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August 09, 2005
[ REVIEW — SONY CYBERSHOT DSC-H1 ]
Price: $899
Rating: 5
The lowdown: The Sony Cybershot DSC-H1 is Sony’s entry into the hotly contested market segment of 5 megapixel, 12x zoom cameras. Canon, Panasonic and Konica Minolta all have cameras with similar specifications.
The Sony H1 has a zoom range from 36 to 432mm film equivalent and a maximum aperture of 2.8 at the wide end to 3.7 at the longest extension. This is a fast lens that zooms smoothly and focuses quickly. Resolution, exposure, focus and white balance are excellent. The camera has image stabilisation that Sony calls “Steady Shot” and even with the lens fully extended and with slow shutter speeds the images are free of camera-shake blur.
Comparing the Sony H1 with the Canon S2 makes for a difficult choice. The Sony costs $100 more than the Canon but the Sony looks and feels like a more expensive camera. If pride of ownership is a consideration then the Sony wins hands down.
When it comes to useability both cameras are amazingly responsive for units that sport electronic viewfinders. There is none of the dreaded shutter lag that has been expected in this type of camera hitherto. Both have superb lenses and image stabilisers that really work.
The Canon, rather surprisingly, produces over-saturated colours. Once the saturation setting in the camera is set to its lowest the problem disappears, but the Sony produces more realistic images straight from the box. The Canon has a swivelling LCD screen, which is a plus, but the Sony has a bigger screen.
Like this: The Sony H1 is a beautiful camera and all controls work flawlessly. It is so responsive that following moving subjects is a breeze. This camera is great fun to use, and it produces beautiful images.
Dislike that: A discrete Review button, rather than having to dial in Review on the mode dial, would be nice.
Parting shot: We never thought we would say it of a camera with an electronic viewfinder, but this Sony is highly recommended. The 5 out of 5 rating is meant to indicate that it perfectly fulfils its intended purpose and is value for money.
(See sample images from the Sony H1 and the Canon S2 in the Gallery)
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Posted by cw at August 9, 2005 06:22 PM
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