Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

Until now we have talked about DSLRs and point and shoot cameras, but there is also another category between them, one that makes the connection between the two: bridge cameras. What is so special about them? Well, nothing except the fact that they look almost like a DSLR and take pictures like a point and shoot. Ah, yes, and they come with extraordinary zoom levels.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 is a bridge launched at the beginning of 2009 and has all the needed qualities to become the best in its class. First of all, there is the 9.1 megapixel CMOS sensor that does not impress when you first hear about it, but after a couple of pictures you realize that it is capable of high quality pictures with a great level of detail. OK, we'll get to the zoom because we know this is what impresses you: 20x, a sensation value that would have been useful without an anti-shaking mode. The display only has 3 inches but its quality is quite good and we especially liked the fact that it can be tilted in almost any position.

When it comes to video recording, the DSC-HX1 is again very good because it is capable of capturing videos in high definition, with a resolution of 1440x1080 pixels and 30 frames per second. So if you are tired of your old point and shoot, but don't think you can handle a DSLR, the choice is simple if you can afford about 450 US dollars.