
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 Digital Camera (5.1MP, 2592x1944, 12x, 32MB Internal Memory)
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- Digital Format
- Display
- Exposure
- Image Processor
- Included Software
- Lens
- Shutter
- Storage
- LCD Screen
- Exposure Controls
- Dimensions
- Power
- Flash
- Lens Features
- Connectivity
- Other Features
Image Processor
| Number of image sensor pixels | 5.1 megapixels |
| Image sensor | CCD |
| Maximum horizontal image resolution | 2592 |
| Maximum vertical image resolution | 1944 |
| Image sensor quantity | 1 |
| Image format | JPEG |
| White balance | 0 |
Exposure Controls
| Maximum shutter speed | 2000 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 |
| Bulb setting | 0 |
| ISO equivalencies |
|
| Exposure settings | 0 |
| Exposure compensation range | 0 |
| Number of scene modes | 7 |
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Cameras »
Pros
Powerful 12X optical zoom
Optical image stabilization
Cons
Mediocre image quality
Bottom Line
This bulky model features a 12X optical zoom with optical image stabilization, but overall image quality was mediocre.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1
Cyber-shot DSC-H1 Digital Camera (5.1MP, 2592x1944, 12x, 32MB Internal Memory) Review, by Paul Jasper August 29, 2005
Sony's $500 Cyber-shot DSC-H1 packs a powerful 12X optical zoom lens and an impressive 2.5-inch LCD into a chunky but intelligently designed package. Its built-in image stabilization helps produce sharp pictures, especially in low-light conditions or when you're taking telephoto shots. In bright light or when you're shooting action, you can switch to the DSC-H1's eye-level viewfinder. Because it's electronic, it delivers more-accurate framing then you'd get though an optical viewfinder, but it seems smaller than similar viewfinders we've seen on other cameras, which makes it somewhat unpleasant to use.
The large, comfortably formed, rubberized right-hand grip makes the DSC-H1 easy to use single-handed. A long, two-piece lens hood screws onto the lens, but you have to be careful when using it with the built-in flash--the hood casts a shadow in your photo on wide-angle shots. Sony positioned the H1's numerous controls so that you can reach them easily with your right hand. Unfortunately, I found the small rocker switch for zooming difficult to operate precisely.
A large, smoothly operating dial on top of the grip lets you select the shooting mode; choices include seven scene modes optimized for portraits, sports, candlelit dinners, or other subjects. You can also specify shutter-priority, aperture-priority, or full-manual mode. A small dial in front of the shutter release lets you adjust the shutter speed and aperture size while using these manual modes. The camera's menus don't offer any help text or illustrations, but they're intuitive enough to navigate.
The DSC-H1's showing in our PC World Test Center lab tests was mediocre, as reflected in an overall rating of just Fair for image quality. Our flash portrait shot showed bright colors but was a bit overexposed. The still-life test shot (taken under daylight-balanced flood lights) was underexposed and had a slight greenish tint. Sharpness was about average for a 5.1-megapixel camera. In my informal testing, I was pleased with the shots I took at a major league baseball game. At maximum zoom, I was able to get incredible detail from way up in the grandstand. The players' bright white uniforms were correctly exposed and the colors of the grass and dirt looked natural. However, I did notice some colored fringes along the most contrasting edges.
There's no Memory Stick bundled in the box with the DSC-H1, but you can store up to 12 shots at the camera's highest resolution in its 32MB of built-in memory. In our battery tests, we took 306 shots between charges--an impressive total for a camera that relies on two AA batteries. The unit comes with AA nickel metal hydride cells and a separate battery charger that (surprisingly) can charge AAA batteries, too. Typically, AA batteries don't last as long on a charge as rechargeable lithium ion cells, but they're much easier to find in an emergency. If the 12X optical zoom isn't enough for you, you can buy a $150 telephoto converter from Sony that will pump up the magnification to beyond 20X.
Upshot: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is worth considering for sports or nature photography, where its long image-stabilized zoom lens can come into its own.
Paul Jasper
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- Rating Breakdown
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96
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80
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance
| Battery Life (minutes) | 168 |
| Battery Life Score | Very Good |
| Image Quality Score | Fair |
| Image Quality, Color | 49 |
| Image Quality, Distortion | 46 |
| Image Quality, Exposure | 51 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Flash | 58 |
| Image Quality, Exposure--Normal | 48 |
| Image Quality, Overall | 50 |
| Image Quality, Sharpness | 31.8 |
| Number of Batteries | 2 |
| Number of Shots | 306 |
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: sisbill
Strengths: nice camera while it worked
Weaknesses: unreliable; too expensive to fix
Overall: 3 years old; power will not stay on. new batteries, card format, factory re-set did not help; camera has not been dropped; worked well last week but now dead; repairs estimated at $250. I'll go back to Olympus which has not failed in the last 7 years.
