Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9
Almost exactly 12 months after the launch of the Cyber-shot DSC-H2 and DSC-H5 Sony announced the replacement cameras; the DSC-H7 and the top-of-the-range model reviewed here; the DSC-H9. That Sony chose to increase the pixel count (to 8MP) and to include this year’s ‘must have’ features (face detection and ludicrously high maximum ISO) can’t have surprised many, but there are a few less predictable new features, and a few welcome changes. The former include Sony’s unique ‘NightShot’ infra-red mode (seen on many camcorders as well as a few Cyber-shots over the years), a 15x zoom and HDTV (well, 1080i) output. The latter include an articulated (tilt-up) screen, improved focus system, faster performance and a new (in the box) remote control.
The super-zoom market is still one of the most competitive sectors and the H9 is up against some stiff competition from old foes such as Panasonic, Canon and Olympus. The H2 and H5 were both well-received when reviewed this time last year, so let’s find out if Sony has built on that success or not.
Cyber-shot DSC-H9 vs DSC-H5 – key changes
- New sensor (8MP versus 7MP)
- longer lens range (15x up from 12x)
- Higher maximum sensitivity (ISO 3200)
- Tilt-up articulated screen
- Lithium Ion battery
- Control dial has moved to rear of camera
- 9-point AF (was 3-point)
- New Sports mode
- HDTV (1080i) video output (via optional component cable)
- Face detection
- D-Range optimization (auto contrast)
- In-camera retouching
- Remote control included
- NightShot function for shooting in the dark
- Entirely new user interface
DSC-H9 specifications
| Street price | • US: $480 • UK: £320 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Plastic |
| Sensor | • 1/2.5 ” Type CCD • 8.1 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes | • 3264 x 2448 • 2592 x 1944 • 2048 x 1536 • 640 x 480 • 3264 x 2176 (3:2) • 1920 x 1080 (16:9) |
| Movie clips | • MPEG VX Fine / Standard (640 x 480 @ 30 / 16 fps MPEG-1 with audio) |
| File formats | • Still: JPEG • Movie: MPEG VX (MPEG-1) |
| Lens | • Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar • 31-465mm (35mm equiv) • 15x optical zoom • F2.7-4.5 |
| Image stabilization | Super SteadyShot® |
| Conversion lenses | Yes |
| Digital zoom | • 2x (24x total) • Up to 30x Smart Zoom (dependent on selected resolution) |
| Focus | • Auto • Macro • Single • Monitoring |
| AF area modes | • 9 Area Multi-Point AF • Center AF • Flexible spot AF • Contrast detect |
| AF assist lamp | Yes |
| Focus distance | • Normal: 50cm (19.7 in) minimum (W), 120cm (47.25 in) minimum (T) • Macro: 1cm (0.4 in) wide only |
| Metering | • Multi-pattern (49 zone) • Center weighted • Spot |
| ISO sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200 |
| Exposure compensation | • +/-2EV • 1/3 EV steps |
| Exposure bracketing | +/- 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 EV |
| Shutter speed | • Auto: 1/4-1/4000sec • P: 1″-1/4000sec • S: 30″-1/4000sec • A: 8″-1/2000sec • M: 30″-1/4000sec |
| Aperture | F2.7-5.6 (w) F4.5-8 (t) |
| Modes | • Program • Aperture priority • Shutter priority • Manual • 9-preset select scene modes |
| Scene modes | • Twilight • Twilight Portrait • Portrait • Landscape • Beach • Snow • Fireworks • High Sensitivity • Advanced Sports Shooting |
| White balance | • Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Fluorescent 1, 2, 3 • Incandescent • Flash WB • Manual |
| Self timer | • 10 or 2 secs |
| Continuous shooting | 100 shots, 2.2fps, 8MP (max) |
| Image parameters | Natural, Vivid, Sepia, B&W, Sharpness, Contrast |
| Flash | • Auto • On • Slow Synch • Off • Red-eye reduction • Front/rear synch • Auto/Daylight synch • Range: 0.2 – 9.8m (wide) 1.2 – 6m (tele) |
| Viewfinder | • 0.2″ EVF • 201K pixels |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0-inch tilting TFT • 230K pixels |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 high speed • HD • AV w/multi-jack • DC in |
| Print compliance | PictBridge, DPOF |
| Storage | • Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo compatible • 31MB internal memory |
| Power | • Lithium-ion NP-BG1 battery • BC-CSG Charger |
| Weight (inc batt) | 554 g (1 lb 4.3 oz) |
| Dimensions | 113.2 x 83 x 94 mm (4.6 x 3.3 x 3.7 in) |