Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V Review ( Price )

£299 inc VAT Contact • sony.co.uk Read more • tinyurl.com/6cLaw3d Specification 16.2Mp compact camera; 16x optical zoom; f3.3-5.9; 1/2.3in Exmor R CMOS Sensor; Bionz processor; SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots; Face Detection; Smile Shutter; Soft Skin Mode; Background Defocus; GPS and digital compass; backlight correction; 3D Sweep Panorama; Auto Focus Area (multipoint); AV-out; USB 2.0; NP-BG1 battery; 105x59x34mm; 215g

Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V can capture 3D images as well as 1080p video at 60fps. You also get GPS for geotagging, a 10fps high-resolution burst mode, manual controls and great low-light performance. But along with some stellar specifications are a handful of shortcomings: RAW, aperture- and shutter-priority modes are missing, and Sony offers a small sensor and limited maximum aperture. The Cyber-shot makes up for most of these deficiencies in its versatility. A low-light-optimised Exmor R CMOS sensor is backilluminated, and the ultra-wide 16x-zoom lens has a maximum aperture of f3.3 to 5.9. The lens remains steady thanks to optical stabilisation, and Active Steady Shot during video recording. The DSC-HX9V is compact, but not pocketable. Its rubberised handgrip secures the camera when you're shooting with one hand. An adaptor lets you charge the battery in-camera via USB, although the socket is proprietary so you'll need Sony's cable. The 3in LCD is bright and crisp, but its quality can be misleading while shooting: colours look brighter and more vivid onscreen, so use the histogram to judge the exposure. Handheld Twilight mode uses exposure bracketing and image stacking to create well-exposed shots without the flash. The Sony can also create panoramic images and shallow-depth-of-field, blurred-background effects. 3D Sweep Panorama and 3D Still modes create three-dimensional images. Traditional modes include 10fps burst for fast-moving subjects, while a motion-tracking autofocus helps with action shots. The camera errs toward oversaturation and overexposure in Auto, but manual adjustment compensates. The pop-up flash is strong, blowing out bright spots. Without the flash, whites were still grey and colours oversaturated. The Cyber-shot is serious about video. AVCHD at 1080p/60fps was smooth and sharp, and the Sony does a superior job in low light. Audio from the top-mounted stereo microphones was similarly superb. In-camera GPS is limited to geotagging shots. The initial fix can take up to 5 minutes, and you'll need a clear view of the sky. Battery life is solid, but nothing extraordinary. With GPS off, it's rated at 300 shots per charge. Verdict The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V omits RAW, aperture- and shutterpriority modes, but instead offers innovative in-camera settings and superb still image and video capture.

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