Key Features
A sleek form factor along with capable imaging and a long-reaching zoom, the Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 from Sony is a compact camera well-suited for travel and everyday shooting. Revolving around a back-illuminated 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor, the HX99 is capable of producing notably smooth and clear imagery with low noise levels, along with an expandable sensitivity range up to ISO 12800. The sensor and processor combination also avail fast performance throughout the camera system, including a 10-fps continuous shooting rate and UHD 4K30p video recording. Complementing the imaging is a balanced physical design, which incorporates both a pop-up OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder and 180° tilting 3.0" 921k-dot touchscreen LCD, along with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless image sharing and remote camera control via a linked smartphone or tablet. Contrasting its sleek size, the HX99 is also distinguished by its impressive 30x zoom ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens, which provides a 24-720mm equivalent zoom range. Spanning wide-angle to super telephoto perspectives, this lens benefits from Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, which minimizes the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld imagery. Designed to be a versatile, all-in-one pocketable camera, the HX99 mixes both capability and intuitiveness to appeal to a wide range of shooting needs.
Utilizing an 18.2MP 1/2.3" Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor, the HX99 is able to produce high-resolution stills and UHD 4K video with notable clarity and smooth tonality. The sensor employs a back-illuminated design, which allows it to achieve reduced noise levels along with a native sensitivity range to ISO 3200 that can be extended to ISO 12800 for working in low-light conditions. The sensor and processor also provide a continuous shooting rate of 10 fps for up to 10 consecutive frames in a burst.
Additionally, the HX99 is the first HX-series camera capable of recording UHD 4K video, at either 30p or 24p frame rates, as well as Full HD video. 4K video uses full sensor pixel readout to record approximately 1.6x times the required information, and this oversampling process helps to deliver greater clarity along with reduced moiré and other artifacts.
Covering wide-angle to super telephoto perspectives, the built-in 30x ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens spans a 24-720mm equivalent focal length range. Five aspherical elements are incorporated in the optical design, which reduce spherical aberrations throughout the zoom range, and a T* anti-reflective coating helps to control lens flare and ghosting for increased contrast and color neutrality.
Complementing the optical design, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization is also used to minimize the appearance of camera shake. An Intelligent Active Mode is also available to reduce blur common to shooting video while moving. Also aiding in achieving sharp imagery, Fast Intelligent AF employs an optimized spatial object detection algorithm to quicken focusing speeds, and Eye AF can be used to automatically detect and focus on the eyes of the main subject.