The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 camera with Exmor CMOS technology offers up to 10fps shooting and features Sweep Panorama mode that can seamlessly combine multiple shots to produce striking images, advance modes that reduce noise by approximately 50 percent even in difficult shooting situations, as well as 1080p movie recording. Additionally it features professional quality 20x wide angle G-lens, 3.0-inch tiltable LCD screen and Intelligent Auto mode.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Highlights
9.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD Image Sensor
The HX1 features a 9.1-megapixel Exmor CMOS image sensor that brings out the full resolving power of the camera’s precision G-Lens to deliver extremely fast speed, high resolution, and stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced noise. With 9.1 megapixels, you can create stunning, photo-quality prints up to 13 x 19 inches, or crop your images and still come away with high resolution shots.
Professional-quality G-Lens
Designed and manufactured to the highest standards of optical performance, the Sony G-Lens is optimized to perfectly complement the advanced image sensors and image processing technology in Sony’s cameras. G lenses are used in top of the line digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and advanced pro-sumer HD Camcorders. Capture the action up close with the 20x optical zoom, and with the 28mm wide angle lens the HX1 even allows you to capture more of the scenes in landscape or group portraits. The HX1’s G Lens has a six blade aperture capable of producing a beautiful bokeh (beautifully defocused backgrounds with a soft natural feel). The aspherical lens elements made from ED (extra-low dispersion) minimize chromatic aberration common to high-magnification lenses.
20x High Zoom
20x optical zoom extends your reach and helps bring you closer to the action-- a real benefit for sporting events, wildlife, distant landscape views and dramatic portrait shots.
28mm Wide-Angle Lens
Widen your view and capture more of the city, landscape, or group with a 28mm wide-angle G lens.
3.0-inch Clear Photo LCD tilt display (230k pixels)
Compose and show off your images on the large 3.0-inch (230K) Clear Photo LCD Plus display, which tilts up or down approximately 90 degrees for easier high and low-angle shooting and features a special anti-reflective coating for sharp visibility, even in bright sunlight.
CMOS Sensor
Enjoy extremely high resolution, fine tonal gradation and fast speed that faithfully reproduces every detail of your subject and reduces visual noise. The Exmor CMOS sensor brings out the full potential of the lens to ensure clear, high-precession image quality.
BIONZ image processor
The BIONZ image processor delivers the high resolution and fast performance you expect from a Sony digital camera.
High Speed Shooting (10fps)
The HX1 can capture full 9.1-megapixel resolution images at up to 10 fps, helping to ensure you never miss the decisive moment. What’s more, the HX1 employs a mechanical shutter that helps reduce distortion when continuously shooting moving subjects.
Sweep Panorama Mode
Reach beyond the traditional wide angle lens, and capture more breathtaking shots with the Sweep Panorama Mode. Simply press the shutter button and sweep the camera in the desired direction (horizontal or vertical), and the camera continuously shoots at a high speed and then seamlessly stitches the images together to create one stunning panoramic image. Available in wide and ultrawide options, the camera can take panoramic shots of up to 224 degrees, which is wider than a fish-eye lens. Now capturing wide landscapes or church spires or skyscrapers are as easy and press and sweep.
Handheld Twilight Mode
Capture cleaner and sharper night shots without using a tripod. When set to Handheld Twilight Mode, the HX1 captures six images in a fraction of a second with one press of the shutter, keeping the moving object from one and superimposing the rest of the frame from the 6 images doubling the sensitivity to create a single optimized image with 50 percent less noise than an image shot with a camera with a traditional image sensor.
Additional Features
Anti-Motion Blur Mode
HD Movie (1080p)
Intelligent Auto Mode
Intelligent Scene Recognition
Face Detection technology
Selected Face Memory
Product Description
Sony Digital Still Camera with 9.0 MegaPixel / 20x Optical Zoom
11 MB built-in memory; capture images to Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo media (not included)
A Real And Proven Winner [Glenn E. Rhoades]
This camera has everything a person needs to take both close up macrophotography and telephoto shots. The value and pricing points are solid. I took it on a short vacation to Costa Rica and had not even taken practice shots until we arrived in country.
The camera is very light. I included some of the 100 or so shots I took in the sample gallery and they turned out excellent in terms of resolution and color balance. I mainly used it as a point and shoot and really did not have much time to play with all the creative options.
I cannot help but think that if a person had more time and creativity, they could come up with some great award winning shots.
I was especially impressed with the following camera features: - The intelligent sensing option is very, very good, it recognized exactly what I wanted in terms of exposure. - I used the panorama feature more than I expected. The people I showed the pictures to were amazed that a camera could even do this. Although not quiet as detailed as HD shots, most people will not even see the difference. - The night architectural interior and exterior shots were done with very little setup or time, and yet the photos look like they were deliberate and careful. - The battery was great and lasted the entire trip.
On the negative side, I think Sony could work on a protection cover for the main LCD screen, a person definately needs to apply a clear film protector to guard against damage. I think more detail to extreme weather and dust protection would put this in a class all by itself.
In closing Sony designers did a very beautiful job of putting together a camera that challenges Canon and Nikon $2,000 and $3,000 cameras and a fraction of the cost. I challenge you to go one step further and dust, water, sand, and drop proof this camera to put the icing on the cake of this well engineered and revolutionary camera.
Love it [happy]
This camera is fantastic!!!!!! I'm not a big photography buff, or at least I wasn't. I mainly use it for family pics and its great, it gives me perfect still shots of my running, jumping, swinging daughter. I have taken it for a spin with some nature photos and they have turned out beautifully. I understand that many actual photographers may have some issues with some of the features, but for someone who just wants to take pictures of the family or family outings it is wonderful.
Cybershot [Virgil W. Byng]
For its size and weight, this camera is a joy to handle. The photographic results are amazing. 9 Megapixels is enough to allow for large size printing. Although I have a larger digital camera, I find myself goinhg to this new one for ease of handling.
Virgil W. Byng, M.Photog.,Cr.
Great Camera for a Photography Newbie [Steven Hernandez]
Before I had this camera, I had a point and shoot compact - the Hewlett-Packard R607. After time, I noticed that I desired more of my photos. My photos lacked depth of field, vibrance, resolution, and detail. I started reading about photography and associated terms such as aperture value, shutter speed, ISO, exposure, white balance, and metering. I quickly learned the basics of photography by visiting a few websites and determined that the camera I had wouldn't hack it for me anymore.
