My mini camera for concerts

Sony HX90V, mini camera with huge zoom (2015 model)

In 2015 I went to a Paul McCartney concert, and I wanted to make some nice photos of it. I could not bring my big Canon cameras, so I bought a tiny Sony HX90V, which was just released that week.

Package of cigarettes
This camera is really tiny, just as small as a package of cigarettes, so it easily fits in my pocket and can be sneaked in at concerts.

Of course the quality of a miniature camera like this can not compete with my big Canon cameras and heavy zoom lenses. But it can do little miracles if you have to do without those.

Another nice technical detail: it has a Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* lens with 720 mm optical zoom, which is much more than my favorite 70 - 200 mm Canon lens. Actually it can even go up to a stunning 1440 mm (digital zoom), but of course that will not improve the quality. Still, the huge range is sometimes extremely handy, if you have enough light. And I do love the handy pop-out EVF (electronic viewfinder), which gives you more control.

Concert use
As with any camera, you need to know what you're doing for the best result. When I went to the Paul McCartney concert (see below), the camera was only one day old. My first photos did not succeed, but I noticed it quickly, so during the concert I quicky adjusted the setting to get a much better result. Fortunately that worked rather well. Never blindly follow the automatic settings when you make concert photos! And basically all cameras work on the same principles.

Would I recommend this camera?
Well, I really was very happy with it, and in the first year I did recommend it to some people who indeed bought it. By now, 2018, so three years later, there must be much better small cameras on the market, perhaps even much cheaper. Camera technology develops rather quickly, so you should study the current models if you look for a similar camera. I'm pretty sure that I will buy a new model one day, but for now this little Sony still gives me nice results.

Below you can see some photos that I have made with my little Sony.

Demonstration of the zoom

Below you can see a scenery at our local forest. Two photos, taken at the exact same spot. The first one is at 24 mm, the second one at appr. 720 mm.
Photo at 24 mm. See also the next photo.
Same position as the photo above, now at 720 mm.

Demonstration of the zoom

Below two photos at the Scheveningen beach. Again two photos, taken at the exact same spot. The first one is at 24 mm, the second one at appr. 720 mm.
Photo at 24 mm. See also the next photo.
Same position as the photo above, now at 720 mm.
And some more photos with my Sony, in different light situations.
Our local forest
At the beach
At the beach
Lionel Richie at Pinkpop
Lionel Richie at Pinkpop
Somewhere in Germany
Not very sharp, but remember: this Sony camera is really tiny!
Amersfoort Dierenpark (zoo)
Our Wasabi
At the beach

More photos with my Sony HX90V on my Facebook pages:


© Walter Goyen, H4P.com
The photos on this website can NOT be used without permission! If you are interested, please contact me.