Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V 16.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Still Camera with 16x Optical Zoom G Lens, 3D Sweep Panorama and Full HD 1080/60p Video

I beat my brains out for the past month, trying to decide on a P&S camera to replace my Pentax DSLR. I've decided, rather late in life, to go with a small pocket camera to replace my bulky SLR and several lenses, including the huge camera bag I carried them around in. So I've been reading every review and scanning every consumer review site (such as Amazon's) searching for the perfect P&S camera. I even bought (and returned) two cameras that ultimately did not work for me. I agonized over the HX9V for a couple weeks before finally biting the bullet and ordering it. I'm extremely happy I did! From the moment I opened the box I knew the HX9V was going to be a winner. Unlike the two cameras I returned, the size and handling of the HX9V was about perfect for me. The two I returned were simply too small to handle efficiently, even in my relatively small hands, but this one was ideal (for me) with a great grip and controls that seemed to fall right under my fingers. The build quality is excellent and I can find no flaw in fit and finish. I decided I wanted a mode dial on top, like my SLRs always had (the two I returned used the wheel on the back of the camera), and the HX9V has one, although it's a little difficult gripping it. So, in short, the HX9V first impression is supurb! This camera does not come with an accessory battery charger (an omission I find rather annoying) so I ordered one, along with a couple spare batteries (the two batteries and the charger cost only $14.00, shipped). I charged the Sony battery in the camera, using the provided power adapter (again, a ridiculous system, since it ties up the camera during charging) and charged the two spares in the tiny little accessory charger. Everything was charged in a couple of hours and I was ready to put this little gem through it's paces. Operationally, the camera exceeds all of my expectations. First, I've never owned such a long zoom and this thing is terrific, although I doubt I'll use the long end very often. Having used large SLR zooms most of my photographic life, where zooming was done manually, I found this zoom rather slow, a bit gravelly-feeling and hard to control precisely. It requires some getting used to, at least for me anyway, but I believe it will be fine. Focusing is instantaneous and I experience no lag-time, unless shooting in modes that shoot and blend multiple images together. On those you get the obligatory "Processing" message and, frankly, I see no reason to consider that a negative. The camera is doing some truly sophisticated image blending. Shoot in a single image mode and it's operation is lightning fast. Oh, and did I mention the ability to shoot ten images a second? What a great feature when shooting my dog, Sammy, or a sports event (and yes, you will get the "Processing" message after firing off ten shots). The Panorama feature is great, producing beautiful wide panoramic images. I've found it really difficult to get less than stellar panos. In other words, it's real hard to mess up! Video is an area I've never explored before but, after seeing some of my random efforts on my HD TV, I'm completely dazzled by this camera's abilities. This is an area I intend to pursue further. There are many more special features that I wont go into here but they're all great and very useful. As for the 3-D thing, I have no interest in that but many others will. I can't comment because I don't care about it. Image quality! You read about it. You scan full-size images on dozens of websites. You pixel-peep endlessly, comparing images from Canon, Nikon, and Sony, until your head feels like it's going to explode. If you're an intelligent, sensible person you conclude that much of the hype you read around the internet is just that - hype! Every P&S camera out there has shortcomings in one area or another and none produce results like a good DSLR! After I came to that conclusion I felt more confortable ordering the Sony. I'm glad I did. I have no intention of blowing any of these images up to poster size. Most will never be printed and those that are will likely be "normal" print sizes. This camera produces excellent images! I have a relatively discerning eye after over fifty years of photography and I'll say again; the Sony HX9V produces excellent images! The bottom-line is, this camera is chock full of cutting edge technology, with features that put it far out front of most other P&S cameras. It takes great images and the videos are extraordinary. Mine is a keeper! It's going to be around for many years to come. In fact, it might outlast me, since I'm 73. Update: April, 2012 Everything I said in the above review stands, in spades, after all these months. That said, I finally taught my wife how to use this camera a couple weeks ago and she took it to one of her DAR conventions. She returned two days later and downloaded several hundred images to her computer. Later, when I watched over her shoulder while she scanned them individually I realized they were all, I mean all, extremely soft, unlike my own results. She seemed happy with them but I knew otherwise so I asked her to go out in the yard with me and take a few shots. We did and I immediately saw her problem. She repeatedly composed the picture on the LCD screen and immediately snapped the shutter, without waiting for the camerea to complete focus. She had forgotten that she should depress the button halfway to allow the autofocus system to work properly. Well, long story longer, she did as I demonstrated and we reviewed the pictures on her computer.Voila! The shots were now sharp and clean. Funny thing was: she then looked at her efforts at the convention and said, "Oh! These are awful!" After this episode I'm convinced that many of the complaints about soft images is a result of "Operator Error." No offence but ain't that always the way. By the way, there are several comments attached to this post, one by a fellow who doesn't own the camera and who obviously has an agenda. His first negative post even implied, in a smarmy, underhanded way, that my review is worthless because I once used Pentax cameras, ignoring the fact that Pentax has earned, over the years, an excellent reputation. He has gone on to point out certain professional reviews that are unfavorable to the camera, ignoring those that heap accolades on it. I frankly, could not care less about his opinions but I will bet that I've been shooting images for more years than he's been alive. Anyway, as I said in the review, it's my opinion, and can be ignored completely if one chooses to do so. If you own this fine camera, enjoy! arkiedan