I researched a number of cameras and landed at a review site that previewed this camera. I compared it with some of the competition, noting that the Sony DSC-HX1 has some amazing features such as the hand-held twilight mode, anti-motion blur, sweep panorama mode, 10fps continuous shooting, and rechargeable batteries (would you believe some of the competitors use AA's). After a lot of reading and debating, I decided on the DSC-HX1.
In regards to the sweep-panorama mode: It works fantastically, both during the day and at night.
The video is smooth and a high enough quality to please the eye. This is, of course, an upgrade for me from 640 x 480 resolution video. As I moved the camera in tight on subjects, zoom or not, I immediately noticed the Optical SteadyShot image stabalization working remarkably to make my video look steady and professional-like. No tripod needed here. I took the DSC-HX1 to a Killers concert where I was far enough away that I need 15-20x zoom if I wanted to get tight shots on the band members. With proper camera holding posture (keeping it tight to my chest and using the digital viewfinder) and the SteadyShot, I was able to pull off some video that would not have been remotely possible with my limmited-zoom, no stability, HP camera.
The image quality is what you would expect from a "bridge-camera." The camera's CMOS sensor capture daylight pictures with remarkable vibrance and detail appropriate to this camera's market. Night shots at ISO 100-200 given appropriate lighting look great. Night shots and darker indoor shots at ISO 400-800 show a degree of noise that you would expect from a sensor of this size. I have often found myself adjusting my aperture and shutter values to allow me to use ISO 400 vice ISO 800 if at all possible. I have not had to use ISO 1600 or 3200 manually yet - so I can't vouch for them, but I would venture to say they should only be used if it is absolutely necessary.
I have not yet tested the hand-held twilight mode or anti-motion blur modes yet. When I do, I will edit this review.
Battery life is stupendous. It is far superior to my HP camera and I far prefer taking the battery out and plugging it into the wall. The charger for the batter is small enough to fit into the small side pocket of my camera bag. It beats having to carry around a charger.
The articulating LCD screen is bright, clear, and reveals enough detail to make a good judgment of the composition of your photo. Only under direct bright sunlight is it difficult to see. If this is the case, simply switch to the digital viewfinder.
The viewfinder is useful in high-light situations or when keeping the camera close to your chest to maximize your steady shot. I can't say that it is as good as the viewfinder that you'll find in a DSLR and as a result, would submit that you only use it if you need to. The good thing is, that you can correct the focus of the image in the viewfinder via an adjustment wheel on the housing.
The burst shot mode is great. At 10, 5, or 2 FPS, you can stop motion in time and catch those special moments. Beware though, that after you've released the shutter button of you've captured 10 pictures, the camera must pause to write these files from buffer to the memory card. This might be a show stopper for some who are not sure when precisely that special moment will occur. You will have to allow time for the camera to catch up with writing the images to the memory card.
The camera does, of course, weight more than your typical compact, but less than a DSLR. It's portable enough and weighs little enough that it doesn't strain the neck when worn for prolonged amounts of time. I've worn it for 3-4 hours and felt little discomfort if any.
For the price, I feel it's a great camera. There are a lot of compact cameras that cost nearly as much and have only half the power, speed, and capability.
All things considered, I think this is a great camera for someone who wants great capability without the bulk and weight of a DSLR, and is willing to work within the confines of the camera itself with few customizing accessories available.
Attention The World Of Camera Manufacturers! HATS OFF!! [Hossein Khaefi]
let me tell everybody that I started the world of photography with Hasselblad and Nikon F4s.so I'm pretty familiar with all the functions of a pro camera.Here,I don't want to mention all the features of this fantastic camera.those who own it,already have mentioned almost all of it.so it's useless to repeat again.just I want to tell those who are thinking about buying a camera,there's ABSOLUTELY no camera in the world with these features and in this price range.believe me everybody,I would gladly pay thousand for such a great technology.and dear world of camera manufacturers!Hats off indeedd!!!
Sony DSC-HX1 - The Best Super Zoom Digital Camera [G. MCDOUGALL]
I've owned every Sony Super Zoom Digital Camera since introduction of the DSC-H1 and the DSC-HX1 is the BEST yet. Compared to other cameras, similar to the Sony DSC-HX1, the HX1 is easier to use, has the best features, and takes the best pictures. I purchased Canon cameras for years but since purchasing Sony cameras, I haven't looked back. I love the Sony Digital Cameras. I own three of them.
Exceptional blend of still and movie in an easy to use package. [H. Satterthwaite]
Taking both a movie and still camera to any activity is a pain and you never have the right camera at the ready. The Sony DSC-HX1 is an almost perfect camera for having both HD movie and high quality stills in one body. The movies are great quality and indistinguishable from my Sony HD movie camera. The still pictures are excellent except in very low light with out the flash. The Flash coverage is very good. The Panorama mode is spectacular and unusual. The lag time from pressing shutter button to when a still is taken is minimal and you dont miss shots because of lag time. The LCD is big and bright and angles nicely but is useless outdoors in the sun. However the viewfinder is adequate in these situations although it lacks detail. The wide angle of 28mm equivalent makes shooting indoors easy and the zoom range is just awesome and over 400mm. And the quality appears to be the same across the entire zoom range. The different scene modes work- the high speed action mode is great. It anticipates movement and adjust focus accordingly. I also purchased the telephoto auxiliary lens and took pictures and video at a NASCAR race in Dover that had cars on the other side of the track in full frame. Battery life is excellent- practically it just goes and goes. The 10 shots in a second mode ( or 5 or 2) works very well- although it takes a few seconds to empty the buffer to the memory card. I love the size. I am used to carrying an SLR and a Movie Camera. This camera has replaced both and with no accessories except a charger, it is a delight to carry. The audio quality in video mode is good and there is no camera noise in the background. Things I would like to see improved- Better screen in direct sunlight. Less expensive memory cards. Better natural/low light performance. In good lighting the stills just pop with sharpness, clarity, and color. In low light they are less sharp and are a little muddy. The zoom speed is fairly slow and and small adjustments to the zoom are imprecise. This is a really good photographic appliance that has few compromises in either its video or still mode.
