Latest update 10 October’10 – Review and Sample Photos @ StevesDigicams
Sony Cyber-shot HX1 is a 9.1 megapixel image stabilized 20x zoom digital camera that features 28mm wide angle, 3 inch LCD, CMOS sensor, 10 fps high speed shooting, sweep panoramic mode, handheld twilight mode, HD movies, and a high ISO of 3200.
Stand out features ~ Sweep Panorama and 10 fps will impress just about everyone interested in this category of camera. Quality conscious shooters will appreciate the CMOS sensor and the fact that Sony is demonstrating their commitment to image quality by keeping this unit at 9.1 megapixels.
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| Price & Info
Review Index – (updated 10 February’10)
StevesDigicams
“This camera has great image quality and excellent performance as well as the availability of some of the new and advanced shooting modes that Sony has included. The only drawback to the image quality is the amount of noise we saw at all ISO levels and the chromatic aberrations that appear quite often. This is a powerful and innovative super-zoom digicam that is perfect for anyone looking for the best set of performance and features they can find.”
DigitalCameraReview
“In terms of across-the-board shooting speed and outright image quality, a large-sensor, interchangeable-lens camera wins hands down. And given that the HX1, which lists at nearly $500, will set you back nearly as much as a basic SLR kit, potential buyers may have good reason to think twice.”
ImagingResource
“I had a ball with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. Right out of the box you can get great results with the 20x optical zoom Sony G lens coupled to an Exmor CMOS sensor with sensitivity to ISO 3,200 using Programmed Auto, intelligent Auto, or Easy mode. But you can also get cute with Aperture and Shutter priority modes and Manual mode before you tap into some unique shooting capabilities.”
DigitalCameraInfo
“This cameras features actually do what they say: the panorama mode takes great panoramic shots quickly, and the hand held low light mode also produces much sharper and more attractive low light shots. Neither mode is perfect, though; there are definite glitches in the panoramas. The HX1 also produced attractive still images and video; both had good color and plenty of detail.”
PCWorld
“Ultimately, though, a camera is only as good as the images it can produce. The Sony DSC-HX1 is exceptionally fast and has some slick, fun technology working for it, but its images failed to measure up to our expectations for a $500 camera.”
Rating: 
PhotographyBlog
“It is rather hard to describe such a complex – yet fairly easy-to-use – and you are encouraged to read our detailed findings in the Ease of Use section of this review. To sum it up, the Sony HX1 is certainly not ‘the’ perfect camera, but it’s one of the best all-rounders we’ve seen, and as such, it comes Highly Recommended by us.”
Rating: 
RegHardware
“Apart from lacking a RAW image option and the less than Full HD video, the DSC-HX1 offers a pretty good spec. Video is fine if you’re taking shots of slow moving objects, but performance suffers if your subject is fast-moving. But overall, we liked the DSC-HX1 and if a super zoom compact is on your wish list, you might find that this camera offers the right set of features and performance for the price.”
Rating: 
Photo Review
“Buy this camera if – You’re looking for a well-built, long-zoom digicam with good wide-angle coverage, plenty of user-adjustable controls and image stabilization – You use the monitor for shot composition and enjoy shooting with the camera close to the subject, low to the ground or above your head. (The tilting LCD makes this easy – You find the Sweep Panorama, Handheld Twilight and Anti Motion Blur shooting modes enticing – You’d enjoy shooting HD video clips with stereo sound.”
Rating:
Camera Labs
“As detailed above, Canon’s PowerShot SX1 IS offers more traditional photographic features and better quality at the lowest sensitivities, but if you want or need faster than 4fps continuous shooting, then the HX1 is currently the only affordable choice. A number of annoyances or limitations listed near the start of this page prevent the HX1 from earning our top award, but it still easily comes Recommended – and once again if capturing very fast action is your priority, its combination of a long zoom, fast AF and supremely quick continuous shooting is unrivaled at the price.”
