Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Digital Camera Review

Updated: June 21, 2012

A compact, GPS-equipped travel zoom that offers good photo quality (for most purposes), robust performance, a host of automatic and manual features, and 1060/60p video recording.

4 stars
(4 out of 5)

Overall, I enjoyed using the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V, and had the same response to it as I did to their HX200V super zoom. It’s a responsive, fun-to-use camera with some genuinely useful extra features (HDR, Anti Motion Blur, Sweep Panorama), a decent set of manual controls, and a top-notch movie mode. It’ll never win awards for its photo quality, though it’s super high resolution means that downsized photos look very good. If you’re looking for a GPS-equipped travel zoom camera, then the HX20V is well worth considering.

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Pros

Good photo quality for target audience
Packs a 20X zoom lens into a compact body
Optical image stabilization, with 3-way active mode for movies
Super-sharp 3-inch LCD display
Very snappy performance, especially autofocus
Good set of manual controls, which include white balance fine-tuning and bracketing
Two intelligent auto modes pick the scene mode for you
Built-in GPS with compass
Anti Motion Blur and Handheld Twilight modes produce usable photos in very low light situations
HDR feature dramatically improves image contrast
Fun sweep panorama feature (now with high res option), works in 2D and 3D
Continuous shooting as fast as 10 frames/second
Helpful in-camera guide
Records Full HD video at 1080/60p with stereo sound and use of optical zoom, continuous AF, and image stabilizer
Best-in-class battery life

Cons

Lots of detail smudging, even at ISO 100
Tends to underexpose — highlight clipping can be an issue at times
Redeye a problem, though it can be removed in playback mode
Only two apertures to choose from at any one time — no shutter or aperture priority modes, or RAW support
No manual controls in movie mode
Ten shot limit in burst mode, even at 2 frames/sec
Design annoyances: custom button hard to reach, controls on back of camera are small and cramped, no room for fingers when flash is raised, USB port on bottom of camera, memory card slot inaccessible when using tripod
Internal battery charger is slow, prevents you from charging a spare
Deafening beep sound when buttons are pressed (it can be turned off)
Full manual only available on the Internet