Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V is the successor to Sony's DSC-HX9V, which was one of the most popular ultra-zoom cameras of 2011. For the most part, reviewers say the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V is easy to recommend. It features an 18.2-megapixel sensor, 16x zoom and built-in GPS for geotagging photos. The camera is very easy to use, which makes it a good choice for beginners, and reviewers say the numerous auto modes do an excellent job of adapting to various lighting conditions. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V does include some manual controls for those who prefer to exert more influence over the final result.

So-so image quality

However, a critic at DigitalCameraInfo.com says image quality is a step below that of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V. This expert says the camera's colors are off, and the in-camera noise reduction can be too strong, which leads to a loss of fine detail. It also has a longer 20x zoom lens.

The bottom line

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V is a good choice for novice photographers as it offers a full selection of auto modes. However, more experienced shooters may be disappointed with its photo quality; the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS (*Est. $230) may be a better fit for them.