Dpreview Compact Travel Zoom Comparison

Leonardo Ita said:

Canon sx230 (and Nikon) won easily

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I'm not so sure.

From the "review/comparison":

"When testing cameras like the six which make it into this group, we try hard to keep our criticisms relevant. For a lot of people considering products like this, pixel-level image quality is of less importance than ergonomics, operational speed, accurate color and exposure. ...

Picking a winner from such a varied field is very difficult, so we've opted to do the same thing as we did in last year's travel zoom group test, and pick two. The Canon Powershot SX230 HS and Nikon Coolpix S9100 in combination do exactly what we think cameras of this type should. They provide enormous versatility, meaningful manual control, and good image quality, in relatively small, eminently portable bodies....

Both cameras are run very close (and in some respects surpassed) though by the Sony Cyber-shot HX9. The HX9 is the latest in a very attractive series of long-lens compact cameras from Sony, and boasts one of the most attractive and interesting feature sets of any camera in this market segment. ...

The only black marks against the HX9 are relatively slow operational speed and slightly smeary noise-reduction at medium and high ISO settings.

So, in many respects they aren't simply comparing these cameras, they are weighing in on their opinion as to what is important and not necessarily comparing simply observable differences.

Even so, are they consistent? - while they then rate the Canon and Nikon as "winners", they then say "Both cameras are run very close (and in some respects surpassed)" by the Sony. The Canon got an overall score of 77%, while the Nikon and Sony got 75% scores. Huh? Then why not the Canon as a clear winner with the Nikon and Sony tied for runners-up?
They also say about the HX9V:

"The Sony HX9V is a very capable camera when it comes to image quality and video, shots are generally sharp from edge to edge, colors are vivid and well-exposed and the video quality is probably the best out of our group test....

What has really stood out for us in this camera is the unusually versatile suite of high-speed shooting features that the HX9V offers."

Hmm... and the first thing they mention about the "winners" is

"They provide enormous versatility...".

Marking the Sony down on a "relatively slow operational speed". Relative to what? The Canon and Nikon? All of the cameras in the comparison? All dP&S cameras?

Again, from the review/comparison:

"Sadly, the HX9V is affected by the same laggy operation as its predecessor. From shot to shot the camera behaves as quickly as one would expect, menus are responsive and shutter lag is minimal, but it's slow during startup, playback and when switching modes. Startup takes about 2 seconds, and when zooming into images in playback mode that same lag shows up again, with the camera taking a full 2 seconds to respond. If you don't often review your images while you shoot this may not be such a noticeable problem, but if you are photographing a moving subject and want to be absolutely certain it's in focus you may lose your opportunity while waiting for the camera.

Again, huh? I have this camera and the zoom responds quickly, maybe a tenth of a second after moving the "zoom ring" and not the "around a second" that the review suggests while taking pictures and maybe a second when previewing an image initially but once an image has been slightly zoomed, further zooming, either in or out, is virtually instantaneous.

I'm wondering if owners of the other cameras in the "review/comparison" also note discrepancies in what is being said?

In any case, overall the Sony HX9V acquits itself very well and still seems to sit at or near the top of this dP&S category.

A useful compilation of Sony HX9V reviews is at Endless Gadget, here:

http://endlessgadget.com/sony-cybershot-dsc-hx9v-review/

+1

Sure is great to have choices.

Marti58 said:

opinions will differ, it always comes to personal preferences

last years travel cam comparisons review brought up a final listing in favor of two models as well.

I personaly dont care about video, but i have a list of things that i'm looking for in a camera if a camera is missing that or doing it away i cant influence its of the hook.

the differences in image quality can be close but the options to be creative are counting for me.

i had many travel kind of cameras over the years Canon Nikon Panasonic and this year i bought a Samsung WB650 ( last years model )reason why because the camera came closest to what i wanted in such camera and price tag was great.

if you like a camera who gives apes sh*t about what a review site says.

whatever they say, some will always dissagree specialy in brand specific forums.

you have to like it what you have brought for your personal reasons.

make a list of Pro and Cons your self and see what fits you best based on your own personal likings/ needs.

--
All my Post Processing is done with Capture NX2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marti58/

Click to expand...

i tested my WB650 with a class 4 card, from still to video recording it takes two seconds vice versa it takes 3 secs.

and i can turn of the preview which counts for faster respons times in shooting ( not timed ).

as always every camera will have Pro and Cons, so make a list of ypur personal needs and see what fits you best.

--
All my Post Processing is done with Capture NX2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marti58/

snapshot09 said:

Sure is great to have choices.

Click to expand...

Agree with that.

I got my Sony HX9v.

