Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V
The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V is an entirely new compact mega-zoom. It hosts the newest of Sony’s Cyber-Shot technology. It has a 16 megapixel Exmor R sensor, a high speed linear focusing system and a 16x ultrawide angle 214 mm equivalent Sony G lens. It also shoots video in full HD at 60p. It is not the most user-friendly camera, because there are an overwhelming number of features. It is really good if you like to play with different modes on your pictures, but if you just want a basic camera that is reliable and produces good pictures, there are many other options to consider.
Advantages
The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V has a wide variety of cool features that give the user a lot of flexibility when it comes to how they want their photos to look. The photo and video quality are very high, which may actually seem to be the bonus feature for gadget geeks.
Disadvantages
The Sony Cyber-Shot HX9V may be too confusing and overwhelming for most camera users. For those who are constantly fine-tuning their pictures and trying to get different looks out of one photo this is a good choice, but for those seeking a more simple to use camera there are many other alternatives.
Design
For such a reasonably-priced small camera, the photo quality is actually quite good. The photo quality can also be easily improved by taking advantage of all of the neat shooting features available. The pictures are not that sharp, though, even at the lowest ISO. Taking photos at ISO 1600 and IS0 3200 makes colors appear washed out, so I suggest not using them unless you need to. The Handheld Twilight mode improves low-light pictures by reducing noise and steadying the picture. If you go through all of the modes Sony has included on this model, there is one that can improve almost any picture. There is also a Memory Recall feature that allows you to store your three favorite groups of settings. Unfortunately, the standard color mode produces inaccurate colors, but there are other modes including Real color setting that are set to correct that issue. Movies are captured in 1080/60p and image stabilization helps to reduce shakiness. The microphone captures full sound and has a longer recording limit of just under a half hour. The Multi Shot mode rapidly takes photos and then overlays them which helps to reduce blur, incorrect exposure and improve focus. With the press of one shutter release, Sony’s Intelligent Sweep Panorama captures both horizontal and vertical shots. It also automatically detects faces and moving subjects which is a really great feature. This little camera also takes video recording in full HD at 1080/60p at 28Mbps in AVCHD. You can even create a dedicated movie mode or just press record at any time, making this camera very easy to navigate. The 3D mode that creates both a normal panorama shot and one that can be viewed in 3D on a 3D-enabled HDTV. This camera has other 3D modes that you may want to check out, the only issue being that it does not work when trying to capture anything that is moving. This feature is new and has not been expertly fine-tuned, so you may be able to see that it is just multiple pictures layered on top of one another.
Battery Life
The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC HX9V now charges the battery while still in the camera via a USB cable that connects to your computer or the included wall adapter. Unfortunately it is a proprietary port on the camera, so if the cable is lost, you have to buy an expensive one directly from Sony. The battery life can be easily cut by shooting a lot of video or by utilizing the various picture modes. I suggest that you purchase a backup battery, and if you tend to lose things buy an external charger as well so that you won’t be stuck if you lose your cable.
Performance
This camera is on par with other compact mega-zooms. It is fairly fast, no matter what mode you are using. The design is simple and very user-friendly. The screen is large and is easier to see in direct light than other models tested. There is a rubberized and textured thumb rest which makes for comfortable grip. There is a full manual stored on the camera if you need help or are looking for certain options, which can be very useful when learning to use the many modes and other features of the camera.
A major flaw I found in terms of design was the movie record button. A few of my videos showed that I was either recording when I thought I wasn’t, or wasn’t recording when I thought I was. This in turn was very annoying when I tried sharing with people something that I did not record.
Conclusion
The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V is a really fun-to-use camera. There are so many different modes that you can play with which keep the user interested. The user also has a great sense of control in how their photo turns out, which is definitely a bonus. This camera is one of the best I’ve tested, especially in the way it captures video. I strongly suggest checking out this pocket size camera to anyone who is venturing into the ultimate-compact/mega-zoom camera market.
