About the Sony Cyber-shot® DSC-HX50V
More zoom than meets the eye
The Sony DSC-HX50V boasts an impressive 30X zoom and a compact body.
More zoom than meets the eye
Big things sometimes come in small packages. Take the Sony DSC-HX50V, for instance. At first glance it's a mild-mannered little point-and-shoot camera. Now pick it up and try out the zoom function. Whoa, look at the extension on that Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar lens. With 30X magnification, the 'HX50V's range is impressive for such a compact body. And with Sony's Clear Image digital zoom, you can expand to 60X with minimal image degradation. Not what you expected when you first saw this camera, was it?
3-way image stabilization
Any high-zoom camera needs powerful image stabilization to ensure your close-ups aren't blurry. Those subtle movements of your hand may not seem like much, but they can wreak havoc when you're zoomed in from long distances. Sony's optical SteadyShot stabilization employs a unique twist: it corrects for rotational movement of the camera. So your photos are more likely to be sharp and crisp, whether you're shooting wide-angle shots or long-range close-ups.
Tricky lighting won't derail you
Don't let poor lighting get the best of you. The 'HX50V's fast lens and CMOS sensor excel at gathering plenty of light. So even as the shadows lengthen, you can still capture fine detail and color for great-looking photos. And when you're shooting in tricky high-contrast settings, use the exposure compensation dial. It's a great way to make fine adjustments manually without having to fool with your camera's menu settings. It's a nice touch that can help elevate your photography skills.
GPS, HD video, and more
There's even more to explore with the DSC-HX50V's many features. On-board GPS tracks your location and tags photos, so you'll know where and when each shot was taken. Capture fast action sequences at the blazing speed of 10 frames per second at the camera's full resolution. Shoot HD video at the same time as you capture still shots. And a wide array of shooting options, digital filters, and editing options will help you craft photos you'll be proud to share with family and friends.
Highlights:
Specifications:
- 20.4-megapixel effective recording backlit CMOS sensor
- 30X optical zoom (60X with Clear Image interpolation)
- records photos and video onto optional SD and SDHC memory cards (Class 4 and higher for stills and video), and Memory Stick® PRO Duo media (PRO-HG required for video recording)
- 3" high-resolution LCD screen (921,000 dots)
- 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 24-720mm (4:3 still mode)
Special Features:
- light-sensitive Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar lens provides exceptional clarity and low light performance
- Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with 3-way Active mode adds stabilization in clockwise/counter-clockwise directions
- advanced "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for sharp photos even in low light
- wirelessly transfer or back up images to your smartphone via Wi-Fi with Sony's PlayMemories app for Apple® and Android™ devices
- built-in GPS tags your photos with location information
- dedicated Exposure Value (EV) control dial for on-the-fly manual exposure adjustments
- program auto, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, and manual exposure modes
- Sweep Panorama mode lets your capture 360-degree panoramic shots
- high-definition movie mode (1080/60 progressive frames-per-second)
- dual record captures video and still shots simultaneously
- face detection controls focus and exposure for accurate portraits
- smile recognition holds shutter response until the camera detects that your subject is smiling
- high-speed shooting: 10 frames per second at full resolution (10 consecutive frames maximum)
- in-camera special effects include red-eye reduction, 3D viewing mode, and portrait retouching
- accessory shoe for use with compatible flashes and viewfinders
- built-in flash
Connections and Dimensions:
- micro HDMI output (cable not included)
- high-speed USB interface
- 4-3/8"W x 2-5/8"H x 1-9/16"D
- weight (with battery and memory card): 9.6 oz.
