Almost a camcorder

A good combination of film and photography in a compact camera to date failed to manufacturers. That's why I was very glad to DSC-HX7 which is supposed accomplish both excellent. Finally only one device in the holiday haul with which you can "snap" good pictures and because a Videofilmchen in HD quality also can turn to talk and.

Basics: For consumers who want to press the shutter button, this camera offers a lot of automatic features that work very well, but always at the expense of image quality, especially in dark places. This is for all camera models in the price range that. Really good shots you get back in P or M mode, using a tripod and manual settings. For this you should know about but a little with photographing.

Here is my review of the camera:

Positive features:
- The camera takes very colorful images. For my taste a bit too exaggerated. Unfortunately, there is nothing to fix. The white balance is still working the least exaggerated in automatic mode.
- The picture quality is despite 16 megapixel sensor for 10x15cm paper printouts in order. Here go the fine pattern many details are lost and edges to form rushing contours that can remember a too high compression factor. But as a photographer rant here on a pretty high level. Basically you always get what you're willing to pay and how to get to the technical possibilities cope.
- The focus is fast.
- Isovalue can be adjusted manually. I prefer of course the lowest with 125. As a result, I get less image noise in dark situations. Disadvantage: recordings can shake faster. But there is still the flash and a mini tripod you should always have it.
- High-resolution monitor. Here one can already judge the sharpness of a recording well.
- Video mode 1080p and unsurpassed image stabilization.
- A lot of information about the camera operation are incorporated here as a reference in the same camera.
- Non-slip rubber-like grip area
- Many fun features like panorama, 3D (but only in conjunction with a 3D TV) and background blur, but which is produced artificially.
- GPS function. I will more accurately test and then write a comment.

Negative characteristics:
- Zoom in the Wide area leads in the video recording to a short anchor. Is ev. On the optics.
- Video recording only begins after a short delay (about 1-2 seconds)
- In viewing mode, the sound of the video is to be played softly (even if the volume is set to maximum)
- Thumbnails of the videos are very grobpixelig.

- It lacks many options for professionals who already are standard with other manufacturers in this price range:
1. No compression setting possible photos. Basically, the data size is only 2MB with a 16 megapixel photo. The Panasonic Lumix 7 has a 12 megapixel photo has 4MB). Here missing a setting example in fine and superfine.
2. Custom Setting of color (RGB), contrast, image character (hot-cold), there is not.
3. When shooting no setting of focus and brightness possible.
4. Aperture and shutter speed settings very spartan. Only the highest and lowest aperture value are at your disposal
5. No custom sounds. The shutter sounds blechig and also the volume can not be adjusted.
6. In Playback mode, the lens is retracted immediately, and there is no setting for it.
7. No flash fine corrections.

Conclusion:
I give 5 stars for the really good video quality with good automatic brightness adjustment and HD Feeling. The photo mode is too superficial. There are a lot of bells and whistles but little good manual controls. The biggest shortcoming is probably the most overestimated compression and the simultaneous "Smooth ironing" details. Here an attempt is probably the weakness of too small provided with too many pixels sensor offset, which unfortunately still does not work as good as it promises us the advertising. For 3 stars. Let. To a final score of 4 stars