Compact "Super Zoom" Digital Camera

Best small size portable I've owned

Pros: Ease of use, Picture quality, Flexibility

Cons: Too many shooting options available

I currently have an Alpha 99 / 77 / 55 with more lenses than I can carry. But this little portable is my go-to camera when I can't be bothered lugging around all my equipment. It gives me an image that is very close to the professional result my SLTs provide. I have even produced some very wonderful 13x19 quality prints from this little gem. It has been exposed to very cold weather (Churchill Manitoba) and worked flawlessly. And, It worked well during many Toronto heat waves. I had a Nikon CoolPix before, but the HX30V is significantly superior. The only downside (an upside for some) is that there are too many options available. So many that I often forget that there are some very unique and user friendly functions available. It's a great buy at the current price.

Very Nice Camera

Pros: Zoom, design, size, features

Cons: Wi-Fi is not very useful

Prior to really looking for a new camera, I tried a smaller CyberShot and was really impressed with the low light and night shot capabilities compared to my old Canon PowerShot A630. The Canon's optical zoom ended at 4X and digital zoom ended at 16X, so the Sony going up to 20X optical zoom and 40X Clear Image zoom was a huge plus for me. The size is just right since I found the Canon to be a bit large for my pocket when on the go. The Sony fits my hands well (I'm a fairly big guy) and the rubber grip adds a little extra security. The smaller Sony CyberShot seemed to slip out of my hands very easy since it was so small. The features on the camera are easy to use and the on-board user guide makes it fairly simple to figure out. The best advice I can give is to play with them all and see how they work with various settings. This way you're not trying to figure it out and miss a shot. The controls are fairly intuitive and easy to use; not a lot of buttons cluttering things up. The camera has good low light capabilities, the flash works very well as does the image stabilization. The flash is right where you naturally want to put your left pointer finger, but I find it just as easy to hold the camera on the angled area just behind the flash. There is no viewfinder, which didn't bother me since I never used it on the Canon anyway. What I do miss is the flip out screen on the Canon, kind of nice for shooting at weird angles. The various modes work very well and for me it's easy to navigate the menus. This doesn't have a touch screen, which also didn't bother me since after using one and smudging it all up, I didn't like it anyway. As for the Wi-Fi... it's an interesting setup. Mainly it's for viewing pics on a wired PC on your network, a web tv or sending pictures to a smartphone with the PlayMemories app installed. The process for connecting is rather cumbersome and overall the Wi-Fi definitely has room for improvement. However, if you want to send a pic in a few minutes via a smartphone, it's not too terrible to do. The price is a hair on the high side, but it's a solid product that in my opinion delivers for what you pay. If Wi-Fi isn't important, the DSC-HX20V has all the same features less the Wi-Fi for a little better price. I tried out a DSC-HX20V at BestBuy which is what led me to purchase the DSC-HX30V. My first impressions of the camera were that it was well built, the screen had good resolution and size for viewing pictures, and it was easy to pick up and start using. When I bought the camera, I also purchased the following accessories: - LCS-CSU Sony mini backpack style, soft carrying case (mainly for accessories) - LCS-CSW Sony soft carrying case (fits only the camera in it) - DLC-HEM30 Sony mini high-speed HDMI™ cable (3 meters) - DCC-U50A Sony DC charger (nice to be able to recharge the battery while on the go) - NP-FG1 Sony InfoLITHIUM battery pack (bought three, cause dead batteries are no fun) - BC-TRX Sony portable battery charger (charges batteries in or out of the camera) - SDSDRX3-128G SanDisk Extreme SDXC UHS-I Memory Card (running out of memory is also no fun)

Great

Pros: Easy to navigate

Cons: -none-

I enjoy this camera very much and look forward to taking many picture with it. It has many great features that top many other cameras for the same price or more.

dsc-hx30v/b

Pros: great pics

Cons: flash in wrong spot

easy to use, good battery life,,flash unit should be better positioned. would highly recommend.

HX30V-An Excellant Camera

Pros: Picture quality, fast focusing, wi-fi

Cons: Flash is in an inconvient spot

I recently bought the HX9V and thought that camera was amazing. It was small ,easy to use and the picture quality was excellent. After giving that camera to my son and his family, I bought the HX30V and was amazed at how much clearer the pictures were . The images thru the 40X lens is astonishing. The wi-fi to load your pictures to the computer does work but you have to get the settings just right. The pictures will project to a wi-fi equipped TV, but at this stage there is no way to store them in an App. I haven't made any movies yet with this camera, which I understand are great but that's not what I bought this camera for. If you are looking for a camera that is state of the art and easy to use, and gives you excellant picture quality and an unbelievable zoom then this is it. And now the price has dropped.

