Product Description

A five megapixel, Super HAD CCD imager, 12X optical zoom lens and a large 2.5-inch LCD are just a few of the features on this model that are sure to please even the choosiest photo buff.With a focal length range of 36 - 432 millimeters (a 35mm equivalence) the DSC-H1 camera lets you frame distant objects with ease. Making the most of this telephoto reach, Sony's Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization feature counteracts camera-shake to ensure sharp images. This feature also benefits low-light photography by allowing the use of longer shutter speeds with reduced risk of image blur from camera-shake.Sony's Real Imaging Processor circuitry is incorporated in the model for better battery efficiency, more responsiveness and high quality movie taking, while seven preset scene modes allow quick selection of the best setting for specific shooting conditions. The camera also includes a five-area, multi-point auto focus to help you concentrate on the subject without mistakenly focusing on the background, as well as aperture/shutter priority and manual exposure modes for creative control of the image. For added convenience, the model has 32 MB of internal memory (30 MB of usable memory) and a Memory Stick flash media slot. PictBridge compatibility enables prints in a flash when the camera is connected to an enabled printer.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27209 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Sony
• Model: DSC-H1
• Dimensions: 3.20" h x 3.20" w x 4.30" l, 2.00 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 5.1 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• Amazing 12x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Captures VGA (640 x 480) video clips with audio at up to 30 frames per second
• AF Illuminator briefly illuminates the subject for focus in low- or no-light conditions
• Stores images on Memory Stick media (32MB of internal memory included); powered by AA-size batteries

From the Manufacturer
From the Manufacturer Sony's new Cybershot DSCH1 digital camera gets you closer to the action than ever with an optically stabilized 12x zoom lens, then allows you to capture stunning detail with a 5.1-megapixel CCD. The extra-large 2.5-inch LCD display helps you compose great images, and the optical viewfinder--unusual on a camera with such a huge LCD--expands your composition options.

1/2.4-Inch 5.1-Megapixel Super HAD CCD
Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCDs provide excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise.

12x Optical/2x Digital/24x Total Zoom
Optical zoom helps you fill the frame with your subject for better pictures. And Sony's Precision Digital Zoom helps bring your subject closer with an extra 2x magnification.

0 to 48x Smart Zoom Feature (at VGA Resolution)
The Smart Zoom feature intelligently uses the full CCD to let you zoom into the portion of interest by cropping the image size, thus avoiding the image degradation of digital zooms.

Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization
Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization fights motion blur, even during longer exposures at full zoom.

Real Imaging Processor Technology
The innovative Real Imaging Processor in the DSC-H1 not only improves picture quality and clarity but also improves camera response time, decreases shutter lag and improves battery stamina.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSCH1's super-sized 2.5-inch Hybrid LCD is much larger than the 1.5-inch displays common to other cameras in its class.

2.5-Inch LCD Monitor
The 2.5-inch 115K LCD monitor makes framing shots and reviewing pictures easy.

Live Histogram Display
Available in capture and playback the Live Histogram Displays the concentration of pixels at each luminosity value making it easy to evaluate correct exposure.

14-Bit DXP A/D Conversion
Sony's 14-bit Digital EXtended Processor captures the range between highlight and shadow with up to 16,384 values, for extended dynamic contrast and detail.

5-Area Multi-Point Autofocus
By evaluating 5 separate focus areas of the frame, Sony's Multi- Point AF system can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid mistakenly focusing on the background.

Manual Exposure Mode
Manual Exposure Mode provides extended control with 46-step adjustable shutter speed (30 seconds to 1/1000 second), and aperture control (f2.8 to f8.0).

AF (Autofocus) Illuminator
Briefly illuminating the subject, in low- or no-light conditions, the AF Illuminator helps establish a positive focus lock.

Selectable Focus Mode
Monitoring AF (Autofocus) helps you anticipate the action by focusing even before you press the shutter release.

Multi-Pattern Measuring
Independently light-metering 49 points of the frame, Multi-Pattern Measuring establishes the optimum exposure, even when highlight and shadow isn't centered in the frame.

Scene Selection Mode
With 7 Scene Modes, parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Choose from one of the following: Twilight, Twilight portrait, Soft snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, and Candle.

Pre-Flash Metering
With a momentary pre-flash, the camera illuminates the subject and sets exposure through the lens for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash level and red-eye reduction ensure great flash shots.

Slow-Shutter Noise Reduction
During long exposures, Slow Shutter NR captures the scene, and then the CCD noise pattern with a dark frame exposure. By subtracting the two, even long exposures can be clear.

