SONY CyberShot HX50V $302.40 Delivered @ DSE

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• 

  pull the lever on 28/12/2013 - 21:48

  Very good price for a pretty good camera.

• 

  ADSWAN on 28/12/2013 - 22:37

  Great camera

• 

  cheepwun on 28/12/2013 - 22:50

  +1

  This is a good local price. Nice find.

• 

  docpol on 28/12/2013 - 23:20

  +1

  Got this from DSE ~$400 about 6 months ago then got TRS subsequently. Good point-and-shoot camera with massive zoom and plenty of extra features/options. Used it during my Euro trip.

  This is a good price.

  • 

    TerryJustTerry on 29/12/2013 - 19:14

    TRS ?

    • 

      c0balt on 29/12/2013 - 19:17

      Tourist refund scheme I believe.

• 

  Jean-Baptiste on 29/12/2013 - 00:16

  I don't really know anything about cameras. What would be the pros / cons of this camera versus these other two similarly-priced cameras posted today:

  https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/128657
  https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/128652

  Which of these cameras would be best for photographing fast-moving objects with clarity?

  • 

    c0balt on 29/12/2013 - 00:56

    +4

    This listing is a for pocketable superzoom compact with a 1/2.3" sensor. Those that you linked are DSLRs with APS-C sized sensors.

    Before buying a camera with manual controls it's really important that you research things like aperture, shutter speed, focal length and ISO just to start off with. Otherwise you will just end up taking bad photos with any camera. Clarity with fast moving objects depends more on skill and knowledge than what you are shooting it with.

    • 

      Jean-Baptiste on 29/12/2013 - 01:51

      +2

      I will do some research. Thank you!

  • 

    Gifwonder on 29/12/2013 - 11:58

    To be honest, I've found the images a little grainy on the sony, 20 megapixels on a small sensor…. makes for nice noise :P

    low light , the slr's would trump the hv50x easily, though… 30x zoom is pretty good (the lenses you are getting 18-55 is like 5x zoom)

    depends what you are using it for, like c0balt said.

  • 

    The Gent on 29/12/2013 - 21:48

    +1

    I'd go the Nikon if it were between the 2 DSLRs for reasons too numerous to explain - basically it's just a better camera.

    However, if you are not looking to really get your teeth stuck into photography, the Sony is all you will ever need - no need to buy expensive lenses to reach across playing fields, still has manual controls for when you feel more comfortable using them.

    The only thing you will probably find is that the image quality is better on the Nikon, but not enough to turn you off I wouldn't imagine.

• 

  SgtGrumbles on 29/12/2013 - 11:40

  Bought this before Christmas for $380… hoping 28 Degrees will get me the difference. Great camera though.
  The large zoom is surprisingly competent; easy to take clear photos at full zoom

• 

  supersabroso on 29/12/2013 - 23:29

  Sale appears to be over, click and collect only now, however no stores left within a reasonable distance of Sydney, 2000.

  • 

    c0balt on 29/12/2013 - 23:39

    Heaps of stock across many locations around Melbourne. I'd say it's not safe to mark as expired yet. for another 20 minutes.

• 

  supersabroso on 29/12/2013 - 23:58

  +5

  I've actually bought one of these, let me save you the trouble if you're on the fence.

  It has two sides:

  Side 1: The high quality, crisp looking, daytime photos with zoom. Picture is clear even at long range.

  Side 2: The low quality, dodgey and out of focus indoors/flash photos. Flash comes out of focus for approximately 25% of the shots. (Minor but annoying) Camera is quick to pick a high ISO. Noise rears it's ugly head at ISO 200+. It becomes super noticible at ISO 800+ where the shots look horrible.

  HDR, HHT, Intelligent Auto modes cannot be adjusted by using the EV dial. No EV can be adjusted meaning your previously good looking HHT shots now look very dark. Furthermore, HHT mostly (75% of the time) uses the same ISO as your Intelligent Auto or Program Auto rendering it nearly useless.

  The HX5V is better than the HX50V in terms of indoor photos and flash photography.

