As you can see (if you downloaded the full file) the Sony HX1 can pump out the detail for a JPEG camera and at full zoom no less. Maybe the lens is better than I thought?

To see more including video sample, more images, and my conclusions, click on over to page 5!

MORE ON PAGE 5 OF THE REVIEW - CLICK HERE >>>

One thing I look for in any digital camera I use is the “character” of the image. That is why I shoot mainly with a Leica M8. It has GOBS AND GOBS of “character”, but man, did I have to pay for it! I will be paying for that thing until I am 90!

To show you what I mean about “character”, on the previous page I posted a shot I took with the HX1 in TWILIGHT mode of my wife MINA. I took that same shot with my M8 in B&W and this is the result:

Keep in mind this is from my M8. I did not have to add any glow to it, just converted to B&W and adjusted levels. Leica lenses sometimes “glow” and have “character” and I LOVE it. The only problem here is the Leica M8 is $4,000 and the 28 Summicron, USED is about $2500. With the Sony HX1 being only $499, its TWILIGHT mode did a hell of a job and saves you about $6k!

So my M8 has character and even the $699 Leica D-Lux 4 has it but how about the Sony? Truth be told, I found the Sony images out of camera to be good, but also kind of “hard”. What I mean by that is they are a tad harsh in the contrast, color and are sort of flat. The Leica D-Lux 4 costs $200 more and does not have SWEEP pano or TWILIGHT or 1080P video but the IQ is a bit better, richer, deeper and more 3D. It will be up to the buyer to weigh the pros and cons of each.

I was going to do a full head to head comparison between the two but realized they are two totally different cameras. For those who want a MASSIVE 20X Zoom, great steady shot stabilization, easy panoramic images and a cool low light mode, then the Sony HX1 will be the best bet. For those who prefer a smaller, thinner body and a bit better color and file quality then the D-Lux 4 would be better, but you lose the zoom, pano and twilight mode.

The Sony has the features that make it an attractive option. Its image quality may not be the best in its class but it is still really, really good and if you are like me and you use photoshop then does it even really matter?

If you are looking at these images in this write up and saying “man, these look great”! and you are in the market for a camera under $500, then the HX1 is a VERY attractive option and I recommend it.

How about the resolution?

The Sony HX1 has a 9MP CMOS processor. It is the CMOS technology that allows it to shoot at 10FPS. In the past, CMOS sensors were known to shoot images with lower noise. These days, CMOS, CCD, doesn't really matter. So how does the sensor do when you view the image at 100%?

Here is an example! Just click on the image for the full size, untouched JPEG.