30 December 2012

A week in Montana

So, there's a lot of rubbish videos on Youtube. And there are some jewels on Vimeo.

Here's a fantastic video, albeit shot with a professional quality DSLR. Check out the usage of sliders (also shown in the video itself) making the footages really pop out. Also notice the length of the video.

Hmm... I miss Montana.

New Patagonia Lightweight wading boot = Chota Caney Fork?

I was just watching a video on the new 2013 wading boots from Patagonia. I especially like their new Lightweight wading boot. It looks a lot more sturdy than their previous boots.

The Simms Freestone boots I have been using since they came out in the early 1990's (they were called Firehole boots back then) are true bomb proof boots. I still have a pair with felt soles almost gone but the boot itself is still going strong.

I haven't tried any wading boots from Patagonia yet, but I often read they are very lightweight (great when traveling by air), comfortable yet not very durable. Most of the problems came down to stitching coming loose. I hope these new boots are a lot more durable.

After watching the video I thought they have this look that looks a bit like Chota boots, in fact they look very similar to the Chota Caney Fork boot! Well, my guess is that Patagonia buy their boots from Chota.

Here's a good picture of the new Lightweight wading boot from Patagonia.

What do you think?

29 December 2012

Fly fishing videos on Youtube are horrible...

Boring...
I just tried to watch some Youtube videos on New Zealand fly fishing action. You know: trying to get some relaxation after dinner.

I selected a dozen of the most recent videos, but there wasn't one that was really watchable. Then I started randomly selecting videos as suggested by Youtube.

My conclusion is that the majority of uploaded videos on Youtube are basically terrible.

What is wrong with most fly fishing videos on Youtube:
  • Low resolutionThese days I won't watch anything less than 720p. Those blocky 360p videos look prehistoric.
  • Shaky video. It's a major head ache watching earthquake registrations. 
  • Horrendous background(?) music. Bon Jovi as background music?...
  • Too much boring action(?). Who wants to watch a bent rod for 3-4 minutes? C'mon, cut out the boring parts!
  • Zooming in-and-out. Zooming (unless ultra smooth) makes a video look very amateurish. Stop behaving like tourists!
  • Constant panning. Unless done ultra steady and slowly or using a slider of some sort, panning is asking for an asperine.
  • Too long footage. Any footage (= shot without a stop) longer than 8-10 seconds looses its momentum.
  • Monotonous setting. Video with only one (background) setting is very boring.
  • Too short video. That's it?!
  • Too long video. Video's longer than 5-6 minutes is too much.
  • Raw material. Watching unedited raw video is not exciting.
There are zillions of fly fishing videos on Youtube and Vimeo. Not all videos are rubbish. There are a few very nice, even professional (looking) videos.

Some of the absolute best are from Todd Moen. One of my favorite video by Todd is Heads or Tails. The storyline, the suspense, the slow motion and the action. Simply amazing!

Obviously Todd is a professional cameraman so we can't compare his work with folks who upload their videos on Youtube, but there has to be said something about the quality of videos that are uploaded.

27 December 2012

Discovery from yesterdays...

It's end of december and it's that time of the year. Long dark winter evenings which are made for reading. This evening I picked out a bunch of older issues (1982/1983) of Fly Fisherman magazine.

It's nice to see what innovations we've seen since the early 1980's. Take for instance the graphite rods. The early rods were much more nimble and slower actioned rods that resembled the best fiberglass and bamboo rods that were common. Brands like Powell, Fisher and LC (Loomis Composites) were the companies that brought the best new fly rods. All three rod companies are now defunct.

Other huge improvements have been in waders and (foul weather) clothing. Most waders back then were made of rubber. Very effective but also very heavy and uncomfortable. Neoprene waders were just entering the market. Same goes for wading jackets. In fact the rain jackets we now know as wading jackets didn't exist back then. Rain jackets back then was everything that kept you dry. The wading jackets as we now know was 'invented' in 1989 by Patagonia with their SST jacket.

I like to check out the ads in the magazines. Some were on the verge of getting really big. Like the now defunct Kaufmann's Streamborn with their famous catalogs and mail order business. While others, like Leonard's bamboo fly rods, were on their way out as demand for the products diminished.

Simms, back then located in Jackson Hole Wyoming (sounds better than Bozeman Montana to me!), wasn't the big wader company we know now but they started selling fishing accessories. Sage started their journey to the current dominance in high performance fly rods.