  Bottom line: This should not be your sole camera. I wouldn't be buying this camera unless you need the zoom or pretty much only take outdoor photos (eg. Have your spare DSLR handy for when you go to indoor events)

  • 

    c0balt on 30/12/2013 - 00:02

    That seems to be the reviews across the board that it's great under ideal conditions but a noisy without good lighting.

    Seems to be the case with all 1/2.3" cameras that don't have a <F2.0 lens and an understandable limitation.

    Could always have an RX100 rather than a DSLR handy also :)

    • 

      supersabroso on 30/12/2013 - 00:16

      What you have said was true, however since the invention of hand held twilight mode on the HX5V model, this is not true.

      Images can look very good if you adjust the EV on the hand held twilight mode. Furthermore, the HX5V model picked lower ISOs. Indoor photos almost never went above 400ISO in HHT. Unlike the HX50V where you can't adjust the EV and 800ISO seems to be it's go to ISO for indoor shots. Definitely disappointed in this model as I expected indoor/flash image quality to be better not worse than the HX5V which is the 4th model back. I can't live with slightly blurry flash photos every 4th situation.

      Personally I'm going to buy the RX100 from Kogan (unless some of you guys think that's a bad idea?). Shame Dicksmith isn't selling it otherwise I'd buy it on their 20% off sale.

      • 

        c0balt on 30/12/2013 - 00:38

        If you are going to be shooting with the inbuilt flash indoors then why bother with an automatic mode (I assume 'twilight mode' is just another auto mode)? Just set your ISO manually and hit up the fastest shutter sync speed that still grabs a little of the existing lighting. You can further that by setting HDR/DRO to your liking. That way your EV/exposure comp dial will still work, you won't get excess noise unless the lighting conditions are really bad, and you can shoot with more confidence that your image will be what you want it to be.

        The automatic modes are there so you don't have to use those manual controls. And it's very naughty that you are using automatic modes when you obviously know a bit about photography. Programmed auto is fine because you still have control, just not the full automatic modes.

        I got my RX100 from JB HiFi for $490 after they matched HNs clearance deal about a month back. You might be able to get them to match Kogan (after shipping). The stock I got was made in Japan. I'd be interested to know if Kogan stocks the PAL or NTSC version as the video it shoots will be either 50i/p or 60i/p. It might be a factor in what you want if video is imporant to you (it was a big concern to me).

      • 

        oz-dave on 31/12/2013 - 01:11

        And it's very naughty that you are using automatic modes when you obviously know a bit about photography.

        Why is it "naughty" to use a mode that has no real equivalent in manual mode?

      • 

        oz-dave on 31/12/2013 - 01:20

        @ IndecentExposure : I managed to get Aussie stock of the RX-100M2 for similar to what Kogan was selling it for at the time. It has some nice additions to the original RX-100, and is well worth a look ;-)

      • 

        c0balt on 31/12/2013 - 01:46

        Why is it "naughty" to use a mode that has no real equivalent in manual mode?

        There is though.

        http://www.sony.com.hk/svcfiles/faq/DI/User_Guide_Eng/DSC-RX…

      • 

        oz-dave on 31/12/2013 - 02:08

        But I was referring to "no real equivalent" in the DSC-HX50V - your link is for the DSC-RX100 manual which IndecentExposure says he intends to buy ;-)

• 

  supersabroso on 30/12/2013 - 01:07

  +1

  Ah you almost sound like you don't know what hand held twilight mode is? Just incase, it's a mode where the camera takes 6 shots in quick succession and stitches them together to remove noise. It was like black magic when I first started taking shots using that (HX5V not the HX50V which was a bitter disappointment). It reduced blur when I need to to zoom far indoors and made pictures a lot better looking, I'd say it makes ISO400 shots look like ISO100 shots.

  Yes, I could do my photos manually, however that takes a lot of time and when the situation comes, you need to take that photo ASAP, no time to figure out the manual exposure modes. Furthermore, manual modes will not stitch the 6x photos together to give you that blur free high quality photo that makes these compacts perfectly acceptable over DSLRs or the RX100's etc.

  Sony mostly screwed up in the software department with this camera. If they release firmware that can fix this, this camera would be perfect aside from the slightly blurry flash photos.

