Good camera with a few compromises

The camera is packed with more or less useful features and gimmicks, whereby - in connection with the price - a few compromises arise, especially with regard to the much-discussed quality of the photos. Not that these are bad! To squeeze the promotionally effective 16 megapixels on such a small sensor and then with more aggressive noise reduction to compensate the resulting noise again but partly leads to "muddy" details that or the zoom of 100% view are clearly visible. For viewing on TV (in my example, 37 ") and prints on A4, possibly even A3 it is enough but completely. And quite frankly, more you do not need as Hobbyknipser normally anyway. You also have to say that the competition is does not really matter differently and the images are not worlds better. Possibly the expectations are just too high, if you test immediately critically its brand new and added not just low-priced camera after purchasing it.
Yes, Sony would have sensor to settle for a 10 or 12 MP. But one has entered a daring compromise between sales and customer satisfaction here. The price range is moving just been in a region where few potential customers understand the actual relationship between Sensorausflösung and image quality. Most can be probably the so-called. "Professionals" in MM, Sa * urn & co "advise". And an all-rounder with great key data sells nunmal better than a product that only a few enthusiasts makes you happy. Finally, we must not forget that we are talking about a compact camera and DSLR no.
The movie mode is certainly without equal good! That was for me the main criterion in the selection of the new camera, and at the moment is there nothing better on the market! The videos are just brilliant, zoom and auto focus operate this model. My camcorder (Panasonic HDC-SD9) proposes this in almost every way - but especially in image quality in general and especially in low light by a mile! Have him incidentally sold.

Here is a short list of pros and cons as Kaufentscheidingshilfe:

++ Some features and technical refinements such as Sweep Panorama, 3D, facial recognition, special modes for difficult situations (low light without a tripod, etc.) all of which really work!
++ Fast autofocus
++ Very good Auto mode, you can just snap away without hesitation and the camera selects the correct settings reliable
++ Very good image stabilizer!
++ Lens
++ Large high-resolution display
++ Cash Operation
++ Liquid viewing photos and videos
+ Good sound quality for movies
+ Good flashlight
+ Processing makes a good impression
+ Focus

O Manual Mode (ISO, shutter speed, aperture, focus and white balance) is nice to have the shutter may be doing but unfortunately only in two stages choose themselves, the exposure did not. The service here is somewhat cumbersome (see below) but all in all still usable and better than nothing.
O features and the wide zoom lens make the camera not chunky but not dainty. The weight makes only limited shirt pockets-compatible. But goes.
O battery is charged via USB. But that takes a few hours! To a spare battery and / or an external battery charger to get probably not help.
O In low light photos without a flash my (probably too high) expectations were rather disappointed. Just Although this is often praised in the camera?!?

- The scroll wheel, which is a 4-way D-pad at the same time, for example when setting in manual mode a horror!
- Glossy display, sometimes difficult to read in sunlight. Do not know if the competition can be better?
- The cover for the mini-HDMI port is a joke!

- Proprietary Sony USB cable (which is connected to the bottom of the camera)
- Noise reduction can not be adjusted. Here one can only hope for an appropriate firmware update from Sony.

Now everyone has to weigh for themselves how the camera complies with the own criteria. If they fit, I can give a strong buy recommendation. Who can do without the features and the video function and only emphasis on the image quality, should again look at the competition.