Rating: 
Digital Trends
“It’s hard to live up to great expectations, but as far as we’re concerned, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 did just that. Is it a perfect camera? Hardly, since one hasn’t been invented. Yet this camera does many things well: shoots quickly and accurately with minimal fuss, has a powerful wide-angle zoom, offers manual options and takes fine HD movies. Although it doesn’t shoot RAW files, don’t forget sweep panorama, one of the neatest tricks we’ve seen in a long time.”
Rating:
GoodGearGuide
“Our overall impression of this camera is that it’s a little underdone. It has plenty of useful features — the long zoom, the panorama mode, the ability to record HD video, the excellent viewfinder, the manual controls — but its pictures lack definition when viewed at their full size, and its design needs to be improved.”
Rating:
DPInterface
“This camera looks great on paper and indeed has some great features but has too many limitations that put a stop to all that potential fun you should be able to have with the camera. The thrill of having a full-resolution 10 FPS burst mode without laying down $4000-$5000 for high end digital SLR is appealing. Oh well, maybe next time Canon.”
Cameras.co.uk
“This is one of the most advanced digital cameras you can find. Picture quality is very good and is backed up with a stunning set of features. If you are serious about photography, but do not want to step up to a Digital SLR then take a look at the Cybershot DSC HX1.”
Rating:
T3
“There are a few issues with the HX1, including no RAW format support, a huge amount of grain when your crank up the ISO and an LCD screen that isn’t quite full tile, but the HX1 is an easy to use, feature-packed addition to the superzoom camera market that will not disappoint.”
Rating:
First Impression Video @ DigitalRev
DCResource
“The DSC-HX1′s image quality is disappointing. Like Sony’s other recent point-and-shoot cameras, the HX1 suffers from too much noise reduction. This smudges low contrast details such as grass, hair, trees, sand, and water, and also gives the image as a whole a soft, fuzzy appearance. Lowering the noise reduction helps a bit, though photos will then have a more traditional grain style of noise. The HX1 also has quite a bit of purple fringing (so much for the fancy lens), and highlight clipping is an issue, as well.”
CNET
“Tradeoffs abound in Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 megazoom: though it’s fast and has some really novel, useful features, it just doesn’t deliver the photo quality expected for its class.”
Rating:
DPReview
“Looking at the market as a whole, with an emphasis on image quality, we just cannot give the Sony DSC-HX1 our highest recommendation, but it’s certainly worth consideration if you’re looking for a superzoom compact and can live with the inevitable image quality compromises.”
Rating:
Shutterbug
“Containing a six-blade aperture, the G lens produces beautifully defocused backgrounds with a soft, natural feel. A-spherical lens elements and elements made from extra-low dispersion glass combine to minimize chromatic aberration common to high-magnification lenses.”
Release Videos
Owner Reviews
Most recent owner reviews for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 at Amazon.com.
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Sample Photos
href=”http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/sony/dsc-hx1/sample-photos-42.html” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>Image Samples @ StevesDigicams]
[Image Samples @ DigitalCameraReview]
[Image Quality Samples @ ImagingResource]
[Image Quality Samples @ DigitalCameraInfo]
[Image Quality Samples @ PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photos @ RegHardware]
[Sample Photos @ Camera Labs]
[Sample Photos @ DPInterface]
[Sample Photos @ Cameras.co.uk]
[Sample Photos @ DCResource]
[ISO Test Shots compared against the Canon SX1 @ DCResource]
[Sample ISO Quality Test Photos @ CNET]
[Sample Photos @ DPReview]
Press Release
LAS VEGAS, March 2, 2009 – Sony is spotlighting its first digital still camera to feature sweep panorama technology here at the Photo Marketing Association confab. The new HX1 Cyber-shot model can take 224-degree panorama shots in one easy press-and-sweep motion.
It is also the company’s first Cyber-shot camera to use the exclusive 1/2.4-inch Exmor™ CMOS sensor technology. This technology allows it to achieve burst speeds of 10 frames per second at full 9.1 megapixel resolution in continuous burst mode.
