Oct 23, 2011permalink

D1N0

When it's like the Hx9v it's not one for cropping, The pics look great but at 100% view feathers look like you've put a smart blur filter over them. (see studio scene comparison with DMC-FZ150). While it is a very versatile camera, this must be a major compromise. I would have liked to see a more natural grain. Frankly, it should be in the cons. Do not buy it for making the best quality pics , but for it's versatility, then it will not disappoint, though operational speed is a drag. Want better image quality? Settle for less zoom en get an Olympus PEN E (1,2,3)

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Krocket

Man, what a bunch of know it all jerks- check out the HX100 forum if you want some pic examples and the overwhelming support of this model- most of you guys know nothing about what this camera can do- quit leaving such whining posts unless you have tried this model- I own it and know what it can do, and I also own a D90, A D7000, and A NEX 5N- each camera has it's own merits, but please try to know what you're posting about, and not just this constant whining!

Oct 22, 2011permalink

newcameraguy2821

This is an interesting camera with some good reviews being posted.

Here are two video reviews for the HX100V camera:
Sony DSC-HX100V Review
http://shrt.fm/mXEdj8

Sony DSC-HX100V Camera Review (HD) - BinaryCafe
http://shrt.fm/oLi8pz

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Simon97

Why 16MP? The images are soft and lack detail. Noise reduction destroys lots of low contrast detail even at low ISO. IMO, the compacts using the small 16MP sensor are the worst I've seen to date. MP race at the worst.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

leoand elsa

Great revue! Please can we have similar on Canon SX 40 Hs and Panasonic FZ 150 as soon as possible! i am very interested in the new breed of CMOS based superzoom bridge cams. Trying to decide between these or a DSLR with superzoom (tamron 18-270) I need an all purpose go anywhere camera. Looks like we aren't quite there yet. A larger sensor 4/3 or somthing like that in Canon S100 in a superzoom body combining all best fearures of Sony, Pana and Canon superzooms would be just right. Maybe nest year? Till then looking forward to review of SX 40 and FZ 150. I may just be tempted!

Oct 22, 2011permalink

TurboSled

+1 on the SX40. I've already bought one after seeing sample images around, but I would be interested in getting DPR's take on how it stacks up. I can't believe the pictures that come out of it, and the IS system is unreal. I never thought I'd be able to handhold 840mm at 1/20th and nail it so often.

Oct 24, 2011permalink

Thanks for the review. Hope that SX40 (and maybe even SX30) images will be added to the studio comparison tool soon.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

twadger

Actually might have been worth buying if it had Raw...

Oct 22, 2011permalink

gl2k

The term "compact-cam" really makes me laugh. These cams are almost as big as the entry level DSLRs from Canon & Nikon. Even their price is similar.
The only difference is their image quality ...
For the same price I can buy a NEX-3 which is far superior.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

OnTheWeb

Uh, no you can't. Not with that lens range.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

http://dp-master1.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1010&thread=39430532&page=2

Who needs THAT lens range ? It's just marketing trick, You pay for the lens range by optical distortions at wide/tele ends.

On the other hand, I dont want interchangeable lenses.I want 2/3" (or 1") 10 MP (EXR/BSI) CMOS sensored, 30-300mm lensed compact camera. Nothing more, and I'm gonna pay no more than 500€. Will anybody produce it for me ?

Oct 22, 2011permalink

TurboSled

Superzooms sell.

Here's a link, check out the top post of a DPR user (Ken53) that shot some samples comparing the SX40 to the T2i with a 100-400mm L. For the average consumer looking for a lot of reach, the T2i/lens combo's image quality isn't worth the huge weight penalty not to mention the extra $2000

Oct 24, 2011permalink

Mayank B

Wow, another compact camera review. Hope this would be a regular feature. Thank you, DP Review!

Oct 22, 2011permalink

chadley_chad

This site is about digital photography ... what do you expect DP to be reviewing; just the camera's you like!!!!

