Sony DSC-HX99 Compact Digital 18.2 MP Camera with 24-720 mm Zoom, 4K and Touchpad – Black (UK version)

I purchased this as a supplement to my RX100 mkVa for its extended zoom range and miniscule size. Knowing its size and zoom etc bought with it a compromise in sensor size my expectations were not too high. I'd not had much opportunity to use the camera in the weeks since buying but did manage to shoot a little 4k video with at near max optical zoom last weekend and was extremely impressed with the image quality. Compared with the larger sensor size of the RX100, M43 and APSC cameras I've used the still images don't permit comparable enlargement but given the very compact size against equivalents in the larger sensor cameras this can be overlooked. In good light the aforementioned shortcomings are less obviousProsCompact sizeExtreme zoom rangeExcellent 4k video (though limited to approx 5mins in 4k)Viewfinder handyBattery compatibility with the RX100 rangeImage quality given small sensor sizeFantastic travel and all in one solutionConsBuild quality compared to RX100 mk Va (but given the HX99 is considerably cheaper I can accept thisNot so great in low light due to small sensor and small max aperture (but that's why it's a supplement to my RX100Battery life a bit limited as with all RX100, again offset this against size, accept the shortcoming and get a couple of extrasI'd wrap up by in reiterating, it's an excellent all rounder, especially for travelling light, the zoom range and lens quality given the camera's diminutive size is incredible and would have once been Inconceivable. For the price and size I'm doubtful it can be bettered, if its image quality and low light capabilities concern you then you'll need a much bigger pocket, initially for the funds and then the bigger form factor once those funds have vacated said pocket.I would have no problems in recommending this camera as a high zoom range compact point and shoot, if you don't need the zoom range then look at the RX100 range or other 1" sensor cameras.

I have been a photographer since I was 10 years old and was also developing and printing Black & White photos at that age too.Moving on, and many years later I was a professional photographer with 2 studios and had the usual professional cameras too, Canon, Bronica and Hasselblad, and of course took at least 2 big camera bags full of lenses, flashguns and filters along too on assignments.Things then moved on, not only in photography itself but also in my own personal photography needs too.I got rid of the Bronica's and big Canon cameras and went initially of smaller Canon Cameras such as the EOS 700D but I still wasn't happy lugging loads of stuff about, I had done enough of that and although having a top end Smart Phone, the camera was lacking the control that I was used to and needed.It was at this point I had a major rethink and got that 'Eureka' moment - firstly 99% of people don't enlarge photos to a large size, rarely bigger than A4 in most instances, and I am no exception now, although I do very occasionally print to A3.The first camera I purchased as an experiment was the Sony DSC-HX50, but I loved it and then experimented with it, not long after (2 years or so) I purchased the DSC-HX90V which I also really loved, but I have recently decide to just dabble in 4K Video nothing ambitious and after trying it on my smartphone, viewing it in my 4K TV I wanted to take it a little further.So after 4 very happy years with the DSC-HX90V I purchased the superb DSC-HX99.There are few feature on the DSC-HX99 that I do like besides the 4K video and that is the option to take RAW pics, something I was used to doing on the Canon D700, this is usually the domain of Professional or really advanced amateurs, so if you want to just stick to jpg's you can, in fact 95% of the time I am happy with those myself, the point is that it is that facility is there if you want it.The touch screen is also a great improvement too, as everyone is used to touch screens these days.I ALWAYS fit a protector to the screen before I even use it but please be aware you need the Sony PCK-LS30 version which is anti-reflective and anti-scratch and they are cheap too (I bought 2).I personally like to use the 'pop up' OLED Eye Level Finder as much as I possibly can, (it does have a dioptre adjustment too, if you are a glasses wearer) only using the LCD screen for low level shooting, such as plants on the ground etc, and using the Eye Level Finder also saves battery power too.Another MUST for me is the Sony LCJ-HWA Case, EVERY camera I have ever bought has had the manufacturers case fitted as they tend to be the best fit and quality, and the same goes for every mobile phone I have had too, to me it is just common sense and only costs a fraction of the cost of the camera or phone.Now to address a few criticisms that seem to crop up in reviews !Firstly flash, I very quickly found that using flash indoors was totally pointless, turn it off completely, the lens and sensor are more than good enough to take picture in low light anyway, I have used it inside my house and churches etc without flash and got much better pictures than expensive SLR's with flash, the flash is way to small anyway, turn it off if you are photographing interiors.The only time I have used the flash is in daylight, to use as 'fill in' for shadows on faces in portraits etc.The ZEISS lens and Sony sensor are an awesome combination.The only other camera I considered was the Sony RX100 series, but the latest version is about £1,100, it is virtually the same camera is the HX series but has a larger 1" sensor (same size as a 35mm camera) and if you can afford it buy it, but you will only notice the difference if you blow photos up to A1 or larger and since retiring and becoming just a 'normal photographer' the HX99 is more than enough for what I do, so why pay for things you either don't use, or would use say one a year or so ?The main thing for me though is the weight and size, and I will still carry round my old small Sony HDR-TG7VE for taking HD video as it so small and light to carry the two of them is no problem, although I suspect when I get used to the 4K footage it may go into retirement.I have put a SanDisk Extreme PRO 400GB microSDXC card in this though (the two previous models used standard SD cards, which I must admit I would have preferred) the reason is that you, firstly need a fast card and secondly plenty of storage for shooting 4K videos.You can insert the microSD card in the wrong way up though (I did that !) because the slot will also taken Sony Memory Stick Micro.. so please be aware of that point, have a look at the illustration in the Guide.I won't go thought all the specifications, they are available on the Sony site if you wish to look at them, but they are impressive for this sort of money.So who is this camera for then ?Well anyone really, as the settings can be fully automatic if you are a beginner (yes, I admit I use the iAuto or Program Auto modes, unless I come across a 'problem' shot) or you can use it in manual mode and add effects if you want to as well.I DO have the money to buy the more expensive Sony RX series, but I genuinely don't want to.When people ask me what camera they should buy (and lots do !) they think I am going to say a top of the range £2,000+ Canon (Well yes, if you a press photographer or a professional photographer making money out of it) and people, especially amateurs, think they NEED a camera like that to take good photos, whereas they are just trying to impress people with an expensive camera, but in the end they take awful photos, and I have seen plenty of those my time.This camera is ideal for people who want the next step up from a smartphone camera, and yes, they are good these days, but if you want to take more than a 'selfie' (never took one and never will !) this camera is definitely the way to go, it has made my Canon D700 with 4 lenses totally redundant now.Of course we all have different requirements and needs where photography is concerned, all I will say is I don't think anyone would be disappointed with this camera, I have had the 'HX series for over 7 years' now and would never change from them really, to be honest I have enjoyed my photography even more than when I was a professional and that is all because if these cameras - well done Sony !

I have taken a while to choose a zoom compact comparing and reading reviews. This Sony has more than matched my expectations it really is an amazingly versatile compact camera. You should check out the in-depth reviews on You tube to get a sense of its capabilities. For me it is the zoom and the stabilisation along with the view finder which can be focused to fit any eye sightedness. My only negative is around low light where it struggles but outdoors it is brilliant.

Neat camera with reasonably intuitive menus. Zoom is excellent but difficult to hold steady at maximum. Daylight pictures excellent and connectivity easy. Size is just comfortable for my small hands, the alternatives were bigger and heavier. Overall a good camera for the price.

Bought as an exact replacement of our previous camera that got damaged. The picture quality is excellent and the different features fantastic.This is our trusty travel camera.