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Reviewed by: Iflyfish47
Strengths: This camera has lots of settings, the 48 times zoom is assume, and the macro delivers clear crisp shots.
Weaknesses: None
Overall: I saw this camera at around 320.00 and at that price you can't beat extras that come with this unit. The camera comes with a charger w/ batteries, lens hood, lens cap and lens adapter. I was considering the Canon S2 IS but after comparing both display screens, the Sony had a much clearer display, while Canon's was washed out and grainy. I took pictures of my daughter's graduation, we were in the second to last row of the stadium and I was able to get a picture of her getting her diploma handed to her, it was absolutlely amazing! How about a steady shot that really works, I took some pictures on full zoom, you could actually see the display shaking, but once the picture was taken it was clear and crisp with absolutely no streaking! The digital zoom is outstanding, it was just what I was looking for, and in an affordable price range, I highly recommend this camera to anyone you won't be disappointed. There are also tons of manual settings, although I haven't played with them that much, I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
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Reviewed by: bigmike7
Strengths: Just about everything - and the pictures are greatMade in Japan (something that you cannot find in any review) with very good build quality
Weaknesses: Slow recovery for flash shots - but not all that bad
Overall: Got this camera after reading many reviews and comments from both professional reviewers and users - and chose it over the Canon, Panasonic and Fuji counterparts- Glad that I did - because am very happy with the performance and outcome of the resulting pictures- We took three cameras on our latest cruise - two Fujis and the Sony - and the Sony outperformed the other two 10 to 1!! Have found that using 2500 mAh rechargables - gives about 350 to 400 shots per set - a very respectable number- Have encouraged others to get the Sony- I would buy another
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Reviewed by: rob1963man
Strengths: Professional look, Quality of Photographs, Ease of Use.
Weaknesses: View Screen exposability
Overall: Sony has a great product with this camera. Puts out professional looking photographs. Convenient dial on top which displays all the photo settings and convenient placement of any and every button you might need.Some of the weaknesses of this camera might actually be considered its strength. You have to work for the best possible quality photo. Adjust the lighting, brightness, etc.. This definitely is not a camera to capture random and unimprovised moments, but if you take your time in setting up the picture it will give you professional output particularly if you're an intermediate level photographer. The camera is so nice, that at actually inspires you to take better photographs and brings out the creative artist in you.I like the look of the camera. It looks like an old Pentax or Nikon, but it IS smaller than I thought it would be.Some of the true negatives (for me).. is that they should've designed it to have the view screen a little more protected. There is virtually no way to hold this camera without leaving finger prints on the darn screen. Also, the view finder is not a true viewfinder. it is merely an extension of the view screen outside. it is very small when you look through it and it is very difficult to gauge what kind of a picture you're going to get. For me this isn't a problem since I actually like to look at the screen outside... but for those with high hopes for this feature, you will be disappointed.If you're a creative person, go get this cam. You can't live without it! The night-photography comes out BEAUTIFUL.
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Reviewed by: tlenzenh
Strengths: Solid case, good LCD screen, uses standard size batteries, well positioned menu and other buttoms, nice design, great zoom and image stabilizer, good lens cap, fast startup, great to hold
Weaknesses: needs the more expensive memory sticks, uses lots of battery , size (too bulky for a pocket)
Overall: Don't have the camera very long yet but it is just great.The main thing I don't like is the size. Compared to my previous Sony DSC-P10 I can;t just slide this camera into my pocket. But hey - now I got the nice 12x zoom which kicks some butt. The image stabilizer works really well, I managed to get almost all pictures will full zoom still sharp.I like the way the camera lies in the hand - it is very nice to hold and even when just holding with your right hand - the menu and other buttons are always conveniently located and you can reach them easily.Another great feature I find is the solid case. I take my camera to most of my outdoor adventures (like mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, abseiling, etc.), so a solid design comes in handy.Even the lens cap is of good solid make. The SW that comes with the camera is crap though, better use your own picture editing SW.The battery life is not outstanding, especially when you use the LCD screen all the time. But the good thing is that you can use standard batteries (AA), so when you run out of your own rechargable ones you can at least get batteries from any shop (whereas this is not the case for any pocket size point and shoot camera).I figured the battery life can be extended A LOT by using the little viewfinder instead of the LCD screen wherever possible.All in all - I still like the small pcket cameras, but this camera is worth the hassle of carrying a larger case around with you. Surely something like 6-7 Megapixel in addition to the 12x zoom would be nice, but unless you blow up your pics really big then the 5MP are well enough. The zoom is great that you get really good quality pics.
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