Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V 10.2 MP CMOS 10x Wide-Angle Zoom Digital Camera with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 Inch LCD

I was interested in both the TX7 and the HX5V because of the HDR and low-light features. I couldn't make up my mind from the specs alone so I bought both, with the intent of giving one of them to my son as a graduation present.I have separately reviewed the TX7, and there I give my take on these two features, which are identical for the two cameras. In this review I'll just focus on the differences between the two. There are three major ones: size, interface, and zoom range.Curiously, despite the vastly different lens design, I could see no difference in the optical performance. You can check this out yourself by visiting [...] and taking a look at the full-size samples of the HX5V and the TX5 (the TX7 has not been yet reviewed as I write this, but the lens is the same as that on the TX5). Both are at the top of the compact class , especially at higher ISOs.As to size, the HX5V appears bulky next to the slim TX7. The real difference is in the thickness. It's quite noticeable when the cameras are sitting side-by-side. The HX5V is heavier, but in actual use this isn't very noticeable. Both cameras fit easily into your pants pocket. The TX7 will also fit into your shirt pocket.Interestingly, I found that the HX5V's greater thickness is an asset while shooting. It feels more comfortable in the hands. I hold the camera in my left hand with the thumb and index finger. When shooting with the TX7 it's very easy for my left middle finger to drift over the lens, ruining the shot if I'm not paying attention to the screen (easy to do in bright sunlight). Not so for the HX5V, since the protruding lens in the shooting mode prevents this.In my TX7 review I say how much I like the touchscreen in that camera. The HX5V has the traditional button navigation. I much prefer the touchscreen. It's a lot quicker. However, the navigation on the HX5V is definitely better than on my previous compact, a Canon SD700IS. Also, as with the TX7, the text and icons are clean and very readable, even with my poor eyesight.The TX7 has a 920MP screen, while the HX5V's screen has only 230MP. You'd think there would be a noticeable difference between the two, but even looking at them side-by-side I don't see much of any.Another difference is the shutter release. In the HX5V it's a round button, which is much better than the tiny thin bar on the TX7. However, the button is located next to the control wheel, which is also round. In fact, the wheel is on the right, where you'd normally expect to find the shutter release. I found myself pressing on this a few times, vainly trying to take a shot.It's the zoom where the HX5V really shines. The 25mm-250mm range is a great range (though with Samsung's HZ35W and HZ30W you get a whopping 24mm-360mm). What's more, the HX5V's resolution is sharp at all focal lengths. My SD700IS is a little soft at its maximum.To really test the HX5V at its maximum 250mm focal length I compared it to my DSLR (a Canon 20D, circa 2004) with a Canon 300mm EF 4.0 L lens. The L-series Canon lenses are the white-bodied lenses you see professional sports photographers using. They are top-of-the-line. Many years ago I foolishly spent nearly $1000 to buy a used one on e-Bay. It's very, very sharp.I took shots with both cameras mounted on a tripod, using the self-timer to minimize shake. Compared to the Canon combo the HX5V looked like a rowboat sitting next to a battleship. In taking the shots I adjusted the camera-to-target position to account for the different focal lengths (the effective focal length of the 300mm lens with the 20D's sensor is huge) so that the image in the viewfinder or on the screen was roughly the same. The target was a box of fertilizer, with lots of fine print. Both cameras were set to their lowest ISO settings.On the monitor they looked the same, even at large magnifications, but the proof is in the printing. So I first made a moderately cropped 8x10 print of the image produced by each camera (the uncropped prints would have been about 11x14). I could see no difference between the two. I then did severely cropped 8x10s, where the uncropped prints would have been roughly 16x20. Again, no difference.I kept at it, making prints at huge magnifications. I was feeling like the guy in Antonioni's Blow Up. I made 8x10s of a tiny portion of the image, where the uncropped print would be a giant 32x40--essentially a poster. At this level the HX5V showed some haloing around the details, but the sharpness was the same.I was amazed by this. I would have bet money that at some point the Canon combo would have been sharper, but the facts are the facts.Which leads me to give some advice. If you're reading this review you've probably already settled on a compact camera, but if you're considering a DSLR I think you should stick with the compact. I wouldn't have said this a few years ago. I've had a couple of film compacts over my life, but rarely used them because the quality was not as good as the bigger camera. That's not true anymore. Yes, a DSLR has certain advantages over a compact, but to me they pale next to the one fundamental truism in photography: a camera in your pocket is worth a lot more than a camera sitting at home on the shelf. We should all get into the habit of slipping a little camera like the HX5V or the TX7 into our pocket or purse each day, just like a wallet or car keys.So, which camera am I going to keep? I'm embarrassed to say that I can't seem to part with either. I guess I'll get my son something else for graduation.

We were hiking the Great Wall of China with this camera and it quit working on the drive back to the hotel. It left us high and dry for the rest of the trip.After sending it to Sony's repair contractor, I was told it had water damage and would not be repaired as it was no longer under warranty.I called Sony and explained I was in a hot humid environment and the only moisture it was exposed to was incidental human sweat.They said they would repair it and told me to call the repair center to set up a repair. The repair center said the camera repair would cost more than it was worth and to call Sony back.So I called them back and had to go over everything again. This rep said if there was moisture in it the warranty was voided.Sony is unwilling to back up their product(after the first rep agreed it should be repaired under warranty).Warning, if you use this camera while it is hot and humid and somehow or another it gets a few drops of sweat on it, it may very well quit working and you will not get it repaired.Also, while it was working, the GPS was very slow to acquire, it might take 30 minutes or more if you move a far distance between pictures.

I have had this camera for a couple of years now and I use it all the time. I probably should have rated this camera a 5 star, but I spent over a year being frustrated due to the lack of finding an SD card that would allow me to take movies with the camera. This camera not only takes still pictures but also HD movies. The problem is that HD movies require a lot of storage. I purchased a Patriot 32 GB SD card and it did not work in the camera. A lot has been written about this problem and there are many like me who felt I was suckered in to buying this by reading the Users Manual and figuring I could buy any Class 10 SD card and all would be fine. Luckily several months ago I found a special price on a Sony SD HC SF-32NX Class 10 32 GB card which I bought. I placed it in the camera and I can take pictures and movies. However, when I put it in my PC (Windows 7) it suggests I reformat the card. I ALWAYS say NO and I can then download the pictures and movies. In the picture mode I love the iSweep Panorama setting when taking pictures of a large group of people. However, once in a while it does not connect the segments properly and one person's face can get distorted. The solution is to take multiple pictures of the group and hope that you get one with a good scan. The camera size is great for me as I can put it in my shirt pocket and walk around hands-free not having to lug around a camera. The low light setting is not bad, but I have seen other people with different cameras taking brighter pictures in the same low light setting. Overall I am happy with this camera now that I can take a movie or two during times when pictures alone do not capture the moment. If I were to purchase this camera today I would make sure that I can also purchase a 32 GB Sony SD card at a reasonable price along with it. I do not know why the non-Sony cards do not work with this camera but I found only my 1 GB and 2 GB non-Sony SD cards work for me.