Oct 22, 2011permalink

I think he was applauding the fact that there is another compact camera review. This site is geared more to reviews of DSLRs so its nice to see a review of a camera like this.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Iso1975

I honestly can´t understand Dpreview's comments on the high iso images. Sony's images are far worst than Canon and Panasonic. Dpreview, are you sure your comments were about the HX100V???

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Yes, the comments about the image quality of the HX100V are a bit difficult to follow, but fortunately we can draw our own conclusion when using the studio comparison tool.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

The comparison tool was defaulting to the wrong cameras on the high ISO page. It has now been corrected so that the comparison is against three superzooms, the Panasonic FZ150, Nikon P500 and Olympus 810 UZ.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

harrisoncac

Dear DPR audience:
What do you say about HX100V against NIKON P500?

Oct 22, 2011permalink

There is a reason why the Nikon is over $100 cheaper in most stores right now.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

knopstr

I purchased and used this camera in September of this year. I own other cameras like the Nikon D90 and Sony Nex5 as well. The Sony HX100V was very light and responsive in the field. It allowed me to take some of the best video I have attempted so far. The video was excellent. You can see a sample on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LhOoD7MliT8 For me the feature set on this little camera is hard to beat when you are out and about.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

B1ackhat

DPR takes a ridiculously long time to post reviews. This camera was released 8 months ago. It's virtually up for replacement at this point.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

tanasinn

Except for the fact that its predecessor was around for about three years. Not to mention that it was announced 8 months ago and production was delayed due to the Japanese earthquake. It only started to ship in late July if I recall correctly

Oct 22, 2011permalink

MaikeruN

> B1ackhat

True, but do you pay for DPR?

Oct 22, 2011permalink

wetsleet

in so far as, but for the viewer numbers, DPR would have no revenue, yes - we pay. We pay with our eyeballs, that is the business model.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Osiris30

" At ISO 1600 the HX100V begins to outpace most of its rivals, striking a pleasing balance between noise suppression and image detail and relatively little in the way of artifacts. "

Are we *really* looking at the same output. There's no detail left at all in the medallions on the bottle. For my money the Canon strikes the best balance. Remember those medallions have thin horizontal lines on them....

Oct 22, 2011permalink

MarcusGR

I absolutely agree: dpreview comments on HX100V's high-ISO performance seem to be referring to .... another camera ! The actual high-iso images attributed to HX100V are horrible: the worst of the lot. Look at the signature at the foot of Ballantine's whisky bottle ... A mis-match problem, there?

Oct 22, 2011permalink

arguros

Also if you look at the travel zoom comparison they seemed to prefer the canon output. All these cameras share the same sensor. I guess different reviewers have different metrics

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Oct 22, 2011permalink

MDunka

...finally! In the mean time, I already purchased this camera.
:))

Oct 22, 2011*permalink

Elaka Farmor

Nothing about the smearing effects....that must mean that there are no smearing and it´s perfect with 16mp with that tiny sensor. Good.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

SHood

LOL. If this scores a 73 with that smearing then the FZ150 must score well over 80. Just horrible.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

eddie_cam

Another review site going down the drain, becoming a marketing instrument only.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

chlamchowder

Remember that they say review scores are relative to that class of camera - so they're only comparing this one to other superzooms with tiny sensors and EVFs.
So they're saying that the HX100V does a decent job for a superzoom (don't they all smear?).

Oct 22, 2011permalink

eddie_cam

Did you compare FZ150's ISO 100 to HX100V's ISO 100?

Oct 22, 2011permalink

policeman0077

nice camera poor operation speed with bulky body。。。。
not very attracting for me ...

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Steve FStop

Have a look at the HX9V....Very similar, but in a smaller package. I chose that cam for that reason.

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Johan01

Cool, I didn't know DPR was based out of Seattle. Time to start stalking them... hehe

Oct 22, 2011permalink

Elaka Farmor

At last....!

Oct 21, 2011permalink

chiumeister

some SLT-A77 are coming to market in the US, can we please have the official review? pretty please....

Oct 21, 2011permalink