Excellent Value, Great Camera [Pucelano]
I have had this camera for about 3 weeks and so far I have been extremely pleased with it. This is a great camera option for people who want to take high quality pictures but don't want to spend a lot more money for a DSLR (with the lenses you need) OR for people who don't want to lug around the bulk/equipment of a DSLR. I really don't understand the people in these reviews complaining about poor image quality, the images I have taken with this camera have been outstanding---especially in good lighting conditions. I mostly use this camera for nature/scenery photography outdoors, and I have been very pleased with the image quality for both scenery/still objects as well as for birds and moving objects. I don't doubt that a DSLR might take better quality pictures in the eye of a professional, but in most good-lighting conditions it would be very hard to tell the difference between images from this camera and images from a low or mid end DSLR. Another thing to consider is how much you will actually get to use this camera: you can take this camera with you almost anywhere so you will most likely use it a LOT more than you would use a DSLR, which is harder to carry with you all the time. Strong points for this camera are (1) excellent overall value for the money, (2) the superzoom is very useful and the image quality even at maximum zoom is very high, (3) the panorama mode works just as well as advertised and is a very cool new feature (but if you still want to stitch your pictures together yourself you can still do that, but trust me this is one heck of a lot easier/faster and the results are excellent) and (4) much easier to carry with you lots of places (i.e., hiking, long walks, etc.) than a DLSR with the lenses you would need to cover short and long range zoom situations. As far as weak points, there is not too much to say except for a couple of minor annoyances like (1) the lens cap pops off when you turn on the camera, but this really doesn't cause any problems, (2) you have to use a Sony memory stick format (I bought the 4GB one with the camera) and (3) can't really compete with the image quality you would get from a DSLR in low light situations, but for most non-professional picture takers the images you get with this camera in low-light environments will be MORE than good enough to make you very happy with them. I have not used the video yet so I can't comment on that aspect of the camera. I highly recommend this camera, it is an excellent value!
Excellent Hybrid Camera [skiwildcat7]
After much deliberation, I bought this camera after trying to decide between the HX1 and the Canon SX1 and some others. The features that brought me over were the sweep panorama, 10 shots per second burst mode, and the other reviewers who seemed to say that the image quality between the HX1 and the SX1 were not that much different. Also, I got the HX1 for about $50 less probably (or more). Now to just say where I am coming from, I've owned Sony DSC-H1 for the past 4 years, and that camera has been excellent and printed out great 4x6's and 8x10's. So I was just looking for a camera that would have HD video and also take at least as good pictures as the H1. The HX1 does the trick, let me tell you. (That "X" makes all the difference!) The color is really nice, the pictures come out very well even at high zooms. Speaking of zoom, the 20x is amazing! It just keeps bringing objects closer and closer. Comparing them to my old H1 pictures, they are definitely better. Whether they are as good as the SX1 or other similar cameras, I cannot say. As to people who have been comparing this camera to a DSLR, this camera is not a DSLR! It will not take that kind of DSLR quality photo! Go buy a DSLR if you want that. What this camera does do like a DSLR is have absolutely no shutter delay, (once it is focused) which is great for shooting sports games and such. The burst mode works excellent and really does take 10 a second, though it does take a bit to load them onto the memory card, about 15 seconds probably which doesn't seem that long when you are actually shooting photos. The panorama mode works as advertised, and can take some extremely wide shots with the "wide" panorama mode. The quality seems to be pretty good, though sometimes you can see the stitching. At the very least, it is a lot of fun to use. The low light mode works well, though the pictures do tend to become a bit noisy, so I will not be making any poster size prints of those. The LCD screen is very large and very nice quality and I am still able to see it even in bright sunlight. It can detach and be moved at basically an angle (up or down) relative to the camera, though it cannot be moved side to side. The menus are fairly easy to navigate and I think are pretty self explanatory, though there is a manual for explaining each mode if necessary. I actually really like how the menus are laid out. The HD video is great quality as is the stereo sound that goes along with it (but does tend to have wind noise). The play back on the computer was good and yes there was some image tearing but it did not seem to be nearly as bad as some sample movies I had downloaded. I filmed a lacrosse game and it came out great. The HD video also looks awesome connecting it directly to an HDTV, and that was with me several year old 1080i HDTV so I was not even technically seeing it at full quality. Image tearing is barely noticeable when viewed that way. The pictures themselves also look great when connected directly to an HDTV. Lastly, as far as I know you can't put AA's or that type of battery in the HX1 as it only takes a rechargeable battery pack, (which is good and all for the env.) so this is a problem only if you were say, heading into the mountains for a month. If anyone knows of solutions to this I'd be glad to hear them. Lastly I recommend turning off the beeping noises. They're slightly annoying. So summing up, here's a quick list of pros and cons: Pros: -Great upgrade over previous dsc models, especially if you haven't got one in awhile -Excellent zooming capabilities -Good color -HD video comes out well, especially on an HDTV -Large screen -Easy to navigate menus -Manual Options -The "features" such as panorama and low light shooting mode work well -Seemingly no or very miniscule shutter delay once focused -Burst mode=awesomeness. Just wait to you hear the "clickclickclickclick" -Relatively compact for the zoom power, but def won't fit in your pocket -You'll like it if you've liked previous DSC/Sony models
Cons: -Can sometimes see slight stitching in panoramas -Memory sticks are expensive -Seems to only take a rechargeable battery pack, no AA option if needed
So yeah, I think it is a great camera-but that's just me...
Sony's DSC-HX1 All-In-One Camera [Robert Kelly]
I have been looking for a camera (e.g., the Sony DSC-HX1) for a long, long time. The camera's versitility is fantastic: HD quality videos, stereo sound recording, 20x optical zoom, in-camera panorama shots (wonderful), low-light, hand held shots and steady shots (camera takes rapid fire up to 6 shorts, interpolates and provides you with the best composite). I am the photographer for a musical choral group in Mexico (Los Cantantes del Lago). They perform in some hard to photograph areas...with strange lighting, low lighting, etc. I needed ONE camera (vs. 2-3) to achieve what the DSC-HX1 has now done. Currently, I also own a Sony a100 DSLR. Yes, there are differences between the cameras, however most of the photos I take will be used for advertising, local reporting, web uploading, and with some individual photos. This camera has addressed my needs and in ONE camera. I couldn't be more pleased overall. Of course, there's always more that I would like; such as having the camera go into a "standy" mode vs. turning off after a certain wait period.
Excelent performance [zoilo100]
this machine is perfect for non professional who wants 2 in 1, take pictures and film.
