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 predecessors sported 5x and 7x optics and there was a 10x zoom floppy disk Mavica a few years ago), the H1 is the electronics giant's first foray into compact, big zoom image-stabilized cameras. 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 captures VGA/30fps movies in space-efficient MPEG format.
- 5.1 effective megapixels
- 36-432mm equivalent (12x optical) F2.8-3.7 zoom lens
- Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization
- 2.5” LCD (115,200 pixels)
- 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 slot
Side by Side
Here for comparison is the H1 alongside three of its closest competitors - (from left): Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5, Canon PowerShot S2 IS, Sony Cyber-shot H1, Kodak EasyShare Z740 (the smallest, but also the only one without image stabilization). As you can see, the H1 is one of the largest cameras in its class - certainly a lot larger than the Panasonic FZ5 (and the Konica Minolta Z5, not shown).
Sony DSC-H1 Key specifications
| Street price | • US: $499 • UK: £380 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Plastic & metal |
| Sensor | • 1/2.5" Super HAD CCD |
| Image sizes | • 2592 x 1944 |
| Movie clips | • 640 x 480 @ 16 / 30 fps • 160 x 112 @ 8 fps • MPEG-1 (mono) |
| Lens | • 36 - 432 mm (35 mm equiv) 12x optical zoom |
| Focus | • 3 Area Multi-Point AF • Center AF • Flexible Spot AF • Manual focus • 2 cm macro mode (Wide) |
| Shooting mode | • Auto |
| Shutter Speeds | • 1/8 – 1/2000 sec (Auto)* • 2 – 1/2000 sec (Program Auto)* • 30 – 1/1000 sec (Manual) * Shutter speeds of 1/2000th are only available at apertures of F5.6 and higher. |
| Apertures | • F2.8 / 3.2 / 3.5 / 4.0 / 4.5 / 5.0 / 5.6 / 6.3 / 7.1 / 8.0 (wide) • F3.7 / 4.0 / 4.5 / 5.0 / 5.6 / 6.3 / 7.1 / 8.0 (tele) |
| Metering | • Multi Pattern • Centre-weighted • Spot |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 64 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 |
| White Balance | • Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Fluorescent • Incandescent • Manual (custom) |
| Image parameters | • Saturation (3 levels) |
| Continuous | 1.3 fps up to 9 frames |
| Flash | • Built-in, pop-up • Modes: Auto, on, off, slow sync, red-eye reduction • Range (ISO auto): 0.3 - 6.8 m (w); 0.9 - 5.2 m (t) |
| Storage | • Memory Stick / Memory Stick PRO • 32 MB internal memory • No removable media supplied |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 0.3-inch, 115,200 pixels |
| LCD monitor | • 2.5 " TFT • 115,200 pixels |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 Hi-speed • AV out |
| Power | • 2x rechargeable AA battery (NiMH, alkaline, NiMH • Charger included |
| In the box* | • DSC-H1 camera |
| Other features | • PictBridge- and PIM II-compatible |
| Weight (inc batt) | 591 g (20.8 oz) |
| Dimensions | 108 x 82 x 91 mm (4.2 x 3.2 x 3.5 in) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
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