Setting it apart from most digital still cameras, which use an electronic shutter to achieve high speed, the HX1 unit has a mechanical shutter that helps reduce distortion when shooting a moving subject.
Compared to images shot with traditional sensors, the HX1 model takes clearer images with about 50 percent less noise when in handheld twilight or anti-blur modes. It is also the first Cyber-shot camera to include a Sony G lens and 1080p HD movie clip recording capabilities.
“Traditional CMOS sensor technology provides higher shutter speeds, but we are using what we call an Image3 system that combines the best image, sensor and processor,” said Karim Noblecilla, senior product marketing manager in Sony Electronics’ Digital Imaging Division. “By combining this sensor with a high-quality Sony G lens and powerful BIONZ™ processor, we are able to create solutions beyond fast speed that helps consumers get better pictures.”
Incorporating on-chip A/D conversion, which minimizes image degradation that can occur during analogue processing, Noblecilla said the Exmor CMOS sensor delivers outstanding images, reduces noise and can continuously shoot at a high speeds.
Clear Images in Low Light or for Moving Subjects
Compared to cameras with traditional sensors, the HX1 model has two scene modes that significantly reduce noise. Using the high-speed shutter Exmor CMOS sensor technology, the new model takes six shots within a fraction of a second. Combined with the power of the BIONZ imaging processor, it immediately superimposes them into one picture. The camera calculates the position of objects in each frame and composes the sharpest picture possible, resulting in clearer, sharper images.
The two modes that use this functionality include hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur. For difficult shots in low light, the hand-held twilight mode results in clearer and sharper pictures without the need of a tripod. Anti-motion blur uses High ISO to reduce blur especially in dimly lit environments.
To reduce blur, the camera detects if a person or object is moving, or if the camera is shaking, which is likely when taking a telephoto shot. When it superimposes the images, the camera captures the moving subject or object from one of the six shots. It takes, combines and composes the rest of the image using the six shots. This reduces blur on the main subject and results in a sharp, clear background.
Sweep Panorama Technology
Capturing wide landscapes, church spires or skyscrapers is as easy as “press and sweep.” Sweep panorama mode lets you reach beyond the traditional wide-angle lens and capture breathtaking shots. With wide and ultra-wide settings and horizontal or vertical directions, sweep panorama mode can take up to 224-degree horizontal or 154-degree vertical shots.
Using the fast-speed Exmor CMOS sensor, the camera continuously shoots full-resolution images at a high speed. Using the BIONZ imaging processor, it automatically stitches the pictures together to create one stunning panoramic photo. The maximum resolution is 7152 x 1080 (ultra wide horizontal).
“This panorama mode is so seamless that it removes the guess work,” Noblecilla said. “The camera indicates where you are in the degree range, so you know how wide you can shoot and stitches the photos automatically. It calculates and aligns pictures for you without using additional software.”
1080p HD Movie Recording
The HX1 camera captures movie clips in 1080p HD resolution, and a built-in stereo microphone records crisp, clear audio. The camera’s wide 20x optical zoom is also available while shooting.
When set to HD movie, it records at 30 frames per second (1440 x 1080). The camera uses the high-quality, high-compression MPEG4 AVC/H.264 format. Other recording options include standard-definition video and VGA.
The camera also has HDMI™ connectivity via supplied HDMI accessory (cable not included) so images can be shared in high definition on an HD television set. MPEG4 AVC video recording allows you to view footage on a PC and upload it to the Web.
Sony G Lens
The Sony G lens is optimized to complement the advanced image sensors and image processing technology in Sony’s cameras. The HX1 camera features a 28-560 millimeter f/2.8-5.2 wide-angle lens with 20x telephoto range. With the combination of this G lens and sweep panorama mode, the camera can cover almost any telephoto and wide angle need.
Containing a six-blade aperture, the G lens produces beautifully defocused backgrounds with a soft, natural feel. A-spherical lens elements and elements made from extra-low dispersion glass combine to minimize chromatic aberration common to high-magnification lenses.