Outstanding Camera! [Jeanne L. Stanley]
I love this camera! Came in the mail from Amazon, went by the local Sony dealer for a free one hour lesson and took the camera to the Grand Canyon the next day. Unbelievable photos and so easy to use. The panorama shot comes out beautifully and the video is very tight. There is no lag time from when you push to take the photo and get the shot, something that has bothered me w/ other digital cameras. I can't recommend this camera enough. Very versatile, amazing zoom, light weight, for what you get and amazing photos.
WOW! this camera is amazing! [W. Wilson]
I have had this camera 10 days of vacation with family and friends. I mostly use the 'iPhoto' setting where the camera does everything. Not only can it focus on faces, it distinguishes children from adult faces! Anti shake worked great, so one handed quick snaps of the kids playing worked greaH.
My close-up focus used to be chancy, but this automatic macro zoom worked great, even for video.
Excellent auto adjustment for backlight, including fill in flash. Problem: a 100 ft long replica of Henry Hudson's ship the half moon -- Solution: use the panorama setting where it stitches the photoes together for you in the camera. Problem: my kids halfway up a 300 ft cliff: again the vertical panorama.
I wanted to take archive pictures of some B&W family photos from the 1930s. Problem: the flash or ambient light caused reflections off the glossy surface. Solution: The low-light-no-flash anti-shake setting took 5 quick pics and merged the results. They look better than the originals!
Suggestions: buy the memory card! There is not much built-in. Otherwise you cannot take much hi-def. I stopped in a Radio Shack and got 8GB for $35. Buy the case! I did not and was worried about damage. An extra battery also would not hurt.
For those who want artistic control, There are various manual settings -- not what I needed.
I feel this camera has a lot more for me to discover.
Cons: the screen is always exposed so fingerprints abound. It only has a very limited rotation, and seems fragile. I would have preferred one like my old Cannon which can be roatated closed and is sturdy.
[one reviewer claimed the camera opened and popped the lens cap even in review mode, but that did not happen for me.]
So far no regrets!
Sets a new standard [David Johnson]
Fascinating camera. The new CMOS sensor lets it shoot 10 fps that really, (yes, really!) works. The 'sweep panarama' mode also really works...and well. Oh, and the camera takes nice photos as well, with outstanding color accuracy. This camera has a long list of features, perhaps more than any other digital camera being sold at the moment, but these are the most significant to me.
BEST COMBINATION OF POSSIBILITIES [Joseph C.]
Before to order Sony HX1 through Amazon, I did a lot of reserch works with all possible information online, my considerations were among Canon SX1,Canon T1i, Nikon P90 and Sony HX1.Now after almost two weeks of practice with Sony HX1,I can surely to say it's really the best combination of all cool possibilities you can find on current market:
Possibility 1: Super optical Zoom up to 34X( equv. to 952mm)if you use 1.7x tele-conversion lens which is not offered by Canon SX1. DSLRs cannot easily reach this zoom range unless you are rich enough and strong enough to bring those lenses in your backpack. Possibility 2: Great picture quality with the sharpness comparable to most low-end DSLRs if you have enough kownledge and technics of photograghy, for example by adjusting ISO, aperture or speed etc. HX1 offers almost all features you can find in DSLRs when you turn the mode dial to M,A,S,P. The best picture is not made by the camera, it's by your brain. Sony HX1's professional G lens made the good quality possible. Possibility 3: Great sharp HD Video with stereo sound,you can record video as long as your memory card can hold, with a 16GB card you can easily take hours of HD video. The resolution of 1440x1080p is already sharp and smooth enough and when you watch your video with TV or computer, what you see is the same video quality as full HD at 1980x1080. Yes, Canon SX1 has the REAL 1980x1080, but it has a limitation of 4GB or 30 min, while its' video file MOV is much larger which can quickly occupy all your memory card. Canon T1i has HD video too, but it's with mono sound and same limitation. Possibility 4: Graet performance with low light conditions.HX1's unique Hand-held Twilight and Anti-Motion Blur modes are so cool that you don't need a tripod to shoot good pictures at night, in church or any indoor occasion. They are both based on Sony's technology of combining 6 speedy shot pictures into one final photo.Besides,you have the option to change ISO up to 3200. Possibility 5: HX1's Panorama (both horizontal or vertical)is the only fantastic feature you can find now in the whole world. Possibility 6: Very friendly nevigation Menu lets your job simple,easy and convenient. Possibility 7: Camera body is very solid but light weight with Sony's stylish design. Possibility 8: High-speed shoot at 10frames/s with full resolution,so you never miss the important moments when your kids play sports. It's the highest speed which even surpasses the high-end DSLRs. Though it has a limit of 10 pics per shoot and a 17-second waiting time to saves these pics, as an ordinary amateur I'm satisfying with this feature. Possibility 9: You can add many cool digital color filters through the built-in menu to gain the same resault of the real filters.
However, the only cons I noticed right now are the limit of 10 continuous shoots and the design of the tilt LCD.It's better to let LCD reversible(like Canon SX-1)so I can protect the screen easily. I highly recommand to apply a protective film with your LCD.
I'd like to rank SONY HX-1 with 6 or 5+ stars if it's possible. You'll not regret to own such a great combination of all possibilities at a right price range for our amateurs. The bottom line is, if you are not in the industry of publishing,advertising or media, you probably need only this camera along with your journey around the world, no matter you need high-quality,high-zoom,high-speed,HD Video,high-ISO,panorama,low-light shoot,low-light weight, HX-1 offers you all. Good luck!
