Most might think it is a bit presumptuous of me to write a review of a camera I just so recently purchased. I took it on a trial run this morning and almost fell over with it's features.
I'm barely an amateur in this field, but have been heavily interested into photography since 1967, when I purchased my first Pentax Spotmatic F. I liked it so well I purchased another one as well. I've purchased a number of cameras over the years and have enjoyed each of them, but have learned from each as well. Recently, I noticed a scratch on the lens pf my Nikon Coolpix L610, so I went by a local store here at Sibiu, Romania to replace it.
In the store I spotted a camera with a Carl Zeiss lenses - Sony DSC-HX400V. It was their demo model, but I had to have it anyway. They had a hard time separating the camera from their security system. The security guard, trying to help, put a big figure print on the lens. Then we discovered the battery was missing. Replaced with another battery, I still wanted the camera.
This morning I went out into the orchard and put the camera though it's paces. I am shocked at the capabilities of this camera. Just keeping track of them is challenge. I think a novice could well use this camera well, but feel that they should stay clear - else they will be paying good money for features they will not understand or use.
I looked for a macro feature to no avail. I attempted to use the wide-angle setting and it worked well as a macro lens. Even telephoto worked if you stepped back far enough. Actually good; since the telephoto will eliminate your own shadows.
I was astounded at the telephoto capabilities. It was steady during shots and really drew the image in. I did notice some loss of detail and some flatness at the longer settings, but not a bad as I had experienced with my Vivitar or Nikkor long telephoto lens. I needed a telephoto capability, I like to crop my images as I'm taking my photos. Better resolution in my mind. Saves me from a lot of work in Photoshop later on. Before anyone gets excited, I know the telephoto introduces optical aberrations and loss of depth of field. Especially at long ranges. I deal with them though.
The camera lens does have a screw on filter/hood mount ability. The instruction book says the lens in 55mm. With such a lens, I advise that a UV or Skylight A1 filter be added to protect the lens coating. The latter is you desire some warmness to your photos. If I can't find one locally, I'll be sure to order one through the Internet.
I loved the auto eye piece setting arrangement, a feature I direly missed with most of my other digital cameras. There was very little lag between the press of the shutter button and the finished camera shot. A very big problem with many of the older digital cameras. I liked the distinct way the half way press of the shutter button behaved. The best grip on a camera I've had so far.
Low light shots are not as spectacular as some of my other cameras - but good enough for my purposes. I'm worried about the harm it may experience from it's most probable exposure to dust and rain. In some ways, the camera does not have a feeling of weight sturdiness as most of my previous cameras. ..but at the same time it does seem to be somewhat robust in feel. More flare in some photo shots than I had expected - a lens hood will be a must - probably a collapsible one. A bit bulkier than my little Nikon. I'll not be able to slide it into my pocket - a camera case will become a must. Guess I'll use my iPhone as a pocket camera backup.
A lot more features to discuss, but - all in time. Is it a keeper? You bet.
I'm barely an amateur in this field, but have been heavily interested into photography since 1967, when I purchased my first Pentax Spotmatic F. I liked it so well I purchased another one as well. I've purchased a number of cameras over the years and have enjoyed each of them, but have learned from each as well. Recently, I noticed a scratch on the lens pf my Nikon Coolpix L610, so I went by a local store here at Sibiu, Romania to replace it.
In the store I spotted a camera with a Carl Zeiss lenses - Sony DSC-HX400V. It was their demo model, but I had to have it anyway. They had a hard time separating the camera from their security system. The security guard, trying to help, put a big figure print on the lens. Then we discovered the battery was missing. Replaced with another battery, I still wanted the camera.
This morning I went out into the orchard and put the camera though it's paces. I am shocked at the capabilities of this camera. Just keeping track of them is challenge. I think a novice could well use this camera well, but feel that they should stay clear - else they will be paying good money for features they will not understand or use.
I looked for a macro feature to no avail. I attempted to use the wide-angle setting and it worked well as a macro lens. Even telephoto worked if you stepped back far enough. Actually good; since the telephoto will eliminate your own shadows.
I was astounded at the telephoto capabilities. It was steady during shots and really drew the image in. I did notice some loss of detail and some flatness at the longer settings, but not a bad as I had experienced with my Vivitar or Nikkor long telephoto lens. I needed a telephoto capability, I like to crop my images as I'm taking my photos. Better resolution in my mind. Saves me from a lot of work in Photoshop later on. Before anyone gets excited, I know the telephoto introduces optical aberrations and loss of depth of field. Especially at long ranges. I deal with them though.
The camera lens does have a screw on filter/hood mount ability. The instruction book says the lens in 55mm. With such a lens, I advise that a UV or Skylight A1 filter be added to protect the lens coating. The latter is you desire some warmness to your photos. If I can't find one locally, I'll be sure to order one through the Internet.
I loved the auto eye piece setting arrangement, a feature I direly missed with most of my other digital cameras. There was very little lag between the press of the shutter button and the finished camera shot. A very big problem with many of the older digital cameras. I liked the distinct way the half way press of the shutter button behaved. The best grip on a camera I've had so far.
Low light shots are not as spectacular as some of my other cameras - but good enough for my purposes. I'm worried about the harm it may experience from it's most probable exposure to dust and rain. In some ways, the camera does not have a feeling of weight sturdiness as most of my previous cameras. ..but at the same time it does seem to be somewhat robust in feel. More flare in some photo shots than I had expected - a lens hood will be a must - probably a collapsible one. A bit bulkier than my little Nikon. I'll not be able to slide it into my pocket - a camera case will become a must. Guess I'll use my iPhone as a pocket camera backup.
A lot more features to discuss, but - all in time. Is it a keeper? You bet.
