Sony Cyber Shot DSC-HX1 Review

July 2, 2009

The market is bursting with all the latest and improvised cyber shot cameras; one having a super zoom lens, the other featuring high ISO sensitivity and some offer a splendid LCD screen but Sony steals the show with its latest model Sony Cyber Shot DSC-HX1.

This camera is not just any other digital camera; it is an awesome device featuring a 20X lens that offers a focal length ranging from 28mm up to 560mm at the telephoto end which is equivalent to the new “G” lens available in the most sophisticated of cameras.

A 3 inch tilting LCD screen and the newly incorporated CMOS sensor in the camera are just the highlights of this model. The real joy comes when one finds the high speed of shooting high quality HD movies, around 30 frames per second at 1440X 1080 resolution whereas the ultra fast shooting mode gives 10fps of continuous shooting.

The sensor is the most sensitive part of any camera. Sony Cyber Shot DSC-HX1 has a 1/24 inch Exmor CMOS sensor that gives around 9.1 million pixel exposure. The fast speed is not only due to the sensor but is also dependent on the shutter speed; the Auto Shutter speed being 2 seconds or 1/400. The aperture Priority is set at 8 seconds-1/200.

Sony Cyber Shot DSC-HX1 is a really unique piece. If you doubt that then checkout the 3 cool shooting modes, it provides. The Sweeping Panorama Mode which allows the user to shoot a panoramic view and then joins them in a queue to let you see them in motion.

The Anti-Motion Blur gives the freedom to capture a fast moving object without blurring the image since it shoots 6 images in a row and combine them to eliminate any blurring effect. The third mode is the most amazing one; it reduces image noise in low light situations.

It is the Twilight Mode which joins 6 images together to lower the noise in the image. Apart from 3 noise reduction settings, there are the manual modes, white balance and a revised Menu mode all for your convenience. The camera supports JPEG format for stills and MPEG4 and MP4 format for video clips.

The HX1 is equipped with a HDMI port so that you can transfer your videos and view them. Also, it can be connected to USB 2.0, Microphone, stereo and to Mono-Video output. It has an internal memory of approximately 11MB that gives you the freedom to shoot nonstop and a 0.2 inch view finder that will make aiming at your subject easier.

The additional features of Auto Red Eye Reduction and different options for Flash (ON/OFF/AUTO/SLOW SYNC) and self timer (ON/OFF/2 Seconds continuous shooting at 10fps/5fps or 2fps (10 Shot maximum) or 10 seconds) make Sony Cyber Shot DSC-HX1, a wonderful gadget.

So now you get a high quality image as these features take care of the minor details and prevent your picture from being ruined by red eye effects, mistimed shots or over blown light areas in the snaps. And all this is available in just under £330, keeping in mind the shooting convenience and altogether an improved infrastructure, it is not a bad deal at all.