H55 v. HX5v

I saw a thread from a while back asking this very question, but there was no side-by-side photo comparison done, so just wondering if anyone has had experience with both and can comment?

I am not an expert in photography by any means, nor do I plan to do any post-work on pictures I take.. I am looking for a simple point and shoot that is small and convenient and takes HD video.

From the side-by-side comparison, these two look very similar, except for the pixel density, CCD v. CMOS, and the video resolutions. Of course I like the features of the HX5V more, but I'm wondering if the $100+ difference is worth it, especially if the IQ is similar with both.

I appreciate any help!

Thanks

I don't have either, but looked into both.

The Hx5V is better in low-light, has the better video, though both have poor audio, or at least don't do bass frequencies as well as panasonic ZS series, and the HX5V has better panorama feature, that takes out moving objects, whereas the F55 will show ghosting or moving objects will show up twice.

I wouldn't even consider the H55. You'll have to decide if the Hx5v is worth the price. If the slightly smaller size and pano feature are not ultra-important, I'd get a Panasonic ZS7 over either of these, cost will be less than the HX5V.

dohmai said:

I saw a thread from a while back asking this very question, but there was no side-by-side photo comparison done, so just wondering if anyone has had experience with both and can comment?

I am not an expert in photography by any means, nor do I plan to do any post-work on pictures I take.. I am looking for a simple point and shoot that is small and convenient and takes HD video.

From the side-by-side comparison, these two look very similar, except for the pixel density, CCD v. CMOS, and the video resolutions. Of course I like the features of the HX5V more, but I'm wondering if the $100+ difference is worth it, especially if the IQ is similar with both.

I appreciate any help!

Thanks

Click to expand...

Hmm I don't know where you got the info on regarding the audio on the HX5 vs the Panny ZS. I have them both here, ZS3 and HX5. The ZS3 will be sold shortly. My biggest issue with the ZS3's video is its very low audio level and very tinny sound. The HX5 is by no means audiophile sound, but it's much better than the ZS3. I don't know about the ZS7 though.

Videos during the daytime, the HX5 completely blows away the ZS3. Much sharper 1080i (yes I see the difference), MUCH smooth 60fps motion. Turn down the lights inside the house though, and the ZS3 wins. The iA mode on the Panasonic is pretty amazing, watch it change mode automatically on the fly during the video - in and out of macro mode, high sensitivity mode etc. The ZS3 gives a much brighter and cleaner low light video. I'm pretty disappointed with Sony's high touted "backlit sensor" for its supposed superior noise characteristics, it's definitely not the case for video use.

That said, I love the HX5's hi-res super smooth daytime video. I've waited a long time for a camera like this (pocket sized, good zoom range, 1080/60i video with zoom and stabilizer), all the other bells and whistles (10fps burst, handheld twilight, etc) are bonuses. It's a keeper for me.

Undah said:

The Hx5V is better in low-light, has the better video, though both have poor audio, or at least don't do bass frequencies as well as panasonic ZS series, and the HX5V has better panorama feature, that takes out moving objects, whereas the F55 will show ghosting or moving objects will show up twice.

I wouldn't even consider the H55. You'll have to decide if the Hx5v is worth the price. If the slightly smaller size and pano feature are not ultra-important, I'd get a Panasonic ZS7 over either of these, cost will be less than the HX5V.

dohmai said:

I saw a thread from a while back asking this very question, but there was no side-by-side photo comparison done, so just wondering if anyone has had experience with both and can comment?

I am not an expert in photography by any means, nor do I plan to do any post-work on pictures I take.. I am looking for a simple point and shoot that is small and convenient and takes HD video.

From the side-by-side comparison, these two look very similar, except for the pixel density, CCD v. CMOS, and the video resolutions. Of course I like the features of the HX5V more, but I'm wondering if the $100+ difference is worth it, especially if the IQ is similar with both.

I appreciate any help!

