Almost exactly 12 months after the launch of the Cyber-shot DSC-H2 and DSC-H5 Sony announced the replacement cameras; the DSC-H7 and the top-of-the-range model reviewed here; the DSC-H9. 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 Sony's unique 'NightShot' infra-red mode (seen on many camcorders as well as a few Cyber-shots over the years), a 15x zoom and HDTV (well, 1080i) output. The latter include an articulated (tilt-up) screen, improved focus system, faster performance and a new (in the box) remote control.
The super-zoom market is still one of the most competitive sectors and the H9 is up against some stiff competition from old foes such as Panasonic, Canon and Olympus. The H2 and H5 were both well-received when reviewed this time last year, so let's find out if Sony has built on that success or not.
 Sony DSC-H9 |
 Sony DSC-H5 |
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|---|---|---|
| Sensor | • 1/2.5 " Type CCD |
• 1/2.5” CCD, |
| Lens | • Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar • 31-465mm (35mm equiv) • 15x optical zoom • F2.7-4.5 |
• 36-432mm equiv • 12x optical zoom • Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar • F2.8-3.7 |
| Maximum Image Size | 3264 x 2448 |
3072 x 2304 |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 80-3200 |
• Auto • ISO 80-1000 |
| Top shutter speed | 1/4000th | 1/2000th |
| Autofocus modes | • 9 Area Multi-Point AF • Center AF • Flexible spot AF |
• 3 Area Multi-Point AF • Center AF (selectable) • Flexible spot AF |
| Scene modes | • Twilight • Twilight Portrait • Portrait • Landscape • Beach • Snow • Fireworks • High Sensitivity • Advanced Sports Shooting | • Twilight • Twilight Portrait • Portrait • Landscape • Beach • High-speed shutter • High Sensitivity |
| Continuous Shooting | 100 shots, 2.2fps, 8MP (max) | 1.1 fps, up to 7 frames |
| Flash range, Auto ISO | Up to 9.8m (wide) | Up to 9.0m (wide) |
| LCD screen | • 3.0-inch tilt-up TFT • 230,000 pixels |
• 3.0 " TFT • 230,000 pixels |
| Power | • Lithium-ion NP-BG1 battery | 2x AA |
| Battery life (CIPA standard, using LCD) | 280 | 340 |
| Weight (inc batteries) | 546g | 554g |
| Remote control | Included | No |
| Other | • NightShot infrared system • Face Detection • HDTV output (optional cable) • Bionz processing engine • In-camera effects |
As we saw with the previous generation the DSC-H9 has a 'little brother', the DSC-H7. Basically a slightly cut down, cheaper version of the H9, the differences are actually fairly minimal - for most users the screen will be the key.
| Street price | • US: $480 • UK: £320 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Plastic |
| Sensor | • 1/2.5 " Type CCD |
| Image sizes | • 3264 x 2448 |
| Movie clips | • MPEG VX Fine / Standard |
| File formats | • Still: JPEG • Movie: MPEG VX (MPEG-1) |
| Lens | • Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar |
| 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 |
| Aperture | F2.7-5.6 (w) F4.5-8 (t) |
| Modes | • Program |
| Scene modes | • Twilight • Twilight Portrait • Portrait • Landscape • Beach • Snow • Fireworks • High Sensitivity • Advanced Sports Shooting |
| White balance | • Auto |
| 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 |
| Viewfinder | • 0.2" EVF • 201K pixels |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0-inch tilting TFT • 230K 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 (inc batt) | 554 g (1 lb 4.3 oz) |
| Dimensions | 113.2 x 83 x 94 mm (4.6 x 3.3 x 3.7 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. |
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This article is Copyright 2007 Simon Joinson / 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 Cybershot DSC-H9 8MP Digital Camera with 15x Optical Image Stabilization Zoom | $165.00 |
Sony Cybershot DSC-H9 8MP Digital Camera with 15x Optical Image Stabilization Zoom | $165.00 |
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 8.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization | $349.99 |
Sony Cyber-shot DSCH50 9.1 MP Digital Camera with 15x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot | $219.95 |
Sony Cybershot DSC-H10 8.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot | $195.95 |
Sony Cybershot DSC-H7 8.1MP Digital Camera with 15x Optical Image Stabilization Zoom | $113.45 |
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