Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1

Value
For just under $500 (USD), the Cyber-shot H1 seems to be priced appropriately, although don’t be misled: the H1 is a point-and-shoot camera with some manual controls and ultra zoom capabilities — not a prosumer model! For the point-and-shoot user looking to upgrade to a second generation digital camera, the H1 should suffice, packing manual exposure control, a 12x optical zoom lens with super image stabilization and a 2.5" LCD monitor. Within the compact consumer market, the H1 offers equitable options to the similarly priced EasyShare Z7590, Fuji FinePix S5100 and Panasonic Lumix FZ20K (which sells for about $100 more — though it is equipped with a Leica lens). Depending on personal shooting style and feature preference, some models may offer more of an appeal. The strengths of the H1 are its fashionable frame (it's like an attractive SUV — if such a thing is possible), as well as its large viewing screen and video recording zoom capabilities. While these features do mean something of substance, the H1’s appeal is more in its features than image quality. While we have not yet tested the camera, the inclusion of a Sony lens over the typical Cyber-shot Carl Zeiss, along with a limited ISO range, lack of manual white balance setting and restrictive flash options, indicates the H1 is crafted for the less engaged, more marketing-effected crowd. I’d say for under $500, it looks like the H1 is a decent purchase so long as it’s zoom range and style the user is after and not image quality and control.