Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V 16.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Still Camera with 16x Optical Zoom G Lens, 3D Sweep Panorama and Full HD 1080/60p Video

I beat my brains out for the past month, trying to decide on a P&S camera to replace my Pentax DSLR. I've decided, rather late in life, to go with a small pocket camera to replace my bulky SLR and several lenses, including the huge camera bag I carried them around in. So I've been reading every review and scanning every consumer review site (such as Amazon's) searching for the perfect P&S camera. I even bought (and returned) two cameras that ultimately did not work for me. I agonized over the HX9V for a couple weeks before finally biting the bullet and ordering it. I'm extremely happy I did!From the moment I opened the box I knew the HX9V was going to be a winner. Unlike the two cameras I returned, the size and handling of the HX9V was about perfect for me. The two I returned were simply too small to handle efficiently, even in my relatively small hands, but this one was ideal (for me) with a great grip and controls that seemed to fall right under my fingers. The build quality is excellent and I can find no flaw in fit and finish. I decided I wanted a mode dial on top, like my SLRs always had (the two I returned used the wheel on the back of the camera), and the HX9V has one, although it's a little difficult gripping it. So, in short, the HX9V first impression is supurb!This camera does not come with an accessory battery charger (an omission I find rather annoying) so I ordered one, along with a couple spare batteries (the two batteries and the charger cost only $14.00, shipped). I charged the Sony battery in the camera, using the provided power adapter (again, a ridiculous system, since it ties up the camera during charging) and charged the two spares in the tiny little accessory charger. Everything was charged in a couple of hours and I was ready to put this little gem through it's paces.Operationally, the camera exceeds all of my expectations. First, I've never owned such a long zoom and this thing is terrific, although I doubt I'll use the long end very often. Having used large SLR zooms most of my photographic life, where zooming was done manually, I found this zoom rather slow, a bit gravelly-feeling and hard to control precisely. It requires some getting used to, at least for me anyway, but I believe it will be fine.Focusing is instantaneous and I experience no lag-time, unless shooting in modes that shoot and blend multiple images together. On those you get the obligatory "Processing" message and, frankly, I see no reason to consider that a negative. The camera is doing some truly sophisticated image blending. Shoot in a single image mode and it's operation is lightning fast. Oh, and did I mention the ability to shoot ten images a second? What a great feature when shooting my dog, Sammy, or a sports event (and yes, you will get the "Processing" message after firing off ten shots).The Panorama feature is great, producing beautiful wide panoramic images. I've found it really difficult to get less than stellar panos. In other words, it's real hard to mess up!Video is an area I've never explored before but, after seeing some of my random efforts on my HD TV, I'm completely dazzled by this camera's abilities. This is an area I intend to pursue further.There are many more special features that I wont go into here but they're all great and very useful. As for the 3-D thing, I have no interest in that but many others will. I can't comment because I don't care about it.Image quality! You read about it. You scan full-size images on dozens of websites. You pixel-peep endlessly, comparing images from Canon, Nikon, and Sony, until your head feels like it's going to explode. If you're an intelligent, sensible person you conclude that much of the hype you read around the internet is just that - hype! Every P&S camera out there has shortcomings in one area or another and none produce results like a good DSLR! After I came to that conclusion I felt more confortable ordering the Sony. I'm glad I did. I have no intention of blowing any of these images up to poster size. Most will never be printed and those that are will likely be "normal" print sizes. This camera produces excellent images! I have a relatively discerning eye after over fifty years of photography and I'll say again; the Sony HX9V produces excellent images!The bottom-line is, this camera is chock full of cutting edge technology, with features that put it far out front of most other P&S cameras. It takes great images and the videos are extraordinary.Mine is a keeper! It's going to be around for many years to come. In fact, it might outlast me, since I'm 73.Update: April, 2012Everything I said in the above review stands, in spades, after all these months. That said, I finally taught my wife how to use this camera a couple weeks ago and she took it to one of her DAR conventions. She returned two days later and downloaded several hundred images to her computer. Later, when I watched over her shoulder while she scanned them individually I realized they were all, I mean all, extremely soft, unlike my own results. She seemed happy with them but I knew otherwise so I asked her to go out in the yard with me and take a few shots. We did and I immediately saw her problem. She repeatedly composed the picture on the LCD screen and immediately snapped the shutter, without waiting for the camerea to complete focus. She had forgotten that she should depress the button halfway to allow the autofocus system to work properly. Well, long story longer, she did as I demonstrated