For years, I've been a dedicated DSLR user, with my Canon 40D and a slew of lenses being my "serious" camera. I have also become quite adept at producing some surprisingly good pictures from my iPhone 6S, which I have often used as my travel camera. Looking for something much smaller than my Canon DSLR, and more versatile than my smartphone, I purchased the Sony HX90V. It was a toss-up between this camera and the Panasonic Lumix, but I did not need RAW shooting and thought the GPS on the Sony was a nice feature, and one not offered in the Panasonic.
I have now put this camera through a couple of weeks of use and, I must admit, am quite impressed with its feature set and image quality. Using either of its two "auto" modes, the images are crisp with excellent exposure, focus, and color saturation. It has a variety of shooting modes available, and all seem to work well. I was surprised at how simple things were, with macro and anti-shake functions engaging when needed. The control ring on the lens is smooth and acts as a manual zoom in auto mode. It's function changes with the mode being used, and it works well as a manual focus ring when in that mode. The pop-up EVF is clear and has a simple diopter adjustment. It can be set to activate when it senses your eye next to it, which is the default setting. It can also be set to turn off the camera when closed. The EVF must be pulled to the rear after it's opened, which can be awkward.
The buttons on the rear of the camera are rather small; much smaller than any other camera I've used. This means that the easiest way to access the functions you want is with a fingernail rather than just pressing a button with your finger. It is different, but not very difficult to adjust to. The on/off button is recessed, and also really requires a push with a nail.
The wifi software provided is enough to pair your phone with the camera, but it is anything but intuitive to use. With an IOS device, it requires several steps. The Fn button on the camera must be pushed while in view mode, and a picture or pictures selected for transfer. After you initialize the transfer process, you must then go to your phone's settings menu and select the Sony SSID. After that is checked, you then close your settings and open the Sony app on the phone. At that point, the pictures will start loading on to your iPhone. The transfer itself is very fast, and the new photos show right up in your All Photos folder. The Sony app to remotely control your camera is very awkward and not at all user friendly.
One excellent feature is the "selfie" feature, which i part of the pivoting LCD screen. When you flip the screen up fully, the "selfie" mode is enabled and a time delay is part of that mode. It is quite clever.
Low light shooting is this camera's supposed Achilles heel, but I have yet to experience any significant noise at higher ISO settings. In normal shooting, and at reasonable ISO levels, this is a non-issue anyway. The 30x optical zoom is amazing, but I would advise against using the extended digital zoom, which can degrade or crop the image. In any case, it can be quite challenging to keep this tiny camera steady at very high zoom ranges.
I think this is a fantastic little camera, offering virtually every feature any photographer would want. I don't see the lack of RAW format as a real disadvantage for this camera's intended audience, since most would find the JPEG quality to be more than acceptable.
One recommendation to anyone buying this camera would be to immediately go to the Sony online manual for this camera. It is a very inclusive and well written description of every function of this camera. The documentation with the camera is basic and not very informative.
Small size, formidable zoom, excellent image quality, versatile preset modes, manual controls, GPS, a very usable EVF, and wifi image transfers make this one of the finest compact cameras in its class. In my opinion, it is worth the price and produces images that can rival the finest DSLR cameras out there. It gets my strong recommendation.
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This Item  Sony DSCHX90V/B Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Black) |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $425.00 | -20% $398.00 List: $499.99 | $123.95 | -8% $109.95 List: $119.99 | $549.00 | $505.00 |
| Delivery | Get it May 29 - 30 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | — | — | — | — |
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| Sold By | Chumdog LLC | PROCAM | Focus Camera LLC | Amazon.com | Woodland Hills Camera & telescopes | Amazon.com |
| display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD |
| display size | 3 inches | 3 inches | — | 2.7 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| lens type | standard-zoom | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | zoom |
| zoom type | Optical zoom and digital zoom | — | Optical Zoom | Optical Zoom | Optical Zoom | Optical Zoom |
| shooting modes | Automatic | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority | Easy | Automatic, Portrait, Landscape, Macro | Automatic, Movie, Panorama | P, M, Tv, Hybrid Auto, Auto, Standard, Vivid, Neutral, B/W, Sepia, Video Snapshot, Food |
| connectivity tech | NFC, HDMI, USB | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, Micro HDMI | USB | USB | Wireless | Wireless |
From the manufacturer
Sony DSC-HX90V High-zoom Point and Shoot Camera
Get sharp detail up close with the world’s smallest and lightest (5) 30x zoom camera. There's even a pop-up electronic viewfinder for eye-level framing and a 180° tilt screen for 18.2MP selfies. Stunning picture quality comes from the low light Exmor R sensor and premium ZIESS lens with 5-axis image stabilization. Then share photos instantly with built-in Wi-Fi (2) and NFC (3).
