HX99 vs RX100VA I returned one... Review

Check out my review of the HX99 paired against the RX100VA. Only one comes out on top. The HX, although half the price, even has some features missing on the RX100VA.
Is the RX worth twice as much, watch to find out!
Sony RX100VA - amzn.to/2Gob330
Sony HX99 - amzn.to/2MSnXqW
My Gear:
Camera/Vlogging:
Sony a7RIII - amzn.to/2t8h8sh
16-35mm f2.8 - amzn.to/2BmphOB
Rode Videomic Pro+ - amzn.to/2GoabLD
Lenses:
24mm f1.4 -
16-35mm f2.8 - amzn.to/2GqaaGX
24-70mm f2.8 - amzn.to/2MXvqp3
85mm f1.4 - amzn.to/2HSoAC0
90mm f2.8 Macro - amzn.to/2DUsG8X
100-400mm f4.5-5.6 - amzn.to/2WRQVvY
Studio:
Sennheiser MKE600 Mic - amzn.to/2HTz04C
Aputure LS 1c Lights - amzn.to/2I3BhKi
Zoom H4n Pro - amzn.to/2t53CWB
2018 Macbook Po 15” -
Pocket Gear:
DJI Osmo Pocket - amzn.to/2GoFVQJ
Insta360 One X - amzn.to/2Gob1YW
Google Pixel 3 XL - amzn.to/2DevLio
GoPro Hero 7 Black - amzn.to/2t9dZsu
iPhone XS Max - www.apple.com/...
Bag:
Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II - amzn.to/2t8ifrX
Please note the product links provided are affiliate links which generate revenue and allow me to keep making this awesome content, I appreciate your support! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@letni9506]

To be fair the RX costs more. It should be better. Ofc phones take good pics but you are buying these for the times you need zoom. Which is quite often for me.

[@kwahaus]

One other point that may be of interest to others. The HX99 is about 1/2 the price of the RX.

[@andiman45]

but a very good point.

[@rangeism]

Are you saying the hx99 is no better than a cell phone? I have pictures from 10 years ago shot on a 5mp Sony cybershot that look better than pictures taken on a iPhone XS.

[@lovemademan]

Indeed old SE phones. Sony did it so well...

[@sre331l]

Don't take his word for it. The HX99 is great for Gigs. facebook.com/groups/1644744379132046/permalink/2210224759250669/

[@TROYMING1]

@@sre331l it is blur

[@Jimmyageek]

Xeon Flash is the Reason to Buy HX99!

[@robinrai4973]

Please do show some photos cause that sounds like complete horseshit, my like 2015 Nikon and 2013 Sony point and shoots get shat on by my average phone

[@TTkotivideo]

If RX100VA would have "Smart active" SteadyShot in 4K, it would be perfect. I also have GoPro 7, but I get better quality on RX100VA... if only it would have as good stabilization on 4K as it has in 1080p. My fix for this is "FeiyuTech G6 Plus", but quite often it's to much to carry around and too complicated to use in occasional situations. In widest angle RX100VA has a lot of lens distortion, but images can be fixed in Lightroom and in video it's not a problem, at least for me. I really don't understand why long zoom range is so important to many people. I rarely use zoom at all. But instead I shoot often in low light and that's where RX100VA is excellent. I also never leave home without RX in the pocket.

[@francisfrancis4219]

On the basis of the conclusion, perhaps a comparison between the HX99 and your cellphone, head to head, would have been just as, or even more, worthwhile. Because the choice came down to that camera versus your phone. Rather than versus the VA... At a concert you need zoom reach. So you could have compared zooms onto a well lit object at night. To really know whether you lost or did not lose ability to capture performers on stage, etc.

[@JackStolz]

Kyle this was a great video! Always trying to justify getting a point and shoot and you kinda hit all the points I was looking for.

[@KylePugliese]

Thanks Jack!

[@JoeSzilagy]

I have the first RX100 and bought the RX100VA a few days ago. I thought my Lumix LX100 camera was the best, but images and video seem better on the RX100VA, and there are many other features. Besides, I had heard that the cropped and divided four-thirds sensor on the LX100 actually ends up being smaller than the RX100's one-inch sensor when using either of the LX100's aspect ratios!

[@KylePugliese]

For a point and shoot other than stabilization and external audio if those matter to you, it’s tough to beat the rx100VA

[@shaolin95]

So you were really expecting background blur from such tiny sensor... Really????? The selling point of this over a cellphone is the zoom range. I don't get why people but stuff without understanding what they are buying

[@KylePugliese]

Fair point. But I bought it to test it out, cell phones these days (without software and portrait mode) are able to get subject isolation, along with the same sized sensor Osmo Pocket, so I had hopes. But whatever they're doing to accommodate the zoom on this thing killed the aperture and low light performance. If they baked better software into something at this price point to at least account for low light (better iso performance maybe) they'd have an amazing contender.

[@sabymondal]

You can get good or even better blur by standing far and zooming.

[@jits1]

Thanks for the review. So thus far you are keeping the Mark5A. I need the camera for low light indoor shooting. I feel the aperture of F1.8 is a definite asset

[@KylePugliese]

Yes, I'm a big fan of the Mark 5A. If you need it for low light, the f1.8 is a big advantage.

