Sony HX99 Camera Review - Ultimate Compact 4k Super Zoom For $450 US 

bought the HX99 for my 7 year old daughter while I rock the RX100 V VI while we travel.

Just bought one in 2023, didnt realise they were still making it and its replacing my 2010 DSC-HX5V thanks for your detailed videos very helpful

Very helpful review. Thanks, Jay.

Wonderful review: informative, great comparisons of RAW and JPEG and ISO effects. Thank you.

Well done, I truly appreciate your videos and time!

One of the Best and most useful reviews I have ever seen. Seriously big thanks! Best regards from germany

Wow, very impressive camera, especially for the price! Thank you very much for your review/demonstration! The Sony HX99 is my next point-and-shoot camera!

Phenomenal review. Cheers!

Very nice video. Detailed explanation and illustrations. No boring part.

Bought the camera on the strength of your review. Delighted with it. Thank you.

Thanks your the detailed review and your balanced advice. I've used my HX90V for hiking - that is where it excels, fits into a small pouch and doesn't get in the way. I'm just about to upgrade to the HX99.

I have owned the older HX90V since it became available several years ago, in 2015 I think. I have used it much as a travel camera or just when taking a walk. What I like most is the small size and good pictures. It slips easily into my shirt pocket so it is almost always available. Now I am thinking about upgrading to HX99. Thanks for the excellent video. Regards.Agust / Iceland.

great review; thanks a lot

I appreciate very much your tireless efforts in this briefing. A very detailed review. Thumbs up !!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for this. Very helpful!

Update. Thanks for the real world review. After four years of using the HX80, which is the cheap little brother to the HX99 I decided to spring for the HX99. It's been out of stock EVERYWHERE for months, but Amazon finally got new ones in stock, sort of.... They filled my order but won't ship the HX99 until mid-October. Oh well, I can wait a bit longer. 🙃Nice review,

Yo dude what a review! Great work man!

Nicely explained

Great video!

I've been bingeing on hx99 reviews and I think this one's the most comprehensive one

great reviews. I just purchased the HX99 the other day , june 7 2020

Just bought the HX99. I was more a Panasonic fan, but now that they updated the colors, this thing is unbeatable. Also interesting for me to compare it with the pixel 4. The pictures look pretty different, but they look both great.

Thank you for taking the time to make this! Very comprehensive. Very much appreciated. I know you said between 300-350 pics, do you have any idea on the total amount of time the unit is capable of recording in 4 k mode one 1 battery charge? Think I want to purchase this but honestly will be using it mostly for video. So I need to know the amount of vid it's able to record. Thanks !

Thanks, much appreciated.

I need zoom, outdoor for animals, in rugged hiking/biking conditions when a heavier camera is not practical,... so this review was great for me and this is the camera I need.

Thanks for pointing out low light performance

Excellent video and camera.

you do a great job thank you!!!

Great review. Thanks for all details. Looks like a very very high quality (and cheap) replacement for my GoPro Hero 7 (full of unadressed problems) as a general semi-vlogging camera to be used on my Zhiyun Crane M2 gimbal. Will use it for 4K video which looks very good on your samples. Will check some more reviews but seems a good choice. Will not wait fr the Hero 8. Just no more crapy GoPros. Greetings from Paraguay in So.Am.

That moon shot!!!🔥🔥🔥

I had the HX90 fantastic imagery! Most impressed at max zoom it picked up things I couldn't see with the naked eye. I also found the popup viewfinder got too as I could set the dioptre and use it without my glasses on. No doubt the 99 has great functionality too..

Great review.

Great little camera, if you are filming using the OLED Tru-finder, make sure you turn off the touch screen operation, otherwise your nose pressing against it will keep setting random focus points.