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30x optical zoom ZEISS lens, 60x Clear Image Digital ZoomGet super close and clear with the premium ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens from wide angle (24mm equivalent) to 30x optical zoom plus 60x Clear Image digital zoom. The ZEISS T* coating reduces undesirable reflection, such as ghosting and flare, on the lens surface, while 30x optical zoom allows you to get closer to your subject. With Clear Image Zoom the powerful BIONZ X processor compares patterns found in adjacent pixels and creates new pixels to match selected patterns, resulting in more realistic, higher-quality images. Clear Image Zoom doubles optical zoom for closer photos |
Superb 18.2MP image qualityThe DSC-HX90V features an 18.2 megapixel backside illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor with a BIONZ X image processor. This brings out the full resolving power of the camera’s professional ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* Lens to deliver high resolution, and stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain for both stills and movie. |
Built-in retractable OLED Tru-Finder viewfinderView every scene in rich detail with the high contrast and bright, pop-up OLED Tru-Finder with approx. 638k dots resolution. The electronic viewfinder faithfully displays what will appear in your recording, including the effects of your camera settings, so you can accurately monitor the results. Use of aspherical lenses in the eyepiece optics raises performance and minimizes size, while a convenient eye sensor automatically switches between EVF and LCD screen, for easy operation. |
High-quality movies (1) with XAVC S, AVCHD and MP4 codesCapture high quality HD movies (1) in the XAVC S format. With 50Mbps Full HD (1920x1080) 60p high quality video recording, XAVC S enables beautiful video recording with minimal compression noise even in scenes with a lot of movement. Linear PCM is adopted for audio compression delivering incredible audio to match your video. The camera also records in AVCHD, ideal for HDTV and Blu-ray Disc burning, or your choice of highly compressed MP4 HD video ideal for web. |
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Simple connectivity to smartphones via Wi-Fi (2) and NFC (3)Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to control your camera with your compatible Smartphone or Tablet (2). Frame your image on your device’s LCD and control the camera’s shutter. You can even transfer the images taken directly to your mobile device for quick editing and uploading - sharing has never been easier. With NFC (3) (near field communication) - connectivity has been simplified to one-touch. Simply touch the camera to the compatible NFC enabled device to connect. |
5-axis image stabilization greatly reduces blurGet remarkably sharp images with Sony’s Optical SteadyShot image stabilization for both stills and video. Additionally, intelligent Active Mode combines 5-axis* image stabilization with Sony's advanced frame-analysis technology to greatly reduce blur caused by camera shake when shooting movies – allowing you to move along with the action – and get clear images of your subject in motion – even when zoomed in. |
Selfie-ready multi-angle 3 inch Xtra Fine LCD displaySelfies have never been easier with a beautiful 3 inch (921k dots) Xtra Fine LCD Display that rotates up approx. 180°. Easily frame for selfies or to shoot objects like pets at eye-level without having to get down on the ground. Simply scroll through menus and preview life thanks to the large display which delivers brilliant-quality still images and movies while enabling easy focusing operation. |
P/A/S/M modes, customizable settings & Memory Recall modeFor creative flexibility, you can enter Program Auto (P), Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Speed Priority (S) or Manual Exposure (M) mode for manual shooting. MR (Memory Recall) mode is available for quick manual adjustment and a control ring - that can be assigned with various functions - such as manual focusing or step zooming, allow for superior control of your shooting experience. |
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Enhance features with downloadable camera apps (4)Get creative with PlayMemories Camera Apps (4) by applying exciting artistic effects or retouching images with professional results, and then easily upload your photos to Facebook or Instagram. Enjoy added functionality with apps that include Time Lapse, Smart Remote Control, and Direct Upload. |
Map your images with GPS tagged photosBuilt-in GPS records location data and camera direction as you shoot movies and photos. With the GPS Log and the supplied PlayMemories Home software, you can track a photographic journey and later view the path and images on a map, showing you where they were taken. Images can also be displayed on Google Earth. |
Capture the decisive moment with up to 10fpsNever miss that decisive moment; like a bat hitting a baseball or a fleeting smile. Capture full 18.2 megapixel resolution images at up to 10 frames per second, with an ultra-fast shutter lag of Approx. 0.008 sec. |
Keep your subject in focus with Lock-On AFLock-On AF (Auto Focus) gives you the ability to select a focus point with subject recognition, then allows the camera to track and keep your subject in sharp focus even when in motion. |
