Sony Cybershot WX-1 Video Review

Sony Cybershot DSC WX-1 Review

Hey Guys, Long time no see i know.
But i m back with a review.
This time it's my new point and shoot

Sony Cybershot WX-1.
Before we go to our real world details, let's check out the specs

It has
-10.2 MPx Exmor R sensor
-5x G Zoom Lens
-Wide angle of 24mm
-Bright Aperture of f2.4
-10 fps burst mode
-Intelligent Auto
-Sweep panorama mode
-720p HD video @ 30fps
-and all the stuff you expect from a compact camera

Ok now let's check em one by one in real world

Sensor

This features Sony's new Exmor R sensor, otherwise known as "Back-lit CMOS" sensor.

The concept of this is to remove all the wiring between the pixels of the sensor and putting them behind the actual sensing part, which will theoretically let 50% more light in.

The end result, it should 50% better in low light..... And it is.... very Good in low light.

This camera is meant to be used without flash in dim lit situations.

Of course there is noise but it's monochromatic which gives the pictures a certain old picture style grain effect, which is acceptable unlike that chroma noise from CCD sensors which ruin the whole picture.

BUT

In bright light situation, it's a different story. This camera is not as good as a CCD in bright light. Colors are rendered differently, they have a bit more detail in the shadows but the depth is sort of ... Gone. I think it's due to high ISO which starts from 160 which is twice of where my old H-50 used to start( at 80)
But in now context this is a bad camera, it's excellent for any new user but the owners of the ones with CCD sensor will understand what i mean.

Lens

This has a 5x optical zoom utilizing Sony's new G lens and has superb quality and the photos are quite sharp in all condition.
But the most noticeable thing for me was the reduction in color fringing which is visible at the end of your subject as a pink or blue light, it's nearly gone with this lens which is excellent.

the lens has widest focal length of 24mm, in simple words the area that one our eyes see is roughly equivalent to 50mm and this lens can go 24mm so it captures more than what you can see with your eyes which is very helpful in indoor situations where you can't step back any further.
and the lens also benefits from a bright aperture of f2.4 which adds to the performance of Exmor R sensor.

Movie mode

This camera can shoot video at 30fps in following resolutions
-640x480(also available at 15fps)
-1280x720

The footage looks really good and if you are moving from VGA to HD, you 'll find out that it's more than just resolution that's been improved.

However don't expect the Auto focus to be as good as a camcorder and the YES you can zoom while you shoot but it's slow and very noisy

the sound recording is mono and the mic is placed right next to the lens which is good in terms of "you won't muffle the sound by accidentally putting your finger on it" but it catches the sound of zoom motor which muffles the sound for you.

Apart from that it's all good news.

Intelligent Auto

a First for Sony here but it's been done before.

The difference between normal Auto and iAuto is that it's faster and detects not just the lighting and colors but also detects scene and makes setting accordingly which makes it super easy to use.

Other Goodies

-It has a mode called the sweep panorama which automatically takes all the photos and laces them together for a panorama image
-it can also shoot @ full resolution @ 10fps but don't expect to continue it for even another second.
-The 'P' mode is usual with manual settings for metering, focusing, exposure compensation white balance and etc etc.
-No aperture no shutter priority modes

Final Verdict

Buy ONE!!!!
This is a super easy-to-use Point and shoot camera with superb low light performance, wide focal length, superb handling and fine lens which is also very good for portraits and low lights.

If you have any question, please leave it in the comment section.

:::::Video Review coming soon::::::

Hands-on: Canon G11, SX120 IS, SX20 IS, and S980

While we were hoping to finally see the new Canon DSLR cameras, we were treated to a slew of new point-and-shoots that target specific camera users and that each show off uniqueness and individuality. The rundown includes the G11, SX20, SX110, S980 and S940. Though my hands-on time with each was very brief, here are my experiences.

Canon G11

The G11 is Canon’s new flagship point-and-shoot. It seems to share a lot in common with its highly raved about predecessor, the G10. The newer version has less megapixels than the predecessor to deliver cleaner images. New to the camera is a 2.8-inch vari-angle PureColor System LCD, new to the G-series, allowing for easier on-camera previewing and reviewing of images from nearly every angle, while still incorporating the optical viewfinder found on previous models. Because of this, the G10 may become a favorite of users who go to concerts often and want a camera that’s small with a decent zoom (5x Optical), can deliver cleaner images and will allow you to compose your shots easier. As with before, you can use a host of optional accessories, including Speedlite flashes, an underwater housing and a tele-converter lens to provide further photographic flexibility. Coupling all this with the option of RAW shooting will make this a very nice compliment to your 50D or 5D Mk II if you use flash often. Otherwise, you may want to go grab the S90.

