The small, portable point-and-shoot camera is a dying breed, but it hasn’t completely disappeared. The modern take-anywhere cameras have almost entirely been replaced by smartphones. We had great hopes when Sony stated it will release a new 30x pocketable model because even multi-lens models lack true zoom power. Sony has been a pioneer in high-end, point-and-shoot cameras with big sensors, which typically produce the greatest possible image and video quality. The Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 ($449.99), its newest superzoom, is a dud with a lens that is prone to flare, lackluster low-light photography, and unsteady handheld video.
Design, Build, and Handling
It is a tiny camera that fits easily in the pocket. Except from a little vertical ridge on the front to aid in finger grip, there isn’t much room for ergonomic niceties, but overall it feels excellent in the hand. Although not being particularly hefty, it yet manages to have a strong and sturdy feel.
Controls and buttons. Because of the camera’s diminutive size, there isn’t much room for controls. Because of this, someone with large hands may find it difficult to use the buttons and dials. Having said that, there aren’t many unnecessary buttons and the buttons are distributed rationally. Also, you can give some of them specific tasks to perform.
For navigating the menu and settings, the camera’s back has a dial that looks like a joystick. As a result, you’ll use them a lot when shooting normally. These are the most difficult for me to utilize, though. In particular, the dial functions as a revolving dial for navigating options as well as a series of buttons, depending on where you touch it. I find the spinning element to be the most annoying because it is way too simple to push in the wrong direction and choose a different option. It all boils down to the combination of the small size and design. It’s clever to pack so many diverse functions into one controller, but I find it to be the least convenient feature of the HX99’s shooting controls.
Two shutters are present. There is the customary photo-taking area on top. Moreover, a separate button on the back initiates and terminates video recording. This type of configuration is appealing to me because it eliminates the need to access the menu system or turn a mode dial in order to switch between shooting images and video by simply pressing the proper shutter button.
Large Zoom, Little Camera
The HX99 adheres exactly to Sony’s renowned Cyber-shot design paradigm. The metal-bodied, pocket-sized superzoom has dimensions of 2.3 by 4.0 by 1.4 inches (HWD) and a weight of around 8.5 ounces. The camera has an electronic pop-up viewfinder but no weather protection of any kind (EVF).
The key component is the lens. It has an f/3.5-6.4 aperture range and a 24-720mm (full-frame equivalent) zoom lens. A 1/2.3-inch image sensor, which is the same size as that used in most smartphones, supports it. The HX99 delivers on its huge zoom power promise, but at a price. You’ll discover that the bright, wide-angle lens on a modern Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel phone takes better pictures indoors than the HX99. If you’re considering the HX99 as a smartphone update, be aware of the areas in which the Sony will perform better than current phone. The key component is the lens. It has an f/3.5-6.4 aperture range and a 24-720mm (full-frame equivalent) zoom lens. A 1/2.3-inch image sensor, which is the same size as that used in most smartphones, supports it. The HX99 delivers on its huge zoom power promise, but at a price. You’ll discover that the bright, wide-angle lens on a modern Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel phone takes better pictures indoors than the HX99. If you’re considering the HX99 as a smartphone update, be aware of the areas in which the Sony will perform better than current phone.
Both connectivity and power
Your smartphone can receive wireless photo transfers from the HX99. It works with both Android and iOS mobile devices and has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, making connection easier than with prior cameras that only had Wi-Fi. To utilize it, you’ll need to download the free Sony PlayMemories Mobile software, but once it’s installed, your phone may transmit files and be used as a remote.
A detachable NP-BX1 battery serves as the source of power. Although third-party replacements can be found for less than that, spares cost roughly $40. The CIPA battery is rated for 460 shots with power-saving features activated, or 370 shots in usual mode, so you might not need to buy one. Battery life of the HX99 is rated for 300 shots with the EVF on, thus using it will reduce that number.
We’ve previously advised travelers to get an extra battery. Because USB power banks are readily available, that is somewhat less necessary. You can charge and transfer data on the HX99 using a regular micro USB interface, which enables you to top off the battery in the same way as you would your smartphone.
Conclusion
Despite a significant increase in price, the Sony Cyber-shot HX99 offers a compelling combination of excellent still and video image quality and an updated feature set, making it one of the best travel-zoom cameras on the market (in the UK at least ).
The HX99’s most significant upgrade is its 4K video, which has excellent quality thanks to full pixel readout and no pixel binning. The 100fps 1080p setting is another fantastic feature for aficionados of slow motion.
In terms of still images, the Panasonic TZ200, which has a larger 1-inch sensor, may compete with the HX99 thanks to its 18.2MP Exmor R 1/2.3 type sensor. However, the HX99 offers double the zoom range of the TZ200, which for many users will be more significant than pure image quality.
