Sony Cyber-shot HX99 Review

The Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is a compact travel zoom camera, with an impressive 28/30x optical zoom lens*. It updates the HX90 , with 4K video, raw shooting, and has eye focus AF, a touch screen, and there's 10fps continuous shooting, plus a control ring around the lens.

Compact 30x optical zoom camera; 4K video recording; Built-in electronic viewfinder; Tilting touch-screen; High-speed FullHD video (120fps

MicroSD slot (may not be to everyone's liking; More noise in images than the previous camera (HX90; Small size means some buttons are fiddly; High price

Disappointment

Still trying to work with this camera but so far I'm not liking it. In auto focus, it not easy to get it to lock in onto the subject and the moment can be lost . Just wish the focus area could be change while in auto, so far it stays in wide mode and I would like it to be centered mode so I could...

Nice picture when auto focus locks in

Auto focus; view finder and no AC charger

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99

If you want the type of telephoto reach required for songbirds, raptors, deer, bears, soccer, baseball, and other subjects you tend to capture from a great distance, but don't want to deal with interchangable lenses, consider a bridge camera instead.

Pop-up EVF; 30x zoom range; Flip-up, touch LCD; Speedy autofocus; EVF and flash; Raw support; 4K video

Unattractive flare; Dim f-stop limits low-light photography; Shaky handheld video; Cramped EVF; Unresponsive when writing images to memory; Requires microSDXC for full video experience

There are many things we appreciate about the Sony HX99. For a small and very affordable compact camera that slips easily in your pocket, it is loaded with features people might typically look for in a higher end body.

Sleek and fits in your pocket; Vibrant and sharp images; Incredible zoom; Several video formats on hand; Uncropped 4K at up to 30fps; Optical SteadyShot is fantastic; Affordable; Beautiful LCD with touchscreen functionalities; RAW format available; Fast EyeAF; Customizable control ring; Affordable...

Poor noise handling; AF not so accurate; Metering a little off; Highest ISO sensitivity at 6400; No weatherproofing; Battery life is only ok; Viewfinder is tiny