With its Cybershot DSC-H1, Sony has joined the mega zoom competition. This model is a little bit heavier and larger than its competitors; however, it offers a wide set of features, a speedy performance, and a good design. Although, some photos should be sharper; in general, it will please those photography lovers, who are yearning for a camera with an extended focal range.
Design
Its weight is one pound, two ounces (with a Memory Stick and two AA batteries), which makes this camera heavier than other Sony cybershot digital cameras. It may cause some inconveniences if it is carried all day long, however, this extra volume and weight is a plus when you are working with long focal lengths.
A high-profile rubberized grasp provides a comfortable handhold. The power button is next to the microphone. It is a little bit difficult to find it without looking, since it is too flush with the camera's surface. The large two and a half inch LCD, which is supplemented by the EVF (electronic viewfinder) occupies most of the rear place of DSC-H1. The button that switches views between the LCD and EVF is on the top of the LCD.
The battery section and the hinged cover for the Memory Stick are probably the most impressive features of this camera; this feature marks it out of the other Sony Cybershot digital cameras. It prevents the batteries from falling out when you change cards and makes the changing of the cards easier when the camera is on the tripod.
Features
All Sony cybershot cameras have their own distinctive features. The DSC-H1's main attraction is its 12X zoom, image-stabilized lens. Its focal length is 36mm-to-432mm (35mm-camera equivalent), which delivers a tolerable, not exceptional, wide-angle view. When the camera is turned off, the lens does not extend farther than the lens barrel, making it always well balanced.
Almost all Sony Cybershot digital cameras have a wide feature set, and the DSC-H1 is not an exception. It includes the full manual exposure controls; a choice of three metering modes; the three-point adjustable sharpness, contrast, and saturation; the preset and custom white balance and sensitivity levels from ISO 64 to ISO 400. Such highlights of the camera as seven standard scene modes, continuous shooting, bracketing, multiple AF focus modes (including selectable focus points), adjustable flash intensity, a live histogram, and the ability to enlarge the onscreen icons should also be noticed.
The camera's internal memory is enough for only about a dozen images, therefore, you will need a Memory Stick.
Image quality
Sony Cybershot digital cameras are famous for their attractive images with natural-looking colours. The DSC-H1's colours reproduction is really of good quality. Macro shots are especially good when adjusting the flash intensity. The camera keeps the image noise under control. The tungsten preset produced almost identical results under the test light. You may also be surprised by he neutral results when you set the white balance manually.
The Sony Cybershot DSC-H1 camera will please the lovers of photography by its convenience and image quality.