Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 5.1 Megapixel Bridge Camera - TechBargains: Compare Prices on Tablets, Laptops, Cameras, and TVs

Product Details

Description:

Get closer than ever with the Cyber-shot DSC-H1 digital camera from Sony. With its incredible 12X optical zoom lens combined with Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization system you can capture stunning long-distance images with minimized blurring, even during longer exposures. It is conversion lens compatible so you can easily add telephoto and wide-angle lenses for even greater optical range.

Quick Glance

Memory Type: Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO

LCD Screen Size: 2.5 in

Camera Type: Bridge Camera

Megapixels: 5.1 Megapixel

Image Stabilization: Optical

Lens Mount: Fixed

Optical Zoom: 12

Weight: 16.16

Summary

Product Title: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 5.1 Megapixel Bridge Camera

Manufacturer: Sony

Power Score: 4.2 | 31 Reviews

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Product Reviews (17)

Great camera at in affordable price range

Strengths: This camera has lots of settings, the 48 times zoom is assume, and the macro delivers clear crisp shots.

Weakness: None

I saw this camera at around 320.00 and at that price you can't beat extras that come with this unit. The camera comes with a charger w/ batteries, lens hood, lens cap and lens adapter. I was considering the Canon S2 IS but after comparing both display screens, the Sony had a much clearer display, while Canon's was washed out and grainy. I took pictures of my daughter's graduation, we were in the...
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By Iflyfish47 - May 29, 2006

Great Camera

Strengths: Just about everything - and the pictures are great Made in Japan (something that you cannot find in any review) with very good build quality

Weakness: Slow recovery for flash shots - but not all that bad

Got this camera after reading many reviews and comments from both professional reviewers and users - and chose it over the Canon, Panasonic and Fuji counterparts- Glad that I did - because am very happy with the performance and outcome of the resulting pictures- We took three cameras on our latest cruise - two Fujis and the Sony - and the Sony outperformed the other two 10 to 1!! Have found that...
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By bigmike7 - May 6, 2006

Greatness with Sony

Strengths: Professional look, Quality of Photographs, Ease of Use.

Weakness: View Screen exposability

Sony has a great product with this camera. Puts out professional looking photographs. Convenient dial on top which displays all the photo settings and convenient placement of any and every button you might need. Some of the weaknesses of this camera might actually be considered its strength. You have to work for the best possible quality photo. Adjust the lighting, brightness, etc.. This...
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By rob1963man - Mar 3, 2006

Never had so much fun with a camera!

Strengths: SO MANY - Fast focus, lots of manual controls, excellent flash range, great macro, LARGE LCD screen, good image stabilization, AF assist beam, 12x zoom, nice extras in the box.

Weakness: POOR AUTO FOCUS IN movie mode, shutter lag in flash mode, uses 2 batteries instead of 4, no provision for external flash (However, the powerful built-in flash is probably all you will ever need!)

I bought both the Sony DSC-H1 and the Canon S2 IS 12X zoom cameras and after a 5 day side-by-side trial I decided to keep the Sony.

The DSC-H1 has a great build, nice layout, and a well thought out interface. This camera may have a few less bells and whistles than the Canon, but it has everything I need to take great pictures and I love reviewing them in the large 2" LCD screen!

Since the DSC-H1's flash is a bit too powerful at close range, I do not use the Auto setting indoors. Instead, I usually use P mode and keep the flash level set to " - ". P mode allows me to fill flash and to turn the flash off as I see fit. On the negative side, under some conditions this camera can experience a good deal of shutter lag when in flash mode.

Some people complain about the memory stick needed for this camera, but in my case this format is a plus since I have a Sony camcorder. Thus my memory can do double duty. Prices for the 1GB memory stick pro have dropped quite a bit recently. I have seen it for as low as $90 from REPUTABLE online retailers.

Still images taken with this camera are outstanding. Color and detail are excellent and the image stabilization really helps keep the images sharper when taken in low light and long zoom conditions. Auto focus in still mode is very quick and quite accurate and the results are usually excellent. I generally keep the sharpness, saturation and contrast settings on + and get great looking photos. I have also gotten some terrific macro shots with this unit and the 12x zoom gives me detail I could only get with my camcorder in the past. I took pictures from the shoreline of my husband swimming in the ocean. In the past, his head would look like a ball floating above the waves as he swam, but with a 12x zoom, I can actually see his smiling face as the waves carry him toward the shore!

Movie mode could be A LOT better. Sound is only mono, you cannot zoom while recording, and the AUTO FOCUS does not lock on the subject, so the video constantly goes in and out of focus. At first, this was not of much concern to me since I have a separate video camera, but I often do not want to lug my video camera around and would appreciate the ability to RELY on my DSC-H1 for video snippets of memorable moments. All too often, my snippets turn out to be almost useless because of the focusing problem. Sony needs to do better in this regard and hopefully they have. If you are considering the purchase of an updated model of this camera, you would be wise to test the video function before buying. Due to this problem and the shutter lag that occurs when shooting with flash, I have downgraded my original 5 star rating to 4 stars.

Sony includes 2 high capacity NIMH batteries and a charger, plus a lens adaptor ring and an inexpensive lens hood for outdoor use. These are nice extras that make this camera's price point more attractive.

By im2late - Oct 8, 2005

Very Nice and Solid Camera - 12x optical zoom, 640x480 movies

Strengths: Solid comfortable case (metal-not all plastic). 12x optical zoom with short lens movement. Lens protector included in package. Very nice video/sound capture at 640x480 resolution. Stable long range.

Weakness: Battery life shorter than Sony LiOh battery packs (uses AA rechargeable batteries). Camera comes with 1 set batteries and detached charger. Unable to change zoom while taking movies.

Solid feel to camera. Nice protection for lens comes with camera. Takes GREAT long range shots when using the automatic image stablizer. Movies are excellent with the larger 640x480 format. Flash auto pops up and shoots red beam at short range objects so you can see where the camera is looking for focus and picture center, nice feature. I looked at others with 12x zoom and did not like the...
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By ebgwd - Jul 29, 2005

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