Sony HX99 Features A 28X Zoom Lens In Smartphone-Sized Body

Thanks to modern cameras in smartphones, point-and-shoot cameras are fast becoming fleeting thoughts; something people tend to forget while packing for travels. Sony is trying hard not to let that happen with the new HX99.

The compact travel camera features a long 28x zoom in a fairly compact body. Inside, Sony has manage to fit a 24-720mm equivalent (28X) f/3.5-6.4 zoom lens, a retractable OLED viewfinder and a flip-up touchscreen for selfies, and video blogging (or vlogging). Sony is calling it “World’s Smallest Travel High Zoom Camera”; a comparison made likely when compared to others in its genre.

It is no slouch too, if its hardware is anything to go by. It record videos in 4K without pixel binning, has a 120 fps high-speed video for slow-motion video, as well as high-resolution images thanks to the 18.2MP sensor. It also captures subjects in autofocus pretty quickly, thanks on no small part to the borrowed technology from Sony’s mirrorless Alpha-line. Including the Eye autofocus feature that grabs focus as fast as 0.09 seconds.

Images can be recorded with ISO ranging from 80 all the way to 6400, and it comes with NFC, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity for both image transfer and remote control of the camera. The Sony HX99 will be priced at US$449.99 (~RM1868) in the US. No news yet if the camera is heading to Malaysia.