Camera Lens is StuckThis is a common problem that occurs with the error message 'turn off power and try again'. This usually happens when the camera lens doesn't retract from the extended position due to the inability of the camera lens to retract. This is usually caused due to a sudden powering down, dropping the camera, or dirt getting into the mechanism. You should first replace the batteries and try turning it on again. Reset the camera to factory settings. To reset turn off the camera and remove the battery. Hold down the power button for 15 seconds then release.
ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T. 24–200 mm5 F2.8–4.5 zoom lens. About 20.1 effective megapixel 1.0-type stacked CMOS sensor with DRAM chip. RX0 ultra-compact shockproof waterproof digital camera.
Reinsert the battery pack and power on the camera. If that doesn't work attempt to give the camera a good jolt. A shake of the camera will often realign the mechanism or knock off dirt. Another alternative is to tap the camera with some pressure to forcefully realign the mechanism. This should only be tried as a last case scenario. If you need to completely replace the lens, see our on how to fix it.
Camera Won't Turn On. The batteries are dead.
Try replacing the batteries with fully charged or new batteries. The batteries are installed incorrectly. Take them out and be sure that you have placed them in the correct orientation. The terminal contacts need to be cleaned. If you decide that this is your issue, you may need to gain access to the terminals. For instructions on how to accomplish this, see our repair guide. The camera may need to be reset to factory settings.
To reset turn off the camera and remove the battery. Hold down the power button for 15 seconds then release.
Reinsert the battery pack and power on the camera. Many thanks for this helpful page. My symptoms: batteries appeared to run flat very quickly, causing the camera to shut down after taking only one or two pictures (batteries appeared to be fully charged still, but replacing allowed a few more pictures to be taken until the same thing happened), with this situation steadily worsening until eventually I could only view the slide show; any attempt at turning on to take a picture resulted in the camera shutting down instantly. Turns out that the problem was indeed caused by dirty contacts, as detailed under 'Power' above. I read through the excellent instructions on how to take the camera apart, but found that I could clean the contacts without disassembly by using a cotton bud and contact cleaner.
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I would recommend this quicker and easier method of getting at the contacts in the first instance.
. ProsPop-up EVF. 30x zoom range. Flip-up, touch LCD. Speedy autofocus. EVF and flash. 4K video.
ConsUnattractive flare. Dim f-stop limits low-light photography. Shaky handheld video.
Unresponsive when writing images to memory. Requires microSDXC for full video experience. Bottom LineThe Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 puts a long zoom into a pocket-friendly body, but shows ugly flare and struggles in dim light.The pocketable camera is a dying breed, but not one that's met extinction.
Smartphones have all but taken over as the take-anywhere cameras of today. But even multi-lens models lack real zoom power, and when Sony announced it was brining a new 30x pocketable model to market, we had high hopes. Sony has led the way in premium, large sensor point-and-shoots, which typically deliver best-in-class image and video quality. Its latest superzoom, the Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 ($449.99), is a misfire, with a lens that is prone to show flare, underwhelming low-light imaging, and shaky handheld video.
The lens is the marquee feature. It's a 24-720mm (full-frame equivalent) zoom with an f/3.5-6.4 aperture range. It's backed by a 1/2.3-inch image sensor, the same size you find in most smartphones. The HX99 promises big zoom power—and delivers—but it comes at a cost.
If you have a recent Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel phone, you'll find that its bright, wide-angle lens does a better job capturing indoor snapshots than the HX99. If you're looking at the HX99 as an upgrade over your smartphone, understand where the Sony will deliver better results and where your phone will.There are better cameras out there if you're looking for something that will improve upon your phone in more situations, but you'll sacrifice zoom power to get there. Cameras like the and are more usable in dim light. If you want long zoom and stronger image quality in dim light, think about the or the more recent FZ1000 Mark II, both of which sport a 1-inch class sensor and 25-400mm zoom range, but aren't at all pocketable. The HX99's slim body features a handgrip on its face. It's a bit bigger than the modest bumps we're used to seeing on pocketable cameras, but doesn't extend past the lens, even when it's retracted.