And Orvis was big back then as it is now, maybe even bigger. Here's a nice 'discovery' I did while wandering through the magazines.

It's known that Orvis issues other companies to put an Orvis label on their product to be sold as an Orvis product. The Orvis Featherweight SSS reel is the lightweight version of their famous SSS saltwater reels, which probably didn't stay long in the catalogs.

I ran into an ad from a company called Crystal Mark who made a reel called the Stutz Estuary Reel. So it seems that this company made the Featherweight SSS reels for Orvis.

Even more interesting is that it seems that both the original Stutz Estuary Reel and the Orvis Featherweight SSS reel were sold during the same period. Here is the announcement of the Orvis Featherweight SSS in the Jan/Feb 1982 issue of Fly Fisherman magazine, while the Stutz ad was found in the December 1982 issue.

Update:
The company that made the Estuary reel asked the then unknown machinist called Steve Abel to make the Estuary reels. We all know what became of Steve Abel. Here is where I got the information.

23 December 2012

27 November 2012

Fishing a whole month out west

Ever wished dropping everything and head out to fish for a whole month in the best rivers in Montana?
Sounds like a dream, but some guys just live the dream.

24 November 2012

Backcountry fishing in Montana

Here's a great video of backcountry fishing in Montana. Fishing the spots where rarely fishermen are seen. Pretty much fly fishing heaven!

Check out the very nice horizontal moving shots in this footage. This type of variation of filming adds to a cinematic viewing experience. Probably used a slider of some sort since it's so smooth.

Too bad most sliders are pretty awkward to carry. I'll have to see if there's a lightweight version available. Here's a Kickstarter project called AirTracks. A very nice portable slider using an inflatable air bed as the track and a set of trolley wheels on a plate to keep everything extremely portable. Still at around $300 not exactly pocket money.


Update March 22, 2013:
Here's an affordable slider that's compact enough to take it along when fishing. This Mobislyder looks like the one we have been looking for. But... it's a cheap piece of crap unfortunately. Check out this video review.

Well, the search goes on...


17 November 2012

Notice how close fishing is done

Rod companies are eager to sell their latest and the greatest rod to the discriminating angler.

I've been wondering more and more why we judge the performance and quality of a fly rod by taking it to the parking lot and start casting 80+ feet of line?

Don't get me wrong. I love casting an 80+ feet tight looped line. However, most of my fishing is done between 15 to about 40 feet. Sight fishing with nymphs is my favorite way of fishing. This is sometimes done as close as 10 - 15 feet.

This type of fishing means minimal false casting (generally only one or at the most two back casts), stealth approach and positioning yourself for that one chance delivery of the fly.

You've probably seen those amazing DVDs and YouTube clips of trophy trout fishing in New Zealand. Generally acknowledged as the highest difficulty level in fly fishing for trout. A trophy fish is spotted first and the fisherman carefully cast to that one fish.

Notice how close the fisherman is to the fish they are after.

15 November 2012

How to choose a fly line

There's more than just picking a line from the shelves of a fly shop than the right line weight and taper.

These days many fly lines tend to get past the bandwidth set by the AFFTA for a line weight, usually heavier than the line weight should be.

Some fly line companies (like Rio) 'overweight' nearly all their fly lines while some only make one model that's overweighted (e.g. SA's GPX). This is probably the result of ever faster actioned rods of the past two decades: to create a line that feels better on modern (stiff) graphite rods...

I prefer fly lines from Scientific Anglers because their weight is true to the AFFTA standards. I also like SA lines because the diameter of their lines 'feel right' for their line weight. My experience with Cortland and Rio fly lines are due to the larger diameter of their lines they cause more wind resistance as well as taking more room on your reel.

Here's a great posting on another blog about how to choose the right fly line for your rod.

11 November 2012

How to tie the original Klinkhåmer Special

Here's a nice write up of the history and the way to tie the Klinkhåmer Special as the originator, Hans van Klinken, does.

I've never really fished this fly much since I fish mostly nymphs, but it's always a good idea to have a couple in a fly box.

So, if you're not using the same hook, dubbing or even turning the hook 90 degrees to hackle the parachute hackle, you won't end up with a real Klinkhåmer Special!

If you're a really lazy bum, here's a video of Hans tying his Klinkhåmer Special so you can sit back and watch the whole process. You can't get closer to the original way of tying than this, can you? Well done Hans!


