Disappointing. My old HX20v is much better.

[Maxmartin]

I cannot understand why Sony is going backwards with the HX series.

I have the HX20v, WX350, HX50v and now the new HX90v

I still find the HX20v (I have 3!) is superior in low-light. And by low light, I mean indoors with the TV running and some 40watt stand lamps. Or outdoors at dusk in the cafes and restaurants.

Image quality of the HX90v is also fuzzy compared to the HX20v.

I tested all 4 cameras with the green setting, flash off, AF assist off, one after another at the same zoom setting of the same images.

HX20v wins hands down every time. Fast, reliable autofocus even when it is so dark you are beginning to have trouble seeing. And the image comes out looking like normal light!

WX350 is a close second,

HX90v trails quite a bit, struggling to autofocus and with fuzzy images by comparison,

HX50v is a disaster, won't focus at all in most low-light situations, noisy pictures when it does,

C'mon, Sony!!! Where are the blueprints for the HX20v? Please bring back the quality and reliability!

 

[rlent120]

I recently purchased the WX500, identical to the HX90V except for the EVF, and found it to be a fantastic little camera. I am extremely pleased with the image quality, even noise is not an issue. Video is sharp and beautiful, and quick focus is so much better than a few other superzooms I tried. It is difficult to explain the variance of image quality among the posters. Since the WX500 is essentially the same as the HX90V, then I would conclude that the HX90V is a great camera. Perhaps it is subjective, because it is hard to believe the same camera would behave so differently for different users.

 

[sarahsmile]

Hello CaliforniaDave!

I liked your objective and practical review!

Did you notice anything about battery life?

Specifically when shooting video?...

I had a Canon SX100 in 2012 and the battery life was fantastic when I had to shoot video for documenting meetings... as soon as the battery light started flashing red... meaning the battery was low...it would still go for another 30 minutes...

I changed cameras a few times since then and now am using the Canon SX700HS...and the battery life isn't very good. I have to keep 5 fully charged batteries with me at all times when I'm shooting a lot of video...

I want a camera with the 30x zoom capability and reasonable low light shooting...but the battery life is also important to me...

Any battery tests run?

 

[CaliforniaDave]

Hello CaliforniaDave!

I liked your objective and practical review!

Did you notice anything about battery life?

Specifically when shooting video?...

I had a Canon SX100 in 2012 and the battery life was fantastic when I had to shoot video for documenting meetings... as soon as the battery light started flashing red... meaning the battery was low...it would still go for another 30 minutes...

I changed cameras a few times since then and now am using the Canon SX700HS...and the battery life isn't very good. I have to keep 5 fully charged batteries with me at all times when I'm shooting a lot of video...

I want a camera with the 30x zoom capability and reasonable low light shooting...but the battery life is also important to me...

Any battery tests run?

Hi, sarahsmile,

No specific battery tests, but the battery hasn't been an issue. I usually don't shoot lengthy video segments, but instead 10 to 20 second videos, sometimes a minute or two. I take along an extra battery in my case (the batteries are small in size). The camera charges via USB, so you can charge in a car, etc., during the day.

You mention reasonable low light shooting. I would say that the HX90V and other 1/2.3" sensor ultra compact high zoom cameras are not a good choice for low light shooting, because of the small sensor size and slow lens. The RX10iii has a bigger sensor and faster lens, with 24X zoom, and it would be better, but is much larger. APS-C or FF size sensor cameras would be better yet for low light shooting.

 

[perfectsquare]

Was excited to get a super deal on a WX500 to replace my ailing HX30V, but decided not to keep it after being disappointed with its strangely jittery video stabilisation (in both Active & Intelligent Active SteadyShot modes). Not blatantly obvious enough for many pro reviewers to notice, but enough to frustrate someone who really appreciated the HX20V/HX30V's video stabilisation. Doubt it was an issue with my unit, as it is now noticable (to me at least) in sample WX500 videos on YouTube, and the HX90V appears to have the same problem.

It's hard to do a controlled test of stabilisation to confirm the issue, but I tried to get as close as possible by filming my computer screen with my HX30V, WX500 and RX100M2, elbows resting on desk, holding each camera as steady as I could. The HX30V and RX100M2 can produce an almost static shot in these conditions, while the WX500's video wobbles.

 

[Orcam]

It's true that the HX20 takes much better photos in low light, it was the first thing I noticed on the HX50 how much worse it was compared to the HX20 in low light photos. A shame that they haven't addressed it with the new cameras. The problem of the HX20 was the oil filter that was applied in order to smooth the noise. On the HX50 we can change the option to not use that filter but not on the HX20.

 

[sybersitizen]

The problem of the HX20 was the oil filter that was applied in order to smooth the noise.

I usually go for the Purolator brand.

 

[Orcam]

Watercolor, oil, smudging filter... to me it looks similar to warpsharp.

 

[Michel Merlin]

...In numerous photographic forums (fora?),...

R2D2 wrote:

LOL, I too use the (correct) term "Fora" on occasion!

Calling one way or another "correct" is subjective since there are a number of POVs on this (even if at 1st glance many only see one).

« In numerous photographic foris » could be called correct in a certain POV (the latin word is here integrated in the english sentence using latin articulation, here the plural dative of the latin declension of forum).

« In numerous photographic forums » could be in another POV (the latin word is here integrated in the english sentence using english articulation, here the standard form of plural). This way has generally been preferred in circles like mathematicians, grammarians, jurists, where logic, clarity, accuracy, conciseness, and effectiveness, are considered more important than anything that could look superficial or pedantic.

« In numerous photographic fora » won't be called "correct" by most people who thought of it, since it carries two conception errors: using latin articulating to integrate a (here foreign) word in an english sentence; violating basic principle of that latin articulation, which would at least require the correct case of declension.

Versailles, Sat 11 Nov 2017 18:05:00 +0100