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| Price | $459.99 | $57.99 | — | $98.00 | $89.31 |
| Accessory Type | Battery | Battery Kit | Tripod | Shooting Grip | Grip and Tripod |
| Product name | Rechargeable Battery Pack | USB Travel Charger/Battery Kit | Remote Control Tripod | Shooting Grip | Remote Control Tripod |
| Compatibility with DSC-HX90V | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dimensions | H0.26 x W1.18 x D1.68 | - | - | 1 7/16 × 4 3/8 × 1 3/16" | - |
| Weight | 0.88 oz | 0.6 oz (15 g) | - | 3.3 oz (93 g) | - |
Reviews with images
Real review from real buyer - pros and cons
I've been waiting a long time for this camera. I never pre-order cameras but when I read the specs on this a few months ago I decided to risk it. The elements that caught my eye were: electronic viewfinder, purported low-light sensitivity, 30X zoom, and integration with smartphone.I'd characterize myself as an advanced amateur user. Meaning I like to learn all the functions and play with different features and mode.I've also been disappointed many times by cameras with poor low-light performance and poor focusing, so those are particularly important to me.Having said that, here's my review after 2 days of using.Interface: I've used Panasonics before so switching to a Sony took a while to get used to. There are lots of rings and dials and very tiny buttons. If you have fat fingers, don't get this camera. My fingers are average for a guy and I do have to be careful where I press. If you leave settings on full auto of course you don't need to use buttons, but if you want to control a lot of settings, then you do. One nice positive is the big control ring around the lens. It can be used to adjust shutter speed and aperture.Viewfinder: You have to manually pop up the viewfinder with a tiny slider. I'm somewhat nearsighted (-1.50) but the diopter adjustment was easy and I have no problem seeing perfectly clear through it. The viewfinder is high enough resolution that I can actually see that the image is focused. Lots of information is also presented in the display.Display: The main display is great and I like the fact that it can pivot 180 degrees up to do selfies, and also is good for taking pictures close to the ground. It also can display whether the camera is level, which is great for shooting landscapes with horizons. It is also good enough in bright sunlight, though in such situations I do prefer the viewfinder.Low light: Low light performance is above par for a camera with such a small sensor. Sony has a nice feature where it will take multiple fast exposures and blend them together to achieve a low-noise yet non-blurry low light image. I've included an example of that.Zoom: the 30X optical zoom is amazing. I've include pictures comparing full-wide to full-zoom. On other 30X cameras I've tried, the long end of the range is almost always unusably blurry. With this camera, it is quite acceptable and even impressive from the samples I've uploaded.Dynamic range: The camera has 3 modes - regular mode, expanded dynamic range mode, and HDR. Photos with HDR do look a bit odd, but the camera does a great job of blending multiple shots together without blurring. I didn't spend a lot of time playing with these modes, but most people will leave it on the expanded dynamic range mode and let the camera decide when to activate HDR and by how much.Video: The camera promises 5-axis stabilization. It does work quite well as my hands have tremors and I'm usually disappointed with handheld videos from my smartphone and previous cameras. I shot a video rapidly changing subjects far and near and moving the zoom a lot, and the camera kept up the whole time without doing that annoying "focus search" that other cameras seem to do whenever the subject changes. I'd give it high marks for being intelligent.Conclusion: I wanted a great pocket-sized camera that works for travel, indoor parties, and some fine photography such as flowers, landscapes, and portraits. I believe I've found the camera with the best of all worlds, without excessive compromise. Would I get better images from a 1" sensor? Probably, but then I'd sacrifice the zoom. If I were to have just one camera, this would be it.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2015
Style: BaseColor: BlackVerified Purchase
After researching a lot, I finally decided to upgrade my Sony HX50V for the HX90V (strangely, at the time there were very few comparisons between the two models that went beyond cut-and-dry specs). I carry a dSLR with a big heavy lens for wildlife and birds, and a compact camera that will take decent landscape shots is a must for me. This was a worthy upgrade, and I will explain why.
1. Viewfinder. I read a lot of complaints about the finnicky push button --> pull out viewfinder mechanism, but I've had no issues with it whatsoever (granted, I use this camera mostly to take landscape shots, but I think almost everyone knows this is not the adequate machine to photograph birds in flight, lions charging, pianos falling from buildings, etc.). The viewfinder is a most welcome addition, since in bright sunlight the screen can hardly be seen for the glare (a common problem with all cameras with no viewfinders). Very helpful to compose shots better and actually see what you are photographing.
