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Pros
- Fast operation.
- Excellent image quality.
- Superior video recording (1080i60).
- Large, 3-inch LCD.
- Clever in-camera software for creating panoramic photos and reducing image noise.
- Integrated GPS and compass.
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Cons
- Competition offers more zoom in similar body size.
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX5V Specs
| 35mm Equivalent (Telephoto) | 250 mm |
| 35mm Equivalent (Wide) | 25 |
| Battery Type | InfoLithium |
| Display Resolution | 230000 |
| Memory Card Format | Memory Stick Duo |
| Memory Card Format | Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Memory Card Format | Secure Digital |
| Memory Card Format | Secure Digital High Capacity |
| Optical Zoom | 10 x |
| Sensor Resolution | 10 |
| Type | Superzoom |
| Video Resolution | Yes |
The 10.2-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V ($349.99 direct) packs a 10x optical zoom lens in its pocket-size body. The only problem? You can get more zoom from similar-size cameras like the 12x 
) or the 14x 
). The lens on this camera extends to just 250mm, while some competitors can reach upwards of 392mm.
But Sony makes up for the relative lack of zoom with a ton of features including unmatched video recording, an integrated GPS (with compass) for geotagging your photos, innovative in-camera software, and very solid image quality with low noise at all ISO sensitivities. In fact, the DSC-HX5V is the most well-rounded point-and-shoot camera we've seen in a while. Despite a few minor annoyances, it's our latest Editors' Choice superzoom model and one of our
Design
Other manufacturers offer compact superzoom cameras in a variety of colors; the DSC-HX5V is only available in black. The camera has some nice ergonomic grooves, and at 2.38 by 4.13 by 1.19 (HWD), it will fit in most pockets. The big 3-inch LCD bests the same-size display on the Canon PowerShot SX210, which has an aspect ratio of 16:9. Since images at maximum resolution are captured in a 4:3 aspect ratio, they only take up 2.5 inches, so you get black bars on either side. The display on the DSC-HX5V uses a 4:3 aspect ratio, so images fill the entire screen.
When it comes to zoom factor, the DSC-HX5V is on the stingy side with a 10x lens that spans 25-250mm (with an aperture of f/3.5 -f/8). The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 offers 12x and starts at 25mm but can extend to 300mm. The Canon PowerShot S210 prevails here; its 14x lens starts at 28mm but can all the way to 392mm. If your primary goal is just get as much zoom as possible in your pocket; the PowerShot S210 is your best bet. Still, the DSC-HX5V boasts better overall performance.
Performance, Shooting Modes, and Extra Features
When it comes to speed, the DSC-HX5V excels. The camera can start up and shoot in an average of just 2.33 seconds, which is quick, and you'll only experience an average of 0.5 seconds of shutter lag. And it only gets faster from there, the DSC-HX5V can fire shots off with an average of just 1.8 seconds between them, and in burst mode, you can capture 10 frames per second.
Using Imatest to objectively measure image quality, the DSC-HX5V tested quite well, delivering moderately sharp images that should please most people. Analyzing 50 spots within the frame, the DSC-HX5V averaged 1,796 lines per picture height with an average of 1,987 in the center and 1,357 in the corner regions, The PowerShot SX210 IS, however, offers a level of sharpness no other superzoom model can hit, averaging an impressive 2,543 lines in the center, and 1,290 in the corners.
With the DSC-HX5V, you get full manual control over the aperture and shutter speed, but the camera lacks shutter speed and aperture priority modes. But even in its plain-jane automatic shooting modes, the DSC-HX5V excels at shooting images in low light without a flash, offering high ISO settings that produce negligible noise. The PowerShot SX210 can shoot up to ISO 400 before approaching 1.5 percent noise (the limit of acceptability), while the DSC-HX5V shoots clean images all the way up through ISO 1600. The Sony produces much cleaner images at low ISOs too; just .56 percent and .61 percent at ISO 100 and 200 respectively. To compare, images from the PowerShot SX210 were twice as noisy at 1.29 and 1.30 percent respectively.
Sony has loaded the camera with a wide array of in-camera effects that help deliver better shots. First, iSweep Panorama lets you swipe the camera up, down, left or right, while it fires multiple images and then stitches them together in a few seconds. And it really works, check out this demo.
The Handheld Twilight (for lower ISOs and slower shutter speeds) and Anti-Motion Blur (for higher ISOs and faster shutter speeds) effects handle noise reduction, but in a clever, new way. The level of image noise produced at higher ISOs is always consistent, but you can never tell where it will appear in the frame. In these modes, the camera shoots six images in less than one second and then merges together the least noisy portions of the frame to produce the cleanest possible master image. In my tests, these modes reduced image noise by up to 30 percent.
The geotagging feature in this camera unlike any other other. 
) and Panasonic's Lumix DMC-ZS7 include a GPS that can tag your photos with location information, so when you use a photo viewer that supports tagging, like Picasa or iPhoto, you can see your images plotted on a map. The DSC-HX5V does this, but it also features an integrated compass—it can even show you in which direction the photo was taken. Picasa can display your photo within a Google Earth 3D model that feels like street view in Google Maps.
Video and Connectivity
It's rare that any compact cameras offer high-definition video recordings at a resolution higher than 1280 by 720, also footage is typically limited to 30 progressive frames per second. The DSC-HX5V records at 1920 by 1080 and doubles the frame rate to 60 interlaced frames per second for video playback that looks very fluid. And recording video with this camera is a pleasure; it feels like a dedicated camcorder. You can zoom in or out and refocus without capturing any noise from the motor, and the audio captured sounds great thanks to built-in stereo microphones.
The camera supports Sony's new wireless protocol, Transfer Jet. If you buy a Memory Stick that includes Transfer Jet technology, you can connect the camera wirelessly to other Transfer Jet products to transfer photos and videos. (You'll pay about $50 dollars more for this feature.) Sony offers an optional Transfer Jet accessory for PCs and HDTVs—it connects via USB.
Sony's $350 Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V boasts great image quality, unmatched video recording, innovative software features, and a big, beautiful LCD. It's not perfect, however: You can get more zoom elsewhere and its connectivity options could stand to be improved. If those are your priorities, you'd be better off with the same-price Canon PowerShot SX210. But if you want the best balance of performance and features for the money in the superzoom class of compact cameras, this camera delivers, so it's our latest Editors' Choice.More Digital Camera Reviews: