Sony DSC-H1 Cyber-shot Review
With its incredible 12X optical zoom lens combined with Super SteadyShotoptical image stabilization system you can capture stunning long-distance images with minimized blurring, even during longer exposures.
It is conversion lens compatible so you can easily add optional telephoto and wide-angle lenses for even greater optical range. The DSC-H1 features sony’s precision 1/2.4-inch Super HAD(TM) CCD imager which, combined with the Real Imaging Processor and 14-bit DXP processor, gives you amazingly detailed 5.1 Megapixel digital images with accurate colors and contrast.
Its comfortable SLR body design, 2.5 inch LCD screen, and live histogram display allow you to quickly and easily compose perfectly framed shots. Picture Effects - Sepia, Black & 
White Self Timer - 10 Seconds Scene Selection Mode - Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Portrait, Landscape, Beach, High-speed shutter and Candle. Still Image Mode(s) - Normal (JPEG Fine/Standard), Burst, Multi-Burst Memory Stick Pro Media Compatibility - Tested to support up to 2GB media capacity LCD - 2.5-inch 115K Pixel TFT LCD Screen Microphone/Speaker USB Port(s) - Supports USB 2.0 Operating System Compatibility - Microsoft Windows 98/98SE/Me/2000/XP Home/XP Pro, Macintosh OS 9.1/9.2/OS X (10.0-10.3) Dimensions - (Approximate) Width 4 1/4 x Height 3 1/5 x Depth 3 3/14 inches Weight - 16 ounces (460 gram) with Battery, Media and Neck Strap.
1/2.4-Inch 5.1-Megapixel Super HAD CCD
Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCDs provide excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise.
12x Optical/2x digital/24x Total Zoom
Optical zoom helps you fill the frame with your subject for better pictures. And sony’s Precision digital Zoom helps bring your subject closer with an extra 2x magnification.
0 to 48x Smart Zoom Feature (at VGA Resolution)
The Smart Zoom feature intelligently uses the full CCD to let you zoom into the portion of interest by cropping the image size, thus avoiding the image degradation of digital zooms.
Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization
Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization fights motion blur, even during longer exposures at full zoom.
Real Imaging Processor Technology
The innovative Real Imaging Processor in the DSC-H1 not only improves picture quality and clarity but also improves camera response time, decreases shutter lag and improves battery stamina.
sony DSC-H1 Cyber-shot Features:
- 12x Optical Zoom, up to 48x Smart Zoom, 24x Precision digital Zoom
- Super Steady Shot
- 5.1 Effective Megapixel
- Large 2.5″ LCD
- Macro 2cm
- Flexible Spot AF
- Real Imaging Processor
- Shutter Time Lag 0.3 sec, Shutter Release Lag 0.009 sec
- Stamina Battery Life (approx 290 shots by CIPA standard)
- Manual Focus
- Manual White Balance
- Rechargeable Batteries & Charger included
- Conversion Lens Compatible (Optional)
- MPEG VX Fine with Audio
- AF Illuminator
- Histogram Indication
- USB 2.0 High Speed Transfer
- Scene Selection Mode
- Internal Memory 32MB
- 100% LCD Field of view
- PictBridge Compatible
sony DSC-H1 Cyber-shot Details:
- Imaging device: 1/2.4-inch 5.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD
- Recording media: 32MB internal flash memory, Memory Stick media, Memory Stick PRO media
- Zoom: 12x optical zoom
- Smart Zoom feature: 0 to 48.0x (at VGA resolution)
- digital zoom: Precision, 0 to 2.0x range, 24x total
- Filter diameter: 30mm
- Focal length: f2.8 to f3.7
- 35mm equivalent: 36 to 432mm
- Autofocus: 5 Area Multi-Point AF, Center AF, 5-Step Manual
- Macro mode: 3/4 inches (2 centimeters)
- Shutter speed: 1/8 to 1/2000 second (Auto), 2 seconds to 1/2000 second (Program Auto), 30 seconds to 1/1000 second (Manual)
- Exposure compensation: +/- 2.0 EV (exposure value) in 1/3 EV steps
- Color LCD: 2.5-inch 115K pixel TFT LCD screen
- Flash modes: Auto/Forced On/Forced Off/Slow Synchro
- Red-eye reduction: On/Off
- White balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent
- Burst mode: 9-shot 5MP (JPEG fine), 100-shot VGA (JPEG std.), 0.7 frames per second
- Picture effects: Sepia, Black and White
- ISO: Auto, 100, 200, 400
- Scene modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Candle
- Self-timer: Yes, 10 seconds
- Audio-video output: Yes, NTSC/PAL selectable
- Still image modes: Normal (JPEG Fine/Standard), Burst, Multi-Burst
- MPEG movie modes: MPEG VX Fine with audio (640 x 480 at 30 frames per second [fps]; MPEG VX Fine requires Memory Stick PRO media); MPEG VX Standard with audio (640 x 480 at 16 fps); Video Mail (160 x 112 at 8 fps) with audio
- Microphone/speaker: Yes/yes
- USB terminal: Yes, supports USB 2.02
- Memory Stick PRO media compatibility: Tested to support up to 2GB media capacity; does not support Access Control security function