Awesome camera! [kuangw01]
I just took this camera on a 2 week trip to Brazil and Argentina and I absolutely love it! I have owned 5 Sony cameras and this is the best that I've seen. Prior to this, I've had 4 point-and-and-shoot cameras from the cybershot series as well as the DSLR A100. I travel extensively, so I mostly use the camera for scenic shots. I've had the A100 for about 3 years now. While I am happy with the image quality, it does weigh quite a bit especially if you have to carry 2 lenses with it. Also, my fiance loves to take videos, so he's been using the T10 as a backup camera and camcorder. I was looking for a lighter camera that also has good video capabilities, and viola! I found the HX1! I struggled between giving 4 or 5 stars on this review, and at the end decided on 5 stars. Here's why:
You must know what type of camera you need before making a purchase. For me, the HX 1 has the perfect package. It has 20x optical zoom (which also works in video mode), perfect for spotting small animals in the Amazon jungle. The innovative hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur modes take 6 burst shots and even out to give a clearer picture. I've tried all these modes with maximum zoom and the image qualities were excellent. Even with super-steady-shot in place, I could not achieve the same clarity with my A100 in low light conditions or with motion. I took pictures of monkeys in motion, landscape shots on a wobbly canoe, zoomed into flowers across the river...and the HX1 always delivered. The panoramic mode was really awesome. I took fantastic panormas of Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls, vertically and horizontally. While the resolution is not high and there are glitches if you look closely, I cannot complain because I would not have taken any of those shots if I had to stitch together the panormic image myself. The 10fps burst mode is really cool. It's true that you have to wait for it to process, but who cares if you can catch something in live action. The HD videos came out very very clear, even on my HDTV. I bought an 8gb memory stick and almost filled up the whole card because it was so much fun to play with all the features of the camera. And the weight really mattered. This camera was so much lighter than what I expected given it's slew of functions, that I took it everywhere, even on long hikes. Many of the photos that I took would not have existed if I had to lug the SLR because it was just too bulky and heavy.
That being said, this camera does have its shortcomings. It is a high end point-and-shoot, so do not expect it to deliver SLR quality shots. For that, you need a real SLR. All the reviews that said it performs poorly in high ISO setting are true, and the noise is definitely noticeable beyond 800 or so. But again for me, I take mostly daytime outdoor shots, so it didn't really matter. In the intelligent mode and program modes, you can only choose "no macro" or "automatic macro". This is kind of annoying when you really need a macro shot of a flower or insect, because the camera sometimes doesn't know what to focus on (it will automatically focus on the object closest to it, which may not be the desired subject). You can choose manual focus, but it's a bit of a hassle to keep changing settings, as you cannot really move the lens back and forth like a real SLR lens. Thus, you will have to choose the distance for the camera to focus on, which may seem too long when the butterfly is about to fly away... =)
I give this camera 5 stars because it's perfect for my needs - namely the 20x zoom, the smaller size compared to DSLRs, the HD video capability (a good HD camcorder will cost upwards of $600), strong battery life (takes up to 380 shots on one charge) and the innovative functions. such as panoramic mode, hand held twilight, and anti-motion blur modes. It does have enough manual functions such as shutter priority or aperature priority modes and manual focus should you choose to use them. All in all, it fits all my needs and I had loads of fun with it.
Wow! [C. Wylam]
Let me start by saying-Thank you Amazon. I pre-ordered this unit from SonyStyle back in March. They couldn't deliver. So two days ago I found it on Amazon and bam, delivered and in use in two days. Thanks for nothing SonyStyle. -All I can say is Wow. Out of the box, quick set up and I took my first picture. After viewing the picture, I was amazed at how professional they look. If you want a DSLR then buy one. This is not a SLR camera, don't compare it to one.It does what it does for a great price and for what it is, a high power point and shoot, I don't think you can ask for more. Basically it will do everything an amature photog would want it to do, maybe even your dishes. It's got that much going on. With time you can experiment with the focus and create some great shots. I chose this camera for it's battery life and high power zoom. You can go a long time on one battery. I purchased an extra and a travel battery charger,I didn't know it came with a travel charger. The zoom is awesome and steady. Great job Sony on a very affordable almost professional point and shoot...too bad you couldn't deliver your own product. Either way, I am a happy camper for my upcoming vacation to the beach. Oh and by the way, for those wondering, this is not a compact camera, it is almost as big as a SLR yet slightly lighter and a tad smaller. Not a camera for your pocket.I am sure if you get it you will be impressed.
Wow, I love this camera!!! [Speedy]
Happy Cinco de Mayo y'all.
This Sony HX 1 is very good and very user friendly. Sweep Panorama is an amazing feature. The camera size's small and light than what I excepted. As you know this Sony HX 1 has tons of features, the price is right.
Even tough I know the price will go down some days later, I need it now and also I think this camera will sold out very fast. Sony's website is already out of stock for this camera. Buy it here or retail store or where ever you can find, you won't regret.
Much better than anticipated. Pre-sale reviews are overly critical [Andrew J. Marton]
I was looking for a new digital camera to replace my Leica V-Lux 1 which a bought a couple of years ago. I sold the Leica and was planning to use the money to buy a current camera. My dilemma was whether to stay with a super zoom camera (flaws and all) or take a step toward an entry model DSLR. I also wanted a 2009 model as I wanted the most current technology available so I would be less inclined to feel the need to buy an "upgrade" in another year or so. Ultimately, I narrowed my search down to the Sony HX1, Canon SX1, Panasonic G1 and Sony a300. For me, build quality and feel, size (travel convenience) and lens versatility were my main priorities (not necessarily in that order). I think it is very important to figure out exactly what you really want out of your camera so you get a good fit that matches your expectations. So for me, low light picture quality was not a major concern as I expected to use the camera mostly outdoors or in good lighting situations. And in-door shots were probably going to be portraits or museum shots so again it was not a big concern for me.
Initially, I really liked the form factor of the SX10 (SX1 was not out yet) and its feel in my hands and layout. But I did want a reusable intelligent battery vs. AAs and I was not that impressed with the screen resolution and EVF. Reviews of the SX1 were also a little disappointing so I decided to pass on the Canon. I next explored the DSLRs. I really liked the Sony a300 but in the end couldn't justify the cost (this is a minor hobby for me and kids are teenagers so there are a lot less Kodak moments for m) and I didn't want to lug lenses around as I did that most of my life when I had old fashioned film cameras like the Nikon FE2 / N6006. The G1 was very intriguing but I was leaving on a summer vacation in early June and did not want to wait too long as I wanted to be completely familiar with the camera before the trip and know how to "work" the camera so I got good results (experience has taught me that there is a learning curve on getting descent pictures from a particular model) so I passed on the G1 as its release date was in June. In the end, I "talked" myself out of buying a DSLR system for one main reason - I simply was not ready or committed to traveling around with all the lenses I would want - wide angle and zoom. Basically I went with convenience / ease of use over picture perfection. For ME the step up in picture quality was not worth the trouble of walking around with all that gear. I do a fair amount of camping and scenic trips so I like to keep my load light. HD video was not an issue at all as I have the Canon HV30 which is simply an amazing camcorder. It also takes incredible video in low light situations. I highly recommend it.
