18.2 megapixels Exmor R™, 20x optical zoom, Full HD 50p, 3D, 7.5cm LCD, Intelligent Sweep Panorama,GPS Log Recording
High-performance Cyber-shot™ with powerful 20x zoom and macro shooting
18.2 effective megapixels Exmor R™ CMOS sensor: Highly efficient sensor design works with BIONZ™ processor to reduce image noise for superb low-light pictures.
20x optical zoom/25mm wide angle lens: Very high quality G lens by with powerful zoom range and superb optical quality at all zoom settings.
40x Clear Image Zoom: Doubles 20x optical zoom range to an effective 40x, filling the frame with distant subjects while maintaining superb image quality.
By Pixel Super Resolution technology: Intelligently optimises detail and sharpness for ultra-realistic images - also boosts effective resolution of high-zoom shots.
Superior Auto Mode: Achieve DSLR-like quality easily: settings are adjusted automatically for superb images with low noise and high dynamic range.
Extra High Sensitivity Technology: Expands shooting opportunities to include extremely dimly-lit conditions.
Smooth, high speed autofocus: Lock onto your subject with pin-sharp AF in as little as 0.13 seconds: focus quickly in dim conditions when other cameras struggle.
Tracking Focus: Keeps accurate focus on your selected subject, even when it's moving - so the star of your movie always looks their best.
Photo Creativity interface: Make quick, simple adjustments to colour, brightness and other picture settings - preview changes in real time on screen..
Artistic Picture Effect modes: Create 'in camera' effects, including Toy Camera, Partial Colour, Pop Colour, HDR Painting, Miniature, Illustration, Watercolour,.
Background Defocus: Create pro-style images with crisp foreground subjects against a smoothly blurred background, just like a DSLR camera.
High-speed continuous shooting: Press the shutter button and freeze the action with a burst of images at up to 10 frames per second.
1080i Full HD movie: One-touch record with zoom of high quality Full HD video clips using AVCHD format (1920x1080i).
1920x1080 50p Full HD movie: Shoot smooth, cinematic movies in progressive shooting mode.
Optical SteadyShot Active Mode: Corrects shaky handheld camera movements when shooting video, even while walking or zooming; also compensates for rolling motion.
Dual REC: Press the shutter button and capture high-resolution still photos during video recording. Grab still frames from video playback.
Intelligent Sweep Panorama: Automatically combines a burst of images to create extra-wide panoramic pictures, even with moving subjects in the frame.
3D Sweep Panorama: Sweep the camera and capture extra-wide 3D panoramic images. Enjoy the dramatic results either in 2D or on a 3D TV.
Sweep Panorama High Resolution: Sweep the camera and shoot super-detailed panoramas. Enjoy on your connected HD TV, or zoom in with PlayStation®3.
Sweep Multi Angle: Shoot a burst of images to see your subject from different angles. View on LCD or on HDTV with PS3® and PlayMemories Studio.
3D Still Image: Press the shutter button: Cyber-shot™ automatically creates a single 3D image from two successive frames: view on 3D TV.
7.5cm/3" XtraFine TruBlack LCD: Large, very high resolution screen (921k dot resolution) with excellent detail and high contrast.
Digital Level Gauge: On-screen guide helps you keep horizons true and level.
Advanced manual functions: Enjoy DSLR-like creative control with manual ring for smooth zoom/focus; plus jog dial, WB shift, custom button and memory recall.
GPS and Log Record with Compass: Geotag images and video clips to enjoy after shooting with exciting on-line maps. Cyber-shot™ also traces your journey.
HD output: View video and still images on HD TV (requires optional cable): PhotoTV HD enhances viewing on compatible BRAVIA™.
Face Detection: Automatically adjusts focus, exposure and white balance for clearer portraits and priority selectable for children/adults.
Smile Shutter: Automatically fires shutter when subject smiles: with adjustable smile threshold and priority selectable for children/adults.
Backlight Correction HDR: Produces natural, balanced results with high contrast when shooting strongly backlit scenes.
Soft Skin mode: Automatically retouches portraits, removing blemishes and boosting skin tone for beautiful faces.
Self Portrait Timer: Detects correct framing when camera is held at arm's length; shutter fires automatically for great self portraits.
Easy Shooting mode: Fuss-free operation for beginners with large, easy-to-read on-screen instructions.
In-Camera Guide: Get on-screen tips and information on operating your camera without leafing through instruction manuals.
In-camera retouching: Fun in-camera still image retouching functions including Picture Effect, trim, red-eye correction and unsharp mask.
PlayMemories Home: Pre-installed software makes it easy to transfer images to PC for viewing, editing, printing, emailing, web uploads and more.
Memory card compatibility: Cyber-shot™ accepts a wide range of cards, including Memory Stick™ and SD/SDHC - see Technical Specifications for compatibility.
Sony DSC-HX20V, Brown
Sony DSC-HX20V. Product colour: Brown
Pocket friendly dimensions, Sharp shots at maximum zoom, Lots of manual options... 
Pricey, Loss of focus at edge of frame, Barrel distorition... 
The chief selling point here remains the ideal compromise between the broad zoom range and compact dimensions, and on the Sony Cyber-shot HX20V such far-reaching scope as afforded by a 25-500mm equivalent focal range will deliver a huge amount of composi...