Just Posted: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 review
Just Posted: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 review
Tuesday, 15 January 2008 14:50 GMT
Just Posted!Our review of the latest addition to Sony's H series of 'High Zoom' compact digital cameras. This 'baby-brother' of the Cyber-shot H7/H9 offers a 10x zoom and 8MP sensor in a very compact body. The H3 enters the market at a very attractive price point which - together with its specification - puts it into direct competition with the Canon Powershot SX100 IS and the Panasonic DMC-TZ3. Can the H3 cut the mustard in the battle with these established rivals? Find out in our concise review, after the link.
Sony Cyber-shot H3 Review, January 2008 Lars Rehm
The Cyber-shot DSC-H3 was first announced back in August 2007 and is the latest addition to Sony's High Zoom range of compact cameras - and something of a departure (previous models were all considerably larger 'SLR-style' affairs). This 'baby-brother' of the Cyber-shot H7/H9 offers a 10x zoom in a very compact body for photographers on a tight budget. It is equipped with an 8MP sensor and has inherited a number of its bigger sister-models' features such as Face Detection, Optical Image Stabilization and HDTV output (albeit using an optional composite video cable or Cyber-shot Station dock). Looking at its specification and price point the H3's is obviously designed to go head-to-head with the popular - and similarly specified - Panasonic TZ3 and Canon SX100 IS.
In its press material Sony says the Cyber-shot H3 has been introduced for "parents looking to capture and re-live their children’s back-to-school memories." Let's see if the Sony H3 could be an attractive camera option for any further demographic groups, starting as usual with the headline features:
- 1/2.5" CCD sensor, 8.1 million effective pixels
- 10x (38-380mm equiv.) Carl Zeiss branded optical zoom
- 2.5" LCD screen
- HDTV video output (requires optional cable or dock)
- Super Steady Shot image stabilization
- 2cm macro
- ISO 100-3200
- 9 Scene modes
- Face Detection
- Dynamic Range Optimizer
Color Options
The H3 is available in two different colors, silver (as shown here) and black (which looks to our eyes a little less 'toy-like'). You may well find that only one of the two is on offer in your own country.
Sony DSC-H3 specifications
| Street price | • US: $270 • UK: £180 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Plastic |
| Sensor | • 1/2.5" Type CCD |
| Image sizes | • 3264 x 2448 |
| Movie clips | • 640 x 480 @ 30fps |
| File formats | • JPEG Exif v2.21 • DPOF • MPEG1 |
| Lens | • Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar |
| Image stabilization | Super Steady Shot (optical image stabilization) |
| Conversion lenses | Yes (wide converter VCL-DH0758, tele converter VCL-DH1578, close-up VCL-M3358) |
| Digital zoom | up to 20x (up to 51x at 640x480) |
| Focus | Autofocus, Focus Preset, Macro |
| AF area modes | • 9-point • Center-Weighted • Spot |
| AF assist lamp | Yes |
| Focus distance | • Normal: 50 cm-infinity (wide), 90 cm-infinity (tele) • Macro: 2 cm - infinity (wide), 90 cm - infinity (tele) |
| Metering | • Face Detection • Multi-Pattern • Center-weighted • Spot |
| ISO sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200 |
| Exposure compensation | +/- 2EV in 1/3EV steps |
| Exposure bracketing | Yes |
| Shutter speed | • Auto: 1/4 - 1/2000 sec • Program Auto: 1 sec- 1/1000 sec • Manual: 30 sec - 1/2000 sec |
| Aperture | F3.5 - 10 (wide) F4.4 - 10 (tele) |
| Modes | • Auto • Program Auto • Manual |
| Scene modes | • Twilight • Twilight Portrait • Soft Snap • Landscape • Beach • Snow • Fireworks • High Sensitivity • Advanced Sports Shooting |
| White balance | • Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Fluorescent 1 • Fluorescent 2 • Fluorescent 3 • Incandescent • Flash |
| White balance fine tune | no |
| Self timer | 2 or 10sec |
| Continuous shooting | Approx 2fps |
| Image parameters | Color Mode: Vivid, Natural, B&W, Sepia |
| Flash | • Auto • Forced On • Slow Sync • Forced Off • Range (auto ISO): 0.2 - 7.0 m (wide) 0.9 - 5.6 m (tele) +/- 2EV in 1/3EV steps |
| Viewfinder | No |
| LCD monitor | • 2.5-inch TFT • 115,000 pixels • Variable backlight |
| Connectivity | • Multi-use Terminal - Incorporates USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and AV output • DC input |
| Print compliance | • Exif Print • PictBridge • Print Image Matching |
| Storage | • Memory Stick Duo • Memory Stick Pro Duo • Memory Stick Pro Duo (High Speed) • Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo • Internal memory (31 MB) |
| Power | • Li-ion battery pack NP-BG1 • Optional AC adapter |
| Weight (no battery) | 264 g (9.3 oz) |
| Dimensions | 106 x 68.5 x 47.5 mm (4.2 x 2.7 x 1.9 in) |