The biggest distinction between the 2 models is that the lens: the HX9V encompasses a 16x, f3.3-5.9, 24-384mm lens, whereas the HX30V gets a 20x, f3.2-5.8, 25-500mm lens -- all while not a major increase in size and weight.
In addition to the lens you get improved autofocus speeds and image stabilization; high-resolution stills whereas shooting video; new artistic effects; Sony's Clear Image Zoom, that digitally extends the zoom vary to 40x; improved GPS with logging; and a resolution bump from sixteen to eighteen megapixels.
Oh, and built-in Wi-Fi. And it works well, too, therefore you'll take a photograph you could not get with a smartphone, however then quickly use your iPhone or Android device to share it. however if you do not need Wi-Fi, you'll shave $20 off your purchase and find the HX20V instead.
So, will all of that create it the simplest compact megazoom? perhaps. sort of a ton of things, it comes right down to your desires and the way fat your wallet is.
Image quality
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V produces glorious photos each indoors and out for a compact megazoom, though pixel peepers most likely will not agree. If you are considering shopping for this rather than a high-resolution digital SLR, you would be disappointed. For the foremost half, shots look superb at fifty p.c to up to regarding seventy five p.c of their full 18-megapixel resolution. Above that, subjects can look a bit additional painterly and you will see additional noise and artifacts.That's still many usable resolution, though, significantly if you are shooting with smart lighting.
Below ISO four hundred, shots look smart printed up to 10x13, that is quite the general public want. obtaining a really smart 8x10 with some enlarging and cropping is definitely attainable, too. And if you never print your shots, the HX30V's photos look nice on a display screen or HDTV.
As the camera goes on top of ISO four hundred, subjects do get noticeably softer, however shots are usable at little sizes up to ISO 1600. If you wish higher low-light shots of still subjects, Sony's Handheld Twilight mode still produces a number of the simplest high-ISO photos I've seen from a point-and-shoot. i would not hassle using the 2 highest ISOs, though, as they appear additional like artist's renderings than photos and have off colours.
The default normal color mode produces pleasingly bright, vivid colours, however they could not be correct enough for a few users. If you wish additional correct colours, the HX30V will have a true color setting and 3 different color modes additionally to straightforward. There also are changes for distinction, saturation, and sharpness.
Movies captured by the HX30V are glorious likewise. The 1080/60p and image stabilization makes for a few swish movement. Shooting fast-moving subjects with a pocket camera generally ends up in ghosting and judder, however that is not the case here. If you are looking for one device for capturing photos and movie clips (it encompasses a 29-minute continuous recording limit), this is often one among the simplest choices accessible. The optical zoom will work whereas recording, though you will hear it moving in quiet scenes. The stereo mic created smart audio and within the menu system you'll notice settings for the mic level and wind noise reduction.
Shooting performance
One of the additional necessary enhancements Sony promised for the HX30V is quicker autofocus. Not that the HX9V was slow, however faster focusing is usually appreciated. The HX30V's shutter lag -- the time it takes from pressing the shutter unharness to capture while not prefocusing -- was zero.3 second in bright conditions, therefore shooting feels terribly quick. Even in low light-weight and with the lens extended it absolutely was nearly as quick at zero.4 second. From off to initial shot could be a fast one.5 seconds, though it did drop to one.8 seconds from shot to shot. It feels faster than that point suggests, though. the sole time it very lagged was when using the flash. That drove the shot-to-shot time up to a median of four seconds.
The camera's burst-shooting mode is officially capable of up to ten frames per second, however it truly averaged 11fps. However, this burst shooting sets focus and exposure with the primary shot, and once you have fired, you are stuck looking ahead to the camera to save lots of the photos, usually a second or 2 per photo.
In comparison, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 will shoot at up to 10fps while not continuous autofocus and 5fps with autofocus. Overall, though, the Sony's speed is great for a point-and-shoot.
If you are looking for one thing slim and light-weight, the HX30V isn't the camera for you. Still, all things thought-about it's remarkably compact and that i was able to keep it in my back pants pocket after I was out shooting with it.
Its larger size not solely makes area for the 20x zoom lens, however additionally for things just like the bright 3-inch ultrahigh-resolution LCD, creating it simple to examine and browse in daylight (though in direct sun you'll be wanting to crank the brightness). there is a nice rubberized grip on the front and therefore the thumb rest on the rear has identical texture. you will find a programmable Custom button on high that may be used for quick access to exposure compensation, ISO, white balance, metering, and Smile Shutter, Sony's smile-activated shutter unleash.
Menus are simple enough to navigate, and if you are not certain what one thing will, there is a full manual stored within the camera's memory. There is, however, such a lot packed into this camera that even seasoned camera users might need hassle remembering where some settings are or a way to use a specific feature. Anyone will decide it up, throw it into one in every of the auto modes, and obtain an honest shot, however to urge the foremost from the camera, you'll be wanting to dive into all of its settings and shooting choices.
