Walking Forum
Main Boards => Photography => Topic started by: Kukkudrill on 19:48:28, 29/12/15
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(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/20151229_114329_800_zpsk973dbvs.jpg)
Normally I take photographs with a digital single lens reflex camera or DSLR. DSLRs are unbeatable for image quality, but they are big and heavy. I decided that I needed a compact camera to take with me on hikes, especially now that I'm planning my first long-distance camping trek. As I did my research I settled on the following requirements for my new camera:
Compactness. I wanted the camera to be pocket-sized so it could fit into the hip-belt pocket of my rucksack.
Zoom range. My favourite DLSR lens is a 100-400mm, but I have never taken it with me on long walks because it's heavy. I wanted to regain the versatility that a long zoom offers.
A viewfinder. It can be hard to see LCD screen displays in bright sunlight. A viewfinder – a little DSLR-style window through which you squint to compose your shot – solves the problem. In addition, using the viewfinder means holding the camera close to you instead of away from you. This helps you to hold it steady, which is important when you' re shooting at full zoom.
GPS. Geotagging photos eliminates the "now where was I when I took this photo?" syndrome. Many cameras allow for photos to be geotagged using your smartphone’s GPS receiver. However, I decided I wanted a camera with its own GPS receiver. This makes geotagging less fiddly and it saves phone battery consumption.
Just two cameras met these requirements: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V. Both cameras pack a x30 optical zoom lens and an 18-megapixel sensor into a remarkably compact body. Both can also shoot videos in full HD format. I went for the Sony because it is appreciably smaller than the Panasonic, and because – having compared sample images from both cameras – I felt that the Sony delivers marginally better image quality than the Panasonic.
This said, one should not expect too much of any compact camera with a x30 zoom where image quality is concerned. No zoom lens is going to deliver sharp images throughout its range. The wider the zoom range, the more image quality is compromised. This is one reason why they don’t make x30 zoom lenses for DSLRs.
Furthermore, fitting a x30 zoom to a pocket-sized camera is only possible if the camera has a tiny sensor. Tiny sensors generate grain and resolve fine detail poorly. This is not about the megapixel count but the physical size of the sensor: squeezing more megapixels onto a tiny sensor only makes the problem worse. The main reason why DSLRs are bulky is because they have big sensors. In going for a compact camera with a long zoom I was consciously opting to sacrifice image quality for practicality.
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/20151229_114758_800_zpsp40bnkio.jpg)
As this photo shows, another advantage the Sony has over the Panasonic is a hinged screen which can be raised 180 degrees, great for shooting selfies.
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/20151229_114451_800_zps2mvwhdvm.jpg)
The Sony has a pop-up viewfinder and flash, both of which are more fiddly to use than the fixed viewfinder and flash on the Panasonic. However, this is the price of the HX90’s greater compactness.
I've had the HX90V for nearly two months now and I thought I would post a review here in case others are looking for a good camera for hiking or travel purposes. I've learned a lot from this forum and this is a way of giving something back. So how does this camera measure up?
The camera handles nicely thanks to a protruding grip on the right side which allows you to hold it securely with one hand. It feels heavy for its size at 245g, indicating just how much gadgetry is packed into it.
Sony’s designers have pulled off a remarkable feat in making the HX90V so small, but even they couldn’t fit a x30 zoom lens completely within the camera body. The protruding lens housing adds bulk to the camera, but on the plus side it gives you something to hold on to with your left hand: two-handed shooting DSLR-style helps a lot in keeping the camera steady when shooting at full zoom.
And there is a very handy control ring around the lens housing which can be set to control various functions. I use it to set exposure compensation. Sometimes you’re taking a photo with large areas of background shadow, which can fool the camera into overexposing your main subject. You can avoid this by setting negative exposure compensation. This normally involves diving deep into the camera menu, but with my HX90V all I need to do is turn the control ring with my left hand while I'm framing my shot.
Anyone familiar with compact cameras will find it easy to get the hang of the various buttons on the back of the camera. The camera menu system is intuitive.