I bought this camera excitedly as a gift for my wife, so I left it wrapped for more than 30 days after purchase (which meant I could not fully resolve the issue through Amazon). After she opened the camera, it worked well (especially the wonderful HD movies), but subsequently broke on the second day. The camera would not focus, and the flash was intermittent, with the operating system displaying many error codes on the display. I dealt with Sony to attempt a resolution. The parts to repair were indefinitely back ordered (how is that possible? This is a relatively new model) and their only offer was to replace it with a refurbished camera (new for refurbished?). We obviously refused this, asking for a new replacement or a refund, which sent us through the worm holes of bureaucracy connecting Sony's awful customer support. They are apparently a geographically disparate company that convolutes specific customer service resolution. We ultimately had to dispute the charge with our credit card company. I would not recommend this product. Furthermore, Sony has lost us as customers for all other products. Roll the dice at your own risk (we did, because I ignored the bad reviews on this site and bought the camera anyway).

This camera is an upgrade from my previous Sony Cyber-shot. That sony was only a 12.1 megapixel camera with a 5x optic zoom... compared to this 16.2 megapixels and 16x optical zoom... but that camera was amazing for when it came out, and it lasted a long time for me. I used it all the time, took it everywhere I went. In fact, I used it so much, put it to work so often, and dropped it more than it should have been, that it was starting to have a few technical issues. The hatch door where the battery goes wouldn't stay closed, the zoom wouldn't always work, there were scratches on the lens that caused flares in the photos... so it was time to upgrade. for the price of this camera... I'm surprised how nice it is. this camera could go up against much more expensive models. The 16x optical zoom is amazing. I was able to get beautiful shots of the recent Venus transit (June 2012) using this camera and a Shade 10 welders glass. it picks up on the colors much better than the previous camera. The images also seem sharper and more lifelike. the 3D image capability, to some, seems useless as you can only see them in 3D on a 3D display unit (like a 3D television) but those people who think that would be wrong. yes you can only see the image in 3D on a 3D viewer... however, even without a viewer, the images have more dimension, more depth, than an average photo. it just seems to pop off the page. there are a lot of other settings on this camera that my other camera didn't have. My favorite is a soft skin portrait setting. if you take a photo of a person, it almost looks photo-shopped. The soft skin image gives the person you're photographing a soft glow, blemishes seem to be invisible, the face looks smooth and soft, and the eyes appear brighter and more colorful. I am able to capture better action shots using this camera. I was able to get a butterfly in flight, and get perfect photos of the wings when they were spread open, mid air. Knowing how fast a butterfly moves, that is not an easy feat. So I like how fast this camera works. the panorama option is another nice upgrade from my last cyber-shot. to be able to take a full photo of the sun setting behind the bluffs where I live... it makes for a beautiful almost painting like photo. this camera takes just as good of photos as my bother's $1000 camera. For the price, you can't beat this camera. Easy to use, Sharp images, fun settings to play with, and a trusted name. I will always buy Sony cameras. I had great luck with my previous camera, I am having great luck with this camera as well. Battery life on this camera is about average. it's no better or worse than any other camera I've owned. I really like the view screen. nice size, crisp and clear image. I can't say enough good things about this camera. I'm extremely happy with my purchase. If I had to nitpick, I would say the ONLY complaint I have is that, in some settings, it seems like it takes a long time for it to reset so you can take another photo. My brother was taking a picture of me feeding a deer, One photo was quick, but then he had to hit the photo button 8 times before it finally took the photo. I am not sure what setting he had it on... but he said in that setting it should take so long to reset. (he's a photographer so I suppose he would know.) other than that, even he said this is an amazing camera, and for the price, it really could go head to head with much more expensive models. He can even see professional photographers using this camera.

One of the best cybershot cameras out there for the price i paid it is my second one.The first one I had from the get go from sony had a issue after years of use and it needed a repair the cost was more than what I just paid for this one. This camera will do all your functions just like a slr which costs hundreds more.