As mentioned earlier, the HX30V has each built-in GPS and Wi-Fi. The GPS works terribly well; it never spent terribly long looking for a proof, even within the middle of town where the tall buildings will cause issues. However, it'll eat into your battery life (which is not all that long to start with) and Sony buries the GPS' power within the menu system.
As for the Wi-Fi, it works well, too, and it's pretty uncomplicated to line up. The Wi-Fi are often used to send photos to an iPhone or Android smartphone, hook up with a Wi-Fi-enabled TV for viewing, or make a copy your shots onto a laptop. Sony's PlayMemories Home software (embedded within the camera's internal memory) used for sending to a laptop is Windows solely, however you'll use the camera's Wi-Fi to attach on to a Mac rather than over a network. (This, by the way, also will enable you to convert AVCHD video files to MP4 format on the fly.) If you are not snug with poking around with basic wireless settings on your laptop or smartphone, you will likely wish to enlist the assistance of a techie friend to run you thru it.
Like all of Sony's higher-end cameras, the Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V encompasses a ton of shooting choices that benefit of its quick Exmor R sensors and Bionz image processors. For those that wish to leave it in auto, there are 3 options: simple, Intelligent Auto, and Superior Auto. simple mode takes away all choices apart from image size (large or small) and enlarges onscreen text. Intelligent Auto picks from thirty three scene sorts and activates face detection, dynamic vary optimization, and image stabilization. Superior Auto takes Intelligent Auto and adds 3 multishot modes: Handheld Twilight, Anti Motion Blur, and Backlight Correction HDR. These multishot modes may be selected as distinct modes in Scene choices, together with twelve others like Soft Skin, Gourmet, and Pet.
If you are willing to require management removed from the camera, there are a Program mode and a Manual mode with management over aperture and shutter speed. It's restricted to 2 aperture settings every at the wide and telephoto ends (using a neutral density filter); f3.2 and f8 for wide and f5.8 and f14 for telephoto. There are some a lot of sets of stops offered through the zoom vary, too. Shutter speeds are adjustable from 1/1,600 second to thirty seconds. It would've been nice to own aperture-priority and shutter-priority modes moreover, however some management is healthier than none in any respect. The Program mode can handle shutter speed and aperture whereas you are taking care of everything else, as well as color modes, contrast, color saturation, and sharpness. If you come back up with a bunch of settings you wish, the Memory Recall mode permits you to store 3 teams of settings for fast shooting along with your preferences.
The HX30V's movie mode is concerning the most effective you will find on any point-and-shoot. It's capable of recording in full HD at 1080/60p at 28Mbps in AVCHD. it's going to record at lower bit rates, too, in AVCHD otherwise you will switch to MP4 format at resolutions of up to one,440x1,080 pixels. whereas there's a passionate movie mode, you'll additionally simply press the record button anytime you wish to start out shooting. Pressing the shutter unleash whereas you are recording can grab 13-megapixel stills, too.
Conclusion:
If you are when a compact megazoom that will almost about everything well, the Sony Cyber-shot HX30V is maybe the one for you. It's expensive, however you are doing get plenty of camera for that money. However, if you are when a lot of management and slightly higher photo quality, verify the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS. want faster shooting performance and much of burst-shooting options? contemplate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 instead.
Camera
Camera sort : High Zoom O
ptics/Lens
Lens sort : Sony G
Aperture : f three.2-5.8
Optical Zoom : 20x
Focal Length (35mm equivalent) : Still 16:9: twenty seven.5-550mm / Still 4:3: 25-500mm / Movie 16:9: twenty seven.5-550mm(SteadyShot Standard), 28-784mm(SteadyShot Active) / Movie 4:3: 34-680mm(SteadyShot Standard), 35-980mm(SteadyShot Active)
Lens Construction : twelve components in nine teams
Minimum Focus Distance : iAuto:AF(W:Approx.1cm(0.03') to Infinity,
T:Approx.170cm(5.58') to Infinity) / Program Auto:AF(W:Approx.1cm(0.03') to
Infinity, T:Approx.170cm(5.58') to Infinity)
Aspheric components : four
Clear Image Zoom : 40x
Steady Shot Mode:Active : Yes
