2000 Unbiased Reviews Since 1999
or Browse:
Type
Brand
Price
Need
Browse By Type Find the digital camera that fits your needs
Browse By Brand Find a digital camera from your favorite brand
Browse by Price Choose a max price using the slider below
Max Price
Any

$150.00

Any Price
Buying Guides Find the perfect digital camera for... See more
Jump to a part
Advertisement

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9

First Impressions Review

Previous: Page 6

Image Parameters

Next: Page 8

Overall Impressions
March 10, 2007 By Emily Raymond
0 Comments
(add your own)
 
Connectivity
Software
Sony’s web site states that the H9 will come with Picture Motion Browser Ver. 2.0 software for Windows but doesn’t specify anything else.
 
Jacks, ports, plugs
There are two jacks on the camera. The one on the right side is for the power adaptor and is covered by a square rubber flap. The jack on the left side is hidden very well. The port cover is a small panel of the plastic housing that is attached with a rubber connector. It is barely noticeable, but is found at the very base of the lens. This jack is wide and accepts the USB portion of the multi-use connector that comes with the Sony H9. On this same octopus-like cable is a connector for AV. From here, users can attach an optional HD cable that Sony sells for $40; this allows users to view photos on HDTVs.
 
Direct Print Options
Prints can be made from the Home menu, but print orders can only be made from the playback menu. Users can select one image or multiple images for immediate printing to PictBridge compatible printers via the included USB cable, or they can select pictures easily to make and save print orders for printing at a later date.
 
Battery
The H9 runs from a relatively small lithium-ion battery. This makes the camera lighter than its predecessors, which required four AA batteries. The skinny NP-BG1 battery may ease the weight on the wrists, but it doesn’t provide much power either. A fully charged 3.6V, 960 mAh battery can get 250 shots per charge. It is stored below the hand grip in a very skinny slot.
 
Memory
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 has 31MB of internal memory, which is enough to snap 10 pictures at full resolution. The camera also accepts Memory Stick Duo and Duo Pro cards up to 8GB, although it doesn’t support the Access Control security function that is marketed on some of the cards. This large capacity of memory makes the H9 a prime hybrid candidate with its huge 15x lens that is functional while recording video. Unlike some other ultra-zoom models that max out at 1GB or an hour of video recording, the Sony H9 is only limited to the capacity of the memory card. From the Home menu, users can create and manage folders on their memory cards, as well as format them and copy pictures from the internal memory and back.
 
Other features
NightShot – There is a new and interesting NightShot feature on the Sony H9 that shoots with infrared to keep details in images even at night. There won’t be the scabby noise of using high ISO settings, but the pictures will be green. There is a switch on the left side of the camera that moves the H9 into NightShot mode. This mode can be used for photographing animals that might be scared off by the flash or auto focus assist beam – perhaps another use for the remote control too. The H9’s NightShot mode makes it a competitor with Fujifilm’s S3 Pro UVIR and IS-1 digital cameras that shoot with infrared and are geared towards law enforcement and forensics officers. The Fujifilm cameras have more flexibility with their technology though, whereas the NightShot feature is almost a footnote on the Sony H9.
 
Dynamic Range Optimization – This feature is powered by the Sony Bionz image processor that came from the DSLR-A100. The feature is found in the contrast portion of the recording menu; it is designed to preserve data in bright highlights and dark shadows, adjusting the contrast from the RAW image rather than the compressed JPEG file like on most digital cameras.
 
Remote Control Function – According to the Sony specs and representatives, a remote control comes with the camera that can control zoom, menu settings, shooting and playback modes, and recording. There is a remote control sensor on the front of the H9, but the remote wasn’t being demonstrated at the show.
 

Shop for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9

Loading Recently Viewed Products
Advertisement

Latest News
& Reviews

Top Rated Point & Shoots

  • Panasonic Lumix FZ150
    Panasonic Lumix FZ150
    $459.99
     1

    Panasonic Lumix FZ150

    Excellent image quality, speedy performance, and a great design add up to the best superzoom that has ever graced our labs. That distinction seems to change hands every week, but trust us when we say that the FZ150 is a truly great camera. Read full 16-part review

    $459.99
    Read full 16-part review
    Types
    Any Zoom
    3,5.1
    3.1x to 5x Zoom
    5.1,10
    5.1x to 9.9x Zoom
    10,
    10x & Larger Zoom
    Any Megapixels
    0,8
    < 8 Megapixels
    8,10
    8 to 10 Megapixels
    10,
    > 10 Megapixels
  • Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
    Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
    $378.99
     2

    Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

    Canon's SX30 got a CMOS makeover that resulted in the SX40 HS, an impressive ultrazoom that captures beautiful shots in almost any scenario. Read full 16-part review

    $378.99
    Read full 16-part review
    Types
    Any Zoom
    3,5.1
    3.1x to 5x Zoom
    5.1,10
    5.1x to 9.9x Zoom
    10,
    10x & Larger Zoom
    Any Megapixels
    0,8
    < 8 Megapixels
    8,10
    8 to 10 Megapixels
    10,
    > 10 Megapixels
  • Sony Cyber-shot HX100V
    Sony Cyber-shot HX100V
    $427.95
     3

    Sony Cyber-shot HX100V

    This professionally-geared ultrazoom offers some of the best color accuracy we've ever seen. It's a shame the other scores weren't quite so strong. Read full 16-part review

    $427.95
    Read full 16-part review
    Types
    Ultra-Zoom
    Any Zoom
    3,5.1
    3.1x to 5x Zoom
    5.1,10
    5.1x to 9.9x Zoom
    10,
    10x & Larger Zoom
    Any Megapixels
    0,8
    < 8 Megapixels
    8,10
    8 to 10 Megapixels
    10,
    > 10 Megapixels
    16.8 MP
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
    $314.95
     4

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47

    Panasonic resists the urge to cram more megapixels and more focal length into their latest ultrazoom. The FZ47 instead focuses on image quality and features, resulting in an incredibly strong camera that we loved shooting with. Read full 16-part review

    $314.95
    Read full 16-part review
    Types
    Any Zoom
    3,5.1
    3.1x to 5x Zoom
    5.1,10
    5.1x to 9.9x Zoom
    10,
    10x & Larger Zoom
    Any Megapixels
    0,8
    < 8 Megapixels
    8,10
    8 to 10 Megapixels
    10,
    > 10 Megapixels
  • Canon PowerShot S100
    Canon PowerShot S100
    $417.00
     5

    Canon PowerShot S100

    Canon's PowerShot S100 improves on the popular S95 and takes its place at the top of the point-and-shoot food chain. Read full 16-part review

    $417.00
    Read full 16-part review
    Types
    Any Zoom
    3,5.1
    3.1x to 5x Zoom
    5.1,10
    5.1x to 9.9x Zoom
    10,
    10x & Larger Zoom
    Any Megapixels
    0,8
    < 8 Megapixels
    8,10
    8 to 10 Megapixels
    10,
    > 10 Megapixels

Features

Jump to a part

Shop for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9

Advertisement
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9
First Impressions Review
0 Comments
(add your own)

Previous: Page 6

Image Parameters

Previous: Page 8

Overall Impressions