Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Pro Reviews

The Sony CyberShot DSC-HX20V is a more capable and more refined version of our favourite travel-zoom camera from 2011, the HX9V, with a longer lens, higher resolution and extra features helping to maintain Sony's lead over the competition in this ultra-competitive part of the camera market. The move to a headline-grabbing 18 megapixel sensor may elicit groans amongst more experienced photographers, but in reality Sony have been able to maintain the excellent image quality that the previous 16 megapixel HX9V offered. The 18 megapixel backlit sensor provides excellent results from ISO 100-800, with only the fater settings of 1600 and 3200 suffering from too much noise and smearing of fine detail. You should ignore 6400 and 12800 though unless there's really no alternative. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled and colours accurate, and the 20x 25-500mm lens commendably doesn't suffer from too much distortion at either end of the mammoth zoom range.

While there’s no denying that the Sony HX20V is feature-laden advanced compact capable of producing good images, it’s not without it’s flaws. The model’s lens could be better specified, while the lack of Raw capture is a disappointment – two key features when considering a compact nearing the £300 mark

The Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V features great automatic shooting modes (plus limited manual controls), several gimmicky-sounding features that are actually useful, a GPS that works quietly in the background, and 1080/60p movie mode. Image quality isn't class leading when viewed full size, but the HX20V's target audience probably won't be doing much of that.

With its Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V, Sony packs a long 20x zoom lens and GPS into one decidedly svelte camera. It's one of the more expensive compact superzoom models you'll find, but all those features along with high performance warrant the price.

The chief selling point here remains the ideal compromise between the broad zoom range and compact dimensions, and on the Sony Cyber-shot HX20V such far-reaching scope as afforded by a 25-500mm equivalent focal range will deliver a huge amount of compositional opportunities without you needing to take a step forward or back. The Sony HX20v isn't the cheapest travel zoom on the market, but a high-ish asking price for what at the end of the day is just a snapshot camera has to be set against the value of a consistent performance. This camera provides very usable results throughout the zoom range, and even when shooting handheld at maximum telephoto setting. Add in GPS, Sweep Panorama and 3D options and we have a capable jack-of-all-trades. Further good news comes in the fact that we were seeing street prices of £299.99 in the UK and $350 in the US for the Sony Cyber-shot HX20V as we were putting the finishing touches to this review, which removes a healthy chunk of any barrier to purchase. Simply put, this is one of the better travel zoom cameras we've encountered to date, and, as we're due to be heading off on our own holidays soon, we're loathe to let it go.

A fantastic array of innovative and genuinely useful features, but image quality has its ups and downs

The HX20V is one of a new breed of cameras from Sony boasting its new 18.2 megapixel sensor as well as a whole load of shooting features and 20x optical zoom, making it an ideal travel camera. Image quality is good, the body has a firm, solid build, but the biggest issue with the camera is the price, there are plenty of good travel cameras available for less than £300, at least around £80 cheaper than the HX20V. Putting that aside, if you have the budget, the HX20V doesn't disappoint.

The HX20V is a top travel zoom camera, but it’s just too expensive. Just shy of £400 is about £100 more than the Canon PowerShot SX260, and £70 more than the Panasonic Lumix TZ30’s launch price. If you’ve got deep pockets then there’s plenty of goodness to be had: that big zoom range, a small and well designed body, great autofocus ability, stacks of features including GPS, 10fps burst and great auto modes. Overall we’re definitely a fan, but with so many manufacturers clamouring for a place at the top of the travel zoom compact podium, the Sony is let down by that hefty price tag.