Cameras and Photography

dsc hx5v review

Sony has again used its backside-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, Bionz image processor, and a Sony G lens to try to solve two of the most common complaints about compact cameras: shooting performance and low-light photo quality. This time around they're in the Cyber-shot DSC HX5V, a compact wide-angle megazoom. The camera has a lot to offer particularly to those with the time and desire to get the most from it. However, if you're a stickler for photo quality, you'll likely want to give it a pass.

Due to the megazoom lens, noise reduction, or both, the results just aren't very sharp. This images are normally good, though, and its low-light photos are better than you'll get with the ones from the competition. Plus, the HX5V's shooting speeds are excellent for its class with low shutter lag, short shot-to-shot times, and a burst mode capable of 10 frames per second. The digicam comes complete with plenty of cool, useful features, also, including a built-in GPS receiver and compass. It truly is overall a great compact megazoom camera, but like most point-and-shoots a photos aren't going to please everyone.

The HX5V looks like a larger version of Sony's WX1. It's a simple black box for the most part (you know, except for the obscene amount of branding) with a slight cylindrical grip on the right side giving you a place to rest your fingertips in front and thumb in back. The body is very compact and lightweight considering its long zoom and wide-angle lens; most of its weight seems to come from that and the battery pack. (The lens, by the way, is a Sony G lens, which are used in the company's dSLR cameras and advanced HD camcorders.) Overall it's nicely designed, but not quite perfect.

Controls are fairly easy to master. On top is the shooting-mode dial; shutter release and zoom ring; power button; and a button to turn on and off burst shooting. The burst and power buttons are flush with the body, making it difficult to find the power without looking as well as mistaking one for the other. Also on top are the stereo mic openings, which are so far to the left that they're easily blocked by a finger if you're not careful. That sliver of the flash on the top right side can be at the least partially covered via reckless fingers. At the back to the right on the 3-inch LCD (that makes reasonably bright, however, many can also struggle to view it with direct natural light) are the being controls. There's a dedicated movie record button, so there's no need to change shooting modes to quickly capture video. Below that is a Playback button; directional pad with a select button at its center; Menu button; and Delete button. Along with navigating menus, the directional pad turns on the camera's smile- and timer-activated shutter release options, changes flash settings, and changes the brightness of the LCD as well as what information it displays. Unfortunately, the icons for each are just engraved in the pad, making them a little difficult to see in dim lighting.

This a single List option accesses many controls, except taking pictures modes handled from the dial on top. Press Menu, and a column of shooting-mode-specific settings appear on the left. At the end of the list is a toolbox icon for accessing general settings. What's even great is a camera's capacity to alert you about modifying certain settings. For example, if you set the HX5V to spot meter light, you won't be able to turn on Face Detection. The Sony DSC HX5V tells you onscreen that Face Detection is not available because of Spot metering being selected. Cameras from other vendors generally make you guess what needs to be shut off in order to turn on a blacked-out option

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