Although Sony had to beat in its class HX5V little (I had time before buying with some competing models compared), you want to yes (I at least) still slightly better.
So naturally I was very excited about the new HX7V and I've bought a good piece same.
On the 1st glance, it is very similar to the HX5V.
The overall quality impression is excellent.
The lens is on the 1st view is also equal to (and this is very good, except for a slightly visible distortion in video mode).
Better than the HX5V is now at the HX7V course the high-resolution display (which Nikon has presented a few months ago).
There's really nothing wrong with it - a really good display!
Image quality:
At first, I was with the 16.2 MP resolution quite skeptical that you had not anything "verschlimmbessert" (has the HX5V "only" 10.2 MP).
Other manufacturers (Nikon) go so currently with successive models rather a step back in the resolution.
So I was pleasantly surprised - the "Pixel Mania" is in no way HX7V sacrificing image quality.
For my taste the HX7V has excellent image quality, even more detailed than I had hoped for that.
Very good sharpness and beautiful colors.
The noise performance is also above average, which has Sony with its image processor apparently very well under control (was already a strength of the HX5V).
The optical image stabilizer is also second to none.
I know of no comparable (competition) camera in which the image stabilizer works so well, no visible readjustment or the like.
The Full HD video mode was to outdo even at the HX5V hardly and is also very good at HX7V.
Conclusion:
The review should provide a brief overview of whether it is a very good camera - definitely yes!
Sony has in this class, the nose far ahead, top processing and superb image quality.
Of course, tastes and expectations always play a role, so you can never be a 100% all-round recommendation.
Addendum:
Meanwhile, I had the opportunity and the Nikon S9100 test extensively.
This is mostly not even approach the image quality of the Sony HX5V.
Not to mention the full-HD video recording.
There at the Nikon even an image stabilizer, but unfortunately you realize in practice nothing.
Quite in contrast to Sony, here the image stabilizer works extremely well.