In the end, I decided on the HX1 because of the features that I thought were cool and would inspire creativity on my part. For me, convenience is a big factor. At some point, my enthusiasm drops off in direct relationship to whether or not it is a PIA to do something. This is a character flaw for me but worth considering if you have similar tendencies over time. Interestingly, this also happens to be my first Sony camera although I have had several Sony camcorders in the past - so I don't believe that brand loyalty or familiarity with Sony played a part in my decision (aside from my confidence that Sony products made in Japan are exceptionally well made). The panoramic picture, twilight and anti-blur features and burst picture mode (10 frames) ultimately swayed. I thought that all of these features, despite some valid weaknesses added value to the camera and would enhance my digital camera experience. I also really liked the build quality, menu structure and ergonomics. As for the features, the panoramic picture feature works well once you understand how to use it and recognize its limitations. So far I have been very happy with the results. I am working on sharpening the picture as I think it is a little soft for my tastes. But it is so easy to use and I use it often just for fun! I find myself exploring options - something I would not do before and certainly not during post production when I am trying to tweak the 100s of pictures that I have taken during some adventure. Same for the twilight and anti-blur features. I find myself trying out each feature and comparing the results. Again, I am very happy with the results. Is it exceptional - no, but pictures turn out better than if you did not have the option and I am not overly critical as it looks great on the screen or 4x6 print out. Even 8x10 is respectable. Quite frankly, it's really nice not to have to do all that editing in "post production". (I use Adobe CS.) I think the lens quality is exceptional and like the way the camera lens extends out when you power up the camera - as it pushes off the lens cap. A small cute feature that everyone seems to have overlooked in their reviews. But quite easy to get used to - like all the little auto on features in your car (and the lens has a strap so it safely hangs by the side of the camera). I am not sure if that is an intended result but I love it.
I wish the initial start up was a tad faster but it's not slow - I just wish it was faster. Zooming in and out is average. Nothing to write home about but not necessarily slow. My recollection is that the Panasonic Z26 I had at one time was faster. I also wish the lens was slightly wider than 28mm but it will have to do. (I am spoiled on this point as my son has a Nikon 10.5mm lens on his Nikon D2H and it is amazing when taking close ups of flowers, etc. - I love the distortion). But on the flip side the zoom is amazing on the HX1 and the anti-shake feature seems to do the job. I love the way I can pull a subject in to fill the screen! So overall I am very happy with the lens' performance. The EVF is small but has nice resolution. The 3" screen is beautiful and much better than what I saw on the SX10. The Sony screen reminds me of HD TV - it is that smooth and the colors are fantastic. It appears to have a very good anti-reflective coating. Hopefully it will last. I wish it had a swivel mount like the canon so I could turn in the screen to protect it when it is put away but the articulating stem is better than nothing.
Menu navigation is relatively easy for me with the HX1 and I prefer it to the Canon menu for some reason - even though I have HV30 camcorder. I think Sony started from scratch on this menu or adopted the basic scheme from the a300/a350 series and it makes sense and is intuitive. I like it better than the menu tree on my past Nikons, Canons and Panasonics.
All in all, I am extremely happy with the HX1 (only had it for a week so far) and strongly recommend that you check out the camera in person as I read every (and I mean every) pre-sale review on it and found that a lot of the criticisms were overly hyper-technical or ultimately less significant during my test of the camera.
The perfect stop gap camera - Two weeks use report [Bay Wiz]
I was somewhat scarred as a youth having to carry around a huge film SLR. Looking back now I appreciate the film quality, but it made me a point and click user for most of my adult life. Now that I have a child, I really wanted to get back to the best possible picture quality and also capture HD movies.
The HX1 is exactly the camera I need and can afford right now. The photo quality is the best I've experienced in years and the HD video is top notch. My previous cameras, the Sony T500 and W290 had very good 720p HD video. The HX1 1080p HD video is noticeably better. After two weeks and weekends of use, here are my pros and cons:
Pros - Great photo quality - Full size HDMI cable support. It comes with an adapter so you can use any HDMI cable which is much cheaper than buying a Mini HDMI cable - Camera feels very solid - Panorama mode is fun, especially if you print it out - HD video is fantastic. Stereo sound is great - Great feel in your hands, comfortable grip - LCD is nice and big. Swivel screen feature gets used a lot - Automatic mode gets the perfect shot most of the time - I love that there are different levels of shooting modes including full manual. I feel this is the perfect trainer before moving to a full SLR - Camera is very light
Cons - Camera turns on and off fairly quickly, but not instant (fast enough that I haven't missed any photo ops though) - I wish the LCD swiveled to protect the screen. I highly recommend a screen protector as the LCD rubs against your chest when using the neck strap - Low light performance is better than point and clicks, but it's no SLR
I feel the HX1 is the perfect camera for those seeking great photos, sharp HD video, and a high zoom for a price more affordable than a full SLR with HD video and high zoom lens. When I visit friends and family, the HDMI cable is so easy to plug in to HDTVs for quick viewings. At home, I connect my pro duo card to the PS3 which reads the data flawlessly.
Strikes the right balance [Neil E. Fox]
I struggled over a 4 or 5 star rating for this product but ultimately believe that Sony has delivered an excellent package in the HX1. The other cameras I considered prior to purchasing the HX1 were several DSLRs, which I ruled out due to lack of support for video and the Canon SX1. The tipping points for me on the Sony were the panorama, twilight steady shot and high speed burst modes.
The image quality is absolutely excellent and there are more than enough program modes to help you get the ideal image for your shooting conditions. The intelligent mode selection works surprisingly well and is our defacto setting for the camera. I must say that while the panorama setting initially felt like gimmick, it is REALLY cool and works very well. I now look for opportunities to shoot panoramas! There a many more than you think - this feature will change your perspective on shooting images.
The video is high quality, though I've been wrapped up in the still image shots since getting the camera a few days ago so I can't comment fully on this yet.
There are only two significant issues that keep this from being the perfect camera for me. The first is the damn Memory Stick format. What the heck is Sony thinking with this? I realize that corporate greed and ego drive Sony to create their own standards for every thing but this has nearly prevented me from purchasing this excellent product. I have purchased a 4 GB MS Duo Pro and a 8 GB Micro SD with a MS Duo adapter. I have not used the Micro SD with the adapter yet but I'm concerned about speed. We shall see.
The other frustration for me is the speed of writing the 10 shots taken in burst mode to the memory card. It takes 10-15 seconds to write the 10 shots to the card. That seems oddly high to me but I'm sure that they tried to make it as fast as possible.
