Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 First Impressions Review

by Emily Raymond
Published on March 10, 2007

Navigation
Intro	Physical Tour
Components	Design/Layout
Modes	Control Options
Image Parameters	Connectivity/Extras
Overall Impressions	Conclusion
Specs	Photo Gallery

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.