SONY HX5 understanding the specifications

last edit 10- 02-11 00:20

Backlight Correction HDR

Shooting high-contrast scenes can often lead to washed out backgrounds and details lost in shadow.
Backlight Correction HDR helps correct for this by taking two pictures at different settings and processing the best elements of both into a single image.

Normally you take 3 to 5 shots with -2, 0 and +2 exposure and on the PC and a nice program you can work your magic. The HX5 takes 2 shots with different exposures and takes the best parts from both shots and merges it into one picture.
And it is even direct to select.

GPS and Compass

An integrated GPS receiver and compass record the location and direction of every shot you take and let you view your images on a map with compatible computer and internet applications, so you can remember where you took your favorite shots.

see a video how it works (Japanese)

We have GPS, a processor and a memory card, now how do I get my TomTom to run on the hX5? ;)

The HX5 does not have Contrast, Saturation, Sharpening settings - read my post why that does not matter in my opinion.

Shooting Capacity Still Image


Built-in flash shooting range
At ISO Auto: Approx 0.05-3.8m (at wide end) / Approx 1.0-2.6m (at tele end),
ISO3200-time: the maximum distance of about 7.6m (at wide end) / Approx 5.2m (at tele end)

3.0" Clear Photo LCD™ display (230k pixels)

Compose and show off your images on the large 3.0” (230K) Clear Photo LCD ™ display, which features a special anti-reflective coating for sharp visibility, even in bright sunlight.

Should be quite similar to the one from the HX1 what is quite ok, but can be much improved with this gadget what acts as a sunshade and a bit like a flip screen for over head and below waist shots. It also enables you to take a foto of yourself.

Copy from my HX1 blog

One of the thing I always enjoyed was the creative shooting possibilities the swivel screen from my Canon S2 offered. So when I decided for the Sony HX1 I was looking for a way to get more shooting angles out of the screen. Here is the answer. For 12$ I not only have the same flexibility as a swivel screen, I also have a sun shade and that is important because we have more than 330 days a blue sky with very seldom a cloud in it.

Anti - Motion Blur Mode

Capture cleaner and sharper images in low light for non landscape shots. When set in Anti-motion Blur Mode, the DSC-HX5V captures six images in a fraction of a second with higher shouter speed and combines the data from all six to create a single image of extraordinary detail and eliminate subject blur, beyond the capability of traditional cameras.

The HX5 has the slower lens but a more sensitive sensor. So the low light capability should not be worse than the one from the HX1.

High Speed Shooting (10fps)

The HX5V can capture full 10.2 megapixel resolution images at up to 10 fps, helping to ensure you never miss the decisive moment. What's more, the HX5V employs a mechanical shutter that helps reduce distortion when continuously shooting moving subjects.

Similar to the one from the HX1 what is an awesome function.
As the SONY HX1 the HX5 also has 3 setting to shoot 1 to 10 pictures in 1, 2 or 5 seconds, and yes it takes some time to process them and then copy them from internal memory to the memory card. If you want to get an Idea how fast 10 pictures per second is (the HX5 has a mechanical shutter too) here is a sample from the (as quick) Canon 1D Mark IV

DVDirect® DVD recorder Compatible

With AVCHD capabilities the DSC-HX5V is compatible with the DVDirect® DVD recorder, allowing automatic playback of high definition footage. Simply insert your Memory Stick® media into the DVDirect® DVD recorder and enjoy your movies shot in high definition. (Recorder and media sold separately)

Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization

Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization uses a built-in gyro sensor to detect camera shake and automatically shifts the lens to help prevent blur without sacrificing image quality.

The SONY website mentions that there is a major improvement with the HX5 since the lens element can move 10 times more than with cybershot cameras before and it states that you can even take videos while walking or driving with much improves stabilisation.

BIONZ™ Image Processor

Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization with Active Mode represents the next step forward in Sony® image stabilization technology, and allows the camera lens a greater range of motion for a superior level of image smoothness. Now you can capture smooth movies on your camera while doing other activities such as walking or riding a bike.

Jupp there it is mentioned...

Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode

Unlike traditional auto mode, Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode thinks for you, recognizing scenes, lighting conditions, and faces, and adjusts settings resulting in clearer images, faces with more natural skin tone, and less blur. By incorporating advanced features such as Intelligent Scene Recognition, Face Detection technology, and Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization, iAuto mode lets you take advantage of the latest Sony® Cyber-shot® technology without leaving auto mode. Whether you're shooting expansive landscapes, capturing playground action, or taking pictures at a birthday party or wedding shower, iAuto mode will optimize your camera's settings to help ensure you come away with a great shot.

