Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H1 Review

The new Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H1 features an incredible 12X optical zoom lens, making this a great camera for vacationers that don't want to haul around a lot of lens.

Summary

Mega zoom digital cameras are all the rage this season.  Panasonic paved the way with its 12x optical zoom Lumix models, and other manufacturers quickly charged in to feed Americans’ desires for potent digicams that offer a wide range of focal lengths (around 38-432mm in 35mm terms).  Besides Panasonic, Canon and Konica Minolta have 12x digicams with image stabilizers.  Sony now has joined the ranks with the 5-megapixel DSC-H1 ($499).  In this case, it has a 12x Sony lens (not the usual Carl Zeiss design) that delivers 36mm-432mm of zooming power in a very compact package.  Zooms this powerful are great for vacationers, who are never quite sure what they’ll encounter in their travels; there’s no need to lug around extra lenses or deal with a bulkier D-SLR.  This camera, while hardly pocket-sized, easily fits in a carry bag or backpack.  It has a large, 2.5-inch LCD screen for framing and reviewing your shots, has very quick response time, and takes pleasing photos.  And the built-in optical image stabilizer, technology found on its camcorders, is a life saver