The Cyber-shot DSC-H1 was Sony's first foray into the increasingly crowded compact, image stabilized 'super zoom' market, and it was a very successful one too. The DSC-H5 (along with little brother the DSC-H2) arrived almost exactly a year later in February 2006. The H5 is notable as the first 'big zoom' compact camera to feature a 7 megapixel sensor (a new Sony 1/2.5" CCD), and for its huge 3.0" screen. Otherwise the specification is pretty much the same as the H2, itself a fairly subtle update to the original H1 - no bad thing given the very high standards set by that model. Let's start with the headline features:
- 7.2 million effective pixels
- 36-432mm equivalent (12x optical) F2.8-3.7 Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens
- Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization
- Wide ISO 80-1000 range
- Clear RAW™ noise reduction technology
- 3.0” LCD (230,000 pixels) & 0.2" (200,000 pixel) Electronic viewfinder
- Full photographic control
- Real Imaging Processor & 14-bit DXP A/D Conversion
- Optional wide and tele lens converters
- Scene selection (7 modes)
- Histogram indication
- 32MB internal memory, plus a Memory Stick/PRO Duo slot
Note that the majority of the descriptive text in this review is taken directly from the DSC-H2 review, as the cameras are functionally identical.
Cyber-shot DSC-H5 vs DSC-H2
The H2 and H5 are essentially the same camera with a few important differences:
- Higher resolution sensor (7MP versus 6MP)
- Larger LCD screen (3.0 vs 2.0 inch)
- Higher resolution screen (230k vs 85k pixels)
- Black body option (H2 is silver only)
- Slightly heavier than H2
As shown above the H5 (left) and H2 (center) are physically identical (save for the body color) from the front - the only difference on the back is the screen size. Shown for comparison is the original H1 (right).
Color Options
Unlike the H2 (and H1 before it), the H5 is manufactured in two colors. The silver version is - at the moment anyway - only available if you buy directly from Sony via its Sony Style online store.
DSC H-5 key specifications
| Street price | • US: $470 • UK: £310 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Metal and plastic |
| Sensor | • 1/2.5 " Type CCD |
| Image sizes | • 3072 x 2304 |
| Movie clips | • 640 x 480 @ 16 / 30fps (30fps requires MS Pro Duo) |
| File formats | • Still: JPEG • Movie: MPEG VX |
| Lens | • 36-432mm equiv |
| Image stabilization | Super SteadyShot® (moving lens element type) |
| Conversion lenses | Yes |
| Digital zoom | • 2x (24x total) • Up to 57x Smart Zoom (dependent on selected resolution) |
| Focus | • Manual (with focus aids and magnification) • Single • Monitor • Continuous |
| AF area modes | • 3 Area Multi-Point AF • Center AF (selectable) • Flexible spot AF • Contrast detect |
| AF assist lamp | Yes |
| Focus distance | • Normal: 50cm (19.7 in) min • Macro: 2cm (0.74 in) |
| Metering | • Multi-pattern (49 zone) • Center weighted • Spot |
| ISO sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1000 |
| Exposure compensation | • +/-2EV • 1/3 EV steps |
| Exposure bracketing | +/- 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 EV |
| Shuttter speed | • 1/4 - 1/2000 sec. (Auto) |
| Aperture | F2.8 - 8.0 (wide), F3.7 - 8.0 (tele) |
| Modes | • Program |
| Scene modes | • Twilight • Twilight Portrait • Portrait • Landscape • Beach • High-speed shutter • High sensitivity |
| White balance | • Auto |
| Self timer | • 10 or 2 secs |
| Continuous shooting | • 7 Shots at 1.1fps (7.2MP JPEG fine) • 100 Shots at 1.4 fps (640x480 JPEG std) |
| Image parameters | • Saturation (3 levels) • Contrast (3 levels) • Sharpness (3 levels) • Color effects (Sepia, Black and White, Vivid) |
| Flash | • Pop-up • Auto, On, Off, Slow synch, Red-eye reduction • Range (ISO Auto): 1’ to 29’ 3" (0.3-9.0m) (Wide) • Range (ISO Auto): 35.5 ’ to 22 ’ 4 " (0.9-6.8m) (Tele) • Range (ISO 1000): 2’ 11" to 52’ (0.9 -16m) (Wide) |
| Viewfinder | • 0.2" EVF • 201K pixels |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0-inch TFT • 230K pixels |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 high speed • AV out |
| Print compliance | PictBridge, DPOF, PIM III |
| Storage | • Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo compatible • 32MB internal memory |
| Power | • 2x NiMH batteries • Ac adaptor (optional) |
| In the box* | • DSC-H5 camera • NH-AA-DB Rechargeable AA Batteries, • BC-CS2 Battery Charger and Cord • A/V and USB Cables • Shoulder Strap • Lens Cap • Lens Cap Strap • Lens Adapter Ring • Lens Hood • Software CD-ROM |
| Other features | • Real Imaging Processor • Clear RAW NR • Filter Diameter: 58mm (with supplied Adapter Ring) • Optional Flash units, converter lenses, filters |
| Weight (inc batt) | 554 g (1 lb 4.3 oz) |
| Dimensions | 113.2 x 83 x 94 mm (4.6 x 3.3 x 3.7 in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.
We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X, Y, and Z and ideally A, B, and C.
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