Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V
- 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.
- Cons
Competition offers more zoom in similar body size.
- Bottom Line
While you can get more zoom in a same-size camera from competitors, Sony makes up for it with a wealth of innovative features and clever in-camera software in the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V.
Specifications
- Type
- Superzoom
- Megapixels
- 10 MP
- Maximum Resolution
- 3648 x 2736 pixels
- Media Format
- Memory Stick Duo, Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Memory Stick Pro Duo
- 35-mm Equivalent (Wide)
- 25
- 35-mm Equivalent (Telephoto)
- 250
- Optical Zoom
- 10 x
- LCD size
- 3 inches
- Wireless Connectivity
- No
- HD Video Capture
- 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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 ($399.99, 
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. If 10x is enough zoom for you, this talented pocket camera is definitely worth checking out.
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. Samsung's HZ35W ($349.99, 
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.Samsung HZ35W
- editor rating
good
- Pros
15x zoom. Beautiful OLED screen with high contrast, and no motion blur. Micro-HDMI port.
- Cons
Noisy images in anything other than ideal lighting conditions. Proprietary USB port.
- Bottom Line
Samsung packs a lot of fun features and a 15x zoom lens into its HZ35W, but noisy images hold this pocket camera back.
The $349.99 (list) Samsung HZ35W is jam-packed with goodies: 14.1 megapixels, integrated GPS for geotagging your photos, a gorgeous 3-inch OLED screen, and a generous 15x optical zoom lens. And Samsung has managed to fit all of this into a 1.1-inch deep body that you can drop into your pocket. Though I've really enjoyed other Samsung cameras in the past, like the Editors' Choice Samsung DualView TL225 ($349.99,
Design
The HZ35W can fit in your pocket, but it will likely be the only thing in there. At 2.38 by 4.2 by 1.1 inches (HWD) and almost a half-pound, this camera isn't the slimmest or lightest you can find. But there's a reason for the extra bulk: you get 15x zoom lens, with focal length that's wider and longer than much of the competition—24mm-360mm with corresponding aperture of f/3.2 (w) and f5.8 (t). The Canon PowerShot SX210 IS ($349.99,
There's not much to report regarding the user interface: it's quick, simple and friendly (and pops well on the 3-inch OLED, but more on that later). Most options are controlled by a mode dial on top, and a few small metal buttons on the back of the camera—it's your typical pocket camera control configuration. There's a simple Auto mode, as well as a Manual mode to control the shutter speed and aperture. There are a few extra buttons offering quick access to features: a GPS On/Off switch and a button for immediately starting and stopping video recordings.
Specifications
- Type
- Superzoom
- Megapixels
- 14 MP
- Maximum Resolution
- 4000 x 3000 pixels
- Media Format
- Secure Digital Extended Capacity
- 35-mm Equivalent (Wide)
- 24
- 35-mm Equivalent (Telephoto)
- 360
- Optical Zoom
- 15 x
- LCD size
- 3 inches
- Wireless Connectivity
- No
- HD Video Capture
- Yes
The 3-inch display on the back of this camera is not an LCD. It's an OLED screen, and if you've never seen one, you're in for a treat. All of Samsung's superzoom competitors offer 3-inch LCDs, which tend to be a little brighter than OLEDs. But OLEDs have two advantages over LCDs: extremely deep black levels, and virtually no motion blur, so images are clear and crisp without trails from moving images. With its high contrast, the OLED is very easy on the eyes and makes framing your shots easier.
Performance
The operating speeds of the HZ35W are in line with most of the other compact-zoom cameras I've seen lately—it's quick. You can power on and take a shot in an average of 2.5 seconds. Once powered on, the there's an average wait of 0.6 seconds between shutter press and image capture, and you'll wait about 2.1 seconds between consecutive shots.
Using Imatest to collect objective image-quality information, I found serious problems with the Samsung HZ35W's images. If you shoot pictures in conditions that are less than perfect (if you're not outdoors in good light, or using the flash) your images will likely look noisy. In general, the less light the camera has to work with, the higher it has to bump the gain on its image sensor in order to collect more light. Our standard for visible noise is an average of 1.5 percent, after which the noise becomes visible. Most point-and-shoot cameras can reach at least ISO 400 without breaking the 1.5-percent threshold, and the HZ35W barely gets to ISO 200 before getting noisy. Don't even try the really high ISO settings—you'll get unuseable images. The HZ35W averages 1.5 percent noise at IS0 200, while the Sony Cyber-shot HX5V ($349.99 direct,
Sharpness scores from the 14-megapixel images are about equal to the competition. After averaging 50 spots throughout the frame, the HZ35W offered a center-weighted average of 1,752 lines per picture height (2,069 in the center region, 1,566 in the part way region, and 1,043 in the corner regions.) The Sony HXV5 offers an average of 1,796 lines (1,987 in the center, 1,686 part way and 1,357 in the corners). The Fujifilm Finepix F80EXR ($299.99 direct,
Additional Features
If you do a lot of snapping while traveling, you'll appreciate that this camera has a built-in GPS you can use to geotag your photos. Photo viewing programs like iPhoto or Picasa will display the photo on a map to it to indicate where it was taken. It's a definite battery killer, but can easily be turned off to conserve power. The Sony HX5V also offers built-in GPS, and adds a compass that allows you to see where the photo was taken, as well as the direction in which the photo was shot.
Video capture looks and sounds good. The HZ35W records in 720p at 30 fps, in a file type that can easily be shared on YouTube and Facebook. If you zoom in and out or refocus while recording, the audio will cut out to avoid capturing noise from the lens. If you're a video fanatic, you're better off with the Sony Cyber-shot HX5V; it offers fantastic video recordings (1080i) with twice the frame rate (60 fps) and the option to use a higher-quality AVCHD codec.
Depending on your task at hand, connectivity options on the HZ35W are hit-and-miss. Hit: the camera has a universal micro-HDMI port, so you can plug right into your HDTV and easily view your photos and videos with a standard cable. Miss: To charge the battery and connect the camera to your computer, Samsung uses a proprietary USB port, with a proprietary cable.
On paper, there's a lot to like about the $350 Samsung HZ35W—geotagging, a sweet OLED screen, and 15x zoom to get you closer to the action. But for the price, I expect more in the image-quality department, and so should you. If you're interested in GPS and geotagging, try the $350 Sony Cyber-Shot HX5V or Panasonic's Lumix DMC-ZS7 ($399.99,
More Digital Camera Reviews:
• Samsung HZ35W
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
• Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR
• Canon PowerShot SX210 IS
• Olympus Stylus Tough-8010
• more
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