- warranty: 1 year
Supplied Accessories:
- rechargeable lithium ion battery pack and AC charging adapter
- USB cable
- wrist strap
- accessory shoe cover
- MFR # DSCHX50V
What's in the box:
Sony Cyber-shot® DSC-HX50V owner's manual
- Digital camera (black)
- NP-BX1 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (3.6V 1240mAh 4.5Wh)
- AC-UB10D AC adapter (DC output 5V 0.5A)
- 27" USB cable (Type A USB on one end and Micro USB on other end)
- Wrist strap
- Instruction Manual (Eng/Span)
- Warranty sheet
- Online Product Registration sheet
- Wi-Fi Connection Guide
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More details on the Sony Cyber-shot® DSC-HX50V
Features & specs
General | ||
---|---|---|
LCD Screen Size | 3" | |
Adjustable-angle LCD | No | |
Wi-Fi | Built-in | |
Touchscreen | No | |
Waterproof | No | |
GPS-enabled | Yes | |
Lens 35mm Equivalent | 24-720mm | |
Optical Zoom | 30x | |
Digital Zoom | 2x | |
Filter Diameter | N/A | |
Manual Focusing | Yes | |
Manual Exposure | Yes | |
Built-in Flash | Yes | |
HDMI Output | Micro | |
Memory | ||
Internal Memory | 48 MB | |
Memory Stick | PRO Duo | |
CFexpress Cards | No | |
CompactFlash Cards | No | |
SD Cards | SD, SDHC, SDXC | |
XQD Cards | No | |
Image | ||
Sensor Size | 1/2.3" CMOS | |
Megapixels | 20.4 | |
Image Stabilization | Optical | |
Highest Resolution | 5184 x 3888 | |
4K Video | No | |
Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | |
Dimensions | ||
Width (inches) | 4-5/16 | |
Height (inches) | 2-5/8 | |
Depth (inches) | 1-9/16 | |
Weight With Battery (ounces) | 9.6 | |
Warranty | ||
Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
Labor Warranty | 1 Year |
Product Research
Recording Features
Playback Features
Battery Information
Connections
Software
Recording Features
3" LCD Screen: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V digital camera has a 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD screen with 921,600 dots. The LCD brightness control can be set between 1 (dark) and 5 (bright). You can also change the display resolution from high to standard to save battery power.
Built-in Wi-Fi: Using the downloadable PlayMemories Mobile app, available for iOS and Android, you can instantly share your photos with your friends. You can upload pictures and videos shot on the camera to social media sites via your Wi-Fi-enabled smartphone or tablet. In addition, you can back up images to a network-connected PC, control the camera with your smartphone, and view your photos and videos on a compatible TV. The camera supports Wi-Fi standard IEEE 802.11 b/g/n.
GPS: The HX50V has a built-in GPS receiver, which receives location data from overhead global positioning satellites, and calculates your precise location. The location data can be recorded onto your photos and videos. Using the downloadable PlayMemories software, you can import photos and videos with embedded GPS data, and view them on a map showing the shooting location.
Recording Media: The camera is compatible with the following recording media: Memory Stick XC-HG Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2 only for movie recording), Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards (Class 4 or faster). The camera also has an internal memory of approximately 48 MB.
Image Recording Formats: The camera records still images in JPEG, while 3D still images are saved in MPO. Moving images can be recorded in AVCHD format (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) with Dolby Digital 2ch audio or MPEG-4 with AAC stereo audio.
Image Sensor: For optimal image quality, the camera uses a 1/2.3" color Exmor R CMOS image sensor with approximately 21.1-million total pixels and 20.4-million effective pixels.
30x Optical Zoom Lens: The camera is equipped with a bright Sony G-type 30x zoom lens. Focal lengths are as follows: Still Images: 24-720mm (4:3) and 26-780mm (16:9); 4:3 Movies: 32.5-975mm (SteadyShot Standard), 32.5-1320mm (SteadyShot Active; 16:9 Movies: 26.5-795mm (SteadyShot Standard), 26.5-1080mm (SteadyShot Active). The aperture range is F3.5-8.0 (W) and F6.3-8.0 (T).
