The Sony Cyber-shot HX100V is the latest in a series of 'superzoom' cameras from Sony which are intended to combine the versatility and portability of meaty cameras with a DSLR-like form factor and operational ergonomics. With the HX100V, Sony brings a host of new and updated features to its flagship superzoom model. The most obvious of these changes include a 16MP 'Exmor R' back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 30x optical zoom and full Hard disk 1080p video capture. The HX100V mimics the class factor and handling of an entry-level DSLR in a package housing a 27-810mm equivalent zoom lens and a meaty camera-sized i/2.3" CMOS sensor.

An update to the Sony DSC-HX1, the HX100V stays true to its predecessor in terms of form and style. In fact, at beginning glance, it may be difficult to tell the two cameras apart. The HX100V does, nonetheless, boast its share of changes, including a longer zoom range, more powerful flash, higher resolution LCD and a redesigned, though functionally like menu interface. 'Nether the hood', the HX100V shares a lot of features and functionality with the genuinely compact Sony DSC-HX9V, which we reviewed recently as part of our Compact Travel Zoom group test.

Sony DSC-HX100V fundamental specifications:

  • 16MP 'Exmor R' CMOS sensor
  • 27-810mm (equivalent) zoom lens with optical image stabilization
  • ISO 100-3200
  • Built-in flash
  • 10fps continuous shooting (at 16MP)
  • 1080/60p movies in AVCHD format
  • 921,000 dot iii.0 inch tilting LCD screen
  • Born stereo Mic
  • Congenital-in GPS

Compared to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150

The most obvious firsthand competitor to the HX100V is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150. Both cameras offer full manual exposure control, and record 1080p video with stereo sound (upwards to 60p in the example of the HX100V). Although the HX100V has a longer zoom range (30x versus 24x), it is slightly smaller in both width and depth. The FZ150 can capture raw files while the HX100V is limited to JPEG capture only.

Perhaps the almost immediate physical distinction betwixt the two cameras is the college reach of the popular-up flash on the FZ150. The unit on the HX100V does have a higher wink guide rating (12.7m versus nine.5m at the wide cease) than the FZ150.
From the top, we can see how similar the two cameras are in terms of operational ergonomics. The HX100V lacks a wink hotshoe mount, but includes both a focus selector button and custom button just behind the shutter release.

Although it has a longer telephoto range, the HX100V's zoom extends forwards slightly less than that of the FZ150.
The HX100V is a few millimeters taller than the FZ150, has a significantly larger 4-way controller, and a higher resolution LCD (921,000 versus 460,000 dots).
With the rear hinge blueprint of the HX100V's LCD, you frame the limerick while looking directly behind the lens, which may feel more intuitive for some users. The fold-out screen on the FZ150 offers more flexible viewing angles when property the camera in a portrait orientation.

Compared to the Sony DSC-HX9V

Aside from the HX100V's EVF, articulating LCD screen and of course, 30x (versus 16x) optical zoom, it has a lot in mutual with the Cyber-shot HX9V. As the comparison beneath makes manifestly, the HX100V houses these features in a significantly larger package with a more spacious button layout and larger control points. More 'DSLR-similar', in other words.

The HX100V and HX9V offer like functionality (including the aforementioned 16MP sensor) and features simply in dramatically different grade factors, equally you can see from this comparison prototype.