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/DSC00224_800_zpsbmg29gkg.jpg)
Image quality is a mixed bag. Colour rendition is accurate and exposure is generally good. The photo above is a good example. The autofocus is excellent: I have never yet had to delete an image because of poor focus. Images taken in good light are pleasing to see on your monitor – so long as you don’t expand them to full size. At full size you will see the effect of the small sensor as the camera struggles to capture fine detail, as the crop below (taken from the lower middle section of the photo) shows:
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/DSC00224_detail_centre_zpsv7ntvecg.jpg)
The limitations of the lens optics show up in wideangle shots such as this one, which suffer from blur in the corners – particularly the lower right corner in my camera’s case, as the next crop shows:
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/DSC00224_detail_lower_right_zps28unnx08.jpg)
At high ISO settings grain becomes more and more visible in photos. The camera does its best to wipe away the grain, but at the cost of eliminating fine detail and giving images something of a watercolour-effect look. This is illustrated by the next sample image, which was shot at the maximum ISO setting of 3200, as well as the crop immediately beneath it from the full size image. The crop is from the nearest window in the picture.
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/DSC00062_800_zpstqomlnam.jpg)
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/DSC00062_detail_zpsxe0x33y1.jpg)
I thought it's worth making a direct comparison between the HX90V and my DSLRs. Here is a first set of photos for comparison purposes:
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/DSC00328_800_zps0tbsqq1c.jpg)
Taken with my HX90V
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/cpol15_450_9121_800_zpspmhbqcfo.jpg)
Taken with a Canon 450D and 18-55mm lens
The Sony produced a better exposed photo than the Canon 450D. But a comparison at full size shows up the Sony's weaknesses:
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/DSC00328_detail_zpsowrfsrfk.jpg)
HX90V
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/cpol15_450_9121_detail_zpsyfrrvxip.jpg)
Canon 450D with 18-55mm lens
Both shots are framed just about identically, but the subject appears larger in the HX90V crop because the HX90V image is bigger to begin with – 18MP versus 12MP for the Canon 450D. But as the crops show, megapixels do not equate with image quality. The HX90V photo was taken at ISO80, the lowest setting, yet as the crop shows it is grainy and does not bring out detail as well as the Canon 450D photo. Compare the name of the yacht, which is easier to read in the Canon crop, and the lifebuoys at lower right.
The second set of shots compare the HX90V at full zoom with a Canon 7D and a 100-400mm lens, also at full zoom:
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/DSC00334_800_zpsuyexapce.jpg)
HX90V at full zoom (equivalent to 720mm focal length)
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/cpol15_7D_7712_800_zps4ridlcjx.jpg)
Canon 7D with 100-400mm lens at 400mm (equivalent to 640mm focal length because of this camera's sensor crop factor)
I'm still amazed that my little 245g Sony can get me closer to a distant subject than a DSLR and lens combo weighing literally ten times as much. And once again the Sony image is the better exposed and more pleasing of the two when viewed at small size. The Canon image is noticeably dark and a little too cool in terms of colour tone. Again, however, crops from the full-size images show where the Sony falls short:
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/DSC00334_detail_zpsyncmpzpi.jpg)
HX90V
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/cpol15_7D_7712_detail_zpsfjpbdzmx.jpg)
Canon 7D with 100-400mm lens
The HX90V image appears soft and grainy compared to the Canon 7D image, which brings out fine detail much better.
However, neither of my DSLRs can tell me where I was when I took a particular image or allow me to transfer images wirelessly to another device. In these areas the Sony wins hands down.
The HX90V's in-camera GPS is easy to use. It does not appear to increase the camera’s power consumption excessively although I have not yet needed to keep it on for a whole day’s shooting. The image below shows how the location of a photo can be identified using Sony's PlayMemories Home app on a PC, obviously provided that the camera GPS was on when the photo was taken:
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/charlespolidano/Screenshot1_zpsejgllx2r.jpg)
Like many other compact cameras, the HX90V can transfer photos wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet so you can email them or upload them to social networks. The HX90V is equipped with NFC (near field communication), which supposedly allows you to set up a connection between it and a compatible phone or tablet simply by holding the two devices against each other. I say supposedly because I have not yet been able to make this feature work. Not that I have missed it, because setting up a connection manually is very easy once you have downloaded the necessary app to your mobile.