Clear Image/Digital Zoom: In addition to the 30x optical zoom, you can reach higher zoom scales by engaging the Clear Image Zoom or the Digital Zoom, or both. The amount of zoom depends upon the image size as follows:
Image Size | Optical Zoom | Clear Image Zoom | Maximum Zoom Scale |
---|---|---|---|
20M | 30x | 60x | 120x |
10M | 30x | 85x | 170x |
5M | 30x | 120x | 240x |
VGA | 30x | 486x | 486x |
16:9 (15M) | 30x | 60x | 120x |
16:9 (2M) | 30x | 162x | 324x |
Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode: Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode can provide blur-free movies, even while walking. Camera-shake compensation using Optical SteadyShot/Active Mode has been improved with the addition of new electronic image stabilization. This makes it easier to obtain sharp movies, even when zooming in unsteady situations.
Still Image Sizes: When recording digital still images, the DSC-HX50V allows you to choose from the following image sizes and aspect ratios:
- 20M: 5184 x 3888
- 10M: 3648 x 2736
- 5M: 2592 x 1944
- VGA: 640 x 480
- 16:9 15M: 5184 x 2920
- 16:9 2M: 1920 x 1080
Sweep Panorama: You can record multiple images while moving the camera in an arc, either horizontally or vertically. You can choose the direction to pan the camera while taking the images. These images can be compiled into a single panoramic image, and played back on a 3D TV. The available image sizes include:
- Standard:
- Horizontal: 4912 x 1080
- Vertical: 3424 x 1920
- Wide:
- Horizontal: 7152 x 1080
- Vertical: 4912 x 1920
- 360°: 11520 x 1080 (Horizontal)
- High Resolution: 10480 x 4096 (Horizontal)
Recording Movies: Besides recording still images, you can also record movies in AVCHD or MPEG-4 formats. Available image sizes and movie quality include:
Movie Format/Quality | Average Bit-rate | Image Size |
---|---|---|
AVC HD PS | 28 Mbps | 1920 x 1080/60p |
AVC HD FX | 24 Mbps | 1920 x 1080/60i |
AVC HD FH | 17 Mbps | 1920 x 1080/60i |
AVC HD HQ | 9 Mbps | 1440 x 1080/60i |
MP4 12M | 12 Mbps | 1440 x 1080/30fps |
MP4 6M | 6 Mbps | 1280 x 720/30fps |
MP4 3M | 3 Mbps | 640 x 480/30fps |
Dual Recording: When recording a movie, you can also take a still image at the same time. When the movie recording is set to other than VGA 3M, the large images are 15M, while the small images are 3M. At VGA 3M, you can record a 11M Large image or a 2M Small image. Dual Recording is not available when recording 60p 28M (PS) movies.
Drive Modes: In addition to single frame shooting, the HX50V offers several types of drive modes:
- Continuous Shooting: The camera shoots continuous images while you press and hold down the shutter release. Up to 10 continuous full resolution frames can be recorded in a single burst at approximately 10 frames per second.
- Self-Timer: You can set the Self-Timer mode to a 10-second or 2-second delay so you can be in the picture.
- Self-Portrait: A Self-Portrait Timer mode will capture the image 2 seconds after the face of one or two persons is detected.
- Self-Timer Continuous: The Self-Timer Continuous shooting mode takes up to 10 continuous frames after a 10 second delay.
- Bracket: The Bracket mode lets you shoot a series of 3 images, each with a different exposure setting--one at normal exposure, one under exposed, and one over exposed. You can select from three different step values: 0.3 EV, 0.7 EV, or 1.0 EV.
- Bracket WB: The Bracket WB mode shoots three images, one with the current color tone, one with the white balance shifted toward blue, and another toward red.
Auto Focus Areas: You can select from the following auto focusing areas:
- Multi AF: The camera focuses in all ranges of the finder frame automatically. When you press the shutter button halfway, a green frame is displayed around the area that is in focus.
- Center AF: The camera focuses on a subject in the center of the frame. By pressing the shutter release halfway, you can lock the focus on your subject and recompose your shot with the subject off center.
- Flexible Spot AF: The camera focuses on a very small area that can be moved around the frame to the desired point on the screen.
- Manual/Semi-Manual Focus: You can focus manually by turning the control wheel. In addition, the camera can automatically and quickly focus on the area around the manually set distance (Semi-Manual).