[@lukaskordik3671]

Great comparing the most important parts of these cameras. I just wish the HX has some better bokeh and iso performance. I try to like it, the zoom is a nice toy-around time killer, but the feeling I get is that at home most of the HX images will be delted, whereas the RX range seems to produce keeper images. 10 yeas back using my old trusty Olympus, I was sure that in 2019 we all will use cameras of noise-free quality :D :D... my bad XD

[@listed8701]

It’s just bad in darker spaces

[@onlyonecannoli3952]

You might find the HX99's zoom range on the telephoto range to be more useful if you 1) take the fooking thing off Auto mode, 2) Use the fooking viewfinder (as opposed to using it like a fooking cell phone) as that gives you three points of contact for better stabilization, and 3) become acquainted with the necessary shutter speed requirements for any given focal length as that's how you get rid of your own motion blur (e.g. shooting at 400mm at 1/1000 as opposed to 1/100).

[@uploadit3675]

hx99 for me. very versatile

[@Gadgetdad007]

Sony RX100V is the best of the RX100 range. 👍

[@sre331l]

Mk2 mic, and external viewfinder. V is too sensitive.

[@gixxerboy555]

@@sre331l too sensitive?what do you mean sir?

[@jennimartin8848]

Is he really comparing a camera of 800$ with a camera of 450$ srly?

[@hamishmcpenguin603]

Everything is to do with the physical size of the sensor - Any camera with a one inch sensor or maybe a micro four-thirds is going to leave a budget camera or a cell phone in its wake

[@sabymondal]

There are smaller sensors that will embarrass most full frames. Blackmagic pocket cinema camera super 16 sensor, Alexa mini super 35 sensor.

[@channingboy6456]

The hx99 has background blur. There was a video where someone zoomed in on an animal and it blurred a lot actually.

[@Hiking-guide-and-scenery]

At ~ 3:00 you say active/intelligent steadyshot is available in the HX in 4K. In 4k only "standard" steady is available in the HX, and it is really poor in comparison to active/intelligent steadyshot that you can use in 1080p.

[@KylePugliese]

Thanks for confirming, I had to return the HX and thought I had turned on active in 4k but had to recall from memory at that point. I confirmed online neither the RX V or VI support active in 4k either... and active is so much better than standard

[@Hiking-guide-and-scenery]

@@KylePugliese Hi, yes, 4k suffers from poor stabilization in most cameras. Active steady probably uses a big deal of digital stabilization which probably requires too much real time processing power in 4k. 4k also may take so many pixels that there are not enough left to implement active digital stabilization. A pity, 4k is practically unusable while walking handheld.

[@HusseinKefel]

Hello Kyle, nice review and well done

[@KylePugliese]

Thanks!

[@ryanthomas9306]

Did you just say you buy stuff with anticipation to return it ???? You do realize you're trying to make money off of something you technically didnt buy, and have no intention of buying? I would tread carefully, if you bought my product and then made money off it like this knowing your intention were to rent and depreciate the product on someone elses dollar, I would sue you

[@Gadgetdad007]

What are the differences between the RX100V & RX100VA ?

[@TrephineArtist]

Other advantages of compact zoom like the Sony HX99 or Panasonic TZ95 over a smartphone as well as the obvious (zoom!) is that A) You can use the viewfinder and B) You don't look like yet another phone zombie.

[@MTCCnycMTCCnyc]

How was the HX99 in low light photos?

[@broadcast_mode950]

Great review

[@KylePugliese]

Thanks!

[@airailimages]

So what do you think of HX99 still images at long telephoto distances?

[@KylePugliese]

It seems usable until around 400-500 without a tripod. There is some quality degradation but it's not terrible. The toughest part is keeping it stable given the significant zoom range, but if it's a well lit scene you can keep the shutter high enough to counteract it. The one image taken zoomed in on the beach with the tent was around full zoom, it's a little blurry because of the heat but that gives you an example.

[@airailimages]

Thanks for your observations. Yes, I studied that beach photo and it seemed relatively sharp. My interest in the HX99 is to have a backup in my pocket when traveling. I work on 1080P 120fps HD videos and still imagery that is published in print (figuring not larger than 8-1/2"x11") and online; typically of aircraft at fairly long telephoto lengths. Eye-level viewfinder is a must. Am hoping the HX99 can give usable images and video if I do my part. Will have to order one, and see how the image stabilization is when panning on a moving object. Will probably carry a small grip to install in the tripod socket. I realize the HX99 does not have a large sensor, yet my dedicated video Sony FDR-AX53 has a similar-sized sensor, and I have published still images taken with it. Thanks again for your review; the combination of your observations with actual imagery taken by the cameras makes it useful.

[@KylePugliese]

Makes sense, I would say the images at the further end look soft to me. Similar to using a higher ISO, just not noisy. If budget wasn't an issue the RX100 VI would be ideal. However, for the price point of the HX99 there's a pretty stark difference.

[@kuhta-kinte9063]

Sony HX99. How long 4K films. Only 5 minutes or longer?

