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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 Review
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Review Summary
Reader Score: 7.67 (out of 10)
Boxy but well-balanced and sporting a large 2.5-inch nonarticulating LCD screen, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 delivers a wide array of features, shooting modes, and performance for just under $500. The camera sports a long 12X optical zoom lens, which is quickly becoming the new standard for superzoom cameras. The one glaring problem was the camera's shutter lag-a big hindrance if you're trying to capture that fleeting moment.
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Other Reviews For This Model
| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Trusted Reviews |
9.67 |
01-17-06 |
Read Full Review
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| "This may be Sony's first SLR-style camera, but it is a very accomplished debut. It is quite large compared to its direct competitors, but it has a comfortable ergonomic design reminiscent of the Fuji S20 Pro or Nikon 8800. The body is strong polycarbonate plastic over a metal chassis, but the lens barrel is all metal. It has a large comfortable rubberized handgrip with a sculpted thumb rest on the back. The controls are sensibly laid out and easy to operate, and the big 2.5in 115KP LCD monitor is bright and clear, although rather vulnerable to scratches and finger marks.
However the most eye-catching feature, and the camera's main selling point, is its huge 12x optical zoom lens, equivalent to a whopping 36-432mm on a 35mm camera. Like many recent super-zoom cameras, it also features optical image stabilization, essential when using a lens of this size.
Colour rendition and exposure were accurate, and the superb lens provides edge-to-edge sharpness. There was some evidence of over-sharpening on the default setting, but turning it down a notch improved this. Image noise was visible on some shots, but wasn't really a problem below 200 ISO. My only real complaint was some fairly major purple fringing on a couple of shots, but only on extremely high contrast edges shooting into the light. All in all and excellent performance." |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Digital Camera Review |
8.67 |
01-22-06 |
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| "The H1 is up against some very stiff competition (the Canon Powershot S2 IS, the Konica Minolta Z5, and the Panasonic Lumix FZ5) in this very popular class. Competing models in the 5 megapixel monster zoom product niche are remarkably well matched, so the final choice may come down to just how important the video capture mode is, or whether users prefer a tilt swivel LCD screen to a fixed LCD screen.
The H1 has some warts; it is a bit slower than its competitors, its menu system is neither intuitive nor logical, and the user's manual is remarkably poor. However, this camera shines in some very important areas; images are consistently very good, the H1's Auto mode is so simple that even rank beginners can capture dramatic images, and more advanced photographers will appreciate the H1's responsive and flexible handling and operation." |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| DCResource |
8.54 |
06-04-05 |
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| The Cyber-shot DSC-H1 ($499) is Sony's first true ultra zoom camera (the DSC-F828 doesn't count in my opinion). Featuring a 5.1 Megapixel CCD, 12X optical zoom lens with image stabilization, a large 2.5" LCD display, and full manual controls, the H1 is aimed squarely at the likes of the Canon PowerShot S2 and the Panasonic DMC-FZ20 (and the FZ5 as well). While I haven't reviewed the S2 yet, I can tell you that the FZ20 is my favorite ultra zoom camera, so the DSC-H1 has its work cut out for it. How did it perform? Find out now in our review! |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Imaging-Resource |
8.54 |
06-16-05 |
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| Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is a new form factor addition to a long and very broad line of digital cameras that reflect Sony's commanding position in the digital camera marketplace. Like many other long zoom cameras, the Sony H1 has a miniature SLR look and feel, with the big grip and large lens barrel. Rather than an optical viewfinder, there's a secondary LCD inside an eyepiece that you can use when in bright sunlight. Most of the functions will be familiar to users of other Sony digital cameras, as will be the generous 2.5-inch color LCD monitor that is appearing on more and more Sony digicams. What's new on the Sony H1 is the 12x zoom and Super SteadyShot image stabilization mechanism. The Sony H1 offers a Beach preset scene mode, in addition to the six other preset scene modes common to Sony cams, plus four metering modes offering full exposure control. Solidly built, the Sony H1 has a smooth and fast zoom mechanism and a good feel in the hand. Read on for all the details! |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Photography Blog |
8.50 |
10-31-05 |
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| The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is Sony's first attempt at an ultra-zoom digital camera, and on the whole it is a very successful one. It's easy to see why - the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is stylish, well-built and takes good 5 megapixel photographs that produce great A4 prints. As well as offering full auto and scene modes for beginners, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 also has shutter and aperture-priority modes for intermediate users and a manual exposure mode for the more experienced photographer who wants to take full control. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Megapixel |
8.25 |
06-24-05 |
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| Judging from the number of e-mails we have received requesting a review of the new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1, this camera has been one of the most anticipated in recent memory, an interest most likely spurred by its basic characteristics: a 5-megapixel resolution and a stabilized 12X zoom.
