Sony Cyber-shot H7 review

Sony Cyber-shot H7 review

Friday, 13 July 2007 14:50 GMT

Just posted! Our review of the Sony DSC-H7, the lower cost version of the Cyber-shot H9 (reviewed at the end of May). There's not a lot of difference between the models (aside from LCD size), so there's not a lot new in this quick update, though it does feature comparisons with Canon's new PowerShot S5 IS, which arrived after the H9 was reviewed and is next in the queue.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H7 Review

Almost exactly 12 months after the launch of the Cyber-shot DSC-H2 and DSC-H5 Sony announced the replacement cameras; the DSC-H7 (reviewed here) and the top-of-the-range mode the DSC-H9 (reviewed at the end of May). That Sony chose to increase the pixel count (to 8MP) and to include this year's 'must have' features (face detection and ludicrously high maximum ISO) can't have surprised many, but there are a few less predictable new features, and a few welcome changes. The former include a 15x zoom and HDTV (well, 1080i) output. The latter include an improved focus system, faster performance and a new (in the box) remote control. The H7 and H9 appear to be internally pretty much identical, though there are some feature differences that explain the $80 price difference (chiefly, the H9's screen and NightShot mode) - the H7 is basically the 'budget' model.

Cyber-shot DSC-H7 vs DSC-H2 - key changes

  1. New sensor (8MP versus 6MP)
  2. longer lens range (15x up from 12x)
  3. Higher maximum sensitivity (ISO 3200)
  4. Larger screen (2.5-inch vs 2.0 inch)
  5. Lithium Ion battery
  6. Control dial has moved to rear of camera
  7. 9-point AF (was 3-point)
  8. New Sports mode
  9. HDTV (1080i) video output (via optional component cable)
  10. Face detection
  11. D-Range optimization (auto contrast)
  12. In-camera retouching
  13. Remote control included
  14. Entirely new user interface

Cyber-shot DSC-H9 vs DSC-H7

As with the previous generation (H2 and H5) there are two almost identical 'H' cameras. The camera on review here, the H7, is a cut-down version of the H9, though the differences are fairly minimal (the big one is the screen).

  1. H9 has a larger (3.0 inch), higher-resolution tilting screen (H7: 2.5-inch non-articulated)
  2. H9 has external buttons for metering and continuous shooting modes, H7 doesn't
  3. H9 is around 32g (1.1 oz) heavier
  4. H9 has NightShot function, H7 doesn't.

DSC H-7 specifications

Street price • US: $380
• UK: £245
Body Material Plastic
Sensor

• 1/2.5 " Type CCD
• 8.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes

• 3264 x 2448
• 2592 x 1944
• 2048 x 1536
• 640 x 480
• 3264 x 2176 (3:2)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
Movie clips

• MPEG VX Fine / Standard
(640 x 480 @ 30 / 16 fps MPEG-1 with audio)
File formats • Still: JPEG
• Movie: MPEG VX (MPEG-1)
Lens

• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar
• 31-465mm (35mm equiv)
• 15x optical zoom
• F2.7-4.5
Image stabilization Super SteadyShot®
Conversion lenses Yes
Digital zoom • 2x (24x total)
• Up to 30x Smart Zoom (dependent on selected resolution)
Focus • Auto
• Macro
• Single
• Monitoring
AF area modes • 9 Area Multi-Point AF
• Center AF
• Flexible spot AF
• Contrast detect
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • Normal: 50cm (19.7 in) minimum (W), 120cm (47.25 in) minimum (T)
• Macro: 1cm (0.4 in) wide only
Metering • Multi-pattern (49 zone)
• Center weighted
• Spot
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 80
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
• ISO 3200
Exposure compensation • +/-2EV
• 1/3 EV steps
Exposure bracketing +/- 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 EV
Shutter speed

• Auto: 1/4-1/4000sec
• P: 1"-1/4000sec
• S: 30"-1/4000sec
• A: 8"-1/2000sec
• M: 30"-1/4000sec
Aperture F2.7-5.6 (w) F4.5-8 (t)
Modes

• Program
• Aperture priority
• Shutter priority
• Manual
• 9-preset select scene modes
Scene modes • Twilight
• Twilight Portrait
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Beach
• Snow
• Fireworks
• High Sensitivity
• Advanced Sports Shooting
White balance

• Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Fluorescent 1, 2, 3
• Incandescent
• Flash WB
• Manual
Self timer • 10 or 2 secs
Continuous shooting 100 shots, 2.2fps, 8MP (max)
Image parameters Natural, Vivid, Sepia, B&W, Sharpness, Contrast
Flash

• Auto
• On
• Slow Synch
• Off
• Red-eye reduction
• Front/rear synch
• Auto/Daylight synch
• Range: 0.2 - 9.8m (wide) 1.2 - 6m (tele)
Viewfinder • 0.2" EVF
• 201K pixels
LCD monitor • 2.5" TFT
• 115K pixels
Connectivity • USB 2.0 high speed
• HD
• AV w/multi-jack
• DC in
Print compliance PictBridge, DPOF
Storage • Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo compatible
• 31MB internal memory
Power • Lithium-ion NP-BG1 battery
• BC-CSG Charger
Weight (excl batt) 514 g (1lb 2.1 oz) - incl. strap, adaptor ring, lens hood, cap etc.
Dimensions 109.5 x 83.4 x 85.7 mm (4.6 x 3.3 x 3.7 in)