Sony Cyber-shot HX99 Review

The Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is a compact travel zoom camera, with an impressive 28/30x optical zoom lens*. It updates the HX90, with 4K video, raw shooting, and has eye focus AF, a touch screen, and there's 10fps continuous shooting, plus a control ring around the lens. The HX90 started as the most compact 30x travel zoom camera available, and the HX99 continues that tradition.

*Technically the camera has a 28x optical zoom lens (4.25-118mm is 28x, and 28x optical zoom is specified on the Sony website), yet the camera still covers 24-720mm equivalent range giving you a 30x optical zoom.

Sony Cyber-shot HX99 Features

The Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is for those who want a lot of optical zoom, but don't want the added size of an ultra-zoom bridge camera - as can be seen below, the Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is considerably smaller than an ultra-zoom bridge camera.

Giving 30x optical zoom lens (equivalent), the camera offers the equivalent of 24mm zooming all the way to 720mm in a compact camera body. Optical Image Stabilisation is included to help keep shots sharp when using the optical zoom, or when shooting in less than ideal lighting conditions. The camera features a built-in pop-up flash, a pop-up electronic viewfinder, and a tilting 3inch touch-screen that can be tilted forwards for selfies and group shots. 

Canon Powershot SX70 HS - Sony Cyber-Shot HX99 Side By Side

If you're looking for a travel zoom, you're likely to want something compact, and this is where the HX99 excels, being smaller than any of the other travel zooms available. Here we've put together a quick table, showing the other options available to you, and what the HX99 is up against when it comes to travel zoom cameras:

The Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is the most compact of these, measuring 102 x 58.1 x 35.5mm, and weighing in at 242g it is also the lightest of these.

Sony Cyber-shot HX99 Updates compared to the HX90: 

• 4K UHD video recording
• Touch-screen (vs no touch-screen)
• Raw shooting now possible
• Face and eye detection focus
• No longer has support for Sony PlayMemories Apps
• Uses MicroSD rather than SD memory card

There's an 18mp BSI CMOS sensor, offering not only high-speed continuous shooting (at 10fps), but this also offers high-speed video recording. The camera offers P, A, S and Manual controls, as well as a range of automatic and scene modes. The camera now offers raw shooting, so you can process the raw images yourself if you want to. 

On the back is the 3inch touch-screen with a resolution of 921K dots, this can be tilted forwards for group shots, or selfies. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) that will also act as an on / off switch when popping up, and down to switch off. 

The camera offers 4K UHD video recording, with stereo mics built-in, and you can use the optical zoom while recording. FullHD video can be recorded at a variety of speeds, up to 120fps. 

Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth are built-in. NFC helps you quickly set up a connection to a compatible smartphone. Wi-Fi can be used to remotely control the camera, and Bluetooth means you can transfer images using less power than Wi-Fi. 

Key Features

• 18.2mp 1/2.3inch BSI CMOS sensor
• 28x optical zoom lens, f/3.5-6.4, 24-720mm equivalent, f/3.5-6.4
• Optical Image Stabilisation / Sony SteadyShot (5-axis)
• 3inch tilting touch-screen, 921K dots
• Pop-up EVF, 638K dots, 0.5x magnification, dioptre
• 10fps continuous shooting
• Pop-up flash
• 4K UHD video recording
• FullHD video recording at 120/100fps
• ISO80 to ISO6400 
• RAW shooting
• Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth v4.1 built-in
• 5cm macro focus
• Panoramic shooting

Sony Cyber-shot HX99 Handling

The camera is compact, being one of the smallest travel zoom cameras available, and weighs in at 242g with battery and memory card. It's easily pocketable, fitting into trouser pockets. The camera body is mostly made out of metal, and this gives the camera a solid, premium feel when you pick it up. The pop-up flash and pop-up have reassuringly solid construction, so there is nothing to worry about when it comes to build quality. 

There's a rubber grip on the front to aid with holding the camera securely. On the back is a very small rubber area for your thumb to grip on to. We'd definitely recommend using the provided wrist strap to ensure that you don't accidentally drop the camera, as the camera is still small, even with the rubber grip at the front. 

On top of the camera, you'll find the mode dial, on/off button, zoom rocker and shutter release button. A switch is used to release the pop-up flash. There are two custom modes available on the mode dial (1) and (2). 

To release the pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF) there is a switch on the left-hand side of the camera, once it pops up you then pull it towards you. To close you reverse the steps. There's dioptre correction. The electronic viewfinder is a decent size considering how small the camera is, at 0.5x magnification, it gives a reasonable view, and looks good. 

Menus – The menus are similar to Sony Alpha cameras, which means you should be able to find your way around if you've used other Sony cameras. There's even a "MyMenu" screen where you can add your own favourite settings, making it quicker to find your favourites. The Fn button gives quick access to on-screen controls, and these can be customised. 

The 3inch touch-screen has a decent resolution of 922K dots, giving a clear view. You don't need to use the touch-screen, as you'll find you can use all of the controls and buttons on the back of the camera if you want. However, the touch-screen can come in handy if you want to quickly set the focus point. 

