Image Quality & Value For Money

Sony CyberShot HX1 review – Image Quality

Considering the extent of the focal range on the HX1, both lens flare and barrel/pincushion distortion are kept to a minimum.

At the wide end of the focal range both are noticeable, but not so much as to impair images. Fine detail is well rendered, and the HX1 no doubt benefits from possessing a CMOS sensor. Tonal rendition is good, with a pleasing balance between shadows and highlights displayed. In difficult light, the HX1 does struggle with rendering highlights, which have a tendency to blow. Colours are pleasing, being vibrant but also natural. ISO performance is good, with images generally acceptable up to ISO 800. Above that, things are slightly different, with ISO 1600 displaying a rough grain, and ISO 3200 mushing fine detail.

Sony CyberShot HX1 review – Value For Money

With a current list price of £489, the HX1 isnʼt exactly the cheapest camera on the market. Itʼs upwards of £100 more expensive than most of its superzoom competitors ? and a fair bit pricier than several good DSLRs. However, the HX1 features genuinely innovative technologies. The model is very well specified, features Sonyʼs distinctive good build quality, and almost has every base covered with regards to HD movie capture, 20x focal range and full manual control.