Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V Pro Reviews

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.

The Sony Cyber-shot HX5 is a competently constructed and thoughtfully featured compact at a keenly competitive price. For the amateur photographer wanting both portability and versatility in the one device - without actually trading up further and spending twice the outlay on a Micro Four Thirds type hybrid camera - the above combination ensures that the HX5 is well worth any expectant traveller seeking out. The only feature it conceivably misses out on at this level is the new 3D Sweep Panorama functionality added to the most recently announced trio of Sony Cyber-shot point and shoots. But unless you're the proud owners of 3D-enabled TVs to view the results on, the HX5 does more than enough to justify a place in your pocket, without battering the wallet next to it.

No doubt about it: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V is a go-to pick for anyone who craves cool-factor extras backed by impressive performance. The DSC-HX5V is neck-and-neck at the top of our latest pocket megazoom cameras chart with the stellar Canon PowerShot SX210 IS.

No doubt about it: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V is a go-to pick for anyone who craves cool-factor extras backed by impressive performance. The DSC-HX5V is neck-and-neck at the top of our latest pocket megazoom cameras chart with the stellar Canon PowerShot SX210 IS, which might be a better choice for veteran photographers due to its aperture- and shutter-priority modes and sharper pictures.

If I needed a compact camera, and wasn't looking for extended manual controls, then the performance of the HX5 has proven itself worthy. I'd recommend it if you fall under that demographic because it's a lovely camera to use and is very well made. The only reason that it's not Highly Recommended is because of the price.

The Sony Cybershot HX5 surely pleased me. The Sony HX5 has a lot to offer the compact camera user, and even give them the feeling that it is an all round camera. As a beginner photographer that hits pretty close to home. However, I still feel that the Sony DSC-HX5 missed out by not offering more advanced, or rather, more true manual modes. In that case, the Sony DSC-HX5 would have undoubtedly been the photographer's favorite. Nevertheless, I name the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX5 as the favorite camera of the moment, excellent!

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V has shooting options for solving common snapshot camera issues, but some users still won't be thrilled with the results.

Sony's first pocket super-zoom hits the ground running with a feature-set which genuinely stands out from the competition. None of its rivals feature 10fps continuous shooting, 1080i video recording, or the same degree of innovation and consistent success with their automatic modes. You get all this with a 10x optical zoom and GPS packed-into a body that'll squeeze into most pockets.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 once again demonstrates that when it comes to technical excellence Sony should never be underestimated. The camera is well made, handles and performs extremely well, and is capable of producing very good results under a wide range of circumstances. It is a technological tour-de-force loaded with more features than anything else on the market.

Sony may be new to the travel-zoom game, but they've certainly made a bold entrance with the CyberShot DSC-HX5, which offers virtually all of the key features that several of its rivals collectively offer, wrapped-up in an easy-to-use package with an eminently sensible 10 megapixel sensor.

You'll be as surprised as I was when you get the picture you wanted instead of the one you expected. The Sony HX5V will capture what you saw, what attracted you to the scene, not what a camera sees through its tiny lens, crammed on its tiny sensor and massaged with brass knuckles by its image processor. The Sony HX5V makes few excuses.