[@dxazmi9329]

yes 5 mins

[@CTOInformation]

do they have 4K recording time limitation?

[@matthmu]

Yes. RX 100 VA shoot 4K with a maximum of 5 min.

[@thisnameisit]

Nice vid thanks, is the mark VA a different camera to the mark V, I'm thinking of picking one up, also there are black models not too sure what that means either, thanks

[@gixxerboy555]

the VA is an updated V ..there are some videos on YT where the differences are explained..

[@TheGSummit]

Do you think there’s a huge difference from the rx100 v VS rx100 va??? Any thoughts

[@KylePugliese]

I wouldn't say huge, but for me it was important. It has the newer processor, same as the VI, which means faster AF and zone AF which I use regularly. Also that may come with some improved picture quality but it would be minimal. The other big thing for me was the new menu system, which matches my A7RIII so it was familiar. So it's not a huge difference, but it does add up in my use cases.

[@TheGSummit]

Kyle Pugliese thanks you for the reply. I have the V now and have the A7R3 and I was thinking of upgrading to the VA but I think I’ll just stick with the V for now

[@KylePugliese]

Yeah if you have the V I wouldn't bother with an upgrade. Not worth it

[@TexpatOTG]

I've got an HX90. It will run without a battery using a powerbank. Will the HX99 do the same?

[@gixxerboy555]

I have the RX100VA but i'm thinking to also get the Sony HX400.. what do you think of that camera?

[@KylePugliese]

I haven't used it, but having a 1/2.3 inch sensor I'd expect similar image quality to the HX99 just in a different form factor. If you need the zoom and don't want to spend twice as much for the rx100 VI it may make sense. I feel like you could find a smaller package with that size sensor though, again this is just based on reading it's specs though.

[@Jimmyageek]

wx800 on my belt all the time

[@chorks23]

You don’t think the 200 mil isn’t worth it on the rx100 vi?

[@KylePugliese]

Not for what I typically shoot, I don't have a lot of use for the zoom and really wanted the f1.8-2.8 aperture and built in ND filter they got rid of on the VI. If a VII comes out with external audio input and better stabilization I'd get that over anything though.

[@panmaew]

Sony RX100 VA only zooms to 70mm at the tele. Did you refer to the other camera RX100 VI or just a mislabeling?

[@KylePugliese]

I brought up the VI during the review just to mention the increased zoom of 24-200. For me the loss of aperture wasn't worth the trade for the zoom. At 0:58 I mention this but screwed up and say 24-200 for the hx99 after mentioning 24-70 for the VA so I added the overlay text.

[@epiphoney]

Zoom or bokeh and low light performance. Pick one (digicamdb.com). HX99 Focal length (35mm equiv.): 24 - 720 mm Max. aperture (35mm equiv.): f19.7 - f36 RX100V Focal length (35mm equiv.): 24 - 70 mm Max. aperture (35mm equiv.): f4.9 - f7.6

[@dulichvietnamyoungtravel4187]

HX99 is not good in low light

[@perjensen3959]

Sony cybershots are good cameras, but they have one disadvantage: the menu wheel. It is a fragile thing, that will get a life of its own. I have Sony Cybershot hx20, which was good camera for that time, but the first thing that will get worn out, will be the wheel. They should have changed that long ago, but they dont so people buy new cameras, even though the old camera is still ok, if it wasnt for this male funtion.

[@fiziwee386]

what camera do you suggest?

[@sre331l]

Rx100iv v and vi are too sensitive.....blacks or whites get crushed, and you lose texture in what's left. ND filter does nothing to reduce contrast. And is only useful to extend the range past the fastest shutter speed.

[@fiziwee386]

which camera do u like?

[@tigertraveler3156]

My mark v has Japanese language, how do i change to English.. Please help me

[@KylePugliese]

The first selection when it is reset is the language. Maybe check how to reset it and you can get back to that screen without having to navigate through menus in Japanese.

[@yesno3398]

What is the diffrence between rx 100 va VS rx100 mark 6 ?

[@KylePugliese]

Here's a breakdown of the key pieces: VA 24-70mm f1.8-2.8 $899-999 VI/mark 6 24-200mm f/2.8‑4.5 Touchscreen $1199

[@yesno3398]

@@KylePugliese Mark 6 is good for vlogging ?

[@KylePugliese]

I didn't get to try it personally but it's similar to the setup of the mark 5a. You won't get the same low light or background blur, and it doesn't have an ND filter like the 5a. That's the main reason I went with the 5a

[@lasarith2]

Everything's Hot get yourself an WX500 it’s the sister camera to the HX90 unless you want 4K then take you’re pick between the RX100Mk 4/5/6 and the HX99

[@yesno3398]

@@lasarith2 Tnx . But i think i"ll buy rx100 mark 6. Bcoz of best quality

[@lasarith2]

Does this have the same 5 minutes of 4K recording time as the other RX cameras.

[@KylePugliese]

Yep, all the 4K point and shoot (RX and HX) have this limit I've found. Some will be able to handle better back to back clips but they will stop at 5 minutes

[@lasarith2]

Kyle Pugliese Thanks.