Compare Prices : Sony Cyber-shot DSC H1 - Expert Reviews

Pros: Very good to excellent image quality.Effectively stabilized 12X zoom.2.5 inch LCD monitor and electronic viewfinder.Powerful flash.Full range of photographic modes.Good ergonomic design.

Cons: No uncompressed or RAW format.Some strong highlights can get burnt out unless negative exposure compensation is used.Software lagging in comparison to the quality of the camera, and what other manufacturers provide.

Pros: Sturdy 'camera' feel, fast zoom, good image stablisation, good image quality, large LCD, intuitive button layout, easy to use

Cons: None to speak of

Verdict: This was Sony's first mega-zoom camera, and its combination of lens, price, big LCD, features and build quality, makes it a strong contender in the big-zoom market.

Award: Highly Recommended!

Review summary: Introduced in February 2005 (pre-PMA), the Cyber-shot H1 is Sony's attempt to win a share of one of the fastest growing digital camera market sectors, the 5 megapixel 'super zoom'. Although Sony has produced big zoom cameras before (the F828 and its ...

Pros: Good resolution, good edge-to-edge detail, Great color, good exposure, Accurate and fast focus, Low shutter lag, Superb handling, comprehensive photographic controls, Jog dial makes manual / semi-automatic exposure very easy and fast, 12x zoom offers ...

Cons: Slight overall softness when viewed at 100%, Some focus hunting at long end of the zoom (especially in movie mode), Image stabilization doesn't seem quite as effective as competition, Small (though bright and clear) viewfinder, High default contrast ...

Verdict: Considering this is Sony's first foray into the increasingly crowded - and competitive - 5MP 'super zoom', whereas other manufacturers are already into their second or third generation models, the DSC-H1 is a very impressive, very mature product indeed.

Review summary: Sony decided to up the ante this year and transform their line, entering the "ultra zoom" race with the release of a long-lens Cyber-shot digital camera. The resulting 5.1 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 has a 12x optical zoom lens, equating to a 36 ...

Verdict: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 does have some incredibly attractive features, notably its 12x optical zoom lens with super image stabilization and large 2.5-inch LCD screen. The 36-432mm (equivalent) variable focal range lens is also compatible with ...

Review summary: The Sony Cybershot DSC-H1 is a SLR style (not a true SLR view finder) digital camera with 5.1 megapixels (effective) and a long 12x Optical Zoom. The Cybershot DSC-H1 features a large 2.5 inch LCD monitor, image stabilization, a macro focusing range ...

Verdict: The Cybershot DSC-H1 features a large 2.5 inch LCD monitor, image stabilization, a macro focusing range of 0.8inches, video shooting mode (MPEG VX with audio - 30 fps) and PictBridge functionality