- Compatible battery: AA-size NiMH, AA-size Alkaline, AA-size Nickel-Metal Manganese
- Supplied software: Picture Package for sony v1.6 (Windows), Pixela ImageMixer VCD2 (Macintosh), USB driver, Cyber-shot Life tutorial (Windows)
- OS compatibility: Microsoft Windows 98/98SE/Me/ 2000/XP Home/XP Pro; Macintosh OS 9.1/9.2/OS X (10.0 - 10.3)
- Supplied accessories: NH-AA-DA rechargeable AA batteries, BC-CS2 battery charger and cord, AV and USB cables, wrist strap, software CD-ROM
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 4 1/4 x 3 1/4 x 3 1/8 inches (107.8 x 81.4 x 81.7 millimeters)
- Weight: 16.2 ounces (460 grams) with battery, media, and neck strap
Customer Review: I can’t tell you how long I’ve spent agnonizing over which camera to purchase. At first, I bought the Dimage Z5 and I wasn’t satisfied so I returned it. I began to look at both the S2 IS and DSC-H1.
From most reviews, the S2 IS came out slightly ahead of the DSC-H1. Though dpreview actually gave the lead to the DSC-H1. What really matters to me is image quality and I could not tell a difference between the sony and the canon. So, I figured with all of the rave reviews both camera’s were getting and the fact their image quality was very similar, it’d be best to go in-store and see which had the best feel. I found the S2 IS to be a bit cumbersome, especially with a lense cap that easily fell off.
Also, I didn’t like the button arrangement or the way the S2 IS felt in my hands. I think when @ full zoom taking pics of birds or other small animals a larger screen will make it much easier for you to find the shot you are looking for. Plus the sony screen can be seen quite well in bright light.
Plus the S2 IS has a bit of a red-eye problem, which the sony does not. The DSC-H1 feels a bit stronger and is very easy to grip. The photos from the camera are excellent right out of the box, so you can be a novice and still take near d-slr shots. In the end, the DSC-H1 felt better, had a nice 2.5 inch screen which made the S2 IS screen seem puny. As you can see from the photos I’ve submitted, the pics are very nice.
Customer Review: I’ve had the H1 for almost 2 weeks now and i’ve never taken so many pictures in my life. The H1 is such a pleasure to use. It fits perfectly into my hand, all the controls are right there, no deep menu so that you’re fumbling around with settings trying to get the ‘best’ shot. The great thing about the H1 is that the pictures straight from the camera are awesome. Almost no post-processing has to be done. The colors are vibrant, the images are sharp as a tack and very very little noise can be found (in dark areas or shadows).
You can leave all settings in auto and use it as a basic point & shoot camera or you can experiment and learn by using the aperature, shutter speed and manual controls. With the HUGE 2.5″ LCD you can see the adjustments made instantly and how it will affect the picture. The live histogram is another feature that I honestly thought I would have no use for but surprisingly..I am learning from it.
The 12x zoom is fun to use. I’m getting shots that I would have never been able to do before. And, with the added Image stabilization…most can be shot handheld!
For the person who has always used a digital camera set in auto and wants to learn more about photography (like me) this camera is perfect. And for the person who just doesn’t want to mess with the manual controls, well this camera is STILL perfect. You will not see better images unless you’re looking at a full on DSLR camera…..which will cost at least a good $1000. For at least half the price and the most fun you will ever have with a camera, the sony H1 hits the spot.
Cons: To be fair I have to say that the size is a little bigger than I would have preferred. I like to bring my cameras with me everywhere so they’ve always gone in my purse or a pocket. This one DID fit in my purse, albeit a tight squeeze, but I don’t feel that it’s good for the camera. I went out a bought a leather backpack which is very fashionable and I use that instead of a camera bag.
Because of the excitement and the excellent results i’ve gotten so far from this camera the last con would be….accessories. So far, I have purchased 2 tripods (for nighttime shots), extra batteries, the backpack, a UV filter and I’ve got my eye on the tele lens to add even more zoom. I find myself wanting every accessory for this camera.
You can’t go wrong with the sony H1. Just try it, you’ll see. No matter which digicam you do choose, remember to just get out there and have fun with it! Photography should be fun not a cumbersome chore!
Happy picture taking everybody! =)
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