Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H5

Features of Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H5

Top among the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H5's features is its 12X optical zoom, 36mm-to-432mm (35mm equivalent), f/2.8-to-f/3.7 Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens. Some may complain that 36mm isn't wide enough, but the vast majority of users will love the enormous reach at the telephoto end. An SLR lens with these specs would cost at least as much--and probably more--than this entire camera. Plus, this camera includes Sony's Super SteadyShot image stabilization, which increases the effectiveness of the lens's wide maximum apertures in low-light situations.

In case 12X isn't enough, Sony makes good use of the DSC-H5's 7.2 megapixels with its Smart Zoom feature, which crops the image as you shoot, to yield 5 megapixels at 14X, 3 megapixels at 18X, 2 megapixels at 22X, or VGA-size images at 57 megapixels. Sure, this isn't very different than the digital zoom built into most cameras, but the simple translation into lower megapixels makes the feature much more useful.

Snapshooters will appreciate the camera's simple auto mode and handful of scene modes, while more advanced users will be happy to see the DSC-H5's full manual exposure controls, including aperture priority, shutter priority, program, and full manual. Of course, you also have exposure compensation: up to plus or minus 2EV in 1/3EV steps; exposure bracketing; six white-balance choices, including manual; and ISOs ranging from ISO 80 to ISO 1,000.

The DSC-H5's movie mode tops out at 640x480 pixels and 30fps, and it produces good-looking clips, but if you plan on using this highest video setting, you'll need a Memory Stick Pro Duo card. If not, you'll have to settle for 16.6fps or a lower resolution. Thankfully, the prices for Pro Duo media have come down in recent months. Autofocus lagged a bit while panning in video mode, but for a still camera, it did surprisingly well, and its video e-mail setting makes it a snap to create small clips to send to your friends.

The camera has 32MB of internal memory, which doesn't go far with 7.2-megapixel JPEGs. You should plan on buying a Memory Stick Duo or a Memory Stick Pro Duo if you plan on shooting a decent number of high-resolution images. Sony includes a pair of 2,100mAh nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable AAs to power the camera, along with a small charger, though standard batteries will do the trick in a pinch. The camera also comes with a lens hood, a cap, and an adapter ring that lets you use accessories, such as conversion lenses, filters, and even a ring light. Persnickety purchasers will note that the DSC-H5 doesn't include a hotshoe, so you'll have to live with the built-in flash.