Sony Cyber-shot HX5 review

my Panasonic dmc-ts1 has the option for AVCHD video and picasa 3 from google plays that format with no problems in addition to the Panasonic software that is supplied.

which is the best type of memory card to use?

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!

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.

a great deal at £179 now, 3/5/11

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.