Here an explanation how it recognizes the scene and what the program does.

High Sensitivity Mode (ISO 3200)

High ISO allows for faster shutter speed, so you can take photos indoors or in low light without the need for a flash. In addition to High Sensitivity Mode (ISO), you can select up to seven ISO settings (Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200) when shooting in Program Auto Mode to adjust sensitivity to your shooting conditions.

Small sensor, so expect deterioration above 400. - BUT SONY has the fantastic Handheld Twilight mode and with that one low light situations with non moving objects never looked so good with a compact camera.
To give you an Idea how an ISO 3200 in Handheld Twilight will look like here a sample form my SONY HX1 (this will pretty much be as it will come out of the HX5v).

What makes the Sony HX1 so special?
Let´s take a dark corner in one you need all the ISO you can get and a very sturdy hand because the intelligent mode wants to use 1/4 second.

this is a lossless crop and you see it in all its glory when you click at the picture. ISO 3200 sure ain´t pretty, but you have the shot. People, this is 1/4 sec HANDHELD! Belive me my hands are not the sturdiest anymore.For a fast comparison here is a 400 pixel crop.Remember the HX5 has an "10 time improved" steady shot!




Now lets try the twilight mode


and the 400 pixel crop



Both use ISO 3200 the twilight mode just uses 1/2 second.
The stabilizer does very good work


Let´s compare a real night shot

Same shot whit twilight mode. Both are ISO 3200


So you get the idea. I would like see any other superzoom deliver these out of the camera results.

Intelligent AF

Thanks to Intelligent AF technology, capture fleeting moments like a child's adorable expression with the ultra-quick AF which locks focus in as little as 0.3-sec.

Will this work with my dinos too, SONY?

Function Guide:

This beginner-friendly optional function helps navigate through the various functions and settings tilt displaying the description of chosen functions or settings on the LCD screen.

In-Camera Retouching Tools

Retouch and enhance your photos on the go with in-camera Trimming, Red-Eye Correction, and Unsharp Masking functions

Media card slot

For convenient storage and sharing of your images, the DSC-HX5V accepts Memory Stick Duo™/Memory Stick PRO Duo™/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ media (sold separately) and SD/SDHC
media.

Colors Available

The Cyber-shot® DSC-HX5V camera is available in black.
... and in some countries in silverish also

I want´s it, the precious

10.2 Megapixel Back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS Image Sensor

The EXMOR R explained

The DSC-HX5V features a 10.2 megapixel “Exmor R” CMOS image sensor that brings out the full resolving power of the camera's wide angle G lens to deliver extremely fast speed, high resolution, and stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain. In addition, the combined “Exmor R” CMOS sensor and BIONZ™ image processor delivers extremely fast 10fps, Anti Motion Blur, Hand-held Twilight and 1080i movie modes.
This seemed to be an improved version to the Exmor sensor from the HX1.

Intelligent Sweep Panorama Mode

Capture expansive landscapes with Intelligent Sweep Panorama Mode. Press shutter and sweep and the camera does the rest, continuously, shooting images and in one second stitching them together. This model even detects faces and moving subjects to stitch intelligently different widths to avoid subject distortion.
Yes this is a fantastic function and now with an enhanced ghosting surpression. (see the demo in the SONY video about the HX5)
Let me take you to a little screen capture tour from the original SONY HX5V video

turn your dial to panorama mode


press the shutter button and move in the direction of the arrow


as you can see there are some folks running through your shot


still running


while the scenery moves, these guys like to stay in the center of the lens


with my SONY HX1 that would be a lost panorama shot


it would look exactly like that


now lets see what magic the HX5 supposed to can perform


If this is true, that would be an awesome improvement.
Also you see that the tip of the mountain is cut of. The stitching cuts off on top and bottom since you move the camera slightly up and down while panning. In this case take the camera in portrait mode, tell the panorama setting and shoot a panorama not 1080 pixel high but 1920 pixel high.Simple isn´t it?

Here you see how many degrees you are capturing with the 4 different settings.

