Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 Review

The Sony Cybershot DSC-H1 is a 5 megapixel camera with a 2.5 inch LCD screen. The Sony H1’s standout feature is the massive 12x optical zoom lens, equivalent to 36-432mm, allowing for many creative opportunities. The DSC-H1 also offers an image stabilisation system which ensures sharper results when hand-holding the camera. There are 7 different scene modes and a range of more creative shooting modes available. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 was first announced at CES 2005 back in January, so does it still have what it takes to compete with the other ultra-zoom models? Find out in my review.

Website: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 Review

Published: Friday, November 04, 2005

Reader Comments

1. I have had my Sony DSC H1 for about 6 months now. I got it right after it came out. Sony always has great products. This camera does everything I want. I can shoot quick pictures of my kids with automatic mode and then switch over to manual for more artistic stuff. For the price I think this camera is unbeatable. Great review.

   Thomas Wilson at 02:55pm on Wednesday, November 02, 2005

2. the sony dsc h1 appears like a well made digital camera. I have been a photographer for over 30 years. The lenses that sony usually" use on their top end cameras are the Carl Zeiss lens--which usually go for several hundred to thousands of dollars on cameras such as Hasselbad. So, I am little doubtful that sony REALLY use a carl zeiss lens on their sony cameras. In the matter of the DSC-H1 the 12X zoom is made 'supposedly" by sony, not by zeiss?!. However, the reports so far rate the quality of the lens very good. Like the panasonic Z5, Z20, Z30, appear to be using a LEICA lens. Which again, if anybody knows photography know that LEICA lenses are in the thousands of dollars. So I do have my doubt that either sony or panasonic REALLY are using these top end lenses. IF ANY BODY OUT THERE KNOW THE TRUTH, LET US KNOW

   SAM EVENSTEIN at 04:37pm on Friday, November 04, 2005

3. You are correct on the H1. They are NOT using a Carl Zeiss lense on the DSC H1. This is one of the few lenses Sony did themselves seeing as most of their other camera's do use the Zeiss lense. People are sceptical about this but the quality is very good as far as I can tell(I am not a pro). I think in this application it did come down to money and Sony made a comparable lense for cheaper allowing them to keep the price of the camera down. So in all you get really good quality for alot cheaper price. Really this camera is a bargain IMO.

   Thomas Wilson at 03:31pm on Sunday, November 06, 2005

4. This is my third Sony digital camera and finally they got it all right. After extensive testing I am satisfied with it in ease of use and quality of the images. I just printed an 8 X 10 and am astounded at the quality! With a 3X magnifying glass I'm still satisfied with the image.... WOW!
   The 12X optical zoom is a digital photographers cream come true. I took some shots of distant mountain tops and, except for the haze (natural), they are perfect. Nothing is lost in the zoom as is the case with digital zooms which I consider worthless.
   As to the lens I don't care if they are Zeiss or not. In the 8 X 10 print I could see no problems from center to edge. Hey, it works!
   The ability to use standard 58mm filters is a big plus. Prior to this camera none of my Sony digitals would accept filters without a lot of adaptation. The lens hood is a nice included extra that many will appreciate.
   The only grip I have is I have large hands and even though it is larger than the last Sony I owned (and still do) I want the neck strap ON to keep me from dropping the camera. I know this is the wave of the future but call me old fashion, I'm 58 so I deserve a little latitude here, I like a 35mm SLR size camera. I'll learn to live with it!
   In closing I believe this is one camera that will make a lot of people happy, advanced amateur to snap shooter. Way to go Sony.

   Ken Sturgill at 09:46pm on Sunday, November 13, 2005

5. I find this one just AWESOME, let's try to compare quality/price. I'll find it really hard for Panasonic, Canon, Olympus or others to reach this quality at the same price. I've been working with LEICA,PRACTICA,CANON,MINOLTA,YASHIKA and other top class classic tools. Leika don't cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, let's keep it real. I bet Zeiss would be so pissed of if he would see only his name on SONY and not the lens. Since Sony launched Cyber Shot I wonder how many times did other manufacturers got in front of Sony with the performance/price.

   Andy Q at 12:58pm on Sunday, December 11, 2005

6. Since this news is kept hush-hush in the Western world, I shall post the news again:
   
   BEWARE OF SONY CAMERAS MADE IN CHINA!
   
   http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2005/12/17/228932/Sony_recalls_6_camera_models_that_fail_tests.htm

   AA at 09:28am on Monday, December 19, 2005

7. inre. comment #6. Are all Sony dsc-h1 cameras made in China ?

   David Olszewski at 04:00pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2005

8. I do not have that answer, my friend.
   Perhaps you can contact Sony and they could tell you all about it?
   
   Happy Holidays.

   AA at 06:13am on Wednesday, December 28, 2005

9. "The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is Sony's first attempt at an ultra-zoom digital camera". Huh? I think not.
   
   Sony MVC-FD91: 800KP, 14x optical zoom, stabilized, released 1999.
   
   Sony MVC-FD95: 2.1MP, 10x optical zoom, released 2000.
   
   Sony Mavica CD1000: 2.1 MP, 10x optical zoom, released 2000.
   
   Sony MVC-FD97: 2.1MP, 10x optical zoom, stabilized, released 2001.
   
   Sony practically invented the digital megazoom category.

   maxx at 06:28am on Saturday, February 04, 2006