We take a brief look at Sony's feature-rich contender in the crowded, long-zoom compact category.
The long-zoom compact category has been slowly gaining in popularity, with many manufacturers beefing up their point-and-shoot offerings by adding 10x to 16x optical zoom lenses, throwing in some advanced user features and keeping all that in one neat package. Just last month, Sony unveiled a new contender in the already crowded long-zoom compact segment, competing with the likes of camera battery and camcorder battery or battery charger. These handy compacts are not only versatile with extended zoom optics, but are also equipped with advanced features that will appeal to those who want more creative options on their cameras.
The Exmor R sensor features Sony's backside-illuminated CMOS technology. This minimizes noise in pictures at high ISO and provides enhanced picture quality.
The snapper also comes with three 3D capture modes that utilizes Sony's dual-lens system and allows users to create sweeping panoramas. These 3D images can then be viewed in its full glory on compatible 3D TVs. The camera's 16x optical zoom and 24mm wide angle lens would enable users to shoot wide landscape scenery as well as closeups of flora and fauna.
It's helpful that Sony included an In-Camera Guide which provides onscreen tips and usage information. This would benefit first-time users, particularly those buying the camera for overseas travel--you definitely don't want to lug that manual across continents just know how to access a certain function.
An interesting feature to note is that this Cyber-shot also sports an in-built digital compass which may come in handy if you ever find yourself lost in the wilderness.
Furthermore, users have to export the images to their computers to fully take advantage of the shooter's in-camera geo-tagging capabilities. Sure, this Cyber-shot records GPS coordinates to images. However, compared to other GPS-enabled cameras like the Samsung WB650 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20, the HX9V falls short as it does not integrate its GPS with any mapping service for users who want to track their location.
Available in black, the HX9V retails at about US$350. Pricing and availability of the camera in Asia is still not firm, but we will update this story when we have more information from the manufacturer.
The long-zoom compact category has been slowly gaining in popularity, with many manufacturers beefing up their point-and-shoot offerings by adding 10x to 16x optical zoom lenses, throwing in some advanced user features and keeping all that in one neat package. Just last month, Sony unveiled a new contender in the already crowded long-zoom compact segment, competing with the likes of camera battery and camcorder battery or battery charger. These handy compacts are not only versatile with extended zoom optics, but are also equipped with advanced features that will appeal to those who want more creative options on their cameras.
Upside
The HX9V packs a long list of features, including a 16-megapixel Exmor R sensor, 3D capture modes and In-Camera Guide, to name a few.The Exmor R sensor features Sony's backside-illuminated CMOS technology. This minimizes noise in pictures at high ISO and provides enhanced picture quality.
The snapper also comes with three 3D capture modes that utilizes Sony's dual-lens system and allows users to create sweeping panoramas. These 3D images can then be viewed in its full glory on compatible 3D TVs. The camera's 16x optical zoom and 24mm wide angle lens would enable users to shoot wide landscape scenery as well as closeups of flora and fauna.
It's helpful that Sony included an In-Camera Guide which provides onscreen tips and usage information. This would benefit first-time users, particularly those buying the camera for overseas travel--you definitely don't want to lug that manual across continents just know how to access a certain function.
An interesting feature to note is that this Cyber-shot also sports an in-built digital compass which may come in handy if you ever find yourself lost in the wilderness.
Downside
Although Sony has included manual controls to adjust your aperture and shutter speeds, we think that the lack of aperture and shutter priority modes may annoy advanced users.Furthermore, users have to export the images to their computers to fully take advantage of the shooter's in-camera geo-tagging capabilities. Sure, this Cyber-shot records GPS coordinates to images. However, compared to other GPS-enabled cameras like the Samsung WB650 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20, the HX9V falls short as it does not integrate its GPS with any mapping service for users who want to track their location.
Outlook
The Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V caters not only to beginners with its helpful In-Camera Guide, but may appeal to serious hobbyists with its manual controls, 3D capture and panoramic modes.Available in black, the HX9V retails at about US$350. Pricing and availability of the camera in Asia is still not firm, but we will update this story when we have more information from the manufacturer.
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