Do Not Buy! Missing vital picture size 3:2

Pros: Features, manual controls, high zoom

Cons: No 3:2 ratio for picture size, flash location

I have no clue why would Sony go away with the most important and most basic picture size, or more accurely, picture ration of 3:2. They only offer 16:9 and 4:3. Neither one is the native for picture printing!!! Lot's of people still print their pictures!!! Just look at the lines at Costco. All the shots taken in the 4:3 format get trimed when printed, so heads and feet get cut off. Very very lame. The other huge draw back is the flash. How could you place it in such an awkword spot. So unnatural. Picture quality is about the same as the competition, yet those cameras are priced at half the price and they do offer 3:2 picture ratio. Shame on Sony. Returning the camera and buying other brand.

best compact megazoom out there!

Pros: long,long zoom, very fast

Cons: screen can be hard to see in sunlight

love, love this camera, exceptionally fast, long long zoom, pics look great so far. have to remember not to put your left hand on top left corner as it blocks the flash from popping up when needed, otherwise an excellent choice.

Amazing

Pros: Intuitive

Cons: Battery

Able to determine scene portrait to landscape. Took it on a week-end outing and it was great for night shots and some very tricky indoor shots where flash was forbidden. Battery life a little short. Took a while to get GPS to lock on (took 2 times to get position outside clear sky) but later in a few seconds it locked in within seconds to less than a minute when moved over 100 miles Zoom is very good for a small camera. Bought the second battery and glad I did. Would like a remote .trigger, a viewfinder, and an add on flash or light for dim video scenes. But for a vacation camera fast focus and portability it excels in all areas. I even saw a shot while wife was driving whipped up the camera powered on and had the picture in a second sans gps location. Loved the sweep panorama mode for some very wide scenes I was never able to capture before. Need to get the bow effect out but will Photoshop it some more and see if I can overcome the software shortcoming. It looks great and works great - and I don't get excited about many cameras especially one I have had only a week.. I take many dim light shots and the shake control worked better than expected.

Love my Camera!

Pros: amazing pictures, fun settings, easy to use

Cons: flash location

The zoom is so great on this camera and it takes clear pictures without having to use a tripod. I love using the different pictures effects. It took some time to learn how to do everything but having the manual right in the camera makes is convenient. Also, the WiFi is excellent because I can upload pictures to my computer and phone so easily. I would recommend this camera to anyone who wants to take amazing pictures without much effort.

Makes me a better photographer

Pros: Tremendous results

Cons: Flash popping up where you finger is

I LOVE this camera! I bought it to take pictures of my listings but I took a quick trip to Napa and could not believe the results. Everything you need to do for any setting is displayed right on the camera's screen. Panoramas require no stitching, special effects like spot color or black and white take a second to switch to. The optical zoom is so far reaching and keeps incredible focus. I have a separate HD camcorder and will only use it when I need an external microphone. The camera's video resolution is stunning. The only negative is that when the flash pops up, it pushes your finger away from the edge of the camera. I rarely had the flash come up, so every time it did, it startled me. Other than that, I give this an A+ and have recommended it to everyone I know.

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Pros: portable, fast, great pictures

Cons: none

this is one great little camera that not only takes an awsome pic but the pictures I have developed are fantastic, the color is beautiful, not grainy at all! Video's are great too...zoom spectacular for such a small camera. The body of the camera is solid and feels well made, Features are totally user friendly. not hard to figure out at all! If you are looking for a digital camera that you can develop and print pictures from and have them look fantastic this is the camera for you

Wonderful Camera-Easy to Use

Pros: Love the zoom, great low-light photos

Cons: Pop-up flash takes some getting used to

I am a casual photographer, but my new HX30 makes me feel like a pro! I purchased this camera to replace an older model Sony Cybershot that has a 5x zoom. So far, the pictures taken by the new HX30 are incredible! The 20x zoom is amazing! I took pictures in a room that was almost completely dark, and the photos came out beautifully, perfectly lit. My only complaint is the flash because I have always had my finger on the top left of my old camera when I take pictures - I just have to learn to reposition my hand with this new camera. The Wi-Fi is great, too - I connect my camera to my phone and send great quality pictures that I can instantly email or upload to FB. I give a 110% recommendation to the HX30 if you're looking for a new camera.

