Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V

Released March 2011

A pocket travel-zoom camera with a 24–384 mm equivalent G lens, GPS and progressive Full HD video.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.3-type
Megapixels: 16.2
Lens: 24–384 mm equivalent
Video: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Body weight: 215 g

What reviewers say

Photography Blog and dkamera praised the versatile zoom, grip, detailed screen and Full HD video. Both found manual exposure restricted and image processing softened detail. Photography Blog judged ISO 100–800 results good; dkamera saw daylight detail loss from ISO 400 and earlier in low light. They also reported burst-write delays and some video-control lag.

From photographyblog.com, dkamera.de and dkamera.de

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: 16.2 MP
Largest image: 4608 × 3456
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–3200
Sensor detail: 1/2.3-type progressive-scan Exmor R CMOS; 16.8 million total and 16.2 million effective photosites. Optical format is distinct from physical sensor dimensions
Image formats: JPEG still images and MPF 3D images; no RAW. High-resolution Sweep Panorama produces stitched 10480 × 4096 images, distinct from single-frame resolution
Image processor: BIONZ

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; 10 elements in 7 groups including 4 aspherical elements. Equivalent range is 24–384 mm for 4:3 stills and 26–416 mm for 16:9 stills
Autofocus: Nine-area multi AF, centre AF, flexible spot, tracking, semi-manual and manual focus; AF illuminator. Focus distance from lens front approximately 5 cm at wide angle and 120 cm at telephoto
Shutter: Auto 2–1/1600 second, Program 1–1/1600 and Manual 30–1/1600
Burst detail: Up to ten full-resolution images at 10 fps, or up to 2 fps in Low mode. Focus, white balance and exposure are fixed from the first frame and flash is disabled. Internal-memory bursts are VGA; a compatible memory card is needed for full-resolution bursts
Stabilisation detail: Optical SteadyShot with Standard and Active movie modes; the movie field of view changes with stabilisation mode
Flash: Built-in pop-up flash; Auto, forced, off and slow-sync modes. ISO Auto range approximately 0.25–5.6 m wide and 1.2–3 m telephoto
Exposure controls: Intelligent Auto, Superior Auto, Program and Manual plus scene modes; no aperture or shutter priority. Manual selects f/3.3 or f/8 at wide angle and f/5.9 or f/14 at telephoto using an internal ND filter. Multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps

Video

Highest video resolution: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detail: Region-dependent 1920 × 1080 at 60p or 50p, 28 Mbps; the main frame rate represents the 60p-compatible version. FX and FH record 1920 × 1080 at 60i or 50i, 24 or 17 Mbps; HQ records 1440 × 1080 interlaced at 9 Mbps. Interlaced rates count fields, not progressive frames. MP4 records 1440 × 1080, 1280 × 720 or VGA at 30 fps or 25 fps according to region; optical zoom available while filming
Audio: Built-in stereo microphone and mono playback speaker; Dolby Digital audio for AVCHD and AAC for MP4

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: None
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 921,000
Touchscreen: No
Display detail: Fixed Xtra Fine TFT LCD with approximately 921000 dots and adjustable brightness; no viewfinder

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 300 photographs
Body weight: 215 g
Release detail: Sony Japan's original 7 February 2011 announcement specifies sale on 11 March 2011. March precision is retained without treating that Japanese day as a confirmed international first day; Sony Hong Kong specifies mid-April 2011
Recording media: Approximately 19 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo plus SD, SDHC and SDXC
Ports: Proprietary multi terminal for USB, AV and DC input; Hi-Speed USB 2.0; separate mini HDMI terminal
Wireless connections: GPS and digital compass record position and shooting direction. TransferJet requires a compatible optional Memory Stick; Eye-Fi card support is distinct from built-in Wi-Fi
Battery life detail: NP-BG1 supplied; NP-FG1 also supported. Maker CIPA claim approximately 300 photographs or 150 minutes; continuous movie recording approximately 70 minutes
Charging: USB charging through the supplied AC adapter; USB power supply also supported during playback
Dimensions: Approximately 104.8 × 59 × 33.9 mm (width × height × depth)
Weight detail: Approximately 215 g camera only, or 245 g including NP-BG1 and Memory Stick Duo
Colours: Black and gold in Sony Japan's announcement; official photograph shows both finishes
In the box: NP-BG1 battery, AC adapter, multi USB cable, wrist strap, software CD and instructions; mains fittings vary by region

Pros and cons

Pros

Stabilised 16× optical zoom starting at 24 mm equivalent
Full HD progressive video with optical zoom and stereo audio
GPS geotagging and a digital compass

Cons

No RAW recording or viewfinder
Manual exposure offers only two aperture settings
Full-speed bursts stop after ten photographs

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-W570	Compact	1/2.3-type	16.1	25–125 mm equivalent	1280 × 720 at 30 fps	100 g	2011
SonyCyber-shot DSC-WX10	Compact	1/2.3-type	16.2	24–168 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080 at 30 fps	132 g	2011
SonyCyber-shot DSC-WX7	Compact	1/2.3-type	16.2	25–125 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080 at 30 fps	103 g	2011

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V, shutter, zoom lever and mode-dial close-up: Sony Japan exact DSC-HX9V native600×450 physical control close-up; source-cropped framing and complete supplied white background retained; no masking or trimming
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V in black, front three-quarter view: Sony Japan exact-model image index published original740×555; named finish/configuration; complete supplied white background and canvas retained; no masking or trimming
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V in gold, front three-quarter view: Sony Japan exact-model image index published original740×555; named finish/configuration; complete supplied white background and canvas retained; no masking or trimming
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V in black, rear display and controls: Sony Japan exact-model image index published original740×555; named finish/configuration; complete supplied white background and canvas retained; no masking or trimming
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V in gold, rear display and controls: Sony Japan exact-model image index published original740×555; named finish/configuration; complete supplied white background and canvas retained; no masking or trimming
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V in black, front with built-in flash raised: Sony Japan exact-model image index published original740×555; named finish/configuration; complete supplied white background and canvas retained; no masking or trimming
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V attached G lens detail: Sony Japan exact-model published photograph; full supplied source canvas/background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V rear display detail: Sony Japan exact-model published photograph; full supplied source canvas/background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V physical design detail composition: Sony Japan exact-model published photograph; full supplied source canvas/background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V mounted on supplied stand: Sony Japan exact-model published photograph; full supplied source canvas/background retained

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