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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

Discontinued

Reviewed

January 2011

by ConsumerSearch

Speedy superzoom with so-so image quality

Pros

Manual controls
Innovative automatic features
Tilting 3-inch LCD display

Cons

Bulky size
So-so image quality
No RAW format support
Expensive

Where to Buy

for $599.99

Our Analysis
Specs
147 Amazon Reviews

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 is the bulkier cousin to the well-liked Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 compact camera and shares many of the same innovative shooting modes, such as Sweep Panorama and Handheld Twilight, which reviewers like. The HX1 sports a 20x optical zoom lens that performs well in both wide angle and macro shots and has manual controls. It also has a tilting LCD screen. However, reviewers say that though the camera is cheaper than a DSLR, that's about where the favorable comparisons end. Image quality isn't where it should be considering the HX1's price, especially when it comes to noise reduction. There's no RAW file support, and the camera uses Sony's proprietary memory sticks instead of more universal SD cards.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 gets a fair amount of coverage. It scores well at consumer sites such as Australia's Choice magazine and Britain's Which? magazine; both compare the HX1 to a whole range of current cameras. DigitalCameraInfo.com and DPReviews.com, photography enthusiast sites, go into much more detail.

Where To Buy

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 9.1MP 20x Optical Zoom Digital Camera with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 Inch LCD
(147 reviews) Buy new: $499.99 23 Used & new from $124.01

Our Sources

1. DigitalCameraInfo.com

DigitalCameraInfo.com ranks the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 as its number-one choice for point-and-shoot cameras, and provides a well-documented look at all its features. Reviewer Richard Baguley concludes that the camera has a lot of impressive features for its high price, but points out that, for a bit more, you could get better shots with a digital SLR.

Review: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 Digital Camera Review, Richard Baguley, Sept. 21, 2009

2. Choice magazine

This recent round-up by Australia's Choice magazine scores the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 highly in the category of bridge cameras, those that straddle the line between compact and digital SLR cameras. The camera's operating speed and long lens are cited as its best features, though the price is described as a downside.

Review: Compact Digital Cameras Review and Compare, Chris Ruggles, Feb. 2, 2010

3. Which? magazine

British consumer reports magazine Which? tests a plethora of digital cameras, naming a few dozen their Best Buys in various categories. One of these is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1, which scores well for image quality, manual controls and speed. Reviewers say that its drawbacks include the high price and bulky size.

Review: Digital Cameras: Compare Features and Prices, Editors of Which? magazine

4. DPReview.com

Don Wan at DPReview.com finds many similarities between the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 and Canon's competing SX1 IS. While he likes the Sony camera's shooting modes, he finds picture quality not quite good enough to give the HX1 his highest recommendation.

Review: Sony DSC-HX1 Review, Don Wan, April 2009

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