My overall verdict? As I said I bought this camera for practicality not image quality. It scores highly for practicality with its combination of compactness and a long zoom range, not to mention other features like GPS and a tilting screen. Although I expected compromises where image quality is concerned, I admit I have been surprised at just how extensive the compromises are. Still, I'm very happy with it overall. This camera is not for you if you want professional-standard image quality. But if, like me, you’re looking for a small but versatile camera, and it’s enough for you that images look good when sized to fit a computer monitor, then this camera would make an excellent choice.
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what a great review... O0
thanks for posting, its my birthday in Feb ... ???
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An interesting and helpful review - thanks
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Thanks both :)
Sounds like you're dropping hints there beefy ;D
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Thanks for a most helpful review. I am looking for a new compact camera and I keep moving between this one and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ70. Can't quite decide.
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The TZ70 is much like the TZ60 which I mentioned in the review. Main differences are a reduction in resolution from 18 to 12MP (doesn't really matter) and the elimination of GPS (does for me). Assuming resolution and GPS aren't important to you, the main points as I see them are:
In favour of the TZ70
- easier to use (no need to pull out the viewfinder and flash before using them, though you have to be careful not to cover the flash with your fingers)
- ability to shoot in RAW format (if this matters).
In favour of the HX90V
- smaller size
- tilting screen.
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Thanks for the review which i enjoyed and learnt a thing a two i didnt know and found the review very helpful :) unfortunatly for me its a bit more than i would spend on a camera :(
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Very detailed review Kukkudrill O0
Sadly too much money for me to spend on a birthday present for beefy ;D
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Thanks both :)
Sounds like you're dropping hints there beefy ;D
O0
Very detailed review Kukkudrill O0
Sadly too much money for me to spend on a birthday present for beefy ;D
Get saving ya bogger! ... :D
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Great Review Kukkudrill, I thought I wandered into the photography forum for a minute there. Very interesting write up.. And I'm not even looking for a camera at the mo. ;)
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Thanks all for the comments.
Not a cheap camera it's true. To me it was worth the money, but I like photography ... in case no one has noticed :)
If anyone's interested the Sony's direct competitor, the Panasonic TZ60, is going for a lot less on Amazon at the moment.
EDIT: I wrote the above before checking the current price of the Sony HX90V on Amazon - it IS pricey at the moment - £80 more than what I paid. The price difference between the HX90V and the Panasonic TZ60 was much smaller at the time otherwise I'd probably have bought the Panasonic.
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Great review. I have the Sony dsc hx50 and find it ok. Got it for the zoom really as my Sony hx9v, which was a better camera imo got water in it and died.
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I really should spend the dough to get a new camera but I'll just invest in another elastic band and an inch of sellotape to hold it together. I dropped in onto a tamacked road in August 2015, its still working but the body fell apart.
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Love this - really informative post Kukko O0 , especially as I look to a new compact in the not to distant future 8) . I like the direct comparisons you have shared, it shows the quality as well as the usefulness of the compact, and the Sony certainly packs a powerful punch. O0
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Cheers all :)
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Kukkudrill You may find this list of apps useful to get the most out of or expand your camera https://www.playmemoriescameraapps.com/portal/ (https://www.playmemoriescameraapps.com/portal/) Good review I have been looking too at this camera and the Sony DSC HX60 and both great cameras, but as you point out the sensor size. So now trying to find a descent GPS built-in camera with an larger sensor. If you have any ideas would be appreciated.
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Thanks Fox160. As it happens I've been looking at the time lapse photography app though unfortunately for me it's not compatible with the HX90.
Afraid I haven't come across any large-sensor cameras with GPS though this is not to say there aren't any.
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Excellent review - I've had Sonys for quite a long while along with Canons but never used that particular one - although I've gone down a similar route by looking for a smaller camera with DSLR functions without the bulk.
Instead of a Sony compact I settled on one of the Canon EOS M series - I use the M3 now, but when I want to go super compact I use an EOS M, with a stubby 22M lens - really quite good for everything but with superb light range. I combine that with a third party hack called Magic Lantern which allows me to do some really fun Timelapse as well and extend the range of options that the camera can do - more basic than the Sony you have, but also a tad more simple to use when out on the hill :-) - My next project is to use the motion sensor to sit on an edge in a thunder storm and see if it will capture lightning, if possible
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Hi Kukkudrill I have looked at that app and if you scroll done and click on to the Select all applications and scroll down you will see both version of the DSC HX90 and 90V so unsure why you cannot select it.
