Sony DSC-HX30V unboxing

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

I haven't checked what the longest shutter speed is, but that sounds like a good idea. If we get a clear night I'll take some star shots, or the moon when it's visible. Zooming in on the moon might be interesting, to see what level of detail comes out. I just checked, in manual mode it goes all the way to 30 seconds, so I can definitely try that out (as soon as the weather is dry - I'm not getting this new camera wet!).

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

Hi Josh. I'd never thought about that, but yes I think you could use this camera one-handed. It has image stabilisation so you'd probably still get a good steady video. I'll test it for use with one hand to see how difficult it is to use that way. As for quality, it looks pretty good to me. I played this video back on an HD TV and I must say the video quality was really good.

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

Hi Ryan No, I haven't heard anything and I'd only find out when it's announced normally anyway. I'm kind of waiting for the next upgrade myself. :) I love the HX30v that I have, but if they bring out a 40v with the Wifi control, I'm getting it on day one - I'll sell whatever I have to to get one. I do hope they don't downgrade the upgrade to the WX300 - good as it sounds, I think they should still do a proper HX20/30v upgrade.

[@srbellem]

That seems to be an interesting camera! And good to see another video from you. :)

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

Hi Actually, yes I'll have to sell it because I need to recoup some money towards this new one. :D As much as I love the Sony HX9V - and it's a great camera - I can't really afford to keep both of them. I filmed the unboxing part with the HX9V and I think it does a pretty good job. In fact I find it hard to justify keeping the Canon 600D/Kiss X5 other than the fact you have a lot more manual control with it. If Sony put full manual in video on this range, I think I'd use nothing else.

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

Hi Stephan From the quick testing I've done, this seems like a great camera. I like the speed of startup and the focusing is really quick. I'm still trying the wi-fi system, which seems a little bit complicated. Maybe I just don't understand it yet!

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

The results I've seen on KZbin from various Panasonic camcorders are superb. For those of us who want a single device to offer "good enough" video quality and great stills quality, I personally like the Sony HX30V. That said, if I can ever persuade my wife to let me have a Panasonic camcorder I'll get one!

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

Hi again. :) I just commented on one of your videos and I'm going to totally rip off your idea when I'm in London next month! It was nicely filmed so I'll be interested to see how this camera compares. I just hope I get good weather when I go!

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

How weird. For some reason KZbin is not always showing me comments that need answering. Anyway, I see that Alexandre was kind enough to answer you and it can indeed zoom while recording. There is a bit of a delay before it starts actually zooming, which I find annoying, but you can zoom.

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

My personal view - and I've done this before now - is to jump on the older model (the HX20V) as soon as the price drops because of the new model. This model is a great camera. It will still be a great camera when a new one comes out. But for pure value for money, you normally get a great deal when they're selling off the old stock, ready for the new one. I would keep an eye on DigitalRev prices and as soon as they plummet, I'd get one.

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

It's a great camera and gives lovely results. I have several videos showing stills, including macros (superb) and several of my videos on KZbin have been shot entirely on automatic using this camera. There is a manual setting, so you can control the aperture, but it's limited and awkward in my opinion. That said, I've found auto to be exceptionally accurate in most situations. If they bring out a DSC-HX40v I'll be in the queue! I love this camera.

[@ADM69able]

Appreciate your replies. They do look very close. I have an older FZ Panasonic which I've been very pleased with - but I am just an amateur. I'm looking for a more up-to-date, less bulky camera that'll produce good results when viewed on our HDTV (don't print them very often and rarely larger than 10 x 8). Both seem to fit the bill so I think it might come down to a coin toss!

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

I should probably add that I'll be uploading a full set of stills from the Sony as soon as I can. Although I have the Canon 600D, I'm finding that I pick up the Sony more and more to do these videos, because it's just so easy. Hit 'record' and start talking. With the Canon, there's a bit of setting up and messing around.

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

I have no experience of the Panasonics - unfortunately. From what I've seen of other reviews they are great camcorders. However, I like the fact that I can get great stills from the Sony and it makes a superb little travel camera. Honestly, I think it offers more quality than most of us ever truly need.

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

My model is setup for the UK so it goes as high as 50 fps. If you slow it down within your video, editing software, you can get a reasonable slow motion. You do get better slow motion results if you use software plugins such as Twixtor, I believe, but I've never used it. How slow do you actually want to get to? What kinds of video will you be making? If I can shoot an example for you, I'll be happy to try that.

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

I hit enter and my half reply posted! Well, to continue answering you, I think the flash is in a poor position, but I've got used to keeping my fingers out of the way. Same issue with the stereo mics on the top panel. You have to be a little bit careful to avoid covering them. I guess in the end whether you go for a Panasonic or the Sony depends on what your main need is. For me, the Sony's video is a nice plus and it's more than good enough. The size, weight and convenience sold me on the HX30v

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

When the new one comes out, there will be a price premium - that's what Sony do. Eventually it will drop, but if you get it when it comes out you're going to be paying a lot more for what may be only a little bit better quality. If you compare the HX9V with the HX20V/HX30V, the newer one is better, but you'd only ever know by showing the two videos side by side. It does depend on what you need it for, but honestly, the HX20V is great. When the price drops I may get another as a 'B' camera.

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

Thank you! I have more videos coming in the next few weeks so please keep watching.

[@henrooo]

Good stuff...looking forward to your full review.

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

Ok, low light, you got it. That' something I'm interested in myself, because early reports seem to suggest that this camera does really well in low light video. I have to be honest though and say that I quite like a grainy look sometimes! I remember when 200 ASA (if you know what that means you're really, really old like me) was considered very high speed and was just awful. Cameras today give great results that would have seemed like magic back in those days!