HDMI™ output connectivity

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI™) is a compact audio/video connector interface for transmitting uncompressed digital streams. HDMI connects digital audio/video sources such as a compatible camcorder, Blu-ray Disc™ player, a personal computer, a video game console, or an AV receiver to a compatible digital audio device and/or video monitor such as a digital television (DTV).

You need to put the camera on the back and plug that "nice" dongle (supplied) into the multi port and then your HDMI cable into that.

From HX1 Insider

Active Mode

Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization with Active Mode represents the next step forward in Sony® image stabilization technology, and allows the camera lens a greater range of motion for a superior level of image smoothness. Now you can capture smooth movies on your camera while on the move.

Sony also improves Optical Steady Shot™ image stabilization with Active Mode by expanding the 3-Way Shake Canceling feature across the full zoom range, from wide to telephoto end. This reduces the effects of hand shake in three directions – vertical and horizontal shake corrected by optical image stabilization and the third, by way of electronic image stabilization, corrects lateral-roll shake providing up to 10x more shake correction than conventional cameras.

10.01.27 See the difference with and without Active Mode.
(you need to watch the video several times)

TransferJet™ technology

TransferJet™ technology, developed by Sony® and advanced and promoted by consortium of 18 other companies, allows you to transfer up to ten ??? files between two TransferJet enabled devices just by touching them together, without the hassle of hunting for cables or the complication of pairing .

More info about TransferJet
100$ for a 8 GB TransferJet card
150$ for the TransferJet™ Station
Eye-Fi might be another solution if you want to go wireless.

Self-Portrait Timer

Self-Portrait Timer helps take the guesswork out of self portraits by utilizing Face Detection technology to recognize when your face enters the frame. Once the camera detects your face, it triggers a 2-second timer, and then snaps a picture.

Anti-blink Function

It's frustrating to think you've captured that perfect shot, only to review it later and discover one of your subjects blinked just as you pressed the shutter. The Anti-blink function works to help counter blinking and squinting. When the camera is set to Soft Snap, the Anti-blink function captures two images, recording only the photo with less squinting. If a blink is detected in other shooting modes, a warning will be displayed after you take the shot.

Motion Detection

Motion Detection, along with Face Motion Detection adjusts ISO sensitivity and increases the shutter speed when movement is detected, reducing blur in moving subjects and faces.

Easy Shooting Mode

With Easy Shooting Mode, even beginners can take great photos. In Easy Shooting Mode, easy-to-understand basic instructions are displayed on the LCD screen and the camera switches to all automatic settings, removing several function choices and allowing you to focus on just your subject. Since this mode works together with Intelligent Scene Recognition, the camera selects the optimum setting for each scene. In addition the easy mode simplifies preview mode.

Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) Mode

Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) Mode automatically detects nine different types of scenes and, within just 1/30th of a second, selects the appropriate camera settings: Backlight, Backlight Portrait, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Twilight using a tripod, Portrait, Landscape and Macro. iSCN has two modes: Auto and Advanced. In Auto Mode, the camera takes a single shot using the optimal settings. In Advanced Mode, the camera takes a photo with the optimal settings and, if in difficult lighting (low light or back light) immediately takes a second photo with another optimized setting so you can choose which to keep.

Viewing modes

Find your photos using the simple folder or calendar viewing modes.

Lithium-ion battery

Included lithium-ion battery provides added convenience with longer lasting power than alkaline batteries.

Includes Sony® PMBP (Picture Motion Browser Portable) software

With the pre-installed Picture Motion Browser (PMB) Portable software the DSC-HX5V makes it easy to pre-select videos and images in the camera and conveniently upload them from the camera to a compatible PC and popular Internet sharing sites without the need for any additional software or install.

10x (25mm equivalent) Professional-quality optical zoom G-Lens

G lenses are used in top of the line digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and advanced pro-sumer HD Camcorders. Capture the action up close with the 10x optical zoom, and with the 25mm equivalent wide angle lens the HX5V even allows you to capture more of the scenes in landscape or group portraits.

Handheld Twilight

Capture cleaner and sharper night shots without using a tripod. When set to Handheld Twilight Mode, the DSC-HX5V captures six images in a fraction of a second with one press of the shutter, and combines the data from all six to create a single image of extraordinary detail and low noise. With these modes, you can capture images in low light, without flash, beyond the capability of traditional cameras.

As mentioned above this is what lifts the SONY above the crowd.