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| CNET Reviews |
8.00 |
07-12-05 |
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| With its 12X-zoom Cyber Shot DSC-H1, Sony joins the megazoom competition. Although slightly larger and heavier than its competitors, the H1 holds its own thanks to a broad feature set, speedy performance, and a generally well-thought-out design. We have a few quibbles and wish that the photos were sharper, but overall, the H1 may please enthusiasts hankering for a camera with an extended focal range. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Digital Trends |
8.00 |
08-09-05 |
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| Mega zoom digital cameras are all the rage this season. Panasonic paved the way with its 12x optical zoom Lumix models, and other manufacturers quickly charged in to feed Americans' desires for potent digicams that offer a wide range of focal lengths (around 38-432mm in 35mm terms). Besides Panasonic, Canon and Konica Minolta have 12x digicams with image stabilizers. Sony now has joined the ranks with the 5-megapixel DSC-H1 ($499). In this case, it has a 12x Sony lens (not the usual Carl Zeiss design) that delivers 36mm-432mm of zooming power in a very compact package. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| DPReview |
8.00 |
07-05-05 |
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| The Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is Sony's attempt to win a share of one of the fastest growing digital camera market sectors, the 5 megapixel 'super zoom'. As well as a huge 12x optical zoom the H1 is a real treasure chest of photographic control, offering a wealth of automatic, semi automatic and manual exposure modes, a big 2.5" screen and VGA/30fps movies in space-efficient MPEG format. But is it enough to see off stiff competition from the likes of Canon and Panasonic?
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Digital Camera Info |
7.53 |
03-03-05 |
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| As the digital camera market matures and consumers want better cameras, more people are growing tired of their 3x optical zoom lenses. Enter the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1. This digital camera has a 12x optical zoom lens with the option of attaching wide angle and telephoto conversion lenses. It also has 5.1 megapixels, which is enough juice to pump out 11 x 17-inch prints. The H1 heads up Sony’s “enthusiast” series with a huge lens, 2.5-inch LCD screen, manual and automatic shooting capabilities, and a highly coveted image stabilization system. For the $499.95 retail price, photographers can get versatility from this digital camera without having to dish out more money for an SLR. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Digital Trends |
6.33 |
07-20-05 |
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| The DSC-H1 is a very compact camera, given its 12x optical zoom. It's about the size of the new Canon PowerShot S2 IS, another new mega zoom digicam with optical image stabilization for about the same price. We won't go into an HC1-versus-S2 riff, but the most obvious difference is Sony's large, 2.5-inch LCD screen compared to the Canon's variable angle 1.8-inch monitor. |
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| Review Site |
Review Score |
Date |
Link |
| Cameras.co.uk |
6.00 |
08-01-05 |
Read Full Review
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| The Sony DSC H1 is a five megapixel digital camera with a 12x optical zoom lens. This is Sony's first digital camera with an extended zoom lens. The DSC H1 has a wide range of features including fully manual exposure and is therefore likely to appeal to those who are serious about photography rather than someone who is looking for a simple point and shoot model. A lens of this length will be especially useful for wildlife and sports photography. |
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