Update Nov 2024:
Recently Hans van Klinken finally finished his book, just on time for the 40th anniversary of the Klinkhamer. His fly seems to have undergone a few iterations along the years as the most recent version doesn't have a dubbed body but is made of quill wraps and a ribbing of silk.

31 October 2012

Wingsuit flying

This is the most extreme footage I've ever seen in my life...

30 October 2012

Steve Jobs' new super yacht

While the big Apple news today was that Scott Forstall got kicked out at Apple, I went out the office to check out Steve Jobs' super yacht called Venus unveiled at a shipyard in Aalsmeer.

The Dutch shipbuilder Jobs commissioned to build the super yacht happened to be just around the corner where I was working today.

Barely five minutes walk from the office door to the riverside, this 'world news' was barely noticed by the neighborhood.

Kinda weird to see this unusual looking yacht, probably full of the most modern maritime technology, waiting just a few hundred yards from me.



Here's a 360 degree panorama I took of the spot where I was standing with the yacht in sight on the other side of the river:


Update August 7, 2015:
The Venus seems to be doing just fine. Here's a clip with the Venus in the Caribbean.

23 September 2012

September days

Fishing mainly with nymphs, I almost forgot how much fun it is to fish with a dry fly on light gear. The first few days were spent casting dry flies all day on a tiny stream in the hills of the upper Austria region in Austria. Austria is such a wonderful country filled with yummy trout streams and rivers.

We were the only fishermen on the entire 10 km of this stream. Under the canopy of trees it felt like being lost in dry fly wonderland. Casting can be awkward at times with hanging branches at just about every corner. The population were predominantly browns and a few rainbows. Unfortunately we haven't seen any graylings. Fish were generally in the 8 to 12 inch size with a nice sized fish every once in a while.

Bring along a short (no longer than 7.5 ft) and light rod and a dozen dry flies and you can have rising action all day long. We fished with a simplified version of the elk hair caddis the whole three days. Easy to tie and floats for ever. Just make sure to get that tight loop under the branches and you'll have tons of fun.

The stream ran low so you have to keep on moving to the next profitable stretch of water, be a pool or a undercut bank with that stretch of depth for hiding. Clear water and low water conditions means spooky fish. Try to walk along the banks rather than in the water when possible.

The temperature was just right (around 24 degrees Celsius) yet the sun stayed behind the clouds. A few rays of sunshine appeared by the end of the third day. Too bad we had to leave for our next chapter of the trip. We'll be back here in a few years and see what spring conditions look like.

Next stop was one of my favorite rivers for the past 15 years. Since the river has 4 sections of each about 5 km long, all with a different character I could easily spend a whole month here. Nymphing is the key to success here and on a good day 40+ fish a day is possible. Just make sure you wade carefully when the water levels are low in the fall. Fish are spooky after seeing fishermen all summer long.

Grayling population has been very low the past 5-7 years here, but it seems the lady of the stream is working on a come back and that's good news. Don't forget to cast under the hanging branches along the flat section. A nice surprise can be your reward. We did have a rainy night the second day so the river turned into a cafe latte the next afternoon. Fortunately the next day the river was a clear as it could be.

This week has been very enjoyable and once again strengthened our near 20 year friendship. Rolf, next time look around and you'll see a familiar scenery! And do get rid of the chest waders on a hot day when water levels are only calf deep...

I did capture some video footages, but not enough of it! I'll see if I can make anything decent out of them.






22 September 2012

iPhone 5 launch

Apple's iPhone 5 announcement resulted in pre-orders which topped 2 million within the first 24 hours. Apple's previous record was the release of the iPhone 4S which was pre-ordered 1 million on day one.

The launch of a new product by Apple results in massive demand and people all over the world willing to spend many hours (some even days!) waiting in line. Often this camping in front of the stores is celebrated with each other with drinks, talking and having fun.

Other manufacturers try to emulate the same enthusiasm, but turned out to be a hoax. People stood in line for free concert tickets or free stuff...







And this is how Microsoft does it:

14 September 2012

MagFilter adapter ring for common filter sizes

CarrySpeed just released (besides the regular CPL filter) an adapter ring to allow more common filter sizes to be used on current popular compact camera's like the Sony HX-series and Canon S95/100.

The MagFilter System uses a thin, low profile, metal adhesive ring to attach to the front of your compact camera lens. When you're ready to use your filter, the MagFilter attaches through strong magnets built into the MagFilter Adapter Body.

The new adapter ring has a threaded ring on the outside that will fit the more commonly available 52mm, 55mm or 58mm filter sizes.