1080i AVCHD Movie Mode

Record movies in 1080i AVCHD high definition at 60i . The AVCHD format captures a high degree of detail and smooth movement, and when footage is burned to disc, can be played back on Blu-ray Disc™ players, Sony® PlayStation®3 systems and compatible PCs and HDTVs .

50i for Europe and other countries who use 50 Hz instead of 60 Hz.

AVCHD 1920 × 1080 (50i/60i, Interlace) ca. 17 Mbit/s
AVCHD 1440 × 1080 (50i/60i, interlaced ca. 9 Mbit/s

recording times in minutes

HD MP4 Movie Mode

MP4 is a popular format for high definition video that compresses the size of your audio and video, making your media files small enough to easily transfer to your compatible PC or Mac®. MP4 is also highly compatible with the Web, so you can effortlessly upload your media to popular photo or video-sharing Web sites like Photobucket® or YouTube™. (Compatible PC with internet capability required).

Now finally somebody addressed the main problem of HD video recording if you do not have the newest hardware to playback.
MP4/AVI 1440 × 1080, ca. 25 /30, progressive ca. 12 Mbit/s
MP4/AVI 1280 × 720, 25 /30, progressive ca. 6 Mbit/s
MP4/AVI 640 × 480, 25 /30, progressive ca. 3 Mbit/s

While in the camera mode you have a 25-250 mm zoom range the wide angle moves to 30-300 mm in 16:9 movie mode and to 36-360 mm in 4:3 movie mode



The MP4 codec is much less demanding than the AVC HD codec, so how do you get the AVC HD files to play on your not so powerful computer?

I just tested the Splash Lite player on a 1.6 MHz Centrino duo with a Nvidia GF 7300 M successful after I was very unhappy with the playback of my usual media players (GOM, VLC, Mplayer Classic) on a 2 MHz Centrino Core 2 Duo with a Nvidia GF 8600 M what had problems to play the 1080 MTS files from a new SONY camera with an identical exmor r and the same video codec and setting as the HX5.

Another simple solution is the stand alone box WD TV what you connect to your tv or beamer. See my post

WD TV the SONY HX1 best HD friend

Face Detection technology

Sony's improved Face Detection technology can automatically distinguish between children and adults. Face Detection technology detects up to eight individual faces and adjusts focus, exposure, and white balance to help deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends.

Works with barbie dolls too...

Scene Modes

Pet-mode minimizes blur when shooting moving pets utilizing Motion Detection technology and automatically turns off the flash to reduce glowing pet eyes. AF illumination is also disabled so you can take more natural expressions avoiding startling your pets.

PHOTOMUSIC

PHOTOMUSIC combines images with music (4 tracks, 5 minutes per track) to produce fun and entertaining slide shows with standard visual effects (Simple, Nostalgic, Active, and Stylish). Select from pre-loaded tracks on the camera or transfer your own from your compatible computer (sold separately).

PhotoTV HD

Bring your photos to life and enjoy highly detailed, high definition images with PhotoTV HD-capable Sony® BRAVIA® HDTVs. PhotoTV HD fine tunes settings on your PhotoTV HD enabled BRAVIA HDTV, such as sharpness, gradation, and color to display images that look more like printed

Includes Sony® PMB (Picture Motion Browser) Software ver. 5.0

Sony Picture Motion Browser software offers a simple, intuitive way to transfer, sort, and view your video and still images on your compatible PC. In addition, multiple output options let you burn your memories to DVD (sold separately), as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites

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Weights and Measurements

Dimensions (Approx.) :
W x H x D: 4 1/8" x 2 3/8" x 1 3/16" (102.9mm x 57.7mm x 28.9mm )

Weight (Approx.) :
Body: Approx. 6.0oz. (170g), With battery and Memory Stick media: 7.1oz. (200g)

Power

Battery Capacity :
Approx. 155 minutes / Approx. 310 images when shooting still image

Battery Type :
InfoLITHIUM G type 3.6V

Convenience

Burst Mode :
Approx 10 fps (10 shots)

Date/Time Stamp :
Available in the included PMB software.

Dynamic Range Optimizer :
Standard

Image Stabilization :
Optical

Media/Battery Indicator :
Yes/Yes

Memory Stick® Pro Media Compatibility :
Tested to support up to 32GB Memory Stick DUO PRO™ media capacity; does not support Access Control security function.