Thanks

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

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NIK0N D9O/18TO1O5VR/35MM1.8/SB4OO/SB6OO
PANAS0NIC ZS-3 & TS-1
CAN0N S9O
S0NY HX5Vee

Thanks! That's the sort of info I was interested in. I have heard lots of good things about HX5V but not that much about H55.. seems like it's because it's not a very popular option..

Will look into the Panny also a bit..

andye53 said:

Hmm I don't know where you got the info on regarding the audio on the HX5 vs the Panny ZS. I have them both here, ZS3 and HX5. The ZS3 will be sold shortly. My biggest issue with the ZS3's video is its very low audio level and very tinny sound. The HX5 is by no means audiophile sound, but it's much better than the ZS3. I don't know about the ZS7 though.

Click to expand...

As mentioned, I don't have experience, just passing on what I've read. There was a user in the Panny forum IIRC recently that discussed specifically the issue with sound in movies while filming concerts. Said the hx5v didn't cut it and was returned, in favor of I believe the ZS7.

I do have a ZS3 and can see traveling with only this camera. But since the ZS7 came out, and the Sony hx5v, I've been comparing and reading extensively about both. It would be a close call, but I'd favor the ZS7 because of better image quality due to less noise reduction smearing. Also, the way the ZS7 gps works it's more practical, you don't have to wait for the signal because it updates while it's off. With the hx5v, you have to wait for the signal each time you turn it on. That would make hiking pretty boring.

OTOH, I just got an H20, and I'm very impressed with its intelligent auto mode, at least the equal of my ZS3, in the limited testing so far of the H20. But the H20 wouldn't cut it as my only travel cam due to bigger size and lack of wide-angle.

Also, seems to cause lazy eye with flash, and cams that do that don't last long with me.

I don't have H55, but I found a review of this camera here.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/H55/H55A.HTM

It looks like it's good distortion wise. One of the main issues of HX5V that I can't get over.

Undah said:

There was a user in the Panny forum IIRC recently that discussed specifically the issue with sound in movies while filming concerts. Said the hx5v didn't cut it and was returned, in favor of I believe the ZS7.

Click to expand...

This isn't the one I mentioned above, but another one, essentially saying the same thing regarding sound:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=35489473

Undah said:

Undah said:

There was a user in the Panny forum IIRC recently that discussed specifically the issue with sound in movies while filming concerts. Said the hx5v didn't cut it and was returned, in favor of I believe the ZS7.

Click to expand...

This isn't the one I mentioned above, but another one, essentially saying the same thing regarding sound:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=35489473

Click to expand...

And yet another thread:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=35491909

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=35227534

Undah said:

Undah said:

Undah said:

There was a user in the Panny forum IIRC recently that discussed specifically the issue with sound in movies while filming concerts. Said the hx5v didn't cut it and was returned, in favor of I believe the ZS7.

Click to expand...

This isn't the one I mentioned above, but another one, essentially saying the same thing regarding sound:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=35489473

Click to expand...

And yet another thread:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=35491909

Click to expand...

If you are not looking for great IQ or fine detail in still's but mainly interested in video, go with the HX5V. No P&S with a 1/2.3-inch sensor and 14MP's can take very good pictures. Even the back lit CMOS sensor in the HX5V is known for taking very blurry and smeared pictures with only 10MP's. You might want to take a look at the DMC-ZS3 since it is probably one of the best bang for the buck P&S's for your requirements.

I agree that neither of these camera is good for IQ. Sony cameras seem to be more about fun features (iSweep panorama, HHT, etc) and videos, not for high quality photography. In case of HX5V, even the video has severe barrel distortion and poor low light performance.

I would also recommend DMC-ZS3 or DMC-ZS7 for high IQ P&S camera. I bought ZS3 back in march when its price range was 210~240 and new ZS7 was around 380. But now it looks like ZS7 is close to 300~310 and ZS3 is a little higher or the same. If I buy now, it would be ZS7 due to a little better indoor AWB and more manual controls.

Hi
I want to know more about sony DSC-H55 model
If anybody currently using this pls give me review.
I am planning to buy one camera soon..'
Pls Help me..to decide..
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vijay