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Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 9.1MP Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 Inch LCD

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Product Description Sony Digital Still Camera with 9.0 MegaPixel / 20x Optical Zoom Reviews We travel a lot and definitely needed to upgrade to a wide angle camera. We looked a lot to find one that included a powerful zoom as well as the wide angle and decided to go for the Sony HX1 since we've always had Sony cameras and once again we weren't disappointed. We were a little worried that it would be too heavy or big to be carried around during a long trip but this camera is just the right size and weight. It works wonderfully well. We specially liked the panoramic function which allowed us to take wonderful shots of squares, archeological sites, etc. and in showing the whole area it brings you the sense that you're there. A great plus is that it includes a compact wall charger, so you don't need to purchase a separate travel charger as with the older cameras. I definitely recommend this camera. The DSC-HX1 has been around Sony's Cybershot H series family for awhile now, and it doesn't seem to want to step down from its throne as the king of the Sony superzoom series. Having won the TIPA award for best superzoom digital camera in 2009, this camera is kind of tough to beat, even for Sony. I wonder if the engineers at Sony Japan is cracking their heads trying to come up with the next best superzoom as I'm typing this late review of a camera that has already been out there conquering the world for nearly a year. The HX1 doesn't have the best image sensor. At 9.1 Megapixels, its sensor's resolution is less than impressive when an entry level Sony Cybershot can easily give you 10.1 Megapixels, or more. In fact compared to most smaller digital cameras out there, its CMOS sensor tends to be a little on the noisy side. The WX1 and TX1 have better output at ISO 800 and above, the HX1 struggles with noise in the dark. The uploaded images showing the noise levels from ISO 125 all the way to ISO 3200 proves it. However, when you're considering buying a camera like the HX1 or any superzoom digital cameras, you're looking for something that can zoom beyond the pathetic 3X, 4X or 5X, and the G-lens of the HX1 does a fantastic job at bringing you an almost distortion free, 20X (from 28mm to 560mm) of optical zoom. I use my Sony Alpha 550 to shoot stock photos for obvious reasons (low noise, great details), but when I want something that weighs less than a brick that I can lug around with me all the time while I'm out with friends having a good time, a super compact like the S950, TX1 or the WX1 just seems to be missing something. For one, these cameras, as good as they are with noise supression, does not allow manual control of my exposures, which can be a bit of a nightmare when I need to shoot in the dark. I understand that point-and-shoot usually doesn't happen at places completely devoided of light, but from my experience, there are occasions when you just want to use your compact to take in the dark atmosphere as it is, and this is where these super compacts refuse to work with me. Even the so-called long exposure modes like the night mode, fireworks mode will only open the shuttle of these super compacts for 1 to 2 seconds, which I find rediculous. The HX1, thankfully for its manual and shuttle speed control, let's me control the length of the exposure up to 30 seconds (no bulb mode here, unfortunately). So, along with all the convienience of a super compact (if you can get over the size, it's not exactly big, but not something you can slip into a pocket either), the HX1 gives you just enough manual controls, including manual focusing to let you compose your shots more freely when you want to take over. Super compacts like the S950, TX1 and WX1 simply refuse to let you do anything beyond pressing the shuttle halfway down to focus, and all the way down to capture. Is the HX1 a perfect camera? No. But does it perform? Yes. As a superzoom with DSLR controls, it does way more than any super compact could. It may not deliver the cleanest pictures (maybe Sony can fix this with a firmware upgrade?), but its superzoom G-lens allows you to pull in objects so far away that no DSLRs can do with just one lens. The most powerful zoom lens from the Sony alpha family can only zoom up to 14x, from 27mm to 375mm, whereas this tiny little (compared to a DLSR) bridge camera zooms from 28mm to 560mm. Oh yeah, and just like any compact cameras, you don't need to switch lenses to shoot in macro. With my alpha system, I have to carry a DT30mm F2.8 macro, a DT18-250mm F3.5-6.3, a 50mm F1.4 and a 70-300G, to make sure I can handle everything that I may come across when I'm shooting out there. These lenses weigh more than 10 pounds combined. The HX1 weighs less than 2 pounds. So, if you're looking for a bridge camera with a mega zoom lens that does everything a super compact does but want manual control, this camera should be just perfect for you. It may not give you the best quality JPEGs, perhaps in a few more years Sony will fix that but for now, this superzoom is going to see alot of actions along with my DSLR than any of my super compacts. Pros: 1) Great zoom, 28mm to 560mm 2) Punchy colors, rich, deep, vivid tones 3) Manual controls like DSLRs 4) Compact camera features like smile detection, face detection, color tone controls, multiple scene selections. 5) Large 3" LCD display 6) Supersteady shot works to allow you to shoot at shuttle speed below 1/30 second. 7) Incredibly lightweight for such a powerful zoom camera. Cons: 1) Pictures tend to be noisy, but there's a noise reduction control (3 levels) to suppress the noise. 2) Slow to start up, takes about 5-7 seconds. 3) Doesn't use AA, if you like the convenience, but the infolithium battery tells you exactly how many minutes you have before you need to recharge. 4) Continuous shooting limited to 10 frames per burst, then stops for like 17 seconds to store the images. 5) Limited DRO-plus usage, up to ISO 800 only. 6) No flash hot-shoe to use external flash.