Movie Mode(s) :
AVCHD: 1920 x 1080(59.94i, Interlace) (Approx.17Mbps) /1440 x 1080(59.94i, Interlace)(Approx.9Mbps) MP4: 1440 x 1080(29.97fps, Progressive) (Approx.12Mbps) / 1440 x 1080(29.97fps, Progressive) (Approx.6Mbps) / VGA(640 x 480) (29.97fps, Progressive) (Approx.3Mbps)

PictBridge Compatible :
Yes

Red-Eye Reduction :
Auto / On / Off

Scene Mode(s) :
iAuto, Easy, Program Auto, Manual Exposure, High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, Advanced Sports Shooting, Gourmet, Pet Mode, Handheld Twilight, Anti-Motion Blur, Intelligent Sweep Panorama, Backlight HDR.

Self Timer :
Off / 10sec. / 2sec./ portrait1 / portrait2

Still Image Mode(s) :
Normal/High Speed Burst(High/Med/Low)/Bracketing(JPEG)

TransferJet :
Single / Select

White Balance :
Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Fluorescent 1 (White Fluorescent Lighting) / Fluorescent 2 (Natural White Fluorescent Lighting) / Fluorescent 3 (Day White Fluorescent Lighting) / Incandescent / Flash / One Push

Processor

BIONZ™ Engine :
Yes

Control

ISO :
Auto / 125 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200

Hardware

LCD :
3.0" Clear Photo LCD (230,400 pixels)
Lens Construction :
10 elements in 7 groups(including 4 aspheric elements)
Lens Type :
Sony G-Lens
Microphone/Speaker :
Stereo / Mono
Viewfinder :
No

Operating Conditions

Flash Effective Range :
Trimming / Red Eye Correction / Soft Focus / Partial Color / Fisheye Lens / Cross Filter / Retro / Radial Blur / Unsharp
Flash Mode(s) :
Auto / Flash On / Slow Syncro / Flash Off

Convenience Features

AF Illuminator Light :
Auto / Off
Clear RAW NR :
Yes
Histogram Display :
Yes
In-Camera Editing :
Trimming / Red Eye Correction / Soft Focus / Partial Color / Fisheye Lens / Cross Filter / Retro / Radial Blur / Unsharp Masking / Smile
Multi-Pattern Measuring :
Yes

Power Save Mode :
Standard / Stamina /Off
Real Imaging Processor™ Technology :
BIONZ™


Accessory Terminal :
Multi connector

Audio/Video Output(s) :
Yes via Mutli-Use Connector
HD Output :
Yes (1080i)

USB Port(s) :
Yes - USB2.0 Hi-Speed

General

Imaging Device :
1/2.4 type(7.59mm) Exmor CMOS Sensor
Megapixel :
Aprox. 10.2 Megapixels
Recording Media :
45MB internal Flash Memory, optional Memory Stick Duo™ Media, optional Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media, optional SD media

Service and Warranty Information

Limited Warranty Term :
Limited 1 Year Parts & Labor

Optics/Lens

35mm Equivalent :
Still shots: 25-250mm / Movie 16:9: 30-300mm / Movie 4:3 :36-360mm
Aperture Range :
iAuto(F3.5/F8.0(W), 2 steps with ND Filter) / Program Auto(F3.5/F8.0(W), /Manual(F3.5/F8.0(W)
Digital Zoom :
Smart Zoom / Precision Digital Zoom / Off
Exposure Compensation :
Plus / Minus 2.0EV, 1 / 3EV step
Face Detection :
Detects up to 8 Faces - with Auto / Off / Child Priority / Adult Priority
Focal Length :
4.25-42.5mm
Focus :
9 points / Center Weighted AF / Spot AF
Macro Mode :
iAuto(W:Approx.5cm(0.16') to Infinity, T:Approx.100cm(3.28') to Infinity)
Optical Zoom :
10x
Shutter Speed :
iAuto(2" - 1/1,600) / Program Auto(1" - 1/1,600)/Manual(30"-1/1600)
Smart Zoom® Technology :
5M:Approx.14x(Total),
VGA:Approx.57x(Total),
16:9(2M):Approx.19x(Total)
Total Zoom :
Approx. 20x

Software

Operating System Compatibility :
Microsoft® Windows XP SP3, Vista SP2, Windows 7, Macintosh® OS X(v10.4-v10.6) (PMB is not compatible)
Supplied Software :
Picture Motion Browser Vers 5.0, PMB Portable 5.0 (for Windows), PMB Portable 1.1 (for Macintosh), Music Transfer