Overall, the camera is fairly small and light for a "near SLR" experience. I recommend this camera to those who want the super zoom, HD video and image control offered herein.
Outstanding!!! [J. A. Neumeister]
Sony has hit a home run with this jem of a camera. Feature rich and great quality photos makes this a must buy. Sony has done their homework and come up with an outstanding ultra zoom digicam :)
Blown Away By the Performance [Michael K. Scherzer]
I have only had this camera for about 24 hours, but I am very impressed about it. There are several unique features:
- The panorama feature is takes about 1 minute to master, you just turn the dial to panorama, press the shutter button and scan the area you want to photograph while pressing the shutter . - Twilight feature (great for when you don't have access to a tripod) - Backeting can be done easliy allowing you to make HDR images with ease (you can process them on your computer) - The camera can shoot 10 images in a second (great for sports) - 1080P video
There are many other features, but I thought these were the most unique.
amazing!!! [mag]
Few months ago I got H50. I loved it but hated the noise level on pics. I gave it back hoping that Sony will come out with something new. And here it is!!! I've had it for 3 days now and cant say anything except for LOVE iT!! Hand-hend twighligt takes good quality pics. intelligent auto works good, sometimes when used with zoom it gets confused and switches to macro and gives blurry pics, but...still love it!!! Battery life is very good, it shows on the display how many minutes you have left ( I took about 200 pics and still have 170 min left). Great, amazing camera!!!!!
AWESOME Camera [David Thao]
dude, everyone should buy this camera. just got it in the mail today and its pack with awesome features. a camera you should not miss out on. great upgrade from the H50. It's very fun to play with, especially with the Panorama shooting and the 10 fps mode. all the functions work really well while i was testing them. the flash is one of the strongest i've seen. The Design is very nice and clean to navigate. I like how shiny the body part of the Sony G Lens is, much better than the Carl Zeiss on the H50. All in all, it is a great camera to use, as good as a DSLR, and will be great for traveling. what i need now is a camera bag, because you would get so paranoid carrying such an expensive camera lol. well, buy one people, you wont regret.
Nothing short of amazing! [A. D. pompa]
UPDATE: Amazon gets an C on this one. Minutes after I order the camera it drops the price 40.00. I called amazon and they refunded the difference. But notice now the price changed again. First 499 then down $40 up $20 now back up to 499. Amazon has changed the price four times in as many days. Is that how they operate?
Have only had the camera one day so it may be a little soon to review but from what I have seen so far I can honestly say this camera is amazing. First off even with all it's features I find it very user friendly. The fell of the camera is just right. Where it really shines so far is low light photography. I have used many cameras in my day from medium format to Nikon's best SLRs and nothing shoots like this at night. I took a photo of my back yard and it filled the image with enough light that you would think I have strobes set up in every corner. I look forward to using a tripod. You will not regret this purchase and at this price I can't see why anyone would spend more. The software that comes with the camera is really just as great as the camera. It downloads the images, files them in a very user friendly way and deletes the memory stick. Now I can finally keep track of my images.
Fantastic Camera [Tim Martin]
This camera is fantastic. I have had it for about almost a week and I can honestly say, it takes beautiful photos. The zoom really gets out there, and even the smart zoom works well. I usually do not use the digital zoom, but it works when you need it. The burst mode is awesome when you use it. Great for sports photos. I shot some baseball team practice photos and it just stops the action. The twilight mode works well and even the high ISO shots are acceptable. The panoramic mode is cool. While taking the photos separately and stitching them together would achieve better results, this is more convenient. Battery life is great. I am still using it on the initial charge. Over 300 shots and 10 short videos and there is still over 90 minutes left according to the camera. After playing with a Panasonic DMC-FZ828 & Canon SX1 I am confident that this is the best camera for me for the money. The image quality is on par or better than the others, the HD video is better, and there are just so many more features on the Sony that make it a winner.
Very good camera that has it all [D. Martin]
Only had this camera for 2 days but I can tell you I really enjoy having it already. Very easy to use, very smart auto mode, image stabilization and auto focus. Great quality pictures and videos as well as sound. Love the panorama mode. Love the features: anti-blur, 20x zoom, pictures taken in low lit environments, and the ability to plug it right in to my HDTV!
Solid performer, user friendly, tons of features [G.S. Valdez II]
Had this camera for about a week now and have already taken hundreds of photos and hours of video, it's difficult to put down. Simply stated, this camera is ideal for anyone wanting a technologically superior, intermediate/advanced, point and click digital camera, without the knowledge required or hassle of a DSLR. The panorama feature worked flawlessly right out of the box, just be careful not to have fast moving objects in the frame. The gorgeous, articulating LCD is a godsend. Expected a little better still picture quality from the CMOS sensor but is overall satisfactory, color reproduction is very accurate. 1080p video quality is superb. In camera editing features are great. 20x optical zoom is outstanding. I can achieve very sharp, high contrast photos using basic editing software such as Picasa. Video and stereo sound is top quality. I bought this camera after retiring my DSC-H1 (the original ultra-zoom, 12x). The H1 was the workhorse of my camera collection and I relied upon it to get the job done, quickly and conveniently. The upgrades from the H1 to the HX1 are immeasurable. I especially love the G lens, the speed (10fps burst) and the fact that you can zoom video. It's as if they took every issue I had with the H1 (which were few) and fixed, upgraded, and or added it to the HX1 and then some. My only con is the fact that it doesn't seem able to fit aftermarket lens filters. I am hoping to rely on this new version for many years to come. Great camera!
I agree with the above reviewer who talked about the lens popping off on power up, brilliant!!! Makes me smile every time! :)
Advice: Purchase an extra battery, good case, LCD screen protectors, basic cleaning kit, large memory stick (at least 4gb), and I would recommend a car charger (has saved me many times). Note: Most if not all Sony products are proprietary, meaning only Sony accessories will work with your Sony product for the most part, i.e. batteries, memory card, etc.. This is not an issue for me as I trust Sony quality.
Great camera but no DSLR [vlim]
** Modified 05-08-09 by adding nitpick #5 :) ***
I had been a digital point-and-shoot camera person for about 12 years, since the Canon Powershot 100. Over that time, I've upgraded to various Powershot models until 2 years ago, got a Sony A100 DSLR. I love that camera and have lots of fun taking pictures with it.