Go check it out and buy it here.

13 September 2012

Sony's new NEX-6

The camera division Sony is working overtime these days and we can't keep up with them!

After the improved NEX-5R as the successor to the NEX-5N, Sony just announced the NEX-6. Basically the NEX-7 with a much more affordable price tag and a few nice new add-ons like wifi. I especially like the much smaller kit lens as well as the built-in OLED viewfinder we saw in the NEX-7. Pretty much a must when shooting in bright sunny conditions.

I still need to figure out all the possibilities of the HX9V, but this NEX-6 sure looks like a great camera to upgrade in the future. It will be available in november. Too bad the camera is made in Thailand rather than Japan like my HX9V...

A whole different dimension, here's a real scary nice video taken on the new Sony full frame A99 DSLR.




Apple's iPhone 5

Just returned from a few days fishing in Austria. Still need to work on the report, pictures and video.

Yesterday Apple (finally) released the iPhone 5! It's not a huge surprise as we saw bits of the new iPhone 5 which leaked out the past several months.

Apple managed to improve almost every part of the phone. Probably the best part of the iPhone is that it's still an iPhone and not a lunch box with bright purple plastic housing.

Check out the Keynote for the full presentation of the iPhone 5. Notice Al Gore sitting in front row.

30 August 2012

Sony's new ActionCam

Watch out GoPro, Sony just released the ActionCam and it looks sweet!

This thing comes with a waterproof (up to 60m!) housing as standard, just like the GoPro. Besides the typical wearable accessories the ActionCam has image stabilization, ultra wide angle (170 degree) Carl Zeiss lens and besides 30 fps Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) a whopping high speed recoding mode of 120 fps at 720P to boot.

There's even a wifi version (view & control using your smartphone!). The price is very competitive at around $200 for the non-wifi version and around $250 for the wifi version. Available around october 2012.

The Sony Exmor sensor the ActionCam perform better in low light conditions. Nice 'feature' is that this camera uses the same battery as my HX9V digital camera! Other features are interval recording (for timelapse captures), stereo sound recording and 2 MP still shots. Too bad the mono color  LCD screen can't show what your captures look like. Maybe with the wifi-version you can watch it on your smartphone?

This Sony ActionCam isn't as small as the Pivothead, but if the video quality is anywhere near the HX9V I'm sure the larger size and weight will be worth a try. It's cheaper too!

Looks like more camera companies (like JVC's GC-XA1) are trying to give GoPro a run for their money. That's good news indeed!


17 August 2012

Polarizer filter

These small compact cameras are small enough to fit in your shirt pocket. You don't need to carry several lenses because it has it all: wide angle and zoom lens. However filters as add-ons are fairly uncommon on compact cameras.

I think one of the most useful add-on is probably a polarizer filter, also called a circular polarizer filter (CPL). A CPL basically corrects washed out colors especially in bright sunny conditions. It also helps cut out the glare of light reflections, especially on smooth surfaces like on windows and water.

I have seen several DIY-style filters to attach a filter on the HX9V. I recently bought a cheap out-of-production Fujifilm compact camera polarizer filter as an add-on for my HX9V. It can't be attached to the camera in any ways, so I'll have to hold it in front of the lens when I want to take a picture or capture a movie. But the improvements of the images are very impressive.

Now there is a new CPL-filter on its way for the Sony HX-series, RX100 and probably more compact cameras with the same lens diameter. It basically attaches to the front metal ring around of the zoom lens using a magnet. Can't wait to get one!




Update 24 Aug 2012:
Due to huge demand the first production run MagFilter CPL (Circular Polarizer) is sold out.

Update 30 Aug 21012:
The MagFilter CPL is available! Go get one here! I ordered it right away. The 42mm version (for the HX-series) is $26.99? The 37mm (Canon S95/100) is $24.99.

More filters are being developed, which 'piggybacks' to each other so you can use several filters at once.





16 August 2012

Sony RX100 vs HX9V (video)

The new Sony RX100 is the new flagship of Sony's compact camera series. It's the 'pro' version above the HX-series.

I was a bit pissed that I missed out on this camera, because the RX100 saves pictures in RAW format (HX9V only does Jpeg) as well as having more manual control options. The price is a lot higher than the HX9V, roughly twice the price.

But there are a few aspects that I think could have made the RX100 a real killer compact camera. Foremost the wide angle of 28 mm vs the 24 mm on the HX9V.

