Sony Cyber-shot HX5 review
Review Date : Thu, 1 Apr 2010
Author : Mat Gallagher
- Sample Photos: View sample images taken with the Sony CyberShot HX5
The Sony CyberShot HX5 is a flagship for Sony's compact range and offers a full assortment of its latest technologies, all rolled into one camera. Read or reviw of the Sony CyberShot HX5
| Pros: | Heaps of really clever functions |
|---|---|
| Cons: | Overly bright low-res LCD screen |
The Sony CyberShot HX5 is a flagship for Sony's compact range and offers a full assortment of its latest technologies, all rolled into one camera to create what they believe to be the ultimate creative tool.
It features a relatively sparsely populated 10.2MP sensor but is of their back illuminated Exmoor R CMOS models, designed for low noise at high sensitivity. It outputs at 3648 x 2736 pixels, in 3:2 format at 4000x2672, or 16:9 at 3648x2056 pixels.
The ISO range offers from 125 to 3200, with a handheld twilight scene mode that combines six exposures to produce shake-free images in very low light scenes.
Other intriguing functions on this model include: the intelligent sweep panorama that can produce a 270 degree images in just a quick sweep of the camera; a ten frames per second burst mode at full resolution; a backlight mode that takes multiple shots for an almost HDR effect, and GPS that not only pin points where the shot was taken but also, with the compass feature, the direction and coverage of the shot.
The lens offers a 10x zoom from a wide 25mm to a moderate 250mm with an max aperture of f/3.5 to f/5.5 at full extension controlled again via a lever around the shutter button. Interestingly, this is not a Zeiss lens but is classed as a Sony G lens, the range classed as professional quality in the DSLR lens range.
The Sony CyberShot HX5 offers a range of creative and easy shooting modes. For the creative side there's a Program mode and a manual mode, though no aperture or shutter priorities. There's a range of 14 scene modes, an intelligent Auto setting and an easy mode that keeps it purely as a point and shoot. The rear screen is a 3in LCD in 4:3 format that dominates the rear panel but features a fairly basic 230k dot resolution.
The video mode uses a standard AVCHD format to produce 1080i high definition video. This is the highest resolution in the test - though in an interlaced form so not full HD - and the AVCHD still suffers from having to use editing software to be able to view, unless you are plugging the camera directly into your TV.
Sony CyberShot HX5 design
The Sony CyberShot HX5 has a very solid build and few protruding features.
It features a recess to form a grip on the front of the body and also a slight recess on the back for the thumb position. The top plate includes a shooting mode dial which sits to the far right.
The rear panel has been kept very clean with a simple d-pad control that also includes quick functions, a dedicated movie record button and three small function buttons controlling playback, menu and delete.
Otherwise the LCD screen dominates the rear of the camera. Sony's new multi-card slot allows for either MemoryStick Duo or SD cards to be used in this model too.
Sony CyberShot HX5 performance
In use the Sony CyberShot HX5 is responsive and logical, with the main scene functions accessed directly from the top mode dial, however the lack of at least aperture priority does seem an oversight.
However, with only a choice of two apertures available at any one time, the manual and program modes are probably sufficient.
The added features on this camera are what really makes it special, and the burst mode, twilight shooting and intelligent sweep panorama would all be reason to buy this camera alone. Auto focus is swift and reliable even in low light conditions.
The real let down though is the LCD screen; despite its impressive size the 230k dot screen appears overly bright and the only display controls offer to further increase the brightness rather than reduce it.
Sony CyberShot HX5 image quality
Still images are bright and punchy with a well controlled and even exposure though can occasionally lose some highlights at the benefit of the overall scene.
Shots are well detailed and though some signs of noise reduction are visible throughout the range in areas of solid colour, the image is well preserved even at higher ISO values and offers some of the best performance at ISO 1600.
The backlight correction HDR mode, though impressive in maintaining a full tonal range, does appear Skin tones appear natural though the white balance can struggle at times with indoor and low light scenes.
The flash offers good coverage and leaves exposures looking natural.
The video gives a great looking image that is somewhere between the naturalness of the Canon and the punch of the Panasonic, though the sound lacks the richness of the TZ10.
Sony CyberShot HX5 value for money
Though the HX5 is the most expensive camera in this test it has by far the largest number of added features, almost all of which you'll want to use on a regular basis.
Images are a nice mix of natural tones and punch, and they more than hold their own in terms of quality and noise. It's only really the screen and slightly limited manual exposure options that hold it back.
Have your say!
Latest comments
June 15 19:28
russzero
ive not long been sold the HX5 by a good salesperson because it had the panorama feature. i was in fact looking to buy another brand camera that had a 15x zoom. ive got 360* software already on my laptop and previously tried a Fuji camera that had panorama built in as the sony does .. as this again interested me. my impression of the Sony HX5 was very good fun camera. the images are quite sharp and the movie is also better than some camcorders ive previously owned. the only downside .. and ive read some nags online as well .. is that my images ALL seem to be over exposed. thats not a problem as it can be adjusted in the menu. some modes the adjustment defaults back after you switch the camera on and off ... which is another nag. one of the things i miss is a good WB or color tone correction. i feel generally the HX5 is biased towards a natural "sunny day" point and shoot situation. (slightly blue) the WB menu is very vague ... and the user setting i cannot get it shift enough from the BLUE cast. ok .. you may say .. thats not so bad .. but trying to get a good sunset or sunrise picture is a chalenge .. as is the camera .. because as i said .. the camera tend to over expose as well. i find i have to work at it a bit. the manual mode is useable .. and the panorama mode is a blast ... oh and the backlight mode is handy. overall im pleased with the results. i think for a pocket camera its pretty amazing. yes i could buy a DSLR if i want to get fanatical .. in fact ive got 2 ... but with such a handy camera as the Sony ... they are too cumbersome to drag round all the time. hope Sony add some tweaking features to the next camera ... but not too soon ... ive only just bought this one!
