Nearly perfect! 7

Addendum of 15/03/2013:
I have never done me so hard trying to evaluate a camera like the Sony DSC-HX20VB. I also rarely a review as often supplemented or reformulated. First, I gave 5 stars, then because of the "watercolor effect" only 2. Now I have decided to give back 5 star and this is now to keep it permanently. What happened? - Well, I've just re-photographed with the Sony, and the photos have become fantastic! Especially when compared to other cameras in this price range shows the quality of Sony. I currently known, for example, only slightly cheaper Casio EXILIM EX-ZR400 Digital Camera (16.1 megapixels, 7.6 cm (3 inch) display, 25x Multi SR Zoom, Triple Shot, HDR) black. The difference is striking! For taking the Casio does indeed acceptable photos, but it was the Sony shows what is possible!
Therefore: Mag on one or the other photo (under certain circumstances at lawns, deciduous trees, etc.) be recognized a watercolor effect, the quality of the rest of the photos suggests a buy recommendation this camera! Also in view of the sharp drop in price now, I think the 5 stars for absolutely justified.

Here are my "original" review:

I am dedicated amateur photographer and photograph mainly with a Pentax K7, a Fuji X100 and (as a compact camera) Nikon P7000. So actually I do not belong to the target group of typical HX20VB customers. Nevertheless, the camera amazes me very due to their outstanding picture and video quality.

Unlike my previous reviews of technical equipment, I will try to keep myself short time. Important seems to me first of all to define the target group of this camera:

This camera is perfect for you if you ...

- Are looking for a small compact camera that fits in your pocket.
- Want to cover a large zoom range (zoom range).
- Want to not have to worry about any settings (a function for everything).
- Photograph also like indoors and dusk without flash.
- Want to have excellent image quality even in difficult situations (Backlight, Twilight).
- Planning the purchase of a video camera. (Remember! You need it only HX20VB.)
- Would like to hold exactly where a picture was taken (GPS function).
- Are willing to spend money also appropriate for best quality.

This camera is not the right one, if you ...

- Need a camera that stores in RAW format.
- Like to intervene in ISO values, aperture and shutter speed.
- Have thick fingers.

I have photographed in the past few days a lot with the camera, and exclusively in the mode "Superior Auto". So far I have made no very good experience with motivational or scene automatics. But the really "superior" Automatic the HX20 is really fun. I have virtually no committee produces. Each recording what has become. I was not squeamish in my tests, I have (in bright sunshine backlit) voted difficult lighting situations, at dusk, in the pub, and even in the dark (fireworks) photographed and filmed (without a flash!). The camera has always correctly exposed. Even in shadows were always well-drawn details. Noise at dusk occurs in the "superior" Automatic practically never. If necessary, the camera takes multiple shots in succession in this setting, and combine them into one shot. The momentum is increased by this trick. The photographer gets them barely with something.

The camera is also very fast. Although after turning it take so two to three seconds before the camera is ready to shoot, but in operation it is then quickly focuses and shows no appreciable shutter lag. The Anti Shake (anti-shake) works very reliably.

Video recording is possible in 1080p. This corresponds to the usual FullHD BluRay without interlace (interlaced). The quality of the recordings has amazed me! The anti-shake is preselected here in two versions. In the stronger practically nothing wobbles, the weaker is suitable for shooting with occasional, intentional panning. The zoom is also available while recording. When playing the zoom motor is unlike many other cameras may not output. Video pictures at dusk succeed very well and noise surprisingly little, although a bit more visible than in the photographs. The sound quality is also pleasing. In my eyes, one saves the HX20VB the purchase of a separate video camera.

Of course, the camera is not very good in the hand, but this is a compromise that has to be received with virtually any compact camera. After all, there on the right side of a handle, and a shelf for the thumb. In addition to the large, good monitor is barely room for the controls on the back. With thick fingers some settings may be somewhat difficult. But fortunately it is not often necessary to adjust anything. As I said, more than the "Superior Auto" you do not really need. To record video, there is a separate timer, which is operated with the thumb.

The battery lasted so far by encouraging long. It is loaded into the camera. The charger is included. I recommend nevertheless urgent to purchase a second battery.

Now the review is yet again become long. I hope I do not have anyone bored and my enthusiasm came over believable. Please also my sample images in the "customer images". I answer questions like a comment.