Take a look at Sony's new top megazoom, the 50x HX300.
Joshua Goldman
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
The new $500 Sony Cyber-shot HX300 features a 50x f2.8-6.3 24-1,200mm lens. Despite the digital SLR-like appearance, though, the camera packs a small 1/2.3-inch 20-megapixel Exmor R backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, so don't expect SLR-quality photos.
2 of 7Lori Grunin/CNET
My, what a long lens you have
To go with the HX300's mighty lens is some pretty powerful optical image stabilization that's been designed specifically to handle the extra shake when the lens is extended.
3 of 7Lori Grunin/CNET
Few extras here
Though Sony packs in a whole lot of shooting modes and controls (you can turn on and off the neutral density filter, for example), it lacks some things that the competition has, such as a hot shoe or mic input.
4 of 7Lori Grunin/CNET
Nice, big grip
The HX300's grip is very comfortable, and the size allows for a big mode dial and buttons for focus, switching between the LCD and electronic viewfinder, and a custom preset.
5 of 7Lori Grunin/CNET
Tilting LCD
The 921K-dot-resolution 3-inch tilting LCD is very nice.
6 of 7Lori Grunin/CNET
Ports
On the left side you'll find Micro-HDMI and Micro-USB ports, with the latter being used for charging, transfers, and AV.
7 of 7Lori Grunin/CNET
Ring around the lens
There's a grippy ring around the lens, which is used to control the zoom lens. Flip the switch on the lens barrel from autofocus to manual and the ring handles focusing instead.
