Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V

Sony's new Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V gets enthusiastic reviews from experts who like its advanced features. Like the cheaper Cyber-shot DSC-WX1, the 10-megapixel HX5V performs very well in low light, thanks to its Handheld Twilight mode, and it is just as speedy in use. However, the HX5V has some unique features of its own, such as built-in GPS functionality, which allows photos to be automatically tagged with locations and local time. Reviewers find image quality to be good overall, thanks in no small part to a 10x optical zoom (25 to 250 mm) Zeiss lens. But there are some downsides. The flash is weak and slow to recharge, and zooming can be too jerky for precise composition, reviewers say. Finally, critics chafe at the proprietary Memory Sticks, cables and batteries required to use this and other Sony cameras.

To date, there haven't been many professional reviews of the HX5V. We found a lengthy report at Imaging-Resource.com, a photo enthusiast site. The evaluation at TrustedReviews.com, while much shorter (and easier to wade through), covers all the bases. However, the discussion at both sites situates the Sony HX5V well in relation to other current camera models.