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

Silly me - you meant the TZ30 which is a camera, of course, not a Panasonic camcorder. I only ever used a Lumix once, about 3 years ago and I took it back. Wasn't impressed with it back then, but I have no idea what the latest models are like. Modern stuff is all pretty much so good at that kind of price level. I've just read the specs of the TZ30 and it sounds like an almost exact match for the Sony.

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

Honestly, for that kind of use I'd bet you wouldn't see much difference. I took some still shots with a cheap Agfa I got from Ads and when I compared them, at 'normal' sizes, you could hardly tell the difference compared to shots from a more expensive camera. I think those of us who love technology for its own sake sometimes 'pixel peep' way more than we need to. Most of the time, I'm resizing my photos smaller - I'm throwing pixels away! And full HD 1080p is only about 2 megapixels!

[@ryanspianoaccount]

Thanks for reply, I bought a panasonic tz25 a few weeks ago because I got a really good price on it, takes good photos and without the watercolour problems . In saying that I am just going to go buy this hx20v again tomorrow to use for camcorder purposes. I had the panasonic sd90 1080p which was a £449 camcorder 18 months which I just sold last week because the hx20v beats it hands down for video and audio which really is crazy with it being a compact camera made for pictures as main priority.

[@ryanspianoaccount]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I have a voucher for certain store and must buy from that store, currently selling at £269 which is quite costly but considering you're getting a decent camera and camcorder quality its maybe still worth. Had a look back and looks like hx20v never released til late May June so can't see being able to wait until then. Have seen the wx100 but know it will not perform anywhere near as good. Thanks again

[@ADM69able]

I've been trawling the web for reviews on this camera and the Panasonic TZ30. Your reviews on the Sony are almost convincing me. I'd love to see some direct comparisons on video and stills quality - there doesn't seem to be much on-line. Do you have any experience with Panasonics offering? The one thing that worries me is the pop-up flash position; why put it just where you'd want to hold the camera? Is this an issue for you?

[@MaRcIu27]

hi, I may suggest one thing that is very hard to find. no one shows long exposure pictures (30s) I love night photography and I'm really curious how this camera can handle outdoors low light, even shooting the clear night sky to see how many stars it can capture! wish you the best with this camera

[@ryanspianoaccount]

Hi, i need your expert advice once again. I mentioned to you last month I had a faulty hx20v which I returned. I am very tempted to buy it again this week as although I had few issues with video looking like it was dropping shutter speed issue I do really miss the camera and overall video performance and audio is incredible when I look back at my clips.Big Question is do I hold off until April/may and hope hx30v improves on video- picture quality maybe cropping will improve. Thanks in advance

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

Personally, I use Transcend and Sandisk cards mainly. I've always found them fine, but there are lots of decent brands out there.

[@ryanspianoaccount]

Sorry I meant to say the hx40v or whatever they will call this year's model. I know panasonic are releasing the tz40 next month which looks good but panasonic have lost ground on Sony in the last few years in my opinion anyway. The panasonic tz7 was my last panasonic I owned and was a great compact but since then it's been downhill for them, tz7 had the best quality microphones in any particular Compact I have tried and then they brought out newer models with terrible mic systems

[@StingRayINC]

Please do low light video and picture shooting . thanks.

[@ryanspianoaccount]

Hello again, I was just wondering have you heard any updates as to when the successor to HX20v IF there is one will be released. I know in the past year hx5v was announced February HX9v Feb and hx20v in March last year so seems really late this year. The Sony WX300 some people are saying is the replacement but does not sound right to me, it only has 460k lcd whereas HX20V has 920k, also only records video at 1080I and not 1080/50p so if anything it sounds a down grade.Thanks in advance

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

I've just checked and I can't find it, not that I'd want that in video anyway, personally. I'm pretty sure it doesn't offer the miniature effect on anything other than stills. The processing time would be pretty awful on video, which is effectively 50 photos every second.

[@ryanspianoaccount]

Thanks again. What you say makes perfect sense and Sony are always bad for crazy price range on release of a new product. Think I will have to buy the hx20v again as love the colours and clarity it brings to both picture and video. Obviously pictures have the problem when you crop them after taken slightly smudging but don't think any camera is without faults and you got a lot for your money with this Sony

[@kathys7845]

Hi I just bought a used hx30v. How do I get to the original settings for time/date, gps location...?

[@SangheiliSpecOp]

I just subscribed to you, I like you and your vids :D

[@rarepuma]

does the HX20 or HX30 have a miniature effect in video mode?

[@RODRIGOR300]

Hi, can you zoom it while you record a video?

[@MohamedOsamaEzio]

pleeeeeeeeease.. how moch of fps can u take a video with ?? i mean .. i wanna capture a video then run it in slow motion .. how slow can i get ????

[@TheTechknowledge]

does this mean you are selling your old camera? ;p

[@kavonmchellon4651]

Do you think this camera will still hold up today? Thinking of getting one to use until I can get a dslr

[@mygoodstuffreviewed]

It doesn’t compare to more modern cameras and there are so many secondhand cameras around I’d probably look for an RX100 mark 1, which is a lovely camera. Unless you need the extreme zoom - I don’t use such extreme zoom anymore - the RX100 should give you a bit better quality image. Depends what you do with the images, of course and what kind of lighting you take pictures in. In good daylight the HX30v still produces decent results, but there are better models around at sensible prices these days.

[@hassana22]

which memory card as good ?

[@GhostHawk76]

yes

[@vuurwerkTamersfoort]

Good better best unboxing! I think

[@MrAkihiros]

google hx30v vs, tz30. Sony is way ahead in specs and image quality, although the panny is much cheaper.

[@RODRIGOR300]

Thanks

[@hi13493]

Does this camera have color extract and background defocus?

[@Zyphon400]

yes