Memory Stick Media and Memory Stick PRO Media
Digital. Powerful. Transportable. Memory Stick media is compact, portable and rugged--connecting a variety of hardware and software applications.

32MB Internal Memory Included
Shoot without a flash memory card with 32 MB internal memory1; Slot for optional Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO media. Full 32MB of internal memory can be copied to optional Memory Stick media.

9-Shot Burst Mode
Capture up to 9 5MP shots (fine) or 100 shots VGA (standard) at 0.7 frames per second. Perfect for high speed subjects or fast moving action such as sports or small children.

Multi-Burst Mode
Captures 16 320 x 240 frames as part of a single 1280 x 960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera. Selectable 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 second. MPEG Movie VX Standard/Fine Mode with Audio Captures VGA (640 x 480) high frame rate (up to 30 frames per second) audio/video clips with length limited only by the capacity of the media. Video mail mode captures smaller file sizes suitable for e-mail.

Conversion Lens Compatible
You can add tele- or wide-conversion lenses for greater magnification or wider field of view, as well as protective and special effect filters.

PictBridge Compatibility
Connect to any PictBridge compatible printer with the supplied USB cable and print directly from the camera. Images can be viewed and selected for printing right on the camera's LCD, with menus for print quantity, date and index print.

Customer Reviews

DSC-H1, Very Nice
I can't tell you how long I've spent agnonizing over which camera to purchase. At first, I bought the Dimage Z5 and I wasn't satisfied so I returned it. I began to look at both the S2 IS and DSC-H1. From most reviews, the S2 IS came out slightly ahead of the DSC-H1. Though dpreview actually gave the lead to the DSC-H1. What really matters to me is image quality and I could not tell a difference between the sony and the canon. So, I figured with all of the rave reviews both camera's were getting and the fact their image quality was very similar, it'd be best to go in-store and see which had the best feel. I found the S2 IS to be a bit cumbersome, especially with a lense cap that easily fell off. Also, I didn't like the button arrangement or the way the S2 IS felt in my hands. I think when @ full zoom taking pics of birds or other small animals a larger screen will make it much easier for you to find the shot you are looking for. Plus the Sony screen can be seen quite well in bright light. Plus the S2 IS has a bit of a red-eye problem, which the sony does not. The DSC-H1 feels a bit stronger and is very easy to grip. The photos from the camera are excellent right out of the box, so you can be a novice and still take near d-slr shots. In the end, the DSC-H1 felt better, had a nice 2.5 inch screen which made the S2 IS screen seem puny. As you can see from the photos I've submitted, the pics are very nice.

I absolutely love this camera!
I've had the H1 for almost 2 weeks now and i've never taken so many pictures in my life. The H1 is such a pleasure to use. It fits perfectly into my hand, all the controls are right there, no deep menu so that you're fumbling around with settings trying to get the 'best' shot. The great thing about the H1 is that the pictures straight from the camera are awesome. Almost no post-processing has to be done. The colors are vibrant, the images are sharp as a tack and very very little noise can be found (in dark areas or shadows).

You can leave all settings in auto and use it as a basic point & shoot camera or you can experiment and learn by using the aperature, shutter speed and manual controls. With the HUGE 2.5" LCD you can see the adjustments made instantly and how it will affect the picture. The live histogram is another feature that I honestly thought I would have no use for but surprisingly..I am learning from it.

The 12x zoom is fun to use. I'm getting shots that I would have never been able to do before. And, with the added Image stabilization...most can be shot handheld!

For the person who has always used a digital camera set in auto and wants to learn more about photography (like me) this camera is perfect. And for the person who just doesn't want to mess with the manual controls, well this camera is STILL perfect. You will not see better images unless you're looking at a full on DSLR camera.....which will cost at least a good $1000. For at least half the price and the most fun you will ever have with a camera, the Sony H1 hits the spot.

Cons: To be fair I have to say that the size is a little bigger than I would have preferred. I like to bring my cameras with me everywhere so they've always gone in my purse or a pocket. This one DID fit in my purse, albeit a tight squeeze, but I don't feel that it's good for the camera. I went out a bought a leather backpack which is very fashionable and I use that instead of a camera bag.

Because of the excitement and the excellent results i've gotten so far from this camera the last con would be....accessories. So far, I have purchased 2 tripods (for nighttime shots), extra batteries, the backpack, a UV filter and I've got my eye on the tele lens to add even more zoom. I find myself wanting every accessory for this camera.