For work, we had been using my A100 to take product photos. It was nice having a remote, and all of the great DSLR features that come along with that camera. But, I have been without my A100 for a while, and was missing it dearly, so I decided to get another camera for work, and was having trouble deciding between the DSC-HX1 and the A200 DSLR.
I've been playing with both, and have decided to return the A200 and keep the DSC-HX1. Here's why:
1. The other people helping me take these product photos don't have any DSLR experience, and don't share my enthusiasm for photography. They prefer point-and-shoot. So from an ease of use standpoint, the DSC-HX1 is a better choice, especially with the live view. The A200 doesn't have that, and although the A350 does, it does cost $100 more.
2. The HX1 has enough features on it to allow us to play with settings to get a great shot. You can control aperture, shutter speed, etc, just like on a DSLR. Manual focusing is available, but using the selective focusing is much more accurate for our non-moving subject. We just move the cursor to highlight the area that should be in focus, and the camera does the rest. Otherwise, there are lots of DSLR-like features.
3. The picture quality is pretty good. The JPG only shooting mode may put off more serious photographers who want RAW, but is fine for those moving up from lesser cameras. The large lens and CMOS
4. Live histogram view is nice to make sure you get a good exposure.
5. The optical zoom is great. I turn off digital zoom, since I don't really like it.
6. It's very light, much lighter than the A200 and even more so than my A100 setup.
7. The panorama feature is nice, but we won't be using it at the office.
8. The noise reduction modes are nice, but we won't be using it, since we have a lightbox and tripod setup for our needs. However, at a birthday party, I could see how this would be a nice feature.
There are some drawbacks that I would like to see addressed in future models:
1. I wish I could manually focus with a dial. The manual and semi-manual focusing on this thing has you move a scroll wheel to select a distance, and doesn't give the fine focusing of an actual lense dial on a DSLR. The selective focus is a nice feature that allows us to compensate for it, but this won't work well with moving subjects, but the semi-manual mode is a decent compromise.
2. There is a slight lag with the live view that I'm not used to coming from a DSLR. However, the tilting ability of the screen helps is nice, and makes up for this minor drawback.
3. With a tripod mount fitted, it's impossible to access the memory card slot. The DSLRs had this on the side of the camera.
4. Even with a tripod, it's possible to get blurry pictures when you press the shutter button. I thought that I read a review of the camera somewhere that said it had a remote. I didn't see mention of one in the manual, and of course there wasn't one in the box. However, it would be a great feature. The 2 second timer is ok, but not as convenient.
*** ADDED 05-08-09 *** 5. Although this camera has a great zoom lens for a non-DSLR, I found that it had difficulty focusing on close objects with a high zoom. Taking close-ups from about 2.5 feet away, I found it difficult to go beyond 3x zoom. Just another difference between this and a DSLR with a huge telephoto lens. Of course, moving the product closer, and reducing the zoom did the trick. Most people probably wouldn't be using the zoom lens this way, and probably won't have an issue with this limitation. ***
Overall, I would choose this camera over the A200 for many applications, but mainly for ease of use. The quality is great, and it has lots of features. Unless you need to change lenses or need precise manual focusing, it's hard to go wrong with this camera. It's for someone who likes to take pictures, wants good quality photos, but doesn't want the heft nor the bulk of a DSLR.
Great Camera - but with limitations [Chris Petrak]
Generally this is a great camera - good pictures (though noise level could be less in some circumstances) - easy to use - a definite improvement over the DSC-H5 which this replaced. I use the camera for bird photography. Lightweight portability is an advantage. 20x zoom eliminates need to digiscope, and I hope the 1.7x tele-converter will be even more of a plus. BUT BUT - the lack of a spot focus or manual focus means that I sometimes have difficulty getting it to focus on a small bird on a branch - it focuses on everything else except the spot I want to be focused on. And why in the world does Sony insist on a 3 minute shut off time? Why can't I make that decision & run down battery if I choose to do so? A PAIN!
Super [Donald R. Poteet]
I'm not much into videos on a digital camera but I must say this HD1080 is pretty awesome when viewed on a Sony HDTV but having said that would someone possibly be able to tell me why it want load the videos on my computer? I can go into the removable drive and force them to load but then they want play. Does anyone else have this problem? Please comment because even tho I'm not into video, this issue is driving me crazy. I've tried talking to sony but they don't seem to know what I'm talking about. Otherwise I do really like this camera and I bought it thru amazon and got it about three days before it was supposed to be available.
Good Features but not so good images [Saravanan]
The features are excellent in this camera. Like the burst mode which captures up to 10 pics and u can choose the best out of it. Similarly the smile detection mode which really does a good job of clicking at the right moment. The flash in completely dark ambiance comes really good as if the place had good lighting. Sweep Panorama is simply great, so easy and most of the time even if we shake the picture still comes good. The HD video is simply awesome both the quality of the video and audio.
The bad part (yes its bad, to me its highly disappointing) is the quality of the picture is really not meeting the basic expectation. The pictures are most of the time noisy irrespective of good lighting or not. In Intelligent Auto mode, you have to either choose burst or smile detection mode. The un-comfortable part is in burst mode the flash can't be switched on and in the smile detection mode flash can be switched on but the camera starts clicking automatically even before every one in the picture is ready and we are ready to take the picture (like before we adjust the area of the picture). So we are forced to go for the Manual / Program mode which is not a great answer for a point-and-shoot camera.
On a whole the camera has real great features, but the noisy image quality makes it average or below average camera. Sony should definitely correct this and release the next version.
Lots of features, but weak optics and some design glitches [Michel Deauville]
The camera isn't a bad buy for the money -and it's on the high-side of prices for its class. It has lots of features. But anyone who thinks that an ultra zoom "works" is deluding themselves. There's barrel distortion at wide angles and the images at 560mm telephoto equivalent are not very sharp. The lens also produces images with relatively weak contrast.
The camera does not allow one to manually adjust contrast or color. That has to be done post processing, and the lack of RAW images limits serious image manipulation.
There's some other annoying design attributes. To view images in the camera, the camera obviously has to be turned on, but that also extends the lens and pops the lens cap off. The program control knob is loose enough that the sometimes you'll find it set for something other than expected -that is, it'll switch with casual use from, say, Intelligent program mode to Easy or Vibration mode. Sure, that's user "error", but the engineering could be better.
The main problem, though, is the optics for any advanced amateur. Sony can and should do better.