Exposure System
Metering Modes : Multi Pattern / Center Weighted / Spot
Exposure Compensation : and / Minus a pair of.0EV, one / 3EV step
Scene Mode(s) : High Sensitivity / Soft snap / Soft Skin / Landscape / Night
Portrait / Night Scene / Handheld Twilight / connoisseur / Beach / Snow / Fireworks / Pet mode /Anti-motion blur / Backlight Correction HDR / Advanced sports
shooting
D-Range Optimizer : customary
ISO : Auto / a hundred / two hundred / four hundred / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400 / 12800
White Balance Mode : Auto (Intelligent) / Daylight / Cloudy / Fluorescent one (White Fluorescent Lighting) / Fluorescent a pair of (Natural White Fluorescent Lighting) / Fluorescent three (Day White Fluorescent Lighting) / Incandescent / Flash / One Push, One Push Set / White Balance Shift
Convenience options
Red-Eye Reduction : Auto / On / Off
Erase/Protect : Erase: Single / choose / Date / Folder / AVCHD, Protect: Single / choose / Date / Folder / AVCHD
Weights and Measurements
Dimensions (Approx.) : four one/4" x a pair of 1/2" x 1 3/8" (106.6 x 61.9 x 34.6mm)
Weight (Approx.) : 9.0oz (254g)
Weight(Approx) (Main unit only) : a pair of.7oz (221g)
Imaging Sensor
Imaging Sensor : 1/2.3" Exmor® R CMOS Sensor
Processor : BIONZ®
Pixel Gross : eighteen.9MP
Effective image Resolution : eighteen.2MP
Color Filter System : RGB primary color filters
LCD show
LCD sort : three.0” Xtra Fine LCD™ TruBlack™ show (921K dots)
Brightness management : 5(Bright) / four / 3(Normal) / two / 1(Dark)
Histogram : Yes
Grid show : Yes (Off / On)
Drive System
Self-timer : Off / 10sec. / 2sec. / portrait1 / portrait2
Shutter Speeds : iAuto(4" - 1/1600) / Program Auto(1" - 1/1600) / Manual(30" - 1/1600)
Burst Mode : Approx ten fps at eighteen.2MP (Maximum ten shots)
Advanced options
Anti Motion Blur : Yes
Sweep Panorama : Intelligent Sweep Panorama / 3D Sweep Panorama
Face Detection : eight Faces (Auto / Off / kid Priority / Adult Priority / Key
Selected Face Memory)
Smile Shutter™ technology : Yes
Image Stabilization : Optical SteadyShot™ with 3-way Active Mode Image Stabilization
In-Camera Editing : Trimming / Red Eye Correction / Unsharp Masking
Intelligent Auto : Yes
Shooting Tips : Yes
Background Defocus : Yes
Tracking Focus : Off / Auto
Blink Detection : Yes
Photo Creativity : Yes
Picture Effects : HDR Painting / Richtone Monochrome / Miniature / Toy camera /
Pop Color / Partial Color / Soft High-key / Watercolor / Illustration
Power
Battery sort : LITHIUM ION NP-BG1 three.6V
Battery capability : typical:3.4Wh(960mAh), minimum:3.3Wh(910mAh)
Power Consumption (in Operation) : Approx. 1.1W
Power necessities : AC 100V to 240V, 50/60 Hz, 70mA
Recording
Media kind : optional “Memory Stick Duo” (No movie recording), optional “Memory Stick professional Duo” (Mark two just for movie recording), optional “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo”, optional SD Memory Card (Class four or higher), optional SDHC Memory Card (Class four or higher), optional SDXC Memory Card (Class four or higher)
Still Image Max Effective Resolution : Approx. 18.2 Megapixels
Still Image Size 16:9 : 13M(4,896×2,752) / 2M(1,920 x 1,080)
Still Image Size 4:3 : 18M(4,896×3,672) / 10M(3,648 x 2,736) / 5M(2,592 x 1,944) / VGA
Panorama Still Image Size : Sweep Panorama:HR(10,480 x 4,096) / Wide(7,152 x 1,080/4,912 x 1,920) / Standard(4,912 x 1,080/3,424 x 1,920)
Sweep Multi Angle Image Size : 2M (1,920 x 1,080)
Video Mode : AVCHD 60i:28M PS(1,920×1,080/60p)/24M FX/17M FH(1,920×1,080/60i)/9M HQ(1,440×1,080/60i),MP4:12M(1,440×1,080/30fps)/6M(1,280×720/30fps)/3M
VGA(640×480/30fps)
Photo Capture from Movie : Yes
Dual Record : Yes
Audio Format : AC3 (Stereo)
Microphone/Speaker : Stereo/mono
Wind Noise Reduction : Off/on
Focus management
AF Modes : Multi purpose AF / Center Weighted AF / versatile Spot AF / Manual / Semi Manual / Tracking Focus / Face Tracking Focus
AF Illuminator : Auto / Off
Flash
Flash Modes : Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off
Flash Coverage : ISO Auto: Approx.0.4m to 7.1m(1 feet three three/4 inches to
twenty three feet 3 5/8 inches)(W) / Approx.1.7m to 3.9 m(5feet seven inches to
twelve feet nine 5/8 inches)(T), ISO3200: up to Approx.10.0 m(32 feet nine 3/4
inches)(W) / Approx.5.5 m(18 feet five/8 inches)(T)
Interface
Memory Card Slot : MS pair and SD/SDHC/SDXC Compatible
HD Output : Mini HDMI
USB Port(s) : Micro USB, Hi-Speed USB(USB2.0)
TransferJet : Send: Yes, Receive: Yes
In the Box
Micro USB Cable
Battery (NP-BG1)
Wrist Strap
AC Adaptor ACUB10
Instruction Manual
