Sony HX10V Review

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HX10V Overview

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HX10V Overview
Specifications

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V
Resolution:	18.20 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.3 inch (6.2mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	16.00x zoom (24-384mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	LCD
Extended ISO:	100 - 12,800
Shutter:	1/1600 - 30 sec
Max Aperture:	3.3
Dimensions:	4.1 x 2.4 x 1.3 in. (105 x 60 x 34 mm)
Weight:	8.3 oz (234 g) includes batteries
MSRP:	$330
Availability:	03/2012
Manufacturer:	Sony
Full specs:	Sony HX10V specifications

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18.20 Megapixels	16.00x zoom	1/2.3 inch size sensor

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V Overview

Posted: 02/27/2012

Are you searching for a camera you can slip in a coat-pocket, but with plenty of zoom reach and resolution, and a price tag that won't break the bank? If so, the Sony DSC-HX10V might be the camera you're after.

The Sony HX10V is based around a generous 16x optical zoom lens that dominates its front panel, and bears Sony G branding. When shooting still images in its native 4:3 aspect ratio, yields 35mm-equivalent focal lengths from a generous 24mm wide angle to a powerful 384mm telephoto. Maximum aperture falls from f/3.3 at wide angle to a rather dim f/5.9 at telephoto. The HX10V includes Sony's Optical Steadyshot image stabilization, helpful for fighting blur from camera shake at the longer focal lengths.

Sony describes the HX10V's autofocus system as "lightning-fast", claiming a focus time of just 0.13 seconds in daylight, and 0.22 seconds in low ambient light of around 3 EV.

The HX10V's backside-illuminated CMOS image sensor has uncommonly high resolution, capable of capturing 18.2 megapixel still images. That's a higher resolution than many recent SLRs, although the sensor itself is a 1/2.3-inch type with a diagonal of just 7.77 millimeters. Since it's a backside-illuminated image sensor, light gathering should be better than that of a standard CMOS chip. That's because more of the surface area can be devoted to light-gathering, as the circuitry has been moved below the active layer of the sensor. Sony has selected a still-image sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 12,800 equivalents, although it's not clear if that is at full or reduced resolution. For movie shooting, the range is a much narrower 100 to 1,000 equivalents, with the ability to extend to ISO 2,000 maximum.

Images can be framed and reviewed on a 3.0-inch LCD panel with high 921,600 dot resolution, or around 640 x 480 pixels, with each pixel being comprised of separate red, green, and blue dots. There's no optical or electronic viewfinder on the HX10V.

As well as still imaging, the HX10V can also capture high-def 1080p (aka Full HD; 1,920 x 1,080 pixels) AVCHD video at a rate of 60 interlaced fields per second, and movies include stereo audio. There are also three reduced-resolution options: either high-def 1,440 x 1,080 pixel that plays back at 16:9 aspect ratio, but with reduced resolution on the x-axis, high-def 720p (1,280 x 720 pixel), or standard-def VGA (640 x 480 pixel). The 1,440 x 1,080 pixel mode is available at 60 fields per second in AVCHD format, or 30 frames per second in MPEG-4. The other reduced-res modes are all MPEG-4 only, and are captured at 30 frames per second. Two different stabilization systems are available for video: either the standard Optical SteadyShot used for still imaging, or a more powerful Active SteadyShot mode that combines optical and digital stabilization, with a resulting increase in the focal length crop. (Translation: wide-angle video is harder to achieve with this enabled, but you can manage an even greater maximum telephoto.)

Interestingly, the HX10V can save 13 megapixel still images during movie capture, without interrupting the video feed. This is achieved using Sony's "By Pixel Super Resolution" technology, a variant of digital zoom that uses both interpolation and pattern-matching to resample the low-res video frame to a much higher resolution.

Catering to fans of travel, the Sony HX10V includes a built-in GPS receiver. This allows photos and movies to be tagged with the capture location and bearing. The HX10V also allows GPS track logs to be recorded, so you can replay your route on a given day's shooting.

The Sony HX10V includes both USB 2.0 High Speed data and Mini HDMI high-def video connectivity. Images and movies are stored in a not-so-generous 19MB of built-in memory, or on SD / Memory Stick Duo cards. Supported SD cards include SDHC and SDXC types, while Memory Stick Duo compatibility includes PRO Duo and PRO HG Duo types, as well as Micro and Micro Mark 2 cards with an adapter. Power comes courtesy of a proprietary NP-BG1 or NP-FG1 lithium ion rechargeable battery pack, with the former in the product bundle. The HX10V is rated as good for 340 shots on a charge, although it isn't stated with which pack type this figure was determined.

Available from March 2012, the Sony HX10V is priced at around US$330. Body colors for this model include black, white, silver, and red.