and we reviewed the pictures on her computer.Voila! The shots were now sharp and clean. Funny thing was: she then looked at her efforts at the convention and said, "Oh! These are awful!" After this episode I'm convinced that many of the complaints about soft images is a result of "Operator Error." No offence but ain't that always the way.By the way, there are several comments attached to this post, one by a fellow who doesn't own the camera and who obviously has an agenda. His first negative post even implied, in a smarmy, underhanded way, that my review is worthless because I once used Pentax cameras, ignoring the fact that Pentax has earned, over the years, an excellent reputation. He has gone on to point out certain professional reviews that are unfavorable to the camera, ignoring those that heap accolades on it. I frankly, could not care less about his opinions but I will bet that I've been shooting images for more years than he's been alive. Anyway, as I said in the review, it's my opinion, and can be ignored completely if one chooses to do so. If you own this fine camera, enjoy!arkiedan

See the update comments below: aug 4, 2011I have this camera for one week now and last night I got a chance to use this at a Cultural night where I use the video mode exclusively for recording my kids. First, to note that I am using MP4 recording at 1080p 25fps rather than AVCHD 1080 60p mode. I just feel that the file size is something I an handle easier and movie editing is easier using this mode. So while the movie recording video looks great, the ONE thing that I am very disappointed with is the way the camera records the date (Date Modified and Date Created). Three things I dislike and I believe #3 is a bug.1. The Date Created is the time stamp in which the movie was taken. But the Date Modified is the time in which the movie ended. This means if you recorded a 10 minutes video, the Date Modified actually shows 10 minutes later than the created date. I don't think this was the case with other camera, certainly not my Panasonic DMC-ZS3. This means you can not sort by Date Modified. Especially important when you have more than one camera of different brands and wanting to compile into one folder. As in, other parents's camera at the same event.2. The video is kept in a different directory than the JPGs. At the very least the MP4 video should be in the same directory as the JPGs and should use the same naming convention so that we can follow the sequence. here the photo uses the DSCxxxxx.JPG, but the MP4 video uses MAHxxxxx.MP4 WTH? Panasonic DMC-ZS3 uses the same name and I like the way it's implemented there. When the names are the same with only the extension different, it makes it easier to sort photos and video to get the sequence of event. I think many of us like to record things this way. But the worse part is.....3. The timestamp of the MP4 video is semi-randomized. So if you sort by name, you will notice that the Date Created time stamp is not in an ascending order. Or if you then sort by Date Created, the file name is now not in order. See below, the file is sorted by name but the timestamp is not in chronological order. They bounce between 7:xx PM and 8:xx PM. This is definitely a bug.peter-mac:08. Classical Night peter$ ls -ltotal 14888440-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 529959551 Jun 25 19:30 MAH00126.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 128930055 Jun 25 19:34 MAH00127.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 9935703 Jun 25 19:36 MAH00128.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 705061241 Jun 25 19:49 MAH00129.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 508726324 Jun 25 19:59 MAH00130.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 507986224 Jun 25 20:09 MAH00131.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 502657431 Jun 25 19:20 MAH00133.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 430715019 Jun 25 19:28 MAH00134.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 533634531 Jun 25 19:38 MAH00135.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 763440512 Jun 25 19:48 MAH00136.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 625426940 Jun 25 19:57 MAH00137.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 58505167 Jun 25 20:02 MAH00138.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 504153510 Jun 25 20:08 MAH00139.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 209376585 Jun 25 20:16 MAH00146.MP4-rwxrwxrwx 1 peter staff 649771166 Jun 25 21:05 MAH00152.MP4I love the camera but this is making me wanting to return it. :-(Sony PLEASE send a fix ASAP.Update as of Aug 4th' 2011.Some how the date timestamp issue disappeared. It could be because I hard reset, (pull battery out over night) or did a factory reset and format the card. The timestamp for both the videos as the photos are correct now. As one of the user mentioned, why can't the file name be prefixed with DSC rather than MAH? At least the number increments correctly and it's just a matter of having a software to help rename (text replace) to DSC so I can place both photos and video in the same directory.The battery life is not as good but good enough so far for half day trip. I do have my GPS on all the time but as others have noticed, the satellite acquisition is a bit slow. I would suggest getting a 2nd or 3rd battery if you plan to walk around all day with it on most of the time.I am giving it a 5 star. The best all in one camera I have ever used. For the record I have had Sony DSC-F828, Casio Exilim EX-Z850, Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 and now this. I also have Nikon D300 but that's a different league.