  Oh, wait, just remembered also, indoor videos - shocking quality. Much worse than my HX5V. I'd wait for the HX90V if that's what they will call the next model.

  • 

    c0balt on 30/12/2013 - 01:15

    Well then technically twilight mode is just bracketing, and that's Sony's name for it in a quick to use automatic/scene mode. I've never actually used any of the scene modes on my RX100, but I just saw it's there and bracketing is what it's doing. Just look for bracketing in the manual modes and that way you should still be able to use the exposure comp dial.

    You can set custom memory record (MR on the mode dial) for different situations to make things a lot faster. Might take a while to set up correctly but it's rewarding being able to quickly change between complex modes as fast as you can pull it out of your pocket.

    I don't see that as a Sony software problem, the options are all there, you just need to know where to look.

    • 

      oz-dave on 31/12/2013 - 01:06

      Well then technically twilight mode is just bracketing, and that's Sony's name for it in a quick to use automatic/scene mode.

      No, it is not what most people would refer to as bracketing !

      To quote Wikipedia; "In photography, bracketing is the general technique of taking several shots of the same subject using different camera settings." and "Without further qualifications, the term bracketing usually refers to exposure bracketing: the photographer chooses to take one picture at a given exposure, one or more brighter, and one or more darker, in order to select the most satisfactory image."

      The Sony "Handheld Twilight" mode takes multiple exposures, generally using the same exposure settings, and the same high ISO settings, and then compares those shots, subtracts the noise (which is different in each shot), compensates for movement, and produces a single final image that appears to be low ISO (due to the lack of noise).

      Bracketing mode is normally referred to as "Bracket" by Sony :p
      This also applies for your RX-100 ;-)

      IndecentExposure explained what "Handheld Twighlight" mode does; "Ah you almost sound like you don't know what hand held twilight mode is? Just incase, it's a mode where the camera takes 6 shots in quick succession and stitches them together to remove noise." and your RX-100 manual explains it as; "Allows you to shoot night scenes with less noise without using a tripod. A burst of shots are taken, and image processing is applied to reduce subject blur, camera shake, and noise."

      I've never actually used any of the scene modes on my RX100, but I just saw it's there and bracketing is what it's doing.

      With all due respect c0balt, maybe you should actually use or investigate the mode before you try to correct others by telling them what you think it does :-)

      • 

        c0balt on 31/12/2013 - 01:45

        So with your explanation I now understand that HHT is just iso bracketing. I never said that I used HHT, infact I asked for an explanation to find out what it is and trying to find the mode when shooting PSAM.

        Thing is, it does exist in manual modes, unlike what you posted above, twice.
        http://www.sony.com.hk/svcfiles/faq/DI/User_Guide_Eng/DSC-RX…

        You can try it out on your Sony camera and you'll find it does the identical result to HHT, and you can even set your ISO level independent of the EV comp.

      • 

        oz-dave on 31/12/2013 - 01:47

        No HHT is not "bracketing" it keeps the ISO settings the SAME for each shot.
        Bracketing would CHANGE the ISO (or some other) settings for each shot…

        And whilst it is similar to what you have linked to it is not the same because that mode does not compensate for movement or blur.

      • 

        c0balt on 31/12/2013 - 01:51

        Dude did you look at the link and tried it out in your camera?

        You can set what ever ISO you want and it will bracket 6 shots from the same ISO value, same EV, same everything (if you chose) and just bracket for noise reduction alone.

      • 

        oz-dave on 31/12/2013 - 01:52

        You can set what ever ISO you want and it will bracket 6 shots from the same ISO value, same EV, same everything (if you chose) and just bracket for noise reduction alone.

        What do you mean by bracketing???
        Every definition I look at related to bracketing refers to changing the settings for each shot not keeping them all the same as you say?!?!?
        Most people would assume you are referring to the process of taking multiple shots at different settings to pick the best one (or perhaps combine them)???

      • 

        c0balt on 31/12/2013 - 01:54

        "No HHT is not "bracketing" it keeps the ISO settings the SAME for each shot."