Scheduled to be available in October, the PowerShot G11 Digital Camera retails for an estimated price of $499.99.

SX120 IS

The SX120 IS is the camera that students, travelers looking for a small camera that can zoom in (10x Optical), and enthusiasts looking for a camera with the option of manual controls may want to get their hands on. It seems almost identical to the SX110 IS, which I helped train someone on and that precedes this camera. People that aren’t tech savvy may enjoy this camera but may say that it’s still a bit too bulky for their liking. If you’re looking for something to throw around in your bag with a large zoom and can give you great manual control over your pictures, get this one.

Scheduled to be available in September, the PowerShot SX120 IS Digital Camera retails for an estimated price of $249.99. That’s not a terrible price at all for the camera.

Canon SX20 IS

The SX20 IS is the camera shown off today that looks like a DSLR and feels like one as well. As a shooter of an ancestor of this camera (the S5 IS) I can gladly say that this camera handles better as well as is much more feature packed than what we may expect only two years down the line. The SX20 IS has a 10.0MP sensor with a 20x Optical Zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilization helps to ensure images will be clear and how they were meant to be captured. Tourists and travelers may really enjoy the large 3.0-inch LCD that rotates for ease of composition. For the less tech savvy, there is an “Easy Mode” to make picture taking a snap! If you’re interested in this one, get your hands on some LiIon rechargeable AA batteries for easy power-up and replacement. However, like it’s predecessors it only shoots Standard Definition video–which shouldn’t be a problem for people that don’t care much about video at all.

Canon SD980

The PowerShot SD980 and SD940 (the latter I didn’t get a chance to try) are both ELPH series cameras that are meant more for the fashionista types out there. The S980 has a nice touchscreen with gestures like the iPhone. Remember a little while back when we talked about the tap-to-focus feature that the Apple iPhone 3GS had? Well that feature is in this now. If you’re composing your shot, you can tap on the screen and the camera will be able to focus on that spot immediately. In playback mode, the camera allows for gestures.

Slide your finger from right to left or left to right and you’ll be able to scroll through your images. Slide your finger down on the 3 inch touch panel and you’ll be able to erase the image. There are other gestures as well and the S980 is a much better take on other touchscreen cameras that I’ve seen out there. What would have been really nice would have been the addition of GPS, WiFi, etc. Either way, users will really enough the 720p HD video shooting capabilities plus HDMI output connector, a 5x Optical Zoom lens with an ultra-wide 24mm lens, plus Optical Image Stabilization, and the variety of colors it comes in.

Scheduled to be available in October, the PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH Camera retails for an estimated price of $329.99.

Canon G11 Hands on review by whatdigitalcamera.com

Canon S-90 Hands on Review by Whatdigitalcamera.com

Fuji 3D Camera Priced at $600, Coming in September

Fuji is right on schedule for the release of its dual-lens 3D camera in September, which won’t require special glasses to “get” the 3D effect. Time got some hands-on experience with a prototype of the new shooter and, overall, it looks pretty impressive. One of the other interesting tidbits, is that Fuji is planning on launching a print service in order to make the special 3D prints available. Again, no 3D glasses required.

Time also got word that the camera’s price should come in “around $600″ with the aforementioned 3D prints at $5 or less. 3D cameras have been tried before; however, the technological hurdles have never been as low as now. Fuji could really be onto something here and we could be looking at the tip of a very large iceberg.

Source Photographybay

Cybershot WAR : DSC H-50 vs. DSC HX-1

Now that most of the companies have replaced their Ultra zoom compact cameras, or Bridge cameras, Sony has introduced a new one but didn't replaced the old one.

I 'm asked a lot of times that what the difference between HX1 and H50 apparently they look the same and have the same value of megapixels, but HX-1 is considerably expensive.

Well that what i m here for, I went to "Sony World" and checked out the new HX-1 and then i compared it to my H-50 and now i ll explain all that here and in the end i ll give you my verdict.