2. Form factor and build quality. It is smaller than the HX50V, truly pocketable. I found that holding this camera firmly and steadily is actually easier than it was with the previous model. The grip on the right side, albeit small, is very anti-slip, better than in the HX50V. Complaints about build quality, plasticky feel and flimsiness, in my experience, do not proceed. I stupidly dropped the camera twice on a recent trip (nothing to do with the grip). Once it landed on packed dirt and rocks. That sinking feeling of watching your beloved electronic device falling in slow motion, and the mental image that follows a nanosecond later -- the noise of technology and dollars shattering and tiny bits of camera spewed all over the ground --, was replaced by a huge sigh of relief when I picked up my camera, turned it on and realized it was working. Zero damage.
3. The ring. Works really well for zooming in auto mode, setting aperture, etc. in other modes or fine-tuning focus in DMF. This is a really nice addition, making shooting quicker and enabling more control over settings.
4. Tilting screen. Although it flips in a vertical direction (the hinge is on the top, so this is not the swiveling screen you'll find in other cameras, where the hinge is on the left side) and intuitively the best position to use it is to hold the camera upside down, it is useful in some situations -- selfies or shooting something close to the ground, for instance.
The HX90V makes great video, a resource I only use occasionally. Focus is bang-on and the quality, outstanding. I do wish the HX90V had a touch screen to help set focus points, but this gripe goes back to the HX50V, too. Maybe Sony will implement it in a future iteration of the line. No RAW capability is no deal-breaker for me in this kind of camera, as .jpg results have been pretty good. And the GPS continues to work well (the absence of GPS would have been a deal-breaker for me, and that explains why the Panasonic contender in this camera category wasn't even considered in the upgrade). Wi-fi doesn't matter to me one way or the other, and the only time I used it was when playing around with the camera to see if it worked.
All in all, I'm happy with the HX90V and feel that this was a good step up for my needs.
1. Viewfinder. I read a lot of complaints about the finnicky push button --> pull out viewfinder mechanism, but I've had no issues with it whatsoever (granted, I use this camera mostly to take landscape shots, but I think almost everyone knows this is not the adequate machine to photograph birds in flight, lions charging, pianos falling from buildings, etc.). The viewfinder is a most welcome addition, since in bright sunlight the screen can hardly be seen for the glare (a common problem with all cameras with no viewfinders). Very helpful to compose shots better and actually see what you are photographing.
2. Form factor and build quality. It is smaller than the HX50V, truly pocketable. I found that holding this camera firmly and steadily is actually easier than it was with the previous model. The grip on the right side, albeit small, is very anti-slip, better than in the HX50V. Complaints about build quality, plasticky feel and flimsiness, in my experience, do not proceed. I stupidly dropped the camera twice on a recent trip (nothing to do with the grip). Once it landed on packed dirt and rocks. That sinking feeling of watching your beloved electronic device falling in slow motion, and the mental image that follows a nanosecond later -- the noise of technology and dollars shattering and tiny bits of camera spewed all over the ground --, was replaced by a huge sigh of relief when I picked up my camera, turned it on and realized it was working. Zero damage.
3. The ring. Works really well for zooming in auto mode, setting aperture, etc. in other modes or fine-tuning focus in DMF. This is a really nice addition, making shooting quicker and enabling more control over settings.
4. Tilting screen. Although it flips in a vertical direction (the hinge is on the top, so this is not the swiveling screen you'll find in other cameras, where the hinge is on the left side) and intuitively the best position to use it is to hold the camera upside down, it is useful in some situations -- selfies or shooting something close to the ground, for instance.
The HX90V makes great video, a resource I only use occasionally. Focus is bang-on and the quality, outstanding. I do wish the HX90V had a touch screen to help set focus points, but this gripe goes back to the HX50V, too. Maybe Sony will implement it in a future iteration of the line. No RAW capability is no deal-breaker for me in this kind of camera, as .jpg results have been pretty good. And the GPS continues to work well (the absence of GPS would have been a deal-breaker for me, and that explains why the Panasonic contender in this camera category wasn't even considered in the upgrade). Wi-fi doesn't matter to me one way or the other, and the only time I used it was when playing around with the camera to see if it worked.
All in all, I'm happy with the HX90V and feel that this was a good step up for my needs.
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