If you're shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, the screen visibility is still quite good. However, for a better view, you can use the pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF), which also has dioptre correction available. The view is good, with good colour reproduction that matches the screen. 

Battery life - USB charging is available, using the MicroUSB socket, and battery life is rated at 370 shots, or up to 460 shots if you set the auto monitor off setting to 2 seconds. If you use the viewfinder then battery life is rated at 300 shots. Depending on your planned use, you may want to purchase a spare battery. 

Sony Cyber-shot HX99 Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 Lens test images

Camera Performance - In good light, the camera produces images with good levels of detail, and colour reproduction is good, with bright saturated colours. However, if you view images at 100% actual pixel size, then you will easily spot noise in darker areas, even when the camera is using the lowest ISO speed of ISO80. Images are softer at the telephoto end of the lens, and macro performance is reasonable, with the camera able to focus on subject 5cm away.

Portrait photos (indoors) taken with flash, tend to use a higher ISO speed, which results in softer images, so you may want to choose a lower ISO speed when shooting with flash. 

In low-light the camera increases the ISO speed to compensate, allowing a quicker shutter speed, however, noise reduces detail, and often you end up with a photo that looks smudged, with low levels of detail. Optical image stabilisation works well and helps to give sharp images, free from camera shake, even when using slower shutter speeds. 

Dynamic range recorded by the camera is better than many other cameras, thanks to DRO (Dynamic Range Optimisation) options, as well as Auto HDR options. Dynamic range - options include Off, Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Level 1-5), Auto High Dynamic Range: Off, Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1.0-6.0EV, 1.0EV step). Vignetting is well controlled, and chromatic aberrations were fairly rare unless shooting with trees or other dark objects against a bright sky. The camera is also quite resistant to flare.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 ISO test images

ISO Noise Performance - Updated image processing has resulted in images with slightly higher noise levels than the previous camera, the HX90, and images also show slightly less sharpening. Noise becomes more noticeable at ISO800, and we'd recommend trying to use an ISO speed below this if possible. Detail drops at ISO1600, and more noticeably at ISO3200, so these ISO speeds are best avoided. Beyond ISO6400, you can use multi-frame noise reduction which combines a number of shots for reduced noise.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 White-balance test images

White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance gives a warm result under tungsten and mixed lighting, with the tungsten preset giving a similar result. If you want to capture whiter whites, then you'll need to use manual white balance. Under fluorescent lighting, the results show a slightly warm result, and there are a number of presets available that can help, although many of these give a strong colour cast.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 Digital filters

Digital Filters - There are a large number of digital filters available, some you may like, some you may not. Care needs to be taken to ensure you remember to switch the effect off when you've finished with it, otherwise you can accidentally end up with all of your photos looking like water paintings. 

Panorama mode - The automatic panoramic mode works reasonably well, producing a 15mp+ image, however, if you get the panning speed wrong, you can end up with a grey bar at the end of the image. 

Video - 4K UHD video is recorded at 25fps at 100mbps, and there's the option to record FullHD video at 100fps (again at 100mbps), for high frame rate video recording, or you can select more normal speeds. Optical image stabilisation helps to keep video stable, but for best results, a tripod is recommended. There are auto / manual audio options, with settings for wind filter and attenuator. Additional videos can be found on the ePHOTOzine YouTube Channel. 

Value For Money

The Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is available for £449, or you can get the HX95 version (without the touch-screen capability) for £429. This makes it over £100 more than the competition, and if you don't need 4K video, you could look at the previous version, the HX90. 

Canon Powershot SX740, 40x optical zoom, 4K video, £335
Nikon Coolpix A900, 35x optical zoom, 4K video, £285
Sony Cyber-shot HX90, 30x optical zoom, FullHD video, EVF, £299
Panasonic Lumix TZ90, 30x optical zoom, 4K video, EVF, touch-screen, £319

Have a look at more Pocket Zoom cameras or if you need more optical zoom, have a look a the Best Ultra Zoom Bridge cameras. You'll also need to buy a MicroSD memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.

Sony Cyber-shot HX99 Verdict

The Sony Cyber-shot HX99 offers an update to the HX90, adding 4K video, and increasing the price. If you want one of the smallest travel zooms available, then the HX99 is definitely the most pocketable in this segment of the market, however, the price could put many people off. The image quality produced by the camera is roughly on par with its competitors. For a real increase in image quality, you'll need to look at a camera with a 1inch sensor, such as the Panasonic Lumix TZ100, TZ200, or the Sony Cybershot RX100 VI, although you do lose zoom reach and end up with a larger camera. 

The HX99 offers a lot of features, in an impressively small camera body, and for general snapshots, in sunny conditions, the camera will produce pleasing results. If you shoot in harsh and gloomy weather, or in low-light conditions then the camera may disappoint. The camera also comes at a high price, but there may be some who value the compact size, particularly compared to the larger competition.

For those that want the smallest travel zoom with 30x optical zoom, then the HX99 is certainly it.

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