You can't go wrong with the Sony H1. Just try it, you'll see. No matter which digicam you do choose, remember to just get out there and have fun with it! Photography should be fun not a cumbersome chore!

Happy picture taking everybody! =)

Solid Performer - Great "Out of the Box" Pics!
I've had the H1 for two months and am thrilled with it. It's been very reliable and produces sharp, punchy, low-noise, vibrant images right out of the box.

Like others, the hardest decision was deciding between the Sony H1, Canon S2 IS, and Panasonic FZ20 & FZ5. I ruled out the Panasonic due to it not using AA batteries and having poor motion video features. The choice between the H1 and S2 IS was much more difficult, and I spent a lot of time reading all the online reviews, viewing online sample photos, and trying both in the store.

When the smoke cleared, I chose the H1 and have been extremely happy with it for the following reasons:

Pros compared to the S2:

- Solid construction, felt very good in my hand (good ergonomics)
- The most punchy, sharp, and beautifully VIBRANT photos right out of the camera I've ever seen for this price level. I don't have time to post-process every shot, and most of the H1's photos are good enough to print straight out of the camera! The color tone curve is amazing: Vibrant reds, deep blue skies, good facial tones, etc.
- Noticeably lower noise per ISO setting compared to the S2 IS (Canon takes a more "purist" approach by leaving the noise in, which preserves more detail but requires much more post-processing than I wanted to deal with)
- Powerful auto pop-up flash with virtually no red-eye, even without using the red-eye mode (Canon S2's weaker flash has more of a red-eye problem, and the S2's flash doesn't pop-up automatically so you could blow an important shot)
- Lens cap stays on tight compared to S2's, which reportedly falls off easily for many of its users.
- Large, bright 2.5" LCD display works in bright sunlight and gains up somewhat in darkness (The S2's twist-out 1.8" LCD, while slick and versatile, was too small to see the image or menus well)
- Metal tripod screw mount (S2's is plastic)
- Front-mounted clickable jog dial is easy to use for manual and semi-manual exposure settings and flipping through photos during review
- Liked how the zoom controls and shutter button felt -- slightly firmer than S2 for more tactile feedback.
- Super bright low-light AF lamp is awesome! (Although your subjects may complain about the extreme brightness.) Flash pictures taken in complete darkness within the AF lamp's considerable range came out focused every time.
- Live Histogram helps you take proper exposures (S2 lacks live histogram, only shows it after you take picture)
- The H1 didn't tend to overexpose photos like the S2's tendency (some of the S2's bright daylight shots looked slightly washed out in the online reviews sample shots).
- Battery life is good compared to the S2 once you compare the H1's 2 AA's to the S2's 4 AA's (so just bring another set of AA NiMH's to even it out, they're cheap to buy).

Cons:

- The H1's movie mode gets approx. 50% more footage on the same memory card (which is good), but the S2's video quality, movie zooming, stereo sound (H1 is only mono), and still option during filming blows the H1 away in comparison. H1 can't zoom while filming, only right before to set composition. The H1's movies are fairly good, but not as stellar as those from the S2.
- No remote for tripod or remote shots (but can use the 10 sec. timer to eliminate tripod shake)
- Included software is sub-par compared to that bundled with the S2. If desired, you can buy much better photo editing software.
- In movie mode at full zoom, the H1's auto-focus continuously hunts back and forth, causing your subject to go in and out of focus. Solution: Use the manual focus mode, which works MUCH better at full zoom and makes it usable again.
- I perceived the H1's image stabilization, while good, was not quite as good as the S2's, but it's still fairly close between them.
- H1's 9-frame burst mode is more limited and slower than the S2's unlimited burst. I don't use burst mode often, so it wasn't a deal-breaker for me.
- No in-camera panoramic stitch assist like the S2, but one can use free programs like AutoStitch to accomplish same.

Overall, I wanted a 12X zoom camera that took GREAT pictures with little or no post-processing, with a longer-reaching automatic pop-up flash, lower noise, no red-eye for lots of indoor family shots, and better hand feel and easy controls. To me, the photo quality is the most important, not the looks of the camera, not the cool features, etc. I simply felt that while the H1 doesn't have as many bells and whistles as the S2 IS, Sony just did a noticeably better job in the camera fundamentals, which is what you need to take good photos.

For my personal needs and preferences, that's why I've been extremely happy with the H1 -- best camera I've ever owned, although I'm only an amateur. You'll need to do a similar evaluation to match your needs and preferences with the right camera for you.