Finally, a camera upgrade, this time to the new Song Cybershot DSC-HX1 Camera. Though in the superzoom bridge cameras department and not a professional DSLR camera, it does have some nice features and gadgets that make up for the image quality.
(Obviously, a promotional video, but it shows the highlights)
Key specs:
Without doubt, one of the most attractive features of this camera – aside from the zoom – is the "Sweep Panorama Mode" (see at 1:04). While it took me forever to do panoramas with any of the other cameras I’ve used, this camera makes it ridiculously effortless. High definition (+-) videos are there too, if you’re really into heavy videoing.
So, to test it out a bit, here’s a panorama I took of my university (Hong Kong’s HKUST), shot from two locations, and after a Picasa compression to 1600px (click on the photo and wait while it loads to see the full image).
Wide
Standard
Wide
Standard
To my unprofessional taste, being able to pull off this kind of panorama in 2 seconds is totally insane. This has to be a standard feature in all cameras.
In HK, the cost of this camera varies, depending on where you’re buying. Since I’m a foreigner and lacking expertise in the local market where fakes are more common than not, I went for the safer Broadway retailer choice. Surprisingly, showing them prices of other stores and asking them to re-evaluate their offers tends to lower the price a bit (~5-10%) and add a few small goodies.
Received: Camera, tripod, 8GB memory, extra battery, the camera with all the regular accessories and software.
Price: 3760HK$ ~ 485US$ . Compare that with Amazon’s.
Sample reviews : DPReview, CNet . Generally, professional photographers are happy with the new features, but are not pleased with image quality. Honestly, having played with plenty of bridge camera, I don’t think average people like myself notice the differences. :S
A nice little toy. Hopefully, something to boost my quick travel photography a bit till I go for the real thing.
John | June 16th, 2009 at 9:32 am #
It’s about time man. I am saving for a D90. HD video and killer pics.
Now you’ll have to take more photos and videos. I recently watched the video I took, the one of you getting drunk at the little pub near your house. Good times. Hahaha…
Fili | June 16th, 2009 at 9:43 am #
John – DSLRs are massive cameras and insanely expensive with relatively little return on investment for the average photographer. Lens are an issue, too. D90 is a great camera, I’ve played around with it, but I honestly don’t know how to make the most of that.
Hey! send me those videos (maybe through http://www.transferbigfiles.com/).
John | June 17th, 2009 at 11:10 am #
I just started them. Make sure to watch them on a player where you can adjust the brightness. It is VERY dark. It was two clips of you gan bei-ing about 3 shots of booze at a time.
Fili | June 17th, 2009 at 4:08 pm #
John – Got them, thanks! very funny. I look horrible, but it’s hilarious.