Why you gotta have the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 Exmor CMOS Panoramic Superzoom Digital Optical Camera.

The competition for the best superzoom between the leading camera giants like Sony, Canon, Nikon, Samsung and Panasonic rages on. Model after model with its very own "first" high technology is released to a bewildered public month after month. Allegiances and loyalties shift with each model release.

Now Sony release another masterpiece that tops the latest of Canon and Nikon. Its balance in features and price tag puts to shame Canon SX1 IS and the Nikon P90. Maybe I am a little biased because I currently own a Sony DSC-H50 that I really love. But my loyalty to the Sony superzooms faltered when the Nikon P90 was released... and yet again when the SX1 IS was unveiled.

Sony has again regained my loyalty. Each feature of this camers puts it nearer and nearer into the world of DSLR's. Here are the DSC-HX1 specification that I truly believe puts it at the top of the list...

ISO sensitivity:

• Auto
• ISO 125
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
• ISO 3200

Metering modes:

• Multi
• Centre
• Spot

Shuttter speed:

• Auto(2 sec- 1/4,000)
• Program Auto(1 sec- 1/4,000)
• Manual(30" - 1/4,000)

Aperture:

• Auto (F2.8./F8.0(W)
• Program auto (F2.8/F8.0(W)
• Manual( F2.8/F8.0(W)

Shooting modes:

• Mode dial: Intelligent Auto, P Auto, easy, SCN, movie, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual
• Scene: High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight portrait, Landscape, Snow, Beach, Fire works, Sports, gourmet, ASports, handheld Twilight, Anti-Motion Blur, Sweep Panorama

White balance:

• Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Fluorescent
• Fluorescent 2
• Fluorescent 3
• Incandescent
• Flash
• Custom

Self timer:

• Off
• 10sec
• 2sec

Continous Shooting: Approx. 10.0 fps(10 shots)

Flash:

• Modes :Auto, Flash On, Slow Syncro, Flash Off
• Red Eye Reduction : Auto, On, Off
• Range : ISO Auto: Approx.0.3-Approx.9.2m(W) Approx.1.5-Approx.5.1m (T)

LCD monitor:

• 3.0 inch TFT LCD
• approx. 230,400 pixels

Digital input/output:

• USB 2.0 High Speed
• Multi-use terminal Type2d

Video output:

• HD(1080i)
• Composite
• NTSC/ PAL

Sensor:

• 1/2.4" Exmor CMOS Sensor
• 9.1 million effective pixel
• 10.3 million effective pixel

Image sizes:

• 3456 x 2592
• 3456 x 2304
• 3456 x 1944
• 3648 x 2056
• 2048 x 1536
• 1920 x 1080
• 640 X 480

Panorama:

• 7152 x 1080
• 4912 x 1080
• 4912 x 1920
• 3424 x 1920

Movie clips:

• 1440 x 1080 (30fps)
• 1280 x 720 (30fps)
• 640x480 (30fps)

File formats:

• Still Image : JPEG (EXIF 2.2), DPOF v1.1, DCF v2.0, MPF baseline
• Movie Clip : mp4, MPEG4

Lens:

• Sony G lens
• 28-560mm equiv.
• 20x Optical zoom
• f = 5.0-100.0mm
• F2.8(W)-5.2(T)

Conversion lenses: Yes, Tele:VCL-HD1757 (Optional)

Digital zoom: Approx. 40x

Image Stabalisation: Optical SteadyShot

Focus:

• Auto focus, Semi-Manual, Manual

AF area modes: Intelligent

Focus Mode:

• Multi
• Centre
• Flexible Spot

Focus distance:

• Normal :W:Approx.1cm(0.03') to Infinity, T:Approx.150cm(4.92') to Infinity
• Macro: W: Approx.1cm(0.03') to Infinity, T:Approx.150cm(4.92') to Infinity

Storage:

• Internal memory (Approx. 11 MB)
• Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/ Pro HG Duo

Power: InfoLITHIUM H type 6.8V

Weight (no batt): Approx. 453g (16oz.)

Dimensions: 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4 5/8" x 3 3/8" x 3 5/8")

The DSC-HX1 look 95% like the DSC-H50. The only cosmetic difference is the stero mic ang G-Lens on the DSC-HX1. But the question is... what makes this superzoom the ulitmate prosumer camera?

1. I uses Sony's exclusive 1/2.4 inch Exmor CMOS sensor technology. Yes... that's the same sensor Sony uses on its high end DSLR cameras. The use of this sensor enables the DSC-HX1 to achieve burst speeds sometimes exceeding 10 frames per second at full resolution.

2. Instead of a Carl Zeiss lens, it utilizes a wide angle 28-560mm millimeter f/2.8-5.2 Sony G-Lens. This type of G-Lens, again, coming from its high end DSLRs employ A-spherical lens elements crafted from extra-low dipersion glass designed to drastically reduce chromatic aberration. The Sony G-Lens is what Nikkor lenses are to Nikon.

3. The Exmor sensor and the Sony G-Lens are complemented by a new generation BIONZ processor the camera gets a boost in speed and better handling of low light conditions at high ISO settings. Sony claims that it reduces noise by 50%. New algorithms that utilize the Bionz processor enable HX1 to calculate positions of objects, moving or other wise, lowlight or not, in each frame and superimoses them to get clear and sharp images.

4. The Sony DSC-HX1 also records movies in 1080p HD resolution. Coupled with a built-in stereo microphone, the HX1 can double as a video camera. The best thing is, you can use the 20X optical zoom during video capture. Not all prosumer cameras can claim that.

What really sets it apart from the rest... although the features listed above already have... is that...

A. The Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 employs a new technology it call Sweep Panaroma. Breathtaking shots can be achieved in wide and ultra wide settings in vertical and horizontal directions of upt 224-degrees horizontal and 154 degrees vertical shots. By using the burst mode of 10 full resolution frames per second and sweeping it on a landscape... the DSC-HX1 autmatically stitches the frames to create the widest panorama shot in the world taken by a prosumer cam. The maximum resolution is 7152 x 1080 (ultra wide horizontal).

“This panorama mode is so seamless that it removes the guess work,” Noblecilla said. “The camera indicates where you are in the degree range, so you know how wide you can shoot and stitches the photos automatically. It calculates and aligns pictures for you without using additional software.”

B. It uses a high-speed mechanical shutter. instead of the traditional electronic version for superzooms. This makes every such more DSLR like if not like the low entry DSLR's

C. The price tag is $100 cheaper than the closest competitor.

What it really lacks to keep itself on top is...

I. The body is still made of plastic like the DSC-H50. This makes the camera really fragile. It would help to make some parts of it in magnesium or steel.
II. It uses non-standard parts so than you have to buy most of the accessories from Sony. Must be a business strategy.
III. Just imagine the effect if it can use SD cards instead of just that Sony Memory Stick
IV. And of course, how I wish it weather sealing. This way you can shoot with all the confidence that your camera can take survive the elements.

Now you see why I like Sony Superzooms... you should too...