I wanted it to replace my Panasonic FZ38 purely for size and expected similar image quality. That camera does produce great shots....no doubt about it.

Whilst I use Nikon DSLR's I accepted that, like the Panny, image quality would be a compromise.

I still have a few days to return it if I am unhappy with it.

I have looked at images in the tests here and elsewhere (probably every review) and can see good and bad comparisons in each.

Some comments are favourable others less so.

Issues re speed etc and certainly wonderful compliments re video, if slow to start.

I tried my own shots and noticed at low ISO the smearing referred to.

I am therefore looking to possibly revert to the Nikon or the Canon as tested here at DPR but fear making a mistake and ending up with a camera, which might be better in one aspect, but not another.

The Canon does seem to have better image quality under some circumstances, the Nikon better in others and the Sony seems good in others.

I was really looking forward to using the Sony based on reviews read, prior to the DPR review.

I respect Dpr reviews and given the results I have seen in the DPR tests and the few shots I have taken, am worried I may have made the wrong choice.

However, swapping it for another, could be a mistake....

Any thoughts on this please....really would appreciate some thoughts from Sony, Canon and Nikon users.

Best wishes

Ray

I expressed some of my thoughts above, Ray.

Did you look at this:

A useful compilation of Sony HX9V reviews at Endless Gadget:

http://endlessgadget.com/sony-cybershot-dsc-hx9v-review/

Ray it will always boil down to personal likiings/preferences imho no one can make that or any decision for you.

make a list of what you like and what you dont like and see where it ends up.

any camera i own has his own merits
--
All my Post Processing is done with Capture NX2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marti58/

Thank you so much for your quick and helpful replies.

I so want to really like this camera and the only nagging thing is the comments from DPR yet the reports highlighted by John suggest that it is a superb all rounder.

I used to play in a group and if the crowd had a great night you felt great BUT.....regardless of how much the majority enjoyed the night, if one person said they didn't like it....funnily enough, that is what you heard above all else.

I may be falling into that trap!

I posted in Canon and Nikon forums but suspect and hope I may just persevere with the Sony and see what happens.

Once again....very grateful for your help.....very much appreciated.

Very best wishes as always

Ray

I also noticed slow video start up time in HX7V when it had class 4 memory card. But with class 10 card now, it starts up video in about 4~5 seconds. And about 2 seconds if it's in video mode.

Ray, sounds like not an easy decision. As noted in the dpreview, there are pros and cons to every camera, but up to the consumer to decide what is most important to them; complete Auto setting, manual controls, wide angle lens, maximum zoom of 450mm, flashes that don't pop up each time you power on the camera, fastest response rate, and the list goes on.

Dpreview highlighted if you want the best IQ/Low Light/High ISO performance, go with the SX230 or S9100 while if you do more movies/video than still shots, the HX9V does better.

Like any product too, people can always find website reviews to justify their own decision, whether it makes sense or not. The natural human response is we never want to feel like we made a bad decision.

For example, many find a website like Pcmag http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369450,00.asp to be most helpful for their reviews of cameras while others try to say what do they know about cameras?

Take the Canon SX230 for example. Although it is rated near the top of its class, you can easily find those that say it is the worst camera ever, always has focusing problems, etc. More times than not when people complain about something, it is not the actual product, but the user because they never read the manual and want it to work the way they want, not how it is intended.

Above all, expert reviews tend to be less bias than from most people on here no matter which forum you look at. Some will swear by Panasonic for example, no matter what they produce, while others will only ever buy a Nikon and nothing else.

If you are happy with your HX9V, then enjoy it. If not, feel free to return it and shop around. At the end of the day, it only matters what you think about the camera and whether it fulfills your needs, no one else.

RayGuselli said:

I got my Sony HX9v.

I wanted it to replace my Panasonic FZ38 purely for size and expected similar image quality. That camera does produce great shots....no doubt about it.

Whilst I use Nikon DSLR's I accepted that, like the Panny, image quality would be a compromise.

I still have a few days to return it if I am unhappy with it.

I have looked at images in the tests here and elsewhere (probably every review) and can see good and bad comparisons in each.

Some comments are favourable others less so.

Issues re speed etc and certainly wonderful compliments re video, if slow to start.

I tried my own shots and noticed at low ISO the smearing referred to.

I am therefore looking to possibly revert to the Nikon or the Canon as tested here at DPR but fear making a mistake and ending up with a camera, which might be better in one aspect, but not another.

The Canon does seem to have better image quality under some circumstances, the Nikon better in others and the Sony seems good in others.

I was really looking forward to using the Sony based on reviews read, prior to the DPR review.

