Camera Review: Sony Cyber-shot HX7V Five-Star Compact

Although designed as an upgrade to the very good Sony HX5V camera, the new Cyber-shot HX7V is surprisingly similar to its predecessor. It has the same 10x (25-250 mm) lens and the same overall design and handling. The HX7V does, however, have a brand new sensor with even more pixels and a sleek new screen on the back.

On paper, the HX7V has all it takes to become the first 'genuinely' five-start compact we've seen since we tightened our test criteria back in the autumn. At the time, the Panasonic TZ10 hung onto its five-star score as it was our favourite compact camera of 2010, even though it's technically a little slow to save pictures.

There good news is that in spite of image processing that some of you may find a little heavy handed, the Sony Cyber-shot HX7V is an excellent camera in every field. While we're still waiting to see what the higher-end HX9V has got in store, not the mention the scores of other competitors' compacts lined up for release in 2011, the HX7V is the first camera we've reviewed that ticks all the boxes of our new test criteria!

> Review: Sony Cyber-shot HX7V

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