Do not buy

This camera is not user friendly

Fabulous!

Pros: Quality of shots, incredibly stable superzoom (optical and digital), ease of use

Cons: Location of flash, needs more detailed manual

I just love this camera! I'm not a professional photographer, but I'm a camera junky, always looking for the latest and best. The HX30 wins on all fronts for me. I don't feel like I have had to compromise on anything with this camera. Thanks, Sony!

WiFi

Pros: good camera picture quality

Cons: bad WiFi

The WiFi is difficult to set up and not very user friendly, some work required here, also App on IOS is not that great only down loads small file not the full resolution, also not very user friendly, not automatic, need to make a bunch of settings before it will actually work.

Loving it

Pros: It takes Awesome pictures and I love the soft skin setting and the hidden flash compartment.

Cons: Needs a longer lasting battery, 300 pictures doesn't last long

Personally I love this camera. Takes great pictures,light, comfortable to hold for a long period of time. But needs a longer lasting battery. Great work on this camer, I recommend it. It was simple to use too.

Stick to the DSC-HX20v

Pros: Camera Great

Cons: WIFI not reliable

The camera itself is great. The 20x zoom and the 18mp are an improvement over the dschx9v's 16x zoom and 16mp. But the big pitch on this camera is supposed to be the wifi Unfortunately, both the WiFI and Sony Playmemories are not ready for prime time. Performance of the WIFI is spotty at best. Save the $20 and stick to the HX20v until Sony gets the bugs works out becasue the HX30V's WIFI isnt there yet.

Excellent Camera - Price Can't Be Beat

Pros: Zoom is UNREAL and 18.2 Mega Pixels

Cons: Flash Location - No Optical Viewfinder

I purchased this camera after my last 2 Sony Cameras always produced good results. I had thought of taking a jump to the A77 but expense and fact still not a professional I researched and came up with this model. The zoom is unreal as shown in my sample. That person is actually from the same picture located in the middle on the top of the stairs by the tree. NO LIE HE REALLY IS!!!! My only complaints are where the flash is located but with the EXMOR processor I take 95% of my photos with no flash anyways. I will agree the screen is tough to view in sunlight so an optical view finder would have been nice. The 3D photos and Panoramic if you have a 3D TV is awesome. I've shown people when in my house and they are blown away. Also traditional panorama takes nice seamless shots. My only other complaints on the camera are when zoom in on photos the images look almost "painted". That is only way I can explain it. But normal zoom 100% it isn't noticeable. It also does it on full zoom which you might notice in the zoomed picture. When I do use the flash it is so strong it does tend to white wash some areas. The ability to select primary colors and have only those appear with rest black and white is a neat tool. Background defocus has been tough to learn as most of the time it says "Can Not Perform Defocus". Overall I am very impressed by this camera and capabilities with its compact size. I didn't think I'd use the wifi but I upload all my pictures to my PC that way. No more cables is nice.

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Excellent small camera

Pros: Low Light, LCD Screen one of the best, Battery life is very good; sharp photos.

Cons: "Processing" can be long and frustrating; no external charger, menus/settings could be more intuitive

I never leave home without a small camera in my bag. Though there are smaller "pocket" cameras out there and I have owned several of them over the last couple of years, the DSC-HX30 is far and away the best small camera I have owned even though it is larger. It's low light capabilities are excellent. Battery life is very good. Artistic features are fun. Manual settings should be easier to find and use. LCD screen is good in bright light. The menu/settings have a learning curve and could be more intuitive. I do not shoot video so cannot comment on that function. Given that no camera is perfect, for my purposes this camera exceeds my expectations. I would definitely recommend this camera and am happy with my purchase