I have been looking at the Sony RX100 mk2 or the Panasonic GX7 has I like the bigger sensor, but both of these cameras have the wifi link with your smartphone to attach geo tagging to your pics. But then again there will be new cameras out very soon to drool over.
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Hi Fox, when I click on select all applications and select HX90V the list of available apps shrinks to five which do not include the timelapse app. Sony do not seem to be in any hurry to update their apps. I asked them whether they intended to make the app compatible with the HX90V in the near future and they said "In regards to your enquiry, please note that sadly, we cannot confirm if the camera will be compatible or not; however, once we have any updates, it will be released on the website." Which translates as "sorry mate, no effing idea".
Syncing with a smartphone seems to have become camera-makers' preferred approach to geotagging, so if you're happy with this you'll have a much wider range of cameras to choose from. But it's too fiddly for me and I don't want to drain my phone battery when I'm on long walks, so I only considered cameras that have their own GPS receiver.
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Dam thats a shame has the time lapse is one of the main wants for a new camera. Is it posable to do a time interval shoot and put all the pics together to make a mini movie?
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The trick is shooting the images without moving the camera. The HX90V does not have a timed interval shooting mode, as far as I can see. One way to do it might be to download the smart remote control app (one of the few that is compatible with the HX90V) and use it to take photos every ten seconds or so, manually triggering each shot using my phone without touching the camera.
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hi im thinking of buying the sony, will it be ok for video, and does it have the ability to film timelapse?
ATB beefy 8)
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Beefy the Sony DSC HX60 is compatible with a timelapse app £7.99 from Play Memories, the HX90 isn't listed on the website as compatible so I don't think it is? :-\
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Beefy the Sony DSC HX60 is compatible with a timelapse app £7.99 from Play Memories, the HX90 isn't listed on the website as compatible so I don't think it is? :-\
thanks Ape i think ill get the hx60 instead ... O0
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thanks Ape i think ill get the hx60 instead ... O0
Glove of fate? ;D
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The HX90 doesn't do time lapse but the HX60 can (with the Sony app). The HX90 has a viewfinder - this allows for steadier handheld shooting with the zoom extended - and a tilting screen. The HX60 has neither. On the other hand the HX60 has a hot shoe to which you can attach an external microphone.
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The HX90 doesn't do time lapse but the HX60 can (with the Sony app). The HX90 has a viewfinder - this allows for steadier handheld shooting with the zoom extended - and a tilting screen. The HX60 has neither. On the other hand the HX60 has a hot shoe to which you can attach an external microphone.
thanks Kukkudrill, i bought the HX60v in the end
looking forward to trying it out... 8)
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i bought the HX60v in the end
:o I got the HX60 camera as well :o
We will be able to take some nice rain pictures this weekend ;D
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:o I got the HX60 camera as well :o
We will be able to take some nice rain pictures this weekend ;D
No it's gonna be sunny ;D
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Enjoy the cameras both of you. Let us know how you get on with them :)
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Enjoy the cameras both of you. Let us know how you get on with them :)
thanks Kukkudrill, will do ... O0
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Hi Krkkudrill - You've had the camera sometime now and I was wondering how you have found the camera with long term use and have you had any problems with it?
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Had it for two years now and I'm still happy with it. On one occasion some months ago the camera seemed to freeze when I turned it off and the lens did not retract. If I recall right I had to remove the battery and put it back in before the camera would work properly, but that solved the problem and the camera has worked fine ever since.
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We are still happy with our HX60 cameras too, no problems, would buy another Sony for sure O0
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Thanks for the camera advice. I have purchased the Sony HX90V and looking forward to using it. Though it looks like I a degree in camera technology as there are so many functions and options.
I got the camera on 20 November and there is a £50 cash back promotion. I have just claimed my cash back today and was gutted to find I should have waited 4 days and made my purchase today as the cash back has increased to £80 for purchases made 24-29 November. :( :(
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Pity about the cashback, but you've got yourself a great little camera. Don't worry too much about all the functions and options - just set it to auto and let the camera do all the work. :) Learn about the options as you go along.
The photos in my review in this thread have disappeared down the hole in Photobucket, but if anyone else is interested, much the same review (with photos) can be found here:
http://www.trailspace.com/gear/other/sony-dsc-hx90v/