Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V Pro Reviews

The Sony Cyber-shot HX200V is a camera that's hard not to like. It has some little niggles which can infuriate, like the lens cap that stops the lens from extending when you switch it on and the interminably long main menu, but it makes up for those shortcomings in so many ways. Small things like the In-Camera guide, the eye sensor and the manual focus/zoom ring all go to make a camera that's a pleasure to use from a handling standpoint. These are things that don't jump out at you from a spec sheet, but can end up being the things that matter most. But it's features and specifications that sell cameras and the HX200V has plenty to offer here too. Its 30x optical zoom range beats both the Lumix FZ60 / FZ62 and the FinePix HS30 EXR, at the telephoto end at least. It offers an unparalleled 1080p50/60 best quality movie mode and full resolution 10fps continuous shooting for a 10-frame burst. Add a GPS receiver into the mix and the HX200V begins to look like a very compelling buy.

There’s no escaping the fact that the HX200V is an impressive bridge camera. It not only features a full specification, but also a host of extra imaging technology sure to impress. However, there are a few gripes – first of all, the price tag is a fair whack higher then similar models on the market, and the lack of Raw capture for a camera of this calibre is something of a glaring omission, especially when you take in to account the issues seen with the HX200Vs handling of noise reduction. On the whole, the camera is a worthy purchase, although it must be said that there is stiff competition in this area.

Undoubtedly the biggest recommendation we have with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V is that, by daylight, we were able to achieve sharp results shooting handheld with it with greater consistency than we have been able to achieve with pretty much any super zoom camera to date. The hand-held twilight mode selectable from within the scene modes also comes in very useful by night. Simply put, if you line up a trick-sy shot there is more chance of you actually pulling it off with this Sony, which many would agree is worth the admission price alone, even if it is a rather pricey £479.

It might seem like all of the full-size megazooms are about the same, just with different lenses, but they're not. Even among the high-end models from each manufacturer there are differences that might make you choose one over another. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V is an excellent choice for someone looking for a high-performance, long-lens compact camera that's very good in auto, but allows you to tailor your results if you're willing to take some of the control away from it. However, if you want the most control, check out the Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150.

The Sony Cybershot DSC-HX200V is very similar to the HX20V, except it has more zoom, in a larger, SLR style body with an electronic viewfinder and tilting screen. There is an 18.2 megapixel sensor as well as a whole load of shooting features, extremely long battery life, 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 £400, at least around £70 cheaper than the HX200V. Putting that aside, if you have the budget, the HX200V doesn't disappoint.

Packed with features and excels for video, but photo quality isn't in line with the price

The Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V has virtually every feature imaginable for a super zoom camera, most of which allow you to take shots that were otherwise impossible. The image quality isn't great when viewed at 100%, but for most people, it's more than adequate.

The Sony HX200V costs £479 in the UK or $479.99 in the US, which while not cheap - and a similar price to a starter DSLR with standard lens - nevertheless feels 'wearable' given the considerable lens reach we're getting for our money. We also got sharp results at maximum zoom from shot to subsequent shot when it was used handheld. That's almost unheard of on rival models. What the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX200V has going for it are a rugged build, reliability and a price tag that, while not inexpensive and could otherwise buy you a starter DSLR and standard lens kit, nevertheless feels fair when you weigh up the feature and the creative possibilities of an extremely broad focal range on a relatively compact camera body.

The HX200V takes Sony’s already decent superzoom formula and further improves the recipe. Although we had anticipated that image quality would be a step down compared to its predecessor, the HX200V’s new 18.2-megapixel sensor delivers the goods. Sure the shots aren’t going to see off those from larger sensor cameras such as DSLRs, but they are sharp and well processed, even if no more standout compared to other compact cameras. Its the 30x zoom lens with its manual zoom/focus ring and zoom toggle combination that makes the HX200V what it is. Autofocus is fast and image stabilisation is also a winner. There are few moans to be had, though at £429 it is a pricey bit of kit – more expensive than its nearest competitors. The HX200V may be up against some other tip-top 30x zoom cameras but it more than holds its weight. This is one feature-packed superzoom that delivers across the board.

Sony's new super zoom, the HX200 combines a gaggle of features such as GPS, a smile shutter, face detection, anti-blink technology, background defocus, a panorama sweep mode and one-touch full HD video capture capability in a relatively small, DSLR-like package with a big zoom lens and a high resolution sensor, at least by point-and-shoot standards. The camera establishes autofocus fairly quickly in good conditions and shoots promptly when the shutter is depressed. Image quality, both still and video, is good. Image capture options run the gamut from typical compact digital automatic modes to full manual controls. The camera’s printed user's manual is short on information but there is a fairly extensive body of information on camera features and operation carried internally. Having to research camera operations and functions by using the camera itself uses precious battery life that's not being devoted to image capture. Battery life itself is a fairly respectable 450 shots but the battery must be charged in the camera unless the user opts to purchase an external battery charger from Sony's accessory bin.