Tracking Focus: If you are trying to photograph a moving subject, you can use the tracking focus feature to keep the subject in focus as it moves around the frame. If Face Detection and tracking focus are used at the same time, the camera will track a selected face if it is registered with the camera.
AF Illuminator: The AF (auto focus) Illuminator briefly provides fill light to focus more easily on a subject in dark surroundings. You can set the AF Illuminator to Auto or Off.
Face Detection: Face Detection technology detects up to eight individual faces and controls flash, focus, exposure, and white balance to deliver accurate, natural skin tones with reduced red-eye. It can also give priority to children or adults. You can also select and register an individual's face to be given priority.
Smile Shutter Mode: The Smile Shutter technology automatically detects and captures a smiling face. Simply activate by pressing the Smile Shutter button and the camera will capture a smile the moment it happens. You can adjust the degree of Smile Detection Sensitivity as desired.
Scene Recognition: Scene Recognition mode automatically detects eight different types of scenes and selects the appropriate camera settings: Portrait, Infant, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Backlight Portrait, Backlight, Landscape, Spotlight, Low Light, and Macro. You can select from Auto or Advanced Scene Recognition modes.
Shooting Modes: Using the top-mounted Mode Dial, you can select from the following shooting modes:
- Intelligent Auto Mode (iAuto): Allows you to shoot still images with the settings adjusted automatically.
- Superior Auto Mode (iAuto+): Allows you to shoot still images with higher quality than with Intelligent Auto mode.
- Program Auto: Allows you to shoot with the exposure adjusted automatically (both the shutter speed and aperture value). You can also select various settings using the menu.
- Aperture Priority: You can shoot still images after adjusting the aperture setting manually. The camera will determine the shutter speed.
- Shutter Priority: You can shoot still images after adjusting the shutter speed manually. The camera will determine the aperture setting.
- Manual Exposure: You can set the exposure manually. The shutter speed can be set between 1/4000 and 30 seconds. The aperture (F value) can be set between F3.5 and F8.0 (Wide Angle) or between F6.3 and F8.0 (Telephoto).
- Memory Recall: You can set and store often-used modes and numeric settings for recall at a later time.
- Sweep Shooting: Multiple images are shot while the camera is moving, and these images are compiled into a single panoramic image.
- Movie Mode: Allows you to record Full HD AVCHD or MPEG-4 movies with stereo audio.
- Scene Selection Modes: You can choose from the following Scene Selection modes: Soft Skin, Background Defocus, Soft Snap, Anti-Motion Blur, Landscape, Backlight Correction HDR, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, High Sensitivity, Gourmet, Pet, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, Advanced Sports Shooting, and 3D Still Image.
Exposure Compensation: Besides auto exposure, you can adjust the exposure from +2.0EV to -2.0EV in 1/3 stop increments, using the top-mounted dial.
Built-In Flash: The camera's built-in flash features a range of 0.82' to 18.37' with the zoom set to wide and 6.56' to 9.84' with the zoom set to telephoto. The flash settings include:
- Advanced Flash: the flash automatically operates in dark locations or when the subject is backlit. The ISO sensitivity is increased in a dark place to shoot a farther distance brighter.
- Auto: the flash automatically strobes when the surroundings are dark or when there is backlight
- Flash On: the flash strobes with every shot
- Slow Sync: the flash is used regardless of the amount of ambient light, but the shutter speed is slower under dark conditions, allowing you to clearly shoot a background that is out of the flash-lit area
- Rear Sync: the flash operates before exposure is completed every time your trigger the shutter
- Off: the flash does not operate
Red-eye Reduction: The flash pre-strobes before shooting to reduce the red-eye phenomenon. You can set to Auto (when Face Detection is activated), On, or Off.
Multi Interface Shoe: The camera also has a Multi Interface Shoe that can accommodate an external flash unit, such as the Sony HVL-F20M.
Metering Modes: You can select Spot, Center-weighted, or Multi-pattern Metering. Spot metering lets you adjust the exposure to the subject, even when the subject is a backlit or when there is strong contrast between the subject and the background. Center-weighted metering measures the center of the image and determines the exposure based on the brightness of the subject. When multi-pattern metering is used, the image is divided into multiple regions and metering is performed in each region. The camera judges the subject position and background brightness, and determines a well-balanced exposure.