Intelligent Auto
Like many of Sony’s new cameras this year, the HX1 model has the convenient and powerful intelligent auto mode, which combines Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN), Optical SteadyShot™ and face detection technologies. It recognizes scenes and lighting conditions within one-thirtieth of a second, and then changes settings. This produces clearer images with more natural skin tones, reduced red-eye, fewer closed-eye shots and less overall blur without compromising image quality.
The iSCN feature detects up to eight scenes and automatically changes settings that will apply to the scene or lighting conditions. With the iSCN Advance feature, the camera takes a second shot when low or backlight is detected, letting users choose the best picture.
With face detection technology, the camera will adjust the flash, focus, exposure and white balance producing more natural skin tones and reducing red-eye. Face motion detection identifies a moving subject and adjusts the ISO to minimize blur. In conjunction with iSCN, the camera takes two pictures simultaneously and saves the one in which the eyes are the least closed.
A new selected-face memory function registers one face (selected by the user) as the main face and adjusts focus, exposure, flash and white balance accordingly. The camera remembers the face every time that face shows in the frame.
Additionally, the camera comes with Smile Shutter technology that helps capture a smile the moment it happens and dynamic range optimizer (DRO) technology that adjusts for contrast.
Pricing and Availability
The Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 camera will be available in April for about $500 and pre-sales will start in March. The camera and a range of accessories will be available online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
DSC-HX1 FILTER DELEMMA
Regarding the DSC-HX1, I remain dismayed at the prospects of using lens front filters. Having read every word, and seeking every depiction of this interesting camera on the internet, I see difficult obsticles to lens front filtering. Noted of course, is the lack of lens front threads. Also noted – none of the sites I’ve seen, including SonyStyle.com, make any mention of a lens adaptor or a lens hood included in the box with this camea, as is done with the H10 and the H50. Rightly so I believe, because this 20x lens has a very long excursion and extension when at maximum telephoto. Any sort of lens adaptor or hood adaptor that would be long enough – unless exceedingly wide – would certainly cause servere vignetteing at wide angle.
It seems probable to me that Sony has chosen to omit lens hood, lens adaptor, filter adaptor, and provisions for tele-x or wide-x lenses because of the difficulties depicted above. This is sad. In my mind, lens front filter threads – as seen on SLR lenses – is all that is needed to resolve this quandary. Possibly the issue with lens front threads is allowing the opportunity for attaching excessive weight to the front of the lens barrel – I don’t know. For me, the use of 1 or 2 filters is necessary. Certainly, the wieght of 2 filters is not excessive weight.
Lack of lens front filtering is probably a stopper for me and this camera. I encourage any of you to chime in with your opinion about these issues. In the meantime, I am researching possible modifications and/or retro-fits to achieve my goal. For now, I will persue a modification that will allow using the included lens cap, etc. (with small extension rings in the body barrel, if necessary. Hopefully the body barrel is threaded!). I have no desire to use an adaptor ring with set screws. I HATE set screws! Thanks, everyone.
Bill
If you go to the Sony site and look you will see that the HX1 does in camera filter effects. While not as good as attachable filters, at least there are some near effects.
Just bought the camera. What about using a filter to protect the lens???
Just figuring out that this is a problem.
I’ll be watching this issue which will hopefully have some sort of a fix.
Can someone tell me what is the size of the adapter ring for the sony hx1 please.
It is a piece of junk. Cannot take low lighting pics on easy they a blurred & whit out faces. Look like clowns. The auto “records” which takes time. The only thing i like about the camera is the battery.
Geez… this thing is a piece of junk – I’m sooooo sorry I bought it. Had it two weeks and then stuck it on Craigslist.
I love the HX1 . I am an enthusiast and enjoy the results I get with the features on this camera. I haven’t had any issues with them. I’m looking to extend the lens capacity by attaching a wide angle and telephoto. I have found a few sites with kits which include filters, adapters, both lenses and the cleaning supplies. Wondering if this is the way to go initially being that the kit is fairly inexpensive. It’s too bad the others are not satisfied.