Sony DSC HX99 camera: Do any of you shoot the pocket-sized Sony DSC HX99 camera, and if so, what is your opinion of the 1/2.3 sensor? I currently use the RX100m6 with a 1" sensor, and...

Flying Three Loc: Berthoud, CO

Do any of you shoot the pocket-sized Sony DSC HX99 camera, and if so, what is your opinion of the 1/2.3 sensor? I currently use the RX100m6 with a 1" sensor, and wondered about the difference in image quality.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Flying Three wrote:

Do any of you shoot the pocket-sized Sony DSC HX99 camera, and if so, what is your opinion of the 1/2.3 sensor? I currently use the RX100m6 with a 1" sensor, and wondered about the difference in image quality.

Billnikon has mentioned this camera on this forum quite a few times, that I took notice of it. I own a Sony 20 megapixels cypershot pocket camera, that is now 5 years old. It has the tiny 1/2.3" sensor. But, only shoots JPEG. The HX99 shoots JPEG and RAW. And, from the photos posted on this forum. It more than passes the test for sharpness. With the fixed Zeiss lens.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Flying Three wrote:

Do any of you shoot the pocket-sized Sony DSC HX99 camera, and if so, what is your opinion of the 1/2.3 sensor? I currently use the RX100m6 with a 1" sensor, and wondered about the difference in image quality.

I have the original version, the HX-50 which Imaging Resource shows as having slightly better IQ than the later models such as the 99.

I also have the RX10 IV which has almost the identical sensor to the RX100.

Bottom line: I sometimes get a very nice picture with the -50 but there is really no comparison to the RX10. If IQ is the decider, go with the RX100 or RX10. For a much longer zoom, go with the 99.

These are from the HX-50. You can find literally thousands of excellent pics taken with the RX10/100. A note about the EXIF: the focal length is the true, physical one, not the "equivalent" one.

(Download)

Flying Three Loc: Berthoud, CO

Thanks mas24. I'll look up billnikon posts and see what he says. Thanks.

Flying Three Loc: Berthoud, CO

a6k: thanks for the detailed information. I notice some pixilation on download of the pictures you sent, which might be a clue. I like the RX100 M6 that I have, just wish it had a little more zoom. I recently rented the Rx10iv and liked the camera a lot, but it is just too heavy in my hand at this point in my life.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Flying Three wrote:

Do any of you shoot the pocket-sized Sony DSC HX99 camera, and if so, what is your opinion of the 1/2.3 sensor? I currently use the RX100m6 with a 1" sensor, and wondered about the difference in image quality.

I have enlarged many images to 20X30 canvas and/or 16X24 framed prints without an issue. This is my main travel camera when I go on holiday. I carry nothing else. You can do RAW with it if you want. A 24-750 MM Zeiss lens covers everything. I carry mine in a belt pouch and I am hands free to enjoy my trips.
Below are some examples of the Sony DSC HX series camera's.
First is a shot from Venice Italy and the second is a shot from the Rhine River, and the third shot is from NYC. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

Flying Three wrote:

Do any of you shoot the pocket-sized Sony DSC HX99 camera, and if so, what is your opinion of the 1/2.3 sensor? I currently use the RX100m6 with a 1" sensor, and wondered about the difference in image quality.

Throughout the SLR film period I got sick of the load around my neck. I went to the pocket size of them. I was a Pentax lover then, till it let me down on a holiday.
When digital arrived I went for Sony in DSCT 100 I think first. Then upped it to the DSCT300, then again to DSCT20, each model had better features,in fact I still have them. 4 in all, Wife uses one, I still have one as a standby, but expanded my horizons to an A77 mk2 to get back into big cameras.
But for a few years I loved the convenience of compact & they took a pretty fair picture. Bigger res as they modernised. I just love the Sony technology. The convenience of pocket size is great, but not quite as flexible as big ones.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Life is a trade-off. A 1/2.3" sensor will be (given the same technology) less sensitive to light and therefore have more noise than larger ones. This is only a problem when working in low light. Older models are usually worse than newer ones. Other than that, IQ should be determined by the pixel count. However, because it is smaller than the 1" sensor they can make a lens with greater zoom range.

So which is more important, low light performance or zoom range? That is a personal decision and is up to you to decide. I have 1 camera with a 1/2.3" and another with a 1" that I use when not wanting to carry my DSLR.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Flying Three wrote:

Do any of you shoot the pocket-sized Sony DSC HX99 camera, and if so, what is your opinion of the 1/2.3 sensor? I currently use the RX100m6 with a 1" sensor, and wondered about the difference in image quality.

I had that camera for a short time and returned it. It felt like a toy. The buttons were small and not very user friendly. The picture quality wasn’t on par with my RX100 and the auto focus was slow.

YMMV

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

GrandmaG wrote:

I had that camera for a short time and returned it. It felt like a toy. The buttons were small and not very user friendly. The picture quality wasn’t on par with my RX100 and the auto focus was slow.

YMMV

I wish to point out that the buttons on your RX100 are in fact the same size as the ones on the HR series camera's. The menu's are almost identical. I find your comparison lacking any factual basis.
I have found that the image quality of my HX99 and HX 90 are very comparable to the results I get from my RX100 II, III, and IV series camera's.
I have also found since I am not doing sports or wildlife with my pocket camera's and that the focusing speed on both series Sony camera's are again very comparable.

sailwiz Loc: Santee, CA

I dearly love my HX99. It is with me wherever I go and has never let me down. I think the image quality is outstanding.

Flying Three Loc: Berthoud, CO

Wonderful information from all. Thanks you so much. Now, for the thinking and decision part.