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:
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.
| 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) |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
 |
This article is Copyright 2008 dpreview.com and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact: Phil Askey
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 8.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization | $349.99 |
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 8.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization | $349.99 |
Focus Camera Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H200/B Compact Zoom Digital Camera in Black + Sony 32GB Class 10 Secure Digital Memory Card + Sony Camera Case + 4 AA Rechargeable Batteries w/ Charger + Accessory Kit | $228.00 |
Sony Cybershot DSC-H7 8.1MP Digital Camera with 15x Optical Image Stabilization Zoom | $113.45 |
   |
|
Connect with dpreview
|
Comments