Sony Cyber shot DSC-HX digital camera: I’ve always owned Nikon but someone on the forum said they had this camera and even got award winning photos using this. I have a D850 with the...

Red Sky At Night

I’ve always owned Nikon but someone on the forum said they had this camera and even got award winning photos using this. I have a D850 with the trinity and love it but sometimes it’s just too much camera to haul around. I’m feeling my age and would like more of a point and shoot. Would this be a good one? I like the zoom and focus tracking as I enjoy shooting pictures of my active dogs, grandchildren, and horses (not necessarily in that order). I would love to hear from those of you who use this camera but am also open to other recommendations. Thanks in advance.

Bill_de Loc: US

I had a DSC-HX400V for a while. It did a very nice job when I didn't want to carry a DSLR. My nephew decided to take photography in high school and needed a camera. These shots are mine. My nephew did better.

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Red Sky At Night

Bill_de wrote:

I had a DSC-HX400V for a while. It did a very nice job when I didn't want to carry a DSLR. My nephew decided to take photography in high school and needed a camera. These shots are mine. My nephew did better.

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Very nice.

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

Red Sky At Night wrote:

I’ve always owned Nikon but someone on the forum s... (show quote)

When I am on vacation I only use my Sony HX99 camera. But it would not be a good choice for active subjects unless you went manual to make sure you are shooting fast enough to capture sharp images.
And, I have gotten award winning images with the HX99, but again, I do not shoot fast moving subjects. If I do, I use my Sony a9.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

I have a Nikon D5600 usually with an 18 - 200 mm lens on it as my primary camera. However, based on a friend's advice I purchased a Sony DSC-HX400V for my wife (well, I told her it was for her). The Sony has a Zeiss lens that zooms from 24mm to a whopping 1,200 mm. I couldn't believe it could take sharp pictures at that extension but it does, it has many of the features of a "real" DSLR like my Nikon and it's lightweight (unlike the Nikon with that big lens) and easy to use. I'm just a likely to grab that camera as my Nikon, when we're heading out and about. So in my opinion go for a camera like that; it's not a toy and although you can't change the lens, it'll do the job nicely.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Red Sky At Night wrote:

I’ve always owned Nikon but someone on the forum s... (show quote)

".... but am also open to other recommendations."

If you are looking at Sony, the next size up sensor is in the RX100 and RX10 series. Of course the larger sensor increases the size of the camera a bit, but performance and reviews are excellent. (I have the earliest RX100 and my wife has the latest RX10.)

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

The DSC-HX is actually a series of cameras in 2 categories, bridge and pocketable. All have a 1/2.3" sensor.

The DSC-HX400 is larger than the pocketables and is considered a bridge camera or mega-zoom. Its lens has a 35mm equivalent Fl range of 24-1200mm.

The 2 pocket types are the DSC-HX80 and DSC-HX99. Differences are in the Bluetooth, touchscreen, and slight difference in pixel count, as well as cost. The 99 came out later. Their zooms equiv range is 24-720mm.

Compare all 3 here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Sony_DSC-HX80_vs_Sony_DSC-HX99_vs_Sony_DSC-HX400V/BHitems/1237635-REG_1444249-REG_1029524-REG

There are other manufacturers that have similar models.

Red Sky At Night

billnikon wrote:

When I am on vacation I only use my Sony HX99 camera. But it would not be a good choice for active subjects unless you went manual to make sure you are shooting fast enough to capture sharp images.
And, I have gotten award winning images with the HX99, but again, I do not shoot fast moving subjects. If I do, I use my Sony a9.

Thank you. Very insightful.

Red Sky At Night

fourlocks wrote:

I have a Nikon D5600 usually with an 18 - 200 mm l... (show quote)

Thank you. I will look into this one.

Red Sky At Night

bsprague wrote:

".... but am also open to other recommendations."

If you are looking at Sony, the next size up sensor is in the RX100 and RX10 series. Of course the larger sensor increases the size of the camera a bit, but performance and reviews are excellent. (I have the earliest RX100 and my wife has the latest RX10.)

Thank you.

Red Sky At Night

PHRubin wrote:

The DSC-HX is actually a series of cameras in 2 ca... (show quote)

Thank you.

11bravo

I've humped my Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 (original model) on many foreign travels. Not a pocket camera, but it and a number of spare batteries fit in a LowePro shoulder bag. Full disclosure: there have been a few times when I've had to pass the bag to my travel companion after hiking up and down Chinese mountains all day, but I've been able to carry it the full day 99% of the time. 1" sensor, up to 400mm zoom. My travel companion likes her FZ300 - smaller sensor, more reach 600mm zoom.

FZ1000 as shot
FZ1000 as shot...

(Download)

FZ300 as shot
FZ300 as shot...

(Download)

FZ1000 as shot
FZ1000 as shot...

(Download)

Red Sky At Night

11bravo wrote:

I've humped my Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 (original model) on many foreign travels. Not a pocket camera, but it and a number of spare batteries fit in a LowePro shoulder bag. Full disclosure: there have been a few times when I've had to pass the bag to my travel companion after hiking up and down Chinese mountains all day, but I've been able to carry it the full day 99% of the time. 1" sensor, up to 400mm zoom. My travel companion likes her FZ300 - smaller sensor, more reach 600mm zoom.

Thanks for your suggestions. Nice pictures.