First of all lets talk Sensor.

Sensor & Processor:
H-50 has a HAD CCD sensor with BionZ processor and HX-1 has a CMOS sensor with Exmor technology and of course a BionZ processor.
SO whats the deal with CMOS, well CMOS consume less power than the CCD and has better responsiveness too compared to the CCD, Plus CMOS sensors have double the sensitivity of CCD, which means less noise and better low light quality.

Lens and Zoom:
H-50 has a Carl Ziess Lens with 15x optical zoom, whereas HX-1 has a G Lens(Professional lens by Sony) with 20x optical zoom, HX-1's lens is both wider and tele than H-50's.

Performance:
H-50 is not a fast camera in any respect, But the use of Cmos has given sony the opportunity to increase the speed considerably. H-50 takes photos at about 1.4 fps HX-1 blows it away with 10 fps at full resolution. Plus the boot time of HX-1 is considerably less than of H-50.

Focusing:
Both cameras have 9 point auto focus and both performe the same in various conditions, which in my thought is pretty slow.

Movie Mode:
H-50 can record video in VGA(640x480) @ 30fps or @ 15fps whereas HX-1 has a monumental victory in this sector over H-50 by offering HD. HX-1 records at 1440x1080@30fps and also at 1280x720@30fps or the VGA mode as well. Not just the video that's been improved, the sound is not captured stereo unlike the H-50's mono and the mics are placed on the head to cover the whole surrounding rather than H-50 single mic on the left shoulder.

iAuto:
Intelligent Automode in the HX-1 can determine the automatic settings for the Auto mode much faster and much more accurate when compared to the H-50 so it's a heaven for the newbies and novice, by being a lot more forgiving than the simple AUTO in the H-50.

Misc.
HX-1 incorporates nearly all the features of H-50 and Raise them to a New level. The head line is the sweep panoramic mode which allows you to just sweep your camera accross 224 degrees and then it interlaces then into a 224degree panoramic photo. Then there is the blink assist and lots more.

Verdict:
At the end of the day HX-1 is a better camera but is it worth the money????
The Answer is Yes, Quality of both the video and images is better and the camera responses much faster than H-50 and it's a joy to use the HX-1, I 'd say buy it, Its worth the extra cash.

If you have a question, leave it in the comments or email me:
mahamza86@hotmail.com

Comparison: Sony HX1 vs Canon SX1S

I am always asked, which is the better camera, Canon SX1S or Sony HX1.
So instead of replying to everyone i decided to post it here.
Here it goes.

-Both sony and canon has same size of Sensor ,nearly(Sony's 1/2.4" vs Canon's 1/2.3"), both sensors are CMOS, but there is a difference, Sony has 9.1 Megapixel and canon has 10.1 Megapixel, That could be a crucial difference, you see the surface of the sensor is of same size, but canon has one million pixels more than sony which means the size of the pixels on sony is bigger than the ones on canon, that is a good thing, that means the pixels are bigger and more sensitive to light, that result in better low light performance and better colour saturation. SO Sony has this won BUT..

-Canon has the ability to shoot RAW pictures, Where as Sony takes only JPEG, that could be a good thing for a keen photographer, you see Jpegs are compressed so they loose a lot of detail, but when you have RAW files you can choose which detail to keep and vise-versa.

-Thirdly is the movie mode, both cameras do 1080p but there is a crucial difference. Aspect Ratio. Sony does 1440x1080p and Canon does 1920x1080p. Which means Canon does widescreen Full HD video and sony does letterbox Full HD video. Both cameras do stereo sound.

-Fourthly Speed. Sony is much faster. Sony can shoot 10fps on full resolution, Canon does 4fps.

-In terms of other features, Sony seems to have Canon Nicked. Sony has Panoramic sweep mode which is amazing, you can sweep the camera 224degree and it would lace all the pictures together automatically, Sony has anti blink function, smile detection,NightShot and many others, where canon has fully articultaed widescreen and.... thats it, Sony has better set of features.

_Both models have 20X zoom and built in pop-up flash, but Canon has Hot shoe for connecting extrnal speed Guns.

My Verdict:

If you are a keen photographer who want something closer to DSLR then go for Canon.
But if you are ordinary user who want more control and fun, then Sony is the best option.

If you have any question leave a comment.
or email me at mahamza86@hotmail.com