Tag : image stabilization, camera with, sony cybershot, 15x optical, zoom, 8mp digital

Company : Sony List Price : Amazon Price : $390.00 Used Price : $323.74 Average customer review :

Features

• 8.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
• Carl Zeiss 15x optical zoom lens; 3.0-inch LCD display
• High Sensitivity Mode (ISO 3200) allows for shooting even in low-light conditions
• MPEG Movie VX Fine mode captures VGA (640 x 480) audio/video clips at high frame rate
• HD output; HD slide show with music feature

Customer reviews

Excellent camera
Simply great, easy to use, great pictures, fully loaded, a very fun camera for amateurs photographers

great
I would have liked a comparative report on this model and the “DSCH7″ one. There’s a difference in price and I actually think they are pretty much the same!

the big camera that wasn’t
I obtained this camera with great expectations. I have got to say that it takes decent pictures but we are far from that optimal product sought to bridge the simple point&shoots and the DSLR. If all intermediate products were like the H9 I would definitely suggest 1) take a big DSLR and 2) keep a good point&shoot at hand instead.

On a practical point:

PROS

1) Nice DSLR-like feel

2) Interesting manual options

3) Image quality in settings like face-detection is superb

4) If you manage to keep the digital noise down (i.e., below ISO 200)and understand all the different options and crevices to get to them (see CONS) then you can manage to have some incredible shots!

5) The possibility of using infra-red photography is exciting (but then again see CONS)

CONS

1) Overall image quality is not satisfactory, particularly if you aim at having perfect, non blurry, stock-quality images; color fringing is a big bummer!

2) High sensitivity (up to ISO 3200!) with all that noise means little to me

3) The choice of having a 74mm filter size is absurd, and this alone should entitle owners to full reimbursement: How on earth did Sony come up with this one? Very expensive, Sony brand-only filters, with limited choice and, on top of that, a big, giant halo that ends up covering flash light (Q: Was this done on purpose to irritate customers or simply because they are perceived as dumb?)

4) Use of infra-red photography could be fun, but then again you will go nowhere without an appropriate filter (I’ve got one, but it seems not to be the good one, for a good one expect to spend over $200!!!), and anyway instructions for IR are nowhere to be found (unless they are in the enclosed CD)

5) The learning time to get to know this camera is bound to be too long; probably, by the time you’re done a few dozens of newer, better cameras are out there at a lower price than this one.

CONCLUSIONS: Don’t waste time and money with this camera, unless you get it for free (i.e., as a gift). Then again you can always get some nice shots. But, overall, what was the point from Sony to generate such a hybrid consumer product?

Very good
I’m very satisfied with this camera, it took me a lot of time to read the entire manual but I was worth the effort, I’m using it without any problems.

H-9 Sony Cybershot
I have two other Sony cameras, but this one is the best by far. It is compact enough as not to be cumbersome to carry. It gives high resolution photos even at far distances. The action mode gives clear pictures of moving players. The image stabilization works very well with no blurred pictures. The battery life is adequate for a days worth of picture taking, but a spare battery is recommended. I really like the large LCD screen to view the subject of the photo. The only minor drawback to me, is the location of the “On Switch”. It is located where it is easily turned off and on by accident. I would heartly recommend this camera for the all-around photographer.