As I mentioned earlier my top priority is high quality video capture. Although the RX100 is a much better camera in many ways, the video comparison between the RX100 and HX9V really surprised me. Have a look your self.



Check out this comparison too! You'll be surprised as well.

15 August 2012

Now something completely different

Who hasn't played with Lego during his (her) childhood?

Here's a wonderfully animated story of Lego. Really interesting to watch how Lego started in a small town in Denmark.

14 August 2012

We're there now

I have been wondering for a while when current technology would deliver a product that would be able to capture true Full HD movies in a first persons view. A lightweight yet powerful video camera that doesn't make you look like a geek 'wearing' a box or a big cigar on your head.

Well, it has arrived in the form shape that answers my question: the Pivothead sunglasses. There are several styles of sunglasses with built in 8 mp camera able to capture full HD 1080p movies in 30 frames per second (fps). In 720p quality it does 60 fps.

The best part is it comes in several styles and one even with interchangeable polarized glasses! The bad part is it has a hefty price tag: $350 (ouch!).

The view captured isn't as wide angle as many other sports videocameras: 75 degrees rather than almost 180 degrees (GoPro). That might result in a too narrow view for some. There is 8Gb of memory on board, which will record about 60 mins of 1080p video. Since there is no screen built-in there is no way to view the captured video or even erase a footage. You'll need to hook up the sunglasses to a computer to manage the captured video or clear up the memory for the next outing.

The quality of the videos I've seen so far made with Pivothead isn't really exceptional. I will be experimenting with my new Sony HX9V for a while, but when the Pivothead gets an improvement over time it's probably worth a look.




Update Jan 2013:
Here's a slightly less expensive, yet nurdy looking, glasses capturing 720p video.

19 July 2012

The river Inn's story

Here's a nice TV documentary about the river Inn in the central alps. The river Inn is one of the longest rivers in the central alps.

This documentary shows how the Inn starts its life in the Swiss alps near St. Moritz and follows its long journey through western Austria and Germany to finally join the river Danube (also known as the Donau) at the city of Passau.

I really enjoyed the documentary. The camera work is top notch with very nice aerial views as well as close ups of the habitants in and along the river, including mating graylings (around 13:30) which I've never seen before.

We're also shown that decisions to tame ('canalize') the river isn't sustainable. Nice to see that parts of the river are given room again to let the river decide its way.

The documentary 'Der Inn' is in German so be prepared to pick up your language. Yet if you don't understand German, it's still an enjoyable show. I'm not sure how long the documentary can be viewed on-line, so don't wait too long if you want to watch it.

Update 19 Dec 2016:
The documentary is now viewable on YouTube:

07 July 2012

Little tsunami

Due to heavy rainfall we've had the past few days, some parts of Europe are experiencing floods and water drainage problems.

Here's an amazing footage which was shot near a little stream in Switzerland. I doubt there will be any fish left in the stream after the little tsunami?...



02 July 2012

SAGE Circa: get a mortgage...

Sage is coming up with a new rod series using their propriety Konnetic Technology, or what ever that may be. Unlike all other Sage models these days, the Circa is supposed to be a rod that mimics the slow rhythm of fiberglass or bamboo fly rods.

The series start with a 2 weight rod up to a 5 weight rod. It's obviously going to be a similar softer actioned series like the legendary LL series from the 1980's & 1990's next to their fast rod series One and TCX.

The price starting at $745 up to $775 is simply mind boggling. They must be demanding this kind of money (for plastic rods I mean) because there are people willing to pay such price tags?... I must say I'm curious. It's always interesting to see what Sage comes up with every now and then.

The rods will be available around end of August or September.

Stanley Bogdan

Here's a nice video on reel maker Stan Bogdan and friendship with fisher(wo)man Kathryn Maroun.

22 June 2012

Hmm.. looks familiar



Hmm... This Microsoft Surface looks familiar...

03 May 2012

Hot queens day trip

What a wonderful little trip. In a strange way this trip also showed what a weird phenomena our weather is. A week before the trip the area was covered with several inches of snow. A good week later it's scorching hot... In April!

I was hoping for nice warm spring conditions, but the three days felt like mid summer. Friday was my first day on the river and by the end of the day I was baked. To prevent my face from getting burned even further next day I wore a Buff with my face covered under my cap. This is a regular sight at a bonefish destination, but surely not in this part of the world...

The water level was higher than I would have liked to start with, but during the 3 days the level got higher and higher. I was worried that this would effect the fishing in a bad way. You know the type of nightmare: chocolate brown milkshake rushing down... But guess what? The river stayed clear, yay!