        I.E. the link I just sent you and what it is.

        The term bracketing can be be for anything, I mean for the purpose of taking multiple images to combine into one.

        Just try it out in your camera and tell me then that it's not identical to HHT!

      • 

        oz-dave on 31/12/2013 - 01:57

        So how does that compensate for movement and blur?
        HHT micro-aligns the pixels based on differences in the images, how can "exposure bracketing" do that ?!?!?

        Bracketing isn't normally used to define the process of taking multiple images where all the settings are kept the same…
        (Bracketing most often refers to varying the exposure settings for multiple shots)

        I have tried both and HHT is more likely to be less blurry when handheld…

      • 

        c0balt on 31/12/2013 - 02:01

        Because that's what it appears Sony is calling it when it's buried under menus.

        Try multiframe noise reduction yourself with a constant ISO value moving your hand infront of the camera as it fires away its 6 shots.

        Maybe the auto twilight mode is selecting a higher ISO value which is why it appears less blurry, try it at a higher one then.

        http://www.dynaxdigital.com/slt-cameras-sony-alpha-55-a33-a7…

        Not a scientific link, but that dude seems to think the same way I am on this.

      • 

        oz-dave on 31/12/2013 - 02:10

        I think you are assuming the HX50V and the RX100 are the same - they are different and have different options in the settings…

      • 

        c0balt on 31/12/2013 - 02:25

        Cmon now.

        Admit that you were wrong about there not being a HHT equivalent in manual mode and I'll admit that it only exists in the HX50v at ISO 3200 and above. SO while it does exist, at that ISO it is pretty much useless on the HX50v (although I would like to know what the results would be like, but don't own one), but still very useful for the RX series.

        I can safely say that we both learned a bit and both had to do some furious googling to reach this point too.

      • 

        oz-dave on 31/12/2013 - 02:41

        Admit that you were wrong about there not being a HHT equivalent in manual mode

        I still believe that (as originally stated by IndecentExposure) a HHT equivalent does not exist in manual mode for the DSC-HX50V.

        I'll admit that it only exists in the HX50v at ISO 3200 and above

        The kick-in point for potential "image overlay" in the DSC-HX50V is ISO 6400 as far as I can recall.

        Edit: Yep, it's 6400 (from the manual)
        Notes:
        - When [ISO] is set to [ISO6400] or [ISO12800], it takes some time to record an image, because the camera overlays the image. The flash does not operate with these settings.
        - You cannot select [Auto] when the camera is set to Manual Exposure Shooting. [ISO80] is the default setting.
        - You can select only from [Auto], [ISO80] to [ISO800] when the shooting mode is set to burst or bracket shooting mode.

        And yes, because my main point was your use of the term "bracketing", I did do quite a bit of Googling to find definitions of "bracketing" that agree with yours and I didn't find any. I am still at a loss to understand a definition of "bracketing" that involves not changing anything…

        But have a good night :-)

      • 

        supersabroso on 01/01/2014 - 15:18

        OK firstly I'd like to retract something I said about how the HHT makes the compacts perfectly acceptable over the DSLRs and the RX100 etc. This is true for DSLRs due to the size but definitely not true for the RX100 (especially since it's more compact).

        The photos on the RX100 (especially flash) have mind blowing clarity and picture quality. Due to it's sensor size, it is able to take low ISO shots. It's program auto mode is highly capable and manages to produce results not far from HHT, Anti Motion Blur and the Multi Frame Noise Reduction (with the issue of minor movement blur indoors).

        Infact my review of the 3 modes on the RX100 based on the HX5V:
        HHT - good - only a little darker than P, photos acceptable but a lot less room for movement otherwise it will blur
        Anti Motion Blur - Effective at stopping blur like the HHT mode on the HX5V except the quality is much better than the same mode on the HX5V regardless of the high ISO images
        Multi Frame Noise Reduction - Near useless if you want this to stop blur, the slightest movement will put parts of the picture out of focus and/or blur them - avoid unless you're on a tripod.

        However, intelligent auto mode, compromises between modes and tends to produce the best results with no blur. It intelligently stitches together 1-6 shots depending on how poor the light conditions are so you don't have to wait too long between shots if it's not that dark.

