Sony's first HX bridge superzoom (2009) — 9.1MP Exmor CMOS, 20x 28-560mm G lens, 10fps, 1080p, Sweep Panorama.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 was the first of Sony's HX line, a bridge superzoom announced in March 2009. It marked Sony's switch from CCD to Exmor CMOS in its long-zoom cameras, enabling features new to the class: 10 frames-per-second full-resolution shooting, 1080p video and the debut of in-camera Sweep Panorama.
It built a 9.1-megapixel 1/2.4-inch Exmor CMOS sensor into an SLR-styled body with a Sony G 20x zoom covering 28-560mm equivalent at f/2.8-5.2, stabilised by Optical SteadyShot. Framing was via a 3-inch tilting 230k-dot LCD or an electronic viewfinder. Manual exposure and manual focus were available, ISO ran 100-3200, and bursts hit 10fps for 10 frames. Video recorded 1080p H.264 at 30fps with the zoom usable while filming. Storage was Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo plus 11MB internal, with the NP-FH50 pack rated about 390 shots; it weighed 453g.
The HX1 suits used buyers wanting one do-it-all camera for holidays, airshows, wildlife and school sport without carrying lenses. The 10fps burst and tilting screen still impress, and the EVF helps at 560mm in bright light, but the small early CMOS sensor gets noisy past ISO 400 and the EVF resolution is modest.
Check the NP-FH50 battery — a camcorder-family InfoLITHIUM pack that remains available but costs more than compact cells. Storage is Memory Stick Duo only, so factor in a card. Exercise the full 20x zoom for motor noise, confirm SteadyShot at full telephoto, move the tilting LCD through its range, and check the lens cap and hood are present.