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Upgrade from DSC-HX9V

Pros: Nice Picture, Easy to Use, Good steady focus even in zoom

Cons: Cheap looking recycled plastic

I bought DSC-HX9V on May last year, because SONY Canada couldn't get me DSC-HX30V before going for vacation in Japan. (HX9V is also wonderful picture, but I'd waited for HX30V price going down, now less than $300 at Futureshop etc, originaly this camera priced more than $400) OK, everything fine. I can see a lot of improvement on this camera. SONY even redesined button and switches, now I can power-on-off much easier, and mode switch (round on top) position can be changed with one finger. In addtion to that, this camera has standard micro USB connector, means I can charge with the same charger as my cell phone while I am driving. Zoom focus is very nice and quick, it is amazing compare with other brand. even on shooting movie, camera itself is working so hard to capture steady hand movie. Panorama photo is nice and easy too, especially for captureing the mountain and ocean. In addtion to that, GPS works much better and quicker, in fact, it locks even in my living room. (yes, it is much quicker than my cell phone GPS function) Wife...it works but very slow, need to be patient. Only sad part is there is only limited chjoice of language on menu (from setup), English, Francas, Espanol, Italiano and Chinese... Yes, SONY is Japanese company, but no Japanese language built-in.

First hand review

Pros: picture quality is good

Cons: build and durability is less

Hi, I have bought the capera very recently. After taking it in my hand for first hour, I realzed that (Cons) *The flesh light which pops out may be an issue in future * viewing glass (3 inches) has no border protection, would catch up scratches faster. * Navigational button is so cheap in quality, it metal sounds while using it. (could be more finished) * Paranomic view is tough to capture * GPS & wi-fi is just a sailer, not much of use. * I miss my old Sony DSC which had carl zies lenses. -------- (Pro) Picture quality is good Thanks!

Amazing HD video but poor audio

Pros: Amazing still photos and HD video

Cons: Poor quality audio for HD video

I purchased the DSC-HX30V hoping that Sony addressed the one glaring weakness that was apparently ignored in the DSC-HX9V product design - namely audio recording quality for video. But before I discuss that in detail, I would like to note that for my use, I was hoping that the 24 mm minimum wide angle focal length in the HX9V would be kept since this was very useful for close range indoor shots. Unfortunately, it appears that Sony decided to extend the maximum focal length (16x to 20x) at the expense of the minimum wide angle (25 mm). I would have also liked to have seen Sony increase the 1/2.3" sensor size to compete with the larger 1/1.7" sensor used in the Canon S100 for improved image quality #this specification has more significance than the total megapixel count, which is a marketing ploy for the unknowing camera buyer# which is especially noticeable when printing photos 8"x10" or larger. That being said, I generally agree with the other reviewers' comments about the improvements, so I will not re-state them in my review. The main reason why I purchased the HX30V was to hopefully get better audio quality for my HD video use. Unfortunately, this did not happen. The HX30V still records audio with the same low audio recording bit rates #128 kbps for mp4 and 256 kbps for AVCHD#, which translates into highly compressed audio. This is what makes the audio almost un-listenable when played back on a full range system. Live music sounds very thin and distorted while human voices sound very "tinny". I suspect that Sony purposely avoids using uncompressed PCM audio for the sake of conserving available memory space, but at the expense of audio quality. I've only owned 1 other camera that had outstanding uncompressed PCM audio #Canon SX1 IS#, so it's definitely not impossible. However, that camera does not have the HX9V's strengths in the image stabilization and low light performance. Even the Casio EX-ZR100 has better audio #less audio compression#, but does not have Sony's noted strengths, either. I just hope that in time, Sony will make audio recording quality less than an afterthought in product design. Update 5/25/12 - When I contacted Sony Technical Support on this matter, the Rep told me that the audio sampling rate is fixed and cannot be changed. This is very disappointing for those looking for CD-quality audio in their video recordings. Update 5/26/12 - To put this camera to the audio test, I tried shooting video at a local karaoke night club that I knew would test if this camera was up to the challenge when it came to demanding audio. As confirmed, the audio recording was no better than the HX9V. In fact, the recorded audio clipped so badly that it was un-usable for post production editing. As with most AVCHD and mp4 that I've used, the most noticeable areas that the camera struggled to accurately record was from the low bass to the upper midrange, especially at higher volumes. In comparison with the audio recorders of the Canon SX1 IS and Casio EX-ZR100 cameras and the Olympus LS-20M PCM digital audio recorder, the HX30V was not even close to matching them in terms of being able to record studio-quality audio. There is no reason why Sony could not design this camera to match the amazing HD video with CD-quality audio. I suspect that they figured that most buyers would not pay much attention to this critical area of product design to a point where it became an afterthought, as stated earlier.