By the end of the first day the high temperature did start to effect the fishing. The snow in the mountains started to melt making the water quite murky. This was especially evident on saturday. At around 2 PM I had to stop fishing since I couldn't judge the depth of the water anymore. During that night the water cleared up again. In spite of not really ideal conditions the fishing throughout the 3 days was surprisingly good. 

As mentioned earlier I brought my ultra light gear with me. It sure is fun fishing with such light gear (2 weight). I generally fish nymphs almost exclusively but I was hoping to do some dry fly fishing with my ultra light gear. There was no surface activity so heavily weighted nymphs like bead heads was the ticket here.

Half way through the trip the rising of the water level meant I had to reach for a heavier rod. A 4 weight is still light but I needed some more back bone to handle the fish heading for mid stream where the current is pretty hefty. I used 5x tippet so too much pressure would mean break offs.

Before this trip I ordered a new tripod (I lost my tripod head as I found out during my previous trip) so I could make some nice video footages. My trusty old Creative Vado did a fine job.

The strong current did mean some challenges to make sure the lightweight tripod and Vado didn't get washed away. Another problem I encountered on this trip was due to the high water level on certain stretches of the river I couldn't find a spot to beach a big fish (one nice rainbow was around 18-19 inches) and take a picture. I don't want to put the fish on a dry bank and get the vulnerable outer skin damaged.

All together this trip has been pretty wonderful. The sun, the scenery, the fishing and the food made this trip more than I bargained for.

I really need to get a new camera before my next trip. The iPhone takes great pictures that's for sure but I don't like the idea of using it on the water without some kind of security (there is no way to attach a wrist strap by the way) to prevent me from dropping it in the water.




Update 4 May 2012:
I bought the Sony HX9V. Since it does capture FullHD movies in 50p, this camera does the job for a very nice price now it is succeeded by new models (same sensor) with only minor improvements (16Mp vs 18Mp). I can't wait to see the improved quality this little camera will capture, it is said to be amazing.

Update 7 May 2012:
I found on eBay a wrist strap accessory for the iPhone.

Update Jan 2013:
Here's a wrist strap for both iPhone 4(S) and iPhone 5. The price is an ouch...

Here's a short video I managed to compile from the few footages I shot.






Ps.
30th of April is a Dutch national holiday called Queen's Day.

21 April 2012

Going ultralight


When I was wondering what to do this year, I was looking for a different approach. I've fished bamboo only and graphite only. Why not go ultralight for a change?

So my next trip I'll be bringing along my aged (most of them more than 25 years old) but so delightful ultralight rods like the Tippet and Ultrafine.

These rods from Orvis are simply magic. Although full flexing, they are no whimpy rods. They will cast a double bead head nymph rig without any problem. But boy, these rods are a lot fun to fish. It's often mistaken that light rods can't handle big fish. It's pretty amazing how fast one can play a fish ready to be landed.

12 April 2012

Looking for a new camera - part II

So I am looking for a new camera. I have been lately focusing on the Sony NEX-5N, then all the sudden I was wondering what's wrong with a compact camera? I mean they are a lot easier to carry around, especially when you're fishing.

The possibilities won't be as extended as a camera with changeable lenses and the smaller lens won't capture low light conditions as well, but hey, there's a lot to like a compact camera. Get one and you're done! No need to get additional lenses.

Well, the compact camera's sure have evolved the past years. In bright conditions they take DSLR quality pictures. Take a look at the Sony HX9V with a 16.2 megapixel(!) with a 24-384 mm (16x) zoom lens.

I was really amazed that these little buggers are now able to capture video in Full 1080p HD in 50fps! The HX9V is now succeeded by the Sony HX10VHX20V and HX30V with a 18.2 megapixel sensor.


Correction:
I thought (as read in several reviews) that the HX9V is only is able to capture FullHD movies in 50i but this little bugger will capture FullHD in 50p! You will need an extreme fast SD memory card to ensure the 28mb/s data stream will be saved correctly.

Here's an amazing footage of what the HX9V is capable of. It's a point-and-shoot camera for gawds sake! Hmm... now what?




AVCHD is a format for movie video's that's becoming more popular with videocams and digital camera's. AVCHD isn't recognized by Apple's iMovie 9 and older (iMovie 11 does) or Final Cut Pro 7 and older (successor Final Cut X does). But here's a solution to cope with this problem.