The Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is a compact travel zoom camera, with an impressive 28/30x optical zoom lens*. It updates the HX90, with 4K video, raw shooting, and has eye focus AF, a touch screen, and there's 10fps continuous shooting, plus a control ring around the lens. The HX90 started as the most compact 30x travel zoom camera available, and the HX99 continues that tradition. 

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*Technically the camera has a 28x optical zoom lens (4.25-118mm is 28x, and 28x optical zoom is specified on the Sony website), yet the camera still covers 24-720mm equivalent range giving you a 30x optical zoom. 

Sony Cyber-shot HX99 Features

The Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is for those who want a lot of optical zoom, but don't want the added size of an ultra-zoom bridge camera - as can be seen below, the Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is considerably smaller than an ultra-zoom bridge camera.

Giving 30x optical zoom lens (equivalent), the camera offers the equivalent of 24mm zooming all the way to 720mm in a compact camera body. Optical Image Stabilisation is included to help keep shots sharp when using the optical zoom, or when shooting in less than ideal lighting conditions. The camera features a built-in pop-up flash, a pop-up electronic viewfinder, and a tilting 3inch touch-screen that can be tilted forwards for selfies and group shots. 

Canon Powershot SX70 HS - Sony Cyber-Shot HX99 Side By Side

If you're looking for a travel zoom, you're likely to want something compact, and this is where the HX99 excels, being smaller than any of the other travel zooms available. Here we've put together a quick table, showing the other options available to you, and what the HX99 is up against when it comes to travel zoom cameras:
 

The Sony Cyber-shot HX99 is the most compact of these, measuring 102 x 58.1 x 35.5mm, and weighing in at 242g it is also the lightest of these. 

Sony Cyber-shot HX99 Updates compared to the HX90: 

• 4K UHD video recording
• Touch-screen (vs no touch-screen)
• Raw shooting now possible
• Face and eye detection focus
• No longer has support for Sony PlayMemories Apps
• Uses MicroSD rather than SD memory card

There's an 18mp BSI CMOS sensor, offering not only high-speed continuous shooting (at 10fps), but this also offers high-speed video recording. The camera offers P, A, S and Manual controls, as well as a range of automatic and scene modes. The camera now offers raw shooting, so you can process the raw images yourself if you want to. 

On the back is the 3inch touch-screen with a resolution of 921K dots, this can be tilted forwards for group shots, or selfies. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) that will also act as an on / off switch when popping up, and down to switch off. 

The camera offers 4K UHD video recording, with stereo mics built-in, and you can use the optical zoom while recording. FullHD video can be recorded at a variety of speeds, up to 120fps. 

Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth are built-in. NFC helps you quickly set up a connection to a compatible smartphone. Wi-Fi can be used to remotely control the camera, and Bluetooth means you can transfer images using less power than Wi-Fi. 

Key Features

• 18.2mp 1/2.3inch BSI CMOS sensor
• 28x optical zoom lens, f/3.5-6.4, 24-720mm equivalent, f/3.5-6.4
• Optical Image Stabilisation / Sony SteadyShot (5-axis)
• 3inch tilting touch-screen, 921K dots
• Pop-up EVF, 638K dots, 0.5x magnification, dioptre
• 10fps continuous shooting
• Pop-up flash
• 4K UHD video recording
• FullHD video recording at 120/100fps
• ISO80 to ISO6400 
• RAW shooting
• Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth v4.1 built-in
• 5cm macro focus
• Panoramic shooting

Sony Cyber-shot HX99 Handling

The camera is compact, being one of the smallest travel zoom cameras available, and weighs in at 242g with battery and memory card. It's easily pocketable, fitting into trouser pockets. The camera body is mostly made out of metal, and this gives the camera a solid, premium feel when you pick it up. The pop-up flash and pop-up have reassuringly solid construction, so there is nothing to worry about when it comes to build quality. 

There's a rubber grip on the front to aid with holding the camera securely. On the back is a very small rubber area for your thumb to grip on to. We'd definitely recommend using the provided wrist strap to ensure that you don't accidentally drop the camera, as the camera is still small, even with the rubber grip at the front. 

On top of the camera, you'll find the mode dial, on/off button, zoom rocker and shutter release button. A switch is used to release the pop-up flash. There are two custom modes available on the mode dial (1) and (2). 

To release the pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF) there is a switch on the left-hand side of the camera, once it pops up you then pull it towards you. To close you reverse the steps. There's dioptre correction. The electronic viewfinder is a decent size considering how small the camera is, at 0.5x magnification, it gives a reasonable view, and looks good. 

Menus – The menus are similar to Sony Alpha cameras, which means you should be able to find your way around if you've used other Sony cameras. There's even a "MyMenu" screen where you can add your own favourite settings, making it quicker to find your favourites. The Fn button gives quick access to on-screen controls, and these can be customised. 

The 3inch touch-screen has a decent resolution of 922K dots, giving a clear view. You don't need to use the touch-screen, as you'll find you can use all of the controls and buttons on the back of the camera if you want. However, the touch-screen can come in handy if you want to quickly set the focus point. 

If you're shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, the screen visibility is still quite good. However, for a better view, you can use the pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF), which also has dioptre correction available. The view is good, with good colour reproduction that matches the screen. 

Battery life - USB charging is available, using the MicroUSB socket, and battery life is rated at 370 shots, or up to 460 shots if you set the auto monitor off setting to 2 seconds. If you use the viewfinder then battery life is rated at 300 shots. Depending on your planned use, you may want to purchase a spare battery.