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Sony Cybershot DSC-H2 Review
Review Date: September 11th 2006
Author: Gavin Stoker
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Introduction
With a massive 12x optical zoom lens equivalent to 36-432mm
on a 35mm camera, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 is Sony's current
representative in the ultra-zoom class of compact digital cameras.
The DSC-H2 has a 6 megapixel sensor and features Sony's image
stabilisation system, called Super Steady Shot, to ensure sharper
results when hand-holding the camera at the longer focal lengths.
Other highlights of the Sony DSC-H2 include a large 2 inch LCD
screen for easier composition and playback, 7 different scene
modes for the beginner, and creative shutter-priority, aperture-priority
and manual exposure modes for the more experienced photographer.
We reviewed and loved the original DSC-H1 nearly a year ago,
so can the Sony DSC-H2 replicate its success? Read our full
review to discover the answer.
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Features
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 has a 6.0 megapixel, 1/2.5 inch
CCD. There are 2 image quality size settings available (Fine
and Standard), which are recorded as JPEGs. There are no RAW
or TIFF formats. The camera's 12x optical zoom lens is equivalent
to a 36-432mm lens on a 35mm format camera. There is also
a 2x digital zoom should you feel the need to use it. The
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 has an optical image stabilisation
system, called Super Steady Shot by Sony. The camera has 32Mb
internal memory and also supports Memory Stick DUO / Memory
Stick DUO PRO memory cards. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 is
available in silver.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 offers Auto, Program, Shutter-Priority,
Aperture-Priority and Manual exposure modes plus 7 different
scene modes (Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Portrait, Landscape,
Beach, High Speed Shutter, High sensitivity). The maximum
aperture is f2.8 (wide) – f3.7 (tele), and the shutter
speed range is 30 secs. – 1/2000 sec. There are 6 ISO
speeds ranging from 80 to 1000 and an Auto option. There are
5 different White Balance presets to choose from (Daylight,
Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash), plus Auto and Custom
settings. The camera offers exposure compensation in ±
2 in 1/3 EV stops and auto-exposure bracketing (3 shots).
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 offers 3 different auto-exposure
metering options - Multi, Center and Spot.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 has a normal shooting mode, Self-timer
(10 secs. or 2. secs.) and a Burst mode, which allows you
take up to 1.3 frames/sec for 7 shots at the 6M Fine setting.
There are 4 different colour modes on offer - Natural, Vivid,
Sepia and Black & White. The Macro setting allows you
to focus on subjects that are as close as 2cms. The camera
offers 4 auto-focusing modes - 3 Area Multi-Point AF, Center
AF, Flexible Spot AF and Manual. The built-in flash offers
4 different modes (Auto, Forced On, Forced Off, Slow Synch)
plus red-eye reduction for all modes. Flash compensation is
also available and there is an AF illuminator. Noise reduction
is automatically applied to long exposures. Sharpness, saturation
and contrast can each be altered in 3 steps.
To compose your images, you can use the LCD monitor or the
electronic viewfinder. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 has a 2
inch colour TFT LCD monitor which has 85,000 pixels. The electronic
viewfinder is 0.2 inches and has 201,000 pixels. The Sony
Cyber-shot DSC-H2 can record movies with sound at 3 different
settings - 640 Fine (640x480, 30fps), 640 Standard (640x480,
16.6fps) and 160 (160x112, 8.3fps). Video is recorded in the
MPEG1 format. The length of the video is only limited by the
size of the memory card that you are using. A histogram is
available in both shooting and playback mode. The Sony Cyber-shot
DSC-H2 supports the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), Print
Image Matching and PictBridge printing standards.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2's dimensions are 113.2 (W) x 94
(D) x 83 (H) mm, and it weighs 389g without the battery and
storage card fitted. The camera is powered by either the supplied
2x AA Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries or 2x ZR6 AA Oxy Nickel
Primary Batteries. There is a metal tripod mount in the center
of the bottom of the camera. Both wide and telephoto conversion
lenses can be fitted via the 58mm filter thread and an adaptor.
Finally, the standard box kit contains 2x AA Nickel Metal
Hydride Batteries, Battery Charger, AV Cable, USB Cable, Shoulder
Strap, Lens Cap, Lens Adapter Ring, Lens Hood and a CD-ROM
containing Sony software. Note that you can only store 10
images at the highest quality setting on the 32Mb internal
memory. You will therefore need to invest in some more Memory
Sticks to store your images on.
 PhotographyBLOG
is a member of the DIWA
organisation. Our test results for the Sony Cybershot DSC-H2
have been submitted to DIWA
for comparison with test results for different samples of
the same camera model supplied by other DIWA
member sites.
Compare Prices
Support PhotographyBLOG: Buy the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 from
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