It's interesting how similar my own older HX9 is similar in the menu system. Sure the hx99 is far more powerful but I am still impressed by the hx9v. A prediction for the things to come in the future for Sony

Thanks for this review Jay. I appreciate the time and effort you contribute to make such videos possible. I think I have to start doing my own RU-vid channel of some sort eventually. One thing I would like to clarify is, if the HX99 has some sort of teleconverter function. I like this feature on my m4/3 Olympus E-M10 Mark-III. For example, if I attach, a 45-175mm (90-350mm equivalent 2x crop) and then turn on the telelconverter function, iI gain an additional 1.4x zoom. Furthermore, this is accomplished optically and not digital zoom. So in effect I gain an additional 40% or 140 zoom to give me extended reach of almost 500mm (490mm). It is nice when on occasion I just want to have a bit more reach but don't want to have to carry along a second lens for those rare occasions. So, does this Sony HX99 have a similar teleconverter function? I think what happens is, the camera uses only a part of the sensor to gain the added zoom. But having a considerably larger m4/3 sensor and not the tiny 1/2.3" sized sensor of most 'mom-and-pop' type of compact cameras there is room to crop, in on the sensor. The rapid advancement of computational photography in smartphones has pretty much brought about the demise of the compact, but I am thinking I might want to get something like this HX99 if primarily for being able to have pocketable zoom. My Samsung Galaxy Note9 with f1.5 and having pretty much near the same sensor size takes excellent photos in low light and is good enough for most ordinary photos as well. I can even shoot 4K/60p and of course get bokeh (comes from Japanese btw) through computational algorithms. Check out these photos I shot at an ice festival while in Hokkaido, Japan in late January. photos.app.goo.gl/7fxMZYjadKPmar9C8 So, the feature really lacking pretty much is zoom. (Even that's changing for smart phones though as Huawei already has 3x optical and 5x hybrid zoom.) But any, better to pay $450 for a zoom lens then to pay $1,000+ for a dedicated zoom lens. Besides, with the HX99, you get a camera for 'free' along with the lens purchase! :-) BTW, I'm back. (tokyojerry) This time not the blog, rather your video channel Video is easier and quicker to learn, then trying to comprehend concepts in the mind while reading through a 100-page plus manual. The old adage, 'A picture says a thousand words'. Thanks again for this video. You should consider coming to Tokyo sometime photography and videography. There's lots to shoot here. And with Olympics coming in 2020. .... Jerry

Very helpful, thank you. I decided to buy it but i understood that the own microphone of the camera is not that much. Anyway, for the new RU-vidr (like me) it would be enough 👍🏻

I need the bigger zoom for what I like to photograph. I just ordered the Sony Hx99. Thanks for this very informative video!

Thank you

Nice review! It's long, but interesting. I want to get this pair to dslr, but afraid of image qualiy. Controls and abilitys are awsome! RX100 to expencive, so it's better to get additional low light lens for dslr for me. Realy thanks, so informative video!

Excellent 👌

Does it have time lapse video shooting mode? Thanks for the great review.

When I hit the movie button it record video for about 10 secounds andstops recording video. How can I make it shoot video past 10 seounds? I want to record video 10 -20 min. Please help

I really like to touch to focus, and zoom . I have dslr, many lenses, but i want to travel light. Something i can pull out take a picture with optical zoom. Any of them give all this features touchscreen, optical zoom of 30x, 4k recording at atleast 30p, with low light capabilities if money is not a concern?

HX99 generally meet my requirements. I never think of buying at first because of the limition on 5mins 4k videoing at a time but my other Canon SX 740 HS camera audio is so bad that I have to change it to Sony HX99 with outstanding audio recording without additional external mic (anyway there is no shoe for these two model). But first you must set the audio recording to Low, wind reduction on as to avoid ambient sound if the surrounding is nosy in open area especially wind blowing

Very good review Jay, one question if I may. I have an HX90 and manual focus with magnification is very fuzzy, in fact I would say unuseable, is the HX99 good? Thanks.

best review

Nice revieuw,is this Sony HX99 better than the Sony HX90?thanx

can this cam record while beeing charged via usb?

Does it have a clean hdmi output when using it with a screen?

Your video is quite a bit long but i kept watching it. :)

Nice Review. I have now a HX90 and will upgrate. Wat i like is RAW and bette settings off the ISO. I don't is the problem whits you make more photo's to gehter. Now i most wait when i make say 10 photo's for 10 tot 15 photo's and than i get again a photo. I use a fast card about 30 a 40 Mb/Sec. What i so will is this camera and a Canon X5 than you have 1 inc sensor for low light the price is lower than a RX100.

50 mins ! Great Video. How good are the ARW raw files out of this ? Dynamic range, Noise and all.

