Sony DSC-HX99 Review! Perfect Travel Camera?

[@gavinphillips3973]

Strange coincidence, I bought the HX99 as a pocket-sized camera for those times when I couldn't carry my Sony a68 around with me. The HX99 is a great little camera although I haven't really put it through any demanding tests yet (things like harsh sunlight, low light, etc). The only issue I have with it is something you've already mentioned, the EVF. Even when it pops up, its not immediately ready for use. There's a tiny little switch (diopter control I think Sony calls it) which has to be switched to get a sharply focused image. Overall though, its a wonderful little camera. I just need a better case for mine that doesn't bulge in a pocket! The standard Sony one is the LCJ-HWA which is what I'm considering as a future accessory purchase.

[@SterlingW8]

Lol...

[@onlyonecannoli3952]

Read the manual you muppet. You do not need to adjust the diopter each time (that's the little slider switch on the viewfinder). 1) Release the viewfinder switch so that it pops up. 2) Extend/pull out that sliding box portion of the viewfinder backward as far as it goes. 3) Place your eye in from of the glass/window thingy inside that box and you will be seeing through the lens. You should only adjust the diopter the first time you use the viewfinder and then leave it alone. If you do not extend the back portion of the viewfinder, your view will be compromised because you will not be using the viewfinder mechanism as intended. READ THE MANUAL!

[@camloff]

Small but exceptional.

[@TheDiscardedFoot]

Think I'm going to pick one of these up for my next Vegas trip

[@redpillnibbler4423]

Did you manage to photograph Elvis at 720mm?

[@865P]

You can turn off the function that shuts camera down when you close viewfinder

[@SterlingW8]

Thks

[@ivizlabYT]

bought it, did an indoor ( so slightly low light) test and my $300 camera phone ( a good one - mi a2 ) took a way better still ( zoomed both up on a computer it was dead obvious) and did a better job on video ( the hx80 was darker and the autofocus was not perfect on moving changing video) - returning it today, spending more money on a bigger sensor mirrorless with telephoto.

[@SterlingW8]

Same thoughts on low light... i just like the zoon.

[@letni9506]

I've a good camera phone for close up and night shots but to me this is for daytime, nature photo's and pics where I need the zoom. Anything this struggles with is probably something i'd take on my phone anyhow.

[@onlyonecannoli3952]

He was reviewing the HX99 (a much newer camera) and not the HX80.

[@kidwalk]

Im buying this camera because of the zoom range

[@antonyporter5045]

Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is 40X zoom ! this is 30X

[@letni9506]

@@antonyporter5045 been looking at both and although i'd love 40x zoom the hx99 just seems better overall and worth giving up the extra zoom. Cos tbh the hx looks decent at full zoom , where as at 40x on the sx I wouldn't really be taking any useable photo's.

[@panagiotisths]

@@antonyporter5045 yeah 40x for sure but not raw format

[@forbebe]

When you are videoing with the HX99, if you zoom, will you hear the camera motor while you're zooming when you play it back? Also, how long can you record with it without it shutting down on its own? Can you record an entire 20 minute set without it shutting down? Thanks! BB

[@SterlingW8]

Yes you will hear the motor. You can record pretty long. I never tried recording over 10 min.

[@KhunRoger]

Can't understand half of what you are saying.

[@bjarnyg]

yeah why on earth does the camera shut itself off when you push down the viewfinder? really annoying. same with my mark VII. maybe there's a custom setting for it...?

[@onlyonecannoli3952]

This is why slack-jawed teenagers require supervision and instruction. There's this thing called a "manual". Yes, I know it's for old people, but just hear me out. If you read it (and yes, I am assuming you know how), you will find many of the answers to those vexing problems that frustrated your user experience. For example, the frustrating ring that doesn't focus, but instead controls zoom and aperture...wait for this...can be used for focusing... Additionally, that box thing-a-magig that allows for "diopter" adjustment...is actually the way that you properly enable the viewfinder. First it comes up...then you pull it back...then use. If you are using it without pulling that box thing out, then you are not using the viewfinder appropriately. I know! It's crazy how many things you can learn by reading that old-man-manual that Sony puts out for its cameras. And yes, other people do know about this manual thing.

[@letni9506]

You could have told him without sounding like a smart ass thats never done anything wrong you know ;-)

[@onlyonecannoli3952]

@@letni9506 It wouldn't have been as much fun. Besides, he had it coming to him. Call me crazy, but I am of the belief that willful ignorance is not an excuse for the dissemination of misinformation. Knowing about the product that you are reviewing is kind of a sine qua non for making instructional/review videos.

[@godsplannn]

So what’s the easiest way to transfer photos from the camera to my iphone?

[@alanbrown4766]

I don't know any thing about an IPhone but you can connect from the same port that you charge with and connect the other end to your IPhone and drill own the correct folder

[@DecimateTheWeak100]

How is its low light/indoors performance?

[@SterlingW8]

Ok, due to the lens max aperture, but small sensor its not as good as my Sony a77 or a RX100.

[@apokobeindonesia]

best

[@hytti72]

unfair to judge the camera when it is Your fault to understand the menu system etc

[@MadPaperPeople]

your nose hits the screen using view finder so do not use with touch screen...

[@sharkylal]

Maybe use your right eye instead