Roaming Chinatown with the new Sony DSC-HX5V point-and-shoot camera (in 1080p HD video)

[SesamSolvere]

Tank you for sharing this.

[throughmyeyesonly]

ice video. Ive had this camera for about a half a year and its been a great travel camera. Only things I wish it had was more control on picture taking such as contrast, saturation. Also wish it had a 2.0 aperture.

Video overall is great; good stabilization, Whats also great is during night recording it is not prone to the light streaks from bright objects (CCD sensors from Panasonic.) Just wish the sound was better. Wish it had stereo and migrate the mics to the front of the camera.

[hospoki09imp]

After watching your video, it made me realized that the video quality of HX5V is crap. I thought it is far better than H55, although it produces less noise compared to H55 because HX5V has Exmor R CMOS Sensor. Sony produces low-quality digital still camera.

[hpaulmoon]

@hospoki09imp Compared to what? This is a point-and-shoot camera with a small sensor, and the footage was shot in low-light conditions (which was the whole point). Post footage from the camera you prefer and let us know how it goes for you.

[efadaei]

The low light filming on this camera is crap compared to the Panasonic ZS7 and even ZS3. I prefer the vibrate video of Panasonic ZS7 rather than the soft looking video of Sony.

[hpaulmoon]

@efadaei What is "vibrate video"?

[efadaei]

@hpaulmoon Sorry, it was a type. I meant that I prefer the vibrant and vivid videos of Panasonic rather than the soft and dim looking videos of Sony.

[excxflyr]

@efadaei

did you mean BITrate?

[marcemelliza]

Seems pretty dark to me, I watched side by side comparison of HX5v and Canon SX210 is and Canon was much brighter. What about low light still photos?

[hpaulmoon]

@marcemelliza That makes sense; the SX210 is a 1/2.3-inch sensor, and much larger than any other point-and-shoot. But that factor aside, the HX5V shoots much better video overall. I find the still light sensitivity to be more than adequate.

[marcemelliza]

@marcemelliza I bought the HX5v yesterday, I agree with you, overall a better camera. Thanks for your input and video.

[iammabbella]

I have seen many of this video, but nothing like this (no shaking, very bright).

Are u sure that u have taken this footage with HX5v....?

:-)

[hpaulmoon]

@iammabbella The stability is owing to Sony's proprietary "Steadyshot Active" technology (combination of gyroscopic and electronic image stabilization), and the brightness at night is owing to Sony's EXMOR sensor which re-arranges the normal order of layers on the "wafer." It's definitely just the HX5v, with no modifications!

[ChewmeBacon]

Have been looking for the optimum hybrid camera for travel, and taking with me always. This camera kicks some serious ass. This is the first time I have ever considered buying another camera than Canon. Was just about to order the Canon Powershot SX 200 IS, then this Sony showed up and kinda made the Canon seem a bit bit like a T-Ford =) low light capabilities seem to be exceptional for a compact. Surely nothing is close in the same size and pricerange as the Sony?

[mvytem2]

Wow. I'm sold. Seriously.

[ACMDevils]

hey, what memory card did u use ?

[hpaulmoon]

@ACMDevils 32gb Patriot Class 4 SDHC, just under $70 at Amazon. There's a lot of hype about minimum speeds on flash media, but Class 4 is more than sufficient for even the highest AVCHD modes on all cameras, such as 17 Mbps in AVCHD "FH" here.

[greekmonstervt91]

Ive been to the Verizon Center and those streets a dozen times!

[crapperjake]

Awesome display.

[Eternal2007]

I wonder how the Panasonic Tx7 compares?

[brody789]

Any chance you can take video at a loud club or gig/concert?

I want to know whether the mic has improved over my very below-par T900, which canot handle bass and low frequencies as it mashed the sounds into a distorted mess!

Your feedback will be greatly appreciated as this is the only thing holding me back from buying one.

[OnceAPunAThyme]

I am confused about this camera. Footage from the TX7 had awful barrel distortion. Latterly, though I have started to see that distortion in HX5V youtubes. Telegraph poles appear to have been bent by giants.

What's frustrating is that the video footage from this camera has been almost as good as the mighty Canon 550D/Rebel 2TI. Detail even apperas sharper. Damn barrel distortion.

I have been waiting SO long for this camera, I might have to go for it.

Enjoyed the video!

[hpaulmoon]

@OnceAPunAThyme The forte of the Sony camera is its EXMOR sensor, which increases low-light sensitivity rather dramatically by re-ordering the CMOS layers. That might ccount for the superior detail. Even so, I accidentally shot at 9 Mbps rather than 17 Mbps.

Regarding the barrel distortion, I suppose you may be referring to distortion from "zooming out" all the way. This camera goes to 25mm (based on a 35mm equivalent), a nice bonus; and FYI, I shot all that footage at the 25mm setting.

[OnceAPunAThyme]

Hi hpaulmoon, thank you for your response. Possibly there is some sample variance between batches - but your footage is encouraging. Obviously the Rebel T2i has many advantages, prime fixed focal length lenses,depth of field effects, 24fps film-like mode, etc, but the lack of sharpness has been a huge disappointment to me. I am thinking of using a compact as a stopgap until Panasonic release their GH2 in Sept.

I'm making a steadicam - but sony's steadyshot looks good! If only mic inputs!

[wawcoldfire]

@OnceAPunAThyme theres no way t2i beats the crap out of this camera especially in low light!!! dude, reality check. they dont compare ive seen both!

[OnceAPunAThyme]

@wawcoldfire At the time of my post I had seen some poor footage from the 550D T2i but, talking with other users, that lack of sharpness seems to be down to the kit lens, though much less bad with the 18 - 55mm lens. I have since seen some footage using prime lenses that is sharp-er. Comparison with with the HX5V is otherwise of course ludicrous.

I can't the jello effect of current rolling shutter models when panning but might get a T2I as a stopgap until the shutter-less Panasonic GH2.

[ryanonpiano]

Great video and looks really good quality, I am currently using the Panasonic TZ7 but thinking this video looks much better and sound quality is amazing. Are you happy with it

[hpaulmoon]

@ryanonpiano I'm overall disappointed in the quality, though I suspect (as you do) that it's best-in-class for point-and-shoot cameras. I had hoped for a run-and-gun alternative to my bulky EXMOR-based HD video camera (and the specs on this match at 1080i/60 which interpolates down to 1080p/30, and the AVCHD codec), but this is too grainy. And the audio is actually quite horrible, because the mics are just two top-firing holes next to the shutter. Granted, a boom on this would be ridiculous!

[riversdirect]

Nice video. Will you post another in top quality?

Thanks

[hpaulmoon]

@riversdirect I had simply forgotten to jack up the bitrate to 17 Mbps from 9, as I just got the camera yesterday. Simple mistake. Yet under these low-light conditions, I doubt the higher bitrate would make any visible improvement in comparison to the much larger extenuating factor of grain. It's also next to impossible to get white balance right with so many competing artificial light sources.

I'll throw up another sample video whenever I get a good daylight subject, using the proper 17 Mbps.

[hpaulmoon]

@riversdirect I've finally posted a daylight demo at the highest quality setting ("FH") of 17 Mbps, in the form of a video response linked here.