September 12 16:09
Chet
Sony HX5V/B Pros: Clear, Crisp fixed pictures; movies - clear, crisp and has accurate sound. HD is excellent. Auto mode works exceptionally well. Auto mode allows an average user to take excellent pictures in all but very difficult conditions. Software converts AVCHD to data, standard and WMV formats. Cons: Have to remove battery from camera to recharge it. Highlights: (full specifications are on sony.com) * Sony’s smallest and thinnest AVCHD capable digital camera (1080i) * 10x (25mm equivalent) professional-quality optical zoom G-Lens (same lens as professional DSLR) * 10.2 megapixel back-illuminated “Exmor R†CMOS image sensor combined with BIONZ image processor * ISO: Auto/125/200/400/800/1600/3200, Panorama, Anti-Motion & movies- HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), * High Speed Shooting – 10 frames per second at 10 megapixel full resolution * 3-inch (230K pixels) Clear Photo LCD display with a special anti-reflective coating * Backlight Correction HDR and GPS + Compass and Optical Steady Shot with Active Mode technologies Comparison Prior to purchase: I reviewed over 50 web sites, spoke to camera stores and had the specifications reviewed by photographic professionals. The web sites I reviewed gave mixed reviews but in general this camera came out one of the best point and shoot cameras. In fact many of the complaints I read were by people comparing the camera with high end SLR’s or DSLR’s clearly not an unbiased or practical test, in my opinion a device should be compared with products in the same class to be fair. I spoke to most of the major and many other camera stores that carried various brands that were familiar with this camera all of them stated they did not have a point and shoot better than this camera. Some stated the camera was as good as some SLR’s and some pointed out the lens and the CMOS image sensor was the same as that found on high end DSLR’s. My Test Results: Indoor Camera mode: Camera tested in the Auto mode, photographed people and pets – Tested under natural light, incandescent and fluorescent lights all shots were clear and sharp. Camera Tested in a darkened room in Auto mode flash worked picture quality was excellent. Extreme test - Camera tested in an almost completely dark room with light seeping through a window blind, picture blurry -camera had trouble adjusting due to streaks of light coming through blind. Outdoor Camera Mode – Camera tested in Auto mode. , photographed people and pets pictures were clear and sharp. The camera compensated for my movements, people moving and animal movement even when using zoom at its maximum without a tripod. Photographed a man made waterfall you could actually see the water streaming down the rock. Photographed several high trees all came out straight, even a palm tree (my results contradict the finding of another users results). Movie Mode: (Inside and Outside) Photographed people and animals playing inside and outside, a man made waterfall, a television program. Camera adjusted to my movements and gave clear and crisp movies. Sounds were accurate and clear. Viewing: The camera has a 3†LCD display – I had no problem seeing what I photographed even in sunlight. Software: The camera includes software that allows you to save your pictures as data, WMV, HD and standard mode. All modes worked well. Conclusion: As far as I am concerned this camera is better than any point and shoot on the market. I agree with a lot of the professionals that stated it was almost as good as a SLR or DSLR when used by the average user. Even in the Auto mode it excelled in many difficult situations both as a fixed camera and movie camera. Due to the camera size you have to be careful not to block the microphone on the top of the camera. If you are a professional photographer this camera is probably not for you though I did talk to one professional photographer that stated they used this camera as a backup at a wedding and the pictures came out as good as their high end cameras in many situations. I managed to find the camera on sale for $293.99 when buying 2 accessories @15% off.
May 03 11:17
mr mark westmorland
a great deal at £179 now, 3/5/11
June 07 18:38
bigdaveg40
For probably the first time ever I bought a camera partly on a WDC review, yep it was a HX5V, and sadly once again I have to disagree with WDC's findings, iq is hap hazzard at best; mush does'nt come close, wind noise ruins the hd video, auto wb is hit or miss, noise control essentially ruins any pic's over iso 400, battery life is ok but nothing special, there is no contrast or saturation control, gps & the software (pmb) are ok, trying to update pmb though is a nightmare, (a big 100+mb download that fails at the last minute, I gave up after my 3rd attempt), simple controls like ev adjustment (as on the Fuji f70)are cumbersome to administer & that lcd resolution is awful, wot's good; decent flash iq, if using lo iso, draw dropping panorama,hht when it works properly, which normally means on a tripod so surely it should be tht. 91% was very generous but then so would've been 85%, along with a recommendation to either get the Canon or Panasonic equivalent instead. This camera would struggle to better the iq from my long gone Kodak Ls633 & countless smart phones. I would love to know what mode you tested it in please so that I to can get the bright & punchy well detailed photo's you mention. As for backlit hdr; try Pmode with -.7 ev adjustment = far better result, which again negates another option :-( Fao Mark Westmorland I paid £163 thru Jessops, and still feel robbed.