Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V

Released 2012

An 18.2-megapixel travel-zoom compact with a 24–384 mm equivalent lens, GPS logging and 1080i video.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.3-type
Megapixels: 18.2
Lens: 24–384 mm equivalent
Video: 1920 × 1080
Body weight: 204 g

What reviewers say

PhotographyBlog and Reviewed liked the versatile lens, clear screen and accessible controls, but noted burst-processing delays. They differed on image quality: PhotographyBlog praised results at low ISO; Reviewed found oversaturated colours, noise and weak edge detail. PhotographyBlog also found manual aperture choice limited and GPS slow to acquire satellites.

From photographyblog.com and reviewed.com

Product links

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/2.3-type
Sensor type: Back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Effective resolution: 18.2 MP
Largest image: 4896 × 3672
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–3200
Sensor detail: 1/2.3-type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS; 18.9 million total photosites. Optical format is not physical sensor size
Image formats: JPEG and MPF for 3D stills; Sweep Panorama stitches up to 10480×4096 independently of sensor resolution
ISO detail: Standard single-frame ISO100–3200; ISO6400 and12800 use image-overlay processing, with flash unavailable. Movie automatic equivalents ISO100–1000 or up to2000 in high-sensitivity mode
Image processor: BIONZ with D-Range Optimizer and multi-frame HDR/noise-reduction modes

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 24–384 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/3.3–5.9
Optical zoom: 16×
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 10 fps
Lens detail: Sony G lens: actual 4.28–68.48 mm, ten elements in seven groups including four aspherical elements. Stills 26–416 mm equivalent at 16:9. Movie 16:9 equivalents 25–400 mm Standard or 26–546 mm Active; digital Clear Image Zoom is not optical zoom
Autofocus: Nine-point multi-area, centre, spot, tracking and face-tracking AF; AF illuminator. Approximately 5 cm wide or 120 cm telephoto to infinity; no manual focus
Shutter: Mechanical: Intelligent Auto 4–1/1600 second, Program 1–1/1600, Manual 30–1/1600
Burst detail: Approximately 10 fps at full resolution, maximum ten frames; some modes unavailable and flash reduces rate. Processing pause follows burst. This is a finite burst, not sustained ten-fps shooting
Stabilisation detail: Optical SteadyShot for stills; Active movie mode combines optical and electronic correction
Flash: Motorised pop-up flash; ISO Auto range approximately 0.25–5.3 m wide or 1.2–2.9 m telephoto
Exposure controls: Program, Manual, Intelligent/Superior Auto, scene, background-defocus, picture-effect, panorama and 3D modes. Manual aperture gives two ND-filter settings rather than a continuously adjustable iris. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; exposure bracketing

Video

Highest video resolution: 1920 × 1080
Video detail: AVCHD 1920×1080 at50 i in PAL regions or60 i in NTSC regions, interlaced fields rather than50/60 progressive frames; 24 Mbps FX or17 Mbps FH. 1440×1080 HQ9 Mbps. MP4 1440×1080 at approximately30 progressive fps12 Mbps, 720p6 Mbps orVGA3 Mbps. Optical zoom while recording; approximately29-minute clip limit
Audio: Stereo built-in microphone; mono speaker; wind-noise reduction and microphone reference level settings

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: None
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 921,600
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed Xtra Fine3-inch TFT LCD, 921600 colour-subpixel dots; no viewfinder or touchscreen

Connections and design

Wi-Fi: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 340 photographs
Body weight: 204 g
Release detail: Sony Japan announced16March2012 sale, with other regional launch notices also planningMarch. Contemporary2012 tests and catalogue establish the sold generation; earliest worldwide actual first-sale month remains unresolved, so2012 year precision retained
Recording media: Approximately19 MB internal memory (exact maker/manual; PhotographyBlog11 MB statement conflicts). Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo, SD/SDHC/SDXC; compatible Memory Stick Micro/microSD/microSDHC require adapters. Movies need suitable Class4 SD or Mark2/PRO-HG media
Ports: MicroUSB2.0 and miniHDMI; TransferJet varies by regional model. No external microphone socket listed
Wireless connections: No built-in Wi-Fi; supported Eye-Fi memory cards are separate accessories. GPS, compass and GPS route logging built in; HX10 without V omits GPS
Battery life detail: NP-BG1 supplied, NP-FG1 optional; approximately340 images/170 minutes CIPA with GPS off. Movie85-minute total battery endurance is distinct from29-minute clip limit
Charging: In-camera microUSB charging: approximately175-minute full charge with supplied AC adapter from depleted battery at25°C. Computer USB charging supported. Supplied AC-UB10-series adapter powers playback; separately sold AC-UD10 also powers shooting
Dimensions: 104.7×59.7×33.8 mm width×height×depth, CIPA
Weight detail: 204 g body only; 234 g including NP-BG1 and Memory Stick Duo under CIPA conditions
Colours: Black; Japanese archive also lists white and red. Regional finishes differ
In the box: NP-BG1 battery, AC-UB10-series AC adapter, microUSB cable, wrist strap and instructions; mains adapter suffix varies by region

Pros and cons

Pros

24 mm equivalent wide-angle lens with 16x optical zoom
Built-in GPS and compass with route logging
Full-resolution 10 fps burst shooting

Cons

No RAW recording
No aperture/shutter priority or manual focus
Burst shooting stops after ten frames

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-H90	Compact	1/2.3-type	16.1	24–384 mm equivalent	1280 × 720 at 30 fps	192 g	2012
SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX20V	Compact	1/2.3-type	18.2	25–500 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	221 g	Mar 2012
SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX30V	Compact	1/2.3-type	18.2	25–500 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	221 g	Mar 2012

Sources

Photo: Sony

DSC-HX10V black,white and red finishes: Sony
White DSC-HX10V front three-quarter view: Sony
Red DSC-HX10V front three-quarter view: Sony
Black DSC-HX10V rear three-quarter view: Sony
White DSC-HX10V with separately sold fitted case and strap: Sony
White Sony DSC-HX10V lens and top-control details shown together: Sony
White Sony DSC-HX10V attached G-lens close-up: Sony
White Sony DSC-HX10V rear with a dog photograph displayed and a studio reflection: Sony
Black Sony DSC-HX10V held while framing people outdoors: Sony

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