        Very happy with the software behind this camera, it is infinitely better than what is in the HX5V. You know a camera sucks when 100ISO is the maximum that you should go on it, yet it likes to pick 800ISO (indoors). Once again, don't buy the HX5V if you can afford the RX100. (IF THERE WAS AN OZBARGAINADVICE, THIS WOULD BE ON IT!!!)

        Finally, with regards to the conversation above, the HX50V cannot do this except at 6400 ISO lol??? The 800 ISO shots are horrific enough. The HHT mode on the HX50V makes the image pitch black and reduces the 800ISO images down to an effective 200-400ISO quality which is really just as bad. You don't really want to even go to 200ISO on the HX50V, it is the equivalent of 1600-3200ISO on the RX100.

      • 

        oz-dave on 01/01/2014 - 16:41

        So I assume you purchased an RX-100? …or spent a very long time in store :p

        I went for the RX-100Mk2 (it was less than $70 more) and I have also been impressed with the image quality, especially in the auto/scene modes :-)

      • 

        supersabroso on 01/01/2014 - 17:16

        Haha yes I did. JB let me exchange my HX50V for the RX100 at their cost price of $598, they didn't sell the RX100 II and I wasn't ready to spend more, I'll upgrade when they release an RX100 with 10x zoom. I wasn't 100% happy with the deal but the guy said that he wasn't obligated to follow through with the exchange as I had used the HX50V so that was the best that they could do so I figured why not. However in hindsight, my camera didn't come with a seal or the swing tag so I should have pushed the fact that it was probably already used as they should have the swing tag on the camera at the very least.

        Anyway, still worth it because if I waited for a deal then I wouldn't be able to use it for new year's eve. Which reminds me…HAPPY NEW YEAR OZBARGAINERS!!! May this year's hunting be plentiful and at rock bottom prices :)

        PS. You must have gotten a good deal with only $70 more? Those things are $750 and stores don't want to budge because it's still very new. It should be $100-$200 more.

      • 

        oz-dave on 01/01/2014 - 19:47

        Actually JB HiFi do sell the Mk2, despite the many claims to the contrary by salespeople in various stores. I know this because I actually held and played with a demo model in a JB HiFi store. Even the saleperson in the store where they had stock initially told me they don't stock them - he looked rather sheepish when I pointed to it :p

        All in all though, I think you did well with your "swap" :-)

        I was going to post the price of the Mk2 to you privately (and offer to purchase) but you have the feature turned off…

• 

  hitworm on 31/12/2013 - 00:52

  +2

  Can still buy it from The Good Guy for $305 ($303 + $2 shipping)
  http://www.thegoodguys.com.au/buyonline/Sony_Cybershot_HX50V…

  • 

    supersabroso on 01/01/2014 - 14:31

    When I go to that link it says $367 as advertised.

    • 

      oz-dave on 01/01/2014 - 16:44

      It WAS showing the price quoted, at the time it was posted ;-)

• 

  cache on 06/01/2014 - 09:49

  order still showing "awaiting fulfilment". it's been more than a week. any chance DSE would cancel this?

• 

  CHIEFMEGADETH on 12/01/2014 - 09:24

  Got this Camera at JB 4months ago for $450 for our honeymoon to America! Amazing camera. The zoom was freaking crazy! Great camera.We just set it to superior Auto the whole time, and let the camera do the rest!
  Id say 10% of the shoots didnt do what we wanted it to do. But damn i was at Alcatraz and did 6 shots. from 1 side of ALcatraz to the other, right to the top of the hill. at crystal clear shots! HAHA and could see people walking and cars. Did so many of them geeky shots, without a tripod.
  One thing i liked about the camera, is it's so compact. i had it in my jacket all the time. its also light weight. I didn't want to have to carry around a camera bag for the camera, or have it around my neck, like the BIG Heavy DSLR cameras.

  • 

    The Gent on 12/01/2014 - 14:23

    Reckon you'd be able to post some of your shots just for interest's sake?

    imgur is a good photo host if you were unaware.