I respect Dpr reviews and given the results I have seen in the DPR tests and the few shots I have taken, am worried I may have made the wrong choice.

However, swapping it for another, could be a mistake....

Any thoughts on this please....really would appreciate some thoughts from Sony, Canon and Nikon users.

Best wishes

Ray

Click to expand...

on Amazon stopped me in my tracks
and I was about to hit the buy button.

I waited- I read the DCRESOURCE review- I waited and almost bought the Nikon again and read more customer reviews and stopped and waited and read more - looked carefully at the Nikon p500 and Olympus and waited

Decided I wanted the longggg zoom and the Sony HX100V was the one to wait for. DCresource review of Np500 xxxxxx

I am continuously surprised at what this camera can do. I keep thinking its a bridge camera -not the real thing- I bought it for mostly compact birding but it just doesnt stop there

9 photo HDR
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8ideas/5948082374/

HDIsweep
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8ideas/5914586464/

Rapid High speed burst





















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Its a little heavier than I would like and will not fit into my pocket

Jeff
The camera is my third eye
and Molly And now Shira is vision for my heart



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Cy Cheze said:

The final rankings do not even provide a discrete ranking for stabilization, although that is arguably more important than high ISO results for a travel zoom.

I would have to agree, though, that the slow response time for the HX series in general warrants a demerit. The slow navigation from shoot mode to review and back to shoot mode is generally known. The navigation from auto to scene mode is also sluggish. Using the HX7V's dedicated video button, it takes almost 9 seconds from the instant one clicks the button until the LCD signal changes from "stand-by" to REC, then about five seconds from the instant you press to stop a video shot until it returns to shoot ready mode. I presume the HX9V and HX100 are nearly identical by that measure. The panorama, HHT, burst, and HDR modes also take some processing time, although that is perhaps more to be expected.

How fare the Canon or Nikon in response time?

Is it true that none of the HX models allow one to turn off auto-preview, which alone contributes a lot to inter-shot delays.

Click to expand...

I see that you are spreading those ridiculously fake operational times in the comments section of the travel zoom review.

Try to be less obvious next time with the trolling. It works much better that way. Otherwise you will be just like B1ackhat and Leonardo there. lol

Thanks so much for your very helpful comments.

For JSL, as I have a nice bridge camera in the Panasonic FZ38 I really want something to drop in the pocket which brings me back to the superzoom compacts as referred to.

I think I will try a few more shots as I have tiime to do so before my time to return expires etc.

I think it really is up to each to make their own decision and assessment.

JSL really summed the position up...

The natural human response is we never want to feel like we made a bad decision.

I guess that is it really. I probably would never have had the severe doubts I have had I not read DPR reviews which I do tend to respect.

However, the key must be shooting some images.

I will try again and let you know how I get on.

Most importantly I really appreciate the kind help and guidance from members here.

If nothing else, the help from people in this forum since I got the camera is enough to convince many to stay with it.

Very best wishes

Ray

Ray,

To further confuse you, let me share my ordeal. I currently have HX9V and I think I will keep it. A month ago I tried F550EXR and the SX230. I first got the Fuji, then the Canon, had them together for several days and returned both.

Reason to return the Fuji - the horrible indoor video. Look at this thread of mine:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1012&message=38577628

There are comparison videos of F550, SX230 and in my last post 'Update 2' a sample of the HX9V under the same indoor conditions. The Sony is a clear winner.

Reason to return SX230 - ergonomics. This camera was just a nightmare to handle. No grip, no thumb rest (the only place to put your thumb is the LCD), the 3" LCD is wide and you actually use 2.4" when shooting in 4:3. Lets not forget the popping flash which has startled me every time when I forgot to slam my finger on top. As you know, Sony's flash comes up only when needed. Another annoying thing of SX230 is the user interface. I have 2 old Canons and their user interface is great. Some genius at Canon decided to 'update' the UI and messed it up badly. It takes 1-2 extra button presses to change settings compared to the old UI.

SX230 Pros:

• Real aperture, not ND filter
• better IQ (if this is your top priority for this kind of camera)
• Av, Sv modes.
• Flash exposure compensation
• Independent Focus and EV lock
• Much better and faster review system

SX230 Cons:

• the above ergonomic shortcomings
• weak flash. Forget about outdoor fill flash at ISO100. Sony is much better here, although it sometimes tends to overdo it and there is no flash EC.
• not as good video as Sony. Only 24pfs at full HD.