White Balance: When the white balance is set to auto, the white balance is set automatically in response to the condition of the subject, and the overall color balance is adjusted. When shooting under special lighting conditions, you can select the settings manually. When using flash, you can select the flash white balance mode. The white balance can also be set to Daylight, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent 1 (white fluorescent), Fluorescent 2 (natural white fluorescent), Fluorescent 3 (day white), One Push (adjust white balance depending on the light source) One Push Set (memorizes the basic white color which will be used), White Balance Shift.
Histogram: A histogram is a graph showing the brightness of an image. The graph display indicates a bright image when skewed to the right side, and a dark image when skewed to the left side.
Playback Features
View Modes: The Sony DSC-HX50V's View Mode allows you to select your recorded images and movies by sorting them into different views: Date View, Folder View (Stills), Folder View (MP4), and AVCHD View. The internal memory only offers Folder View.
Index View: In addition to viewing images one-by-one in full screen, you can view multiple images at once in the index view mode. The index feature lets you to display a total of 16 (4 x 4) or 25 (5 x 5) images at once. You can also view images in the Calendar View which displays a thumbnail image on the shooting date.
Slide Show: The Slide Show function lets you play back images one after the other. You can select from the following slide show effects (Simple, Nostalgic, Stylish, or Active). The interval between the pictures can be adjusted, allowing you to choose 1, 3, 5, and 10 seconds. When repeat is selected, the images are replayed in a continuous loop.
DLNA: You can view a slide show of recorded still images on a TV that supports DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) renderer.
Playback Zoom: You can enlarge a recorded still image up to 4x the size of the original image. Once the image is zoomed, you can pan left to right and up or down through the image.
Rotating Images: Recorded images can be rotated 360-degrees in 90-degree increments on the camera's LCD screen.
Picture Effect: You can add effects to images to make them look like a watercolor or illustration. The original image as well as the retouched image can be saved.
Deleting/Protecting Images: You can delete a selected image, or you can delete all the unprotected images at once. In order to avoid accidentally deleting of an image, it can be protected.
Print Mark: You can place a print mark on still images recorded with this camera. This mark is convenient when you have images printed at a shop that conforms to the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) standard.
Battery Information
Battery Information: The DSC-HX50V is powered by the supplied NP-BX1 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Using the supplied AC-UB10D AC adapter, the battery can be fully charged in the camera in approximately 230 minutes. Under normal operating conditions, the battery has the following capacity:
Battery Life | Number of Images | |
---|---|---|
Shooting Still Images | Approx. 200 min | Approx. 400 images |
Typical Movie Shooting | Approx. 55 min | --- |
Continuous Movie Shooting | Approx. 90 min | --- |
Viewing Still Images | Approx. 320 min | Approx. 6400 images |
Connections
HDMI: The HX50V has a micro-HDMI (Type D) output on the bottom of the camera for connecting the camera to an HDTV. A micro-HDMI-to-HDMI cable is required to make the connection. If you are connecting to a Sony Bravia TV with Bravia Sync, you can control the camera using the TV's remote control. A 3D-capable TV is required for viewing 3D Panorama Sweep images.
Multi/Micro USB : The camera features a micro USB jack for connecting the supplied USB cable to your computer for downloading your photos, or charging the battery in the camera. The interface is USB 2.0 High Speed compatible.
Software
PlayMemories Home: The DSC-HX50V can be used with PlayMemories Home software, which needs to be installed on your computer. With the PlayMemories Home software you can:
- Import and display images recorded on the camera.
- View images in your computer by organizing them by shooting date on a calendar.
- Correct still images (red-eye correction, etc.) print, send images by email, and change shooting date/time.
- Save and print images with the shooting date inserted.
- Create a disc from AVCHD movies imported to a computer.
- Upload images to a network service (internet connection required)
- Import photos and movies recorded with location information to a computer and view them with a map showing the shooting location
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