Sony includes a programmable control ring around the lens itself, which you can set to adjust the ISO, shutter speed, zoom, or the like.The On/Off button, zoom rocker, shutter release, and Mode dial are all located on the top, bunched together on the right side. The pop-up flash occupies the middle, along with a switch to pop it up, and the retractable EVF is all the way on the left. You'll almost certainly want to use the flash for photos captured in dim light, but be aware its output can be a little harsh. Its power is adjustable, via a Flash Exposure Compensation function, and I'd recommend knocking it down by two-thirds or one full stop for the best results.Rear controls are squeezed into the area not occupied by the LCD, which dominates the backside.
The Movie button is at the top, just to the right of the textured thumb rest, and there are Fn, Menu, Play, and C/Delete buttons below it. At their center is a rear control wheel, supplementing the one around the lens, which features four directional presses (Display, Flash, EV, Drive) and the unmarked OK/Enter button in the middle.There are two ways to frame and review images—the 3-inch, 921k-dot LCD and the small OLED EVF.
I find the LCD to be much more useful—it's bright enough for outdoor use on a winter afternoon, sensitive to touch, and tilts up for low-angle and selfie shots. The EVF is a nice addition, if a little too small.
It hides in the body when not in use, popping up via a release switch at its left side. You'll need to pull the eyecup toward you and lock it in place before using the EVF. If you don't, the picture will appear blurry. (If it's still blurry once locked, you can adjust the diopter to match your vision.)My only real complaint with the EVF is the size. Its 0.5x magnification is noticeably smaller than the 0.59x OLED EVF included with Sony's premium.
Power and ConnectivityThe HX99 can wirelessly transfer photos to your smartphone. It has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which means connection is easier than with older cameras that only had Wi-Fi, and works with both Android and iOS handsets. You'll need to download the free Sony PlayMemories Mobile app to make it work, but once it's set up you can transfer files and use your phone as a remote control. Power is provided by a removable NP-BX1 battery. Spares cost about $40, though third-party options can be had for half of that.
You may not need to buy one—CIPA rates the battery for 370 images in standard mode or 460 shots with power-saving features turned on. Using the EVF will cut into battery life—the HX99 is rated for 300 shots with it turned on.In the past, we've recommended vacationers invest in an extra battery. That's a little less necessary thanks to the ready availability of, which we liked at the time, but was held back by a lack of Raw capture support.
The HX90V is still on sale, for just a few dollars less than the HX99, and remains a solid alternative if you don't mind missing out on Raw capture. It's also sold as the HX80, which is the same camera as the HX90V, minus a built-in GPS, and sells for about $370.Our most recent Editors' Choice for a camera of this type is an older model, the, but still on sale for around $280. It uses a 12MP sensor, which is slightly less prone to showing the effects of diffraction. It's from 2015, though, and while it remains a stronger overall performer, I wouldn't rate it quite as highly in today's market as I did a few years ago.
There are better ways to spend $450 than the HX99. If you're absolutely sold on a pocketable camera with a 30x lens, I'd push you toward the ZS50 or HX80; the former offers Raw capture. If you're not so married to the idea of a long lens, consider getting a pocket camera with a brighter, shorter zoom and 1-inch image sensor. The Canon G7 X Mark II is a more expensive prospect, but a more useful photographic tool in more situations.If you want the type of telephoto reach required for songbirds, raptors, deer, bears, soccer, baseball, and other subjects you tend to capture from a great distance, but don't want to deal with interchangable lenses, consider a camera instead. It won't fit into your pocket, but larger lenses and sensors make for better quality photos. The best deal out there at press time is the Panasonic FZ1000, which gets you a sensor with four times the surface area as the HX99 and an ample 25-400mm f/2.8-4 zoom lens, all for $500.