HX9V Pros:

• wider angle
• better video
• better image stabilization
• much stronger flash. It can illuminate a room at ISO100 where Canon will need at least ISO500. Flash works really great in strong sunlight for fill-in when doing portraits. The lack of flash EC is annoying though.
• Better auto WB (IMHO)
• Faster focus, especially at full zoom.
• 3 memory recall settings. This is very handy.
• It remembers the last menu settings used after power off-on cycle. This is great. If you play with ISO mostly it will get you right there every time you press the menu button.
• Flash does not auto pop up at power on.
• better screen - higher resolution and real 3" in 4:3
• grip and thumb rest - much more secure hold
• the panorama mode is really good. It allows me to document places a way which I will never bother to do if I have to stitch on a computer.
• Portrait de-focus can also produce great images at the right conditions. It needs good light though.
• 10fps at full resolution. Canon does only 2fps. The Sony needs 7-8 seconds after the burst to clear the buffer and people complain about that but not a big deal to me. One needs this is special situations only for a short burst.
• Allows taking 3Mpx still imaged while filming video without affecting the video.
• great select focus tracking in video and stills

HX9V Cons:

• no Av and Sv modes
• no real aperture, only two settings with ND filter
• no flash EC
• no exposure or focus lock (the manual focus is there though)
• The review of pictures is a pain if you need to go 100% to check focus. The last taken picture stays on screen for 2 seconds and there is no setting to hold it longer. Canon has a HOLD after shot setting where the picture stays on screen until canceled by user - it can be fast zoomed 100%, etc.
• the famous smuggling at low ISO. Yes it is there but why would you want to view 16Mpx picture at 100%! I might even lower the resolution at 10Mpx and leave it there.
• no JPEG compression settings. The files size is too small for a 16Mpx sensor, hence the strong artifacts and smuggling.

Sony works better for me. Video, ergonomics and some unique features are more important to me than the loss of IQ and some other missing features.

I hope this is helpful.
Good luck!
--
Valentin
http://picasaweb.google.com/valphot

C a n o n A 7 0 0, S 2 , F u j i F 2 0, F 7 0 , K o d a k D X 7 5 9 0. S o n y H X 9 V

Ray - Glad I could help.

Whether you go with the Canon SX230, Nikon S9100 or Sony HX9V, you really cannot go wrong with either camera. Each of them are tailored to a specific customer and excel in some areas better than others so just have to figure out which one works best for you.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q311travelzoomgrouptest/page17.asp

RayGuselli said:

The natural human response is we never want to feel like we made a bad decision.

Click to expand...

Sony should be given 'the best watercolor mode (NR) camera'

Because of NR print sizes are reduced from large (as expected by advertised MP count) to medium (just like if it were an ancient 10 MP camera).

DPreview has never liked cameras with overly aggressive NR and yucky low ISO quality.
So, no cigar, as expected.

--
Feel free to visit my photo sites:
http://tom.st , http://www.foto.tom.st

Class 4 cards are pretty slow Marti.............i use a class 10 and it gives me very smooth performance.

Yes i know ...i do own class 10 as well, but even with class 4 its fast switching.

secondly i think starting/switching times are design related like writing times.

if a camera is doing a lot of processing before it writes thats most often the course of slowiness. ( processing time ).
--
All my Post Processing is done with Capture NX2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marti58/

tom sugnet said:

DPreview has never liked cameras with overly aggressive NR and yucky low ISO > quality.

Click to expand...

well i dont think DPR stands alone in that, personaly i rather work with noise then smearing.

--
All my Post Processing is done with Capture NX2

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marti58/

RayGuselli said:

Thanks so much for your very helpful comments.

Click to expand...

...

RayGuselli said:

I think it really is up to each to make their own decision and assessment.

JSL really summed the position up...

The natural human response is we never want to feel like we made a bad decision.

I guess that is it really. I probably would never have had the severe doubts I have had I not read DPR reviews which I do tend to respect.

Click to expand...

Certainly not a "bad decision" since all three cameras at the top of the review are "winners" here and elsewhere, including user "reviews/comments".

A lot has to do with each individual's ultimate use of the camera. For example, someone purchasing the Nikon may feel that a large portion of their use will be videos and wish they had purchased the Sony.

What all of these reviews and comments should do it help prospective buyers make an informed decision that will be best for them.

Do not let anyone convince you that something that they think is important must be important to you.

RayGuselli said:

If nothing else, the help from people in this forum since I got the camera is enough to convince many to stay with it.

Click to expand...

Well, If I may repeat myself -

overall the Sony HX9V acquits itself very well and still seems to sit at or near the top of this dP&S category. (We are in the "Sony Talk" section, after all. However, something similar could certainly be said about the Canon and Nikon in their respective sections of the board.)

A useful compilation of Sony HX9V reviews is at Endless Gadget, here:

http://endlessgadget.com/sony-cybershot-dsc-hx9v-review/