Had considered the Sony HX 99, You did an excellent review. Comparing Sony HX99 to Sony Cyber-shot DSC - RX 100 VI or VII, the zoom is less with VI & VII, but both have better quality image & better in low light. Travel to Iceland, sun can change to clouds, rain for hours or days, often with rainbows streaming through clouds. Thus wondered if cloud/ low light would negate Sony HX99 choice? Need a very 'light weight' camera. Am not a seasoned photographer. Bought & traveled in 2014 & 2015, with a Sony Cyber-shot DCS-WX300- (sensor 1/2.3 with 20 zoom). Took photos of friends, landscapes, waterfalls, horses, Geysers & city streets of Reykjavik in Iceland. In 2015 took photos of friends & family, Palaces, Monuments, Gardens in Munich, Augsburg & Bavarian countryside & family homes from mid 1700 & 1800's. - At home take photos of trees, shrubs, flowers, butterflies, bees & song birds in my garden & other birds, hawks, eagles @ seashore, along rivers & in Audubon areas. --- Want to 'upgrade' my camera but 'must be very light'. Will travel to Iceland to explore the Ring Road taking photos of landscape, horses, seacoast, lagoons with seabirds & seals & various bird colony areas, black lava beaches & waterfalls. Is Sony's RX 100 VII's with the 24-200 zoom good enough to capture nice bird photos in bird colony areas? Sony's Photo quality is not questionable. A Photoshop suggested a Panasonic DC-ZS 200 - 1"" sensor. It was on sale & sales person said Panasonic was as good/ better than Sony RX 100 VII - 1" sensor, because it was less money with a longer 24-360 zoom. Can you please advise. Read the Panasonic DSC-ZS 200 was not good in low light. Thanks.-- Sony HX99 has longer zoom for birds, but RX100 VII better quality photos & has more versatility use to learn. Thanks in advance for your expert advise.

Surprisingly capable little camera. This might be great for backpacking. I'm wondering if there is a dramatic difference in quality of the images between this and the RX100.

I got my HX99 watching your channel. The camera works great in long-distance video footage I tried it out last weekend it has way better zoom than my iPhone 13 pro for my concert content but the sound quality on my iPhone is a winner compared to HX99. Downside I’ve noticed on HX99 when using the camera it suddenly stopped recording itself in about 28-30 minutes max I had to press the rec button again to continue the video rec. How do you fix that problem what camera setting I need to set up for continuous recording. Thanks for the review.

I loved my canon sx720 hs 40x zoom. I've not sold it any ideas which would be my next upgrade camera. I loved my 40x zoom optical. But now require a camera with 40x zoom and 4k camera zoom optical too? Suggestions please

Thanks for the detail review, love it. I've a HX90V for many year and still using it. Does the HX99 an eye AF?

Hi mate, just a question here: can you add a Bluetooth Grip such as the Sony GP-VPT2? Cannot seem to find a way to do it. Perhaps firmware update if there is one? Thank you in advance

Hi Jay. Im happy with my HX99 and glad for your intro. But ...which setting do I need to wireless transfer to my Mac using the app: Imaging Edge mobile?

thank you for the amazing review! I am contemplating between the Song HX99 or Canon SX740hs. Canon has 10x more zoom but overall Sony seems to be better. Which one would you recommend?

I'm thinking about either getting the HX99 or the RX100M6. I only do outdoor photography (hiking, climbing) and I shoot RAW only. The zoom of the HX99 is intriguing for what I do, but I am *very* worried about noise and (especially) dynamic range in cloudy situations, or where you have the sun break through the clouds .

Huge difference between the HX99 and RX100 V. Not unexpected of course...

how to get in camera to the pictuer you saw at 03:48?

What i want to know is what kind of micro SD it can handle? Particularly in the sense of UHS. Can it handle UHS II or only UHS I. And is V30 the end of it's capacity or is V90 possible? It's not really clear in the manual. And one more thing, i found a 1TB card in sale......you can guess that aswell. Does it handle such big cards.

Does it stayed charged when plugged into Laptop? How long can you stream video for?

Do you have any videos on operating a HX-80?

Interesting would be a video shot with in 4K holding the cam not to the face but in direction where one goes, because I make hiking videos and want to take the viewers with me as they would be really on the trail and see nature expanding in front of them. I've bought the Canon 740 HS first this year but its colors and the sharpness were bad. Than I've bought the Sony RX100 VI not knowing that it has no stabilizer in 4K video mode which was kind of bummer again in face of its price. Don't know now if I should buy a ZV-1 because I've heard that the stabilizer for that isn't good too or the far cheaper HX99?

your videos so good ^_^

Is there a way to use auto HDR in iaplus mode. Because its a little bit annoying, that I always have to switch modes between photographing and filming.

