Photos Taken with a Sony HX99 Compact Camera

The Sony HX99 compact camera packs a massive zoom into a tiny camera as well as including some features you might not expect in a camera of this type. Here are some photos I’ve taken with the HX99 to provide some practical examples of how it performs under real-world shooting conditions.

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Sony has really leaned into the camera market in recent years with some very interesting offerings. They’re obviously more than willing to use their research and development depth, manufacturing networks and expertise, a healthy dose of innovative thinking, and have a willingness to put new ideas into the marketplace.

The Alpha range is the benchmark for mirrorless cameras, with established players like Nikon and Canon playing catchup.

Their RX0 and RX1 cameras are quite unique and unlike anything else on the market. Their RX100 series packs an amazing amount of high-end features into a high-end compact camera. And Sony’s sensors turn up in some of the best cameras produced by other brands. All in all, it has put Sony amongst the most exciting of the camera brands right now.

Overall, the HX99 does everything you’d expect and more from a compact camera. It doesn’t blaze a lot of new territory in terms of innovation except in one key respect. It packs a massive 24-720mm zoom into a tiny camera.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 Digital Camera
  • 18.2MP BSI Exmor R CMOS Sensor
  • ZEISS Vario-Sonnar 30x Optical Zoom Lens (24-720mm (35mm Equivalent))
  • BIONZ X Image Processor
  • ISO 80-12800
  • Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization

Not all of that zoom range is equally useful–the software-enhanced digital zoom features aren’t as good quality-wise as the optical zoom, for instance–but the optical zoom alone is a pretty amazing feature for something that fits so easily in your pocket. I’ve posted some practical examples of the HX99’s zoom range separately, so you can see how those numbers translate visually.

Even aside from the impressive zoom, the HX99 is a very capable point-and-shoot compact, especially at a very reasonable price point (at a much higher price point, Sony has the even better RX100 line). It has an 18.2MP sensor, wireless connectivity, and the usual in-camera photo-enhancing tricks you’d expect. It also has a few higher-end features that you don’t come across on most run-of-the-mill compact point-and-shoots, especially one priced so reasonably. Like being able to shoot RAW, a pop-up electronic viewfinder, and high-bitrate 4K video recording.

Sony DSC-HX99 Compact Camera

Taken all together, the result is a camera that generally exceeds what I’d expect for a camera in this class and price point. Without resorting to fancy bells and whistles–except with the zoom–it performs at least as well or better than I’d expect in most practical respects.

I’ve posted a detailed hands-on review of the Sony HX99 separately as well as a selection focusing specifically on the HX99’s high-ISO performance, but here’s a selection of photos I’ve shot with the camera to go alongside the review. I thought it worth posting them to give some practical examples of how the camera performs in real-world everyday shooting.

Related: Sony HX99 Memory Card Recommendations

Sony HX99 Sample Photos

These were shot in a mixture of RAW and JPGs and minimally (for the most part) processed in Lightroom. The aspect ratio of the HX99’s sensor is 4:3, and the shots here are a mix of 4:3 and 3:2.

You can click on each image to open a full-resolution version if you’d like a closer look.

Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 720mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 2000 and ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/6.4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 640 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 720mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec at ƒ/6.4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at ƒ/5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 168mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₂₀₀ sec at ƒ/5.6. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Zoomed out at 24 mm @ ISO 100 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ / 3.5. I’ve included this shot for two specific reasons. Firstly, to look at sharpness across the frame. While it’s definitely softer in the corners, it’s still pretty good. This was shot as a JPG original, and the camera is clearly applying some in-camera sharpening which is helping. Secondly, to look for chromatic aberration, particularly in the sharp, contrasty lines at the far left of the frame and bottom right. There is some, but it’s not much at all and certainly not distracting. It’s also easily fixed in something like Lightroom or DxO PhotoLab. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 83mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24 mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₄₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 75mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 200 and ¹⁄₈₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₀₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 2000 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 1000 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 80mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 36mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 3200 and ⅕ sec at ƒ/4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₆₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₆₀ sec at ƒ/7.1. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 200 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/7.1. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 720mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 160 and ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/6.4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 640 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 203mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₄₀₀ sec at ƒ/6.3. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 720mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at ƒ/6.4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₆₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₀₀ sec at ƒ/7.1. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: Zoomed at 25mm (35mm equivalent) @ ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 44mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 200 and ¹⁄₅₀ sec at ƒ/4.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 3200 and ¹⁄₁₅ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 3200 and ¹⁄₂₅ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₄₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₄₀₀ sec at ƒ/5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 30mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₂₀₀ sec at ƒ/7.1. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 720mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 640 and ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/6.4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₀₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/5. Another shot with the pretty wacky lens flare going on, although in this case it seems somewhat appropriate. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 1250 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 720mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 100 and ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 720mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 800 and ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/6.4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 1250 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/5.6. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 62mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 1000 and ¹⁄₈₀ sec at ƒ/4.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 720mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 2000 and ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/6.4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Some more intrusive lens flare. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₂₀₀ sec at ƒ/6.3. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 270mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at ƒ/6.3. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₆₀ sec at ƒ/6.3. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 720mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 6400 and ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at ƒ/6.4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₄₀₀ sec at ƒ/5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₆₀ sec at ƒ/5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 453mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at ƒ/6.3. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₆₀₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₄₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 720mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 125 and ¹⁄₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/6.4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 44mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 28mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 800 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 200 and ¹⁄₃₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/3.5. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₀₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/8. This shot shows one of the camera’s quirks.–or, more precisely, the lens’s. When you point it at a very bright light source, like the sun in this shot, you can get some very interesting lens flare. There are one or two others on this page that also show it (eg. the one of the sun through the fall leaves). Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₆₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 138mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 2500 and ¹⁄₁₆₀ sec at ƒ/8. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 60mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₃₂₀ sec at ƒ/6.3. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 511mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ/6.3. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 24mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 1600 and ¹⁄₁₀₀ sec at ƒ/8. It’s synthetic grass, and there’s a light layer of snow on it. So the white “noise” on the green is actually a small amount of snow. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Sony HX99 Sample Image
Exposure details: 31mm (35mm equivalent) focal length @ ISO 80 and ¹⁄₁₂₅₀ sec at ƒ/4. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Price & Availability of Sony HX99

Check the current price and availability of the Sony HX99 compact camera at:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 Digital Camera
  • 18.2MP BSI Exmor R CMOS Sensor
  • ZEISS Vario-Sonnar 30x Optical Zoom Lens (24-720mm (35mm Equivalent))
  • BIONZ X Image Processor
  • ISO 80-12800
  • Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization

Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2023-05-29 at 17:43. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

David Coleman / Photographer

David Coleman

I'm a professional freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my travel photography here. More »

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