Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1

Viewfinder
Most digital SLR-shaped cameras have an electronic viewfinder; this remains true with the Sony Cyber-shot H1. The smaller viewfinder may be more comfortable to shoot with considering the 16.2-ounce heft of the camera and the necessary neck strap. The viewfinder has an accurate view through the lens, so cropped pictures in the viewfinder and LCD screen will mirror the recorded frame.

LCD Screen 
The LCD screen is 2.5 inches of anti-glare technology and 115,000 pixels. This size of screen is definitely larger than most digital cameras in this category; Sony should be applauded for finally including a big screen for playback and composition on a larger camera body. The problem is that the screen is only composed of 115,000 pixels. By contrast, the Cyber-shot T1 (not the T3 or T33) includes a similarly sized 2.5" LCD, formed of 211,000 pixels — nearly twice the resolution of the H1’s LCD! While many users of the H1 can choose to utilize the viewfinder (which is not an option on the T1), a larger screen doesn’t help much when the image is distorted.

Flash
The built-in flash on the H1 pops up when it is needed and a flash setting is selected on the four-way navigational dial. Before the flash is used, the AF assist illuminator lights up for accurate flash metering. The following flash settings are available: Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, and Red-eye Reduction. While these modes are sufficient, the reach of the flash is disappointing. The flash is effective up to 12.4 feet, which is common for compact digital cameras. However, serious enthusiasts will expect a little more from cameras like the H1.

Zoom Lens
The most dominant element of the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H1 is its 12x optical zoom lens. Equivalent to 36-432mm in 35mm format, the camera also has a 2x digital zoom that seems useless after such expansive optical capabilities. The Sony lens has a Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization system that can be activated by the button near the pop-up flash. This feature will be especially handy when shooting at the 432mm telephoto setting of the 12x optical zoom lens when hand-shake is especially apparent. Options such as image stabilization and 12x optical zoom are highly coveted in digital cameras. Although surprisingly, the applied lens is made by Sony, not Carl Zeiss; a sudden alteration in form from the typical Zeiss touch that adorns most Cyber-shot models. I’d have to assume this was purely an economic decision, in an attempt to keep the total cost of the camera below $500 (USD).

The Sony H1 is compatible with several optional telephoto and wide conversion lenses. The Sony VCL-DH0758 wide angle lens provides a wider view with minimal color aberration or distortion. The Sony VCL-DH1758 telephoto lens is also available. Both cost about $150 each and will be on the market in mid-June.