Great video. Just bought the HX99, In the video menu I don't get the otions for 24P/120P rather it's 25/100. Is there any way to access the 24P setting?

Hello Sir, I Thank you for your video for helping me switch buying from sony wx500 to sony hx99. But is there any other good than hx99 this 2023? for also a budget camera?

Hi jay, what is the best camera can you recommend for low light shooting?

That sensor is already used on a lot of smartphones these days, it's on my Lumia 950 and older dcs hx60v camera. Would this still shoot better pics in general?? All these travel zoom cameras need to go 1inch sensors and keep the 30x zoom, if at all possible. Panasonic is almost there with its Panasonic tz200 - bit more expensive though compared to this :S

how much fps can it record at 4k? that would be interesting for me

Your statement at the end I'd change to "SAME quality photos as a high end smartphone but better zoom". Which unfortunately puts it in a difficult spot. Literally just tested my relatively old Lumia 950 against the older but basically same spec HX60V and it delivers the exact same depth of field effect and sharpness on the focused subject. In low-light the Lumia outperforms it. Just the zoom it obviously wins on.

Great Review , Does the Camera has Clean HDMI output?

Hi Jay, thank you for review. Is there any way to do time lapse on this camera?

How long can it record a video?

What are the differences between HX99 & WX800...?

I have a question. It is impossible for me to import my 4K videos unto my iPad? Am I missing something? I’m trying it with WiFi connection but it doesnt work. Do I need a usb cable of something to connect my camera to the iPad? Please help me. Would love to create beautiful videos but I don’t know how to fix this. Thank you for your help! Bye, ĪNES

Just came across their camera online because I might buy the zv1. Does this one have touch screen and how long does the battery life last?

thank you for this review. It's been 4 years since you recorded this video, do you still think this camera remains better than recent high-end smartphones cameras?

Hello. How does Sony HX99 compare with the Panasonic TZ95? I can not decide which one is better ...

How long 4K videos? 5 minutes or longer?

I wish that it has mic jack

i ordered it just other day,is the audio footage of the selfie video test in the snow the original audio of the sony or did you recorded with other microphone.

There's a yellow cast on all of the stills and video footage. If this can be adjusted then it makes this camera top of the pile. But how could Sony have not noticed this enormous mistake? It is present in all of the reviews of the HX99.

Aww man, concert audio not great? dang! I wonder how it compares to sx720 by canon. the audio on that captures alot of bass

Regarding all the components on the HX99, after watching this it has me wondering if it will be a good choice for me. Is there an auto option I can use while I learn and build up confidence to use all its features?

hi, i am not in to video. so would you recommend me to go with hx80? how much of a difference do you see in hx99 and hx80?Thank you

Does this do touch to focus? Specifically for photos

Is different region has different features? My HX99 get only maximum 25p 100M for 4k video

Regret buying rx100mk3, should buy this one instead 😅

Can hx99 made a slow motion video?

man all i want is some sample raw files to download and test in dxolab so stressful

I hesitate between the HX99 and the Coolpix P1000. The size of the P1000, the weight and a little bit the price put me off but its ultra zoom attracts me, for the HX99 its size its lightness attracts me but its zoom repels me

Do you know of any compact super zooms such as this that hit the market more recent?

Great review btw but i stil having questions maybe you can help me out. i’m having a dji osmo pocket and 1 thing what frustrating me is dji osmo pocket dont have any zoom at all.. so if i go to shows or convcert or festivals and i stand far away from the stage then its nice that you can zoom in ... my iphone have only 10x zoom so i need more then 10x zoom and as you see the hx99 is very compact camera but people saying that using this camera at night is not good... but i see other RU-vid videos from reviewers that they compare hx99 with Canon sx740hs and i must say that hx99 have better image quality then the canon 740 and also better in low light then the canon ... so overalll hx99 is not that bad as it is right ...?? As dji osmo pocket user ya missing that zoom :/ and i realize i need zoom quite often ... please ur opinion please sorry of my English is not that perfect.. thank you

It seems that this little thing produces much better images than Nikon P900

you guys think it would be good for a music festival