
Sony Cybershot DSC-H3 8.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization
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An eight megapixel sensor, a special mode aimed at moving subjects, Sony’s proprietary technology Sony Dynamic Range Optimizer, image stabilizer and a compact body are the key points for this unique superzoom camera.
Somehow oddly shaped (just like other previous Sony prosumer cameras) mainly due to the robust grip, the Sony Cybershot DSC-H3
compact digital features a superb zoom in a truly compact body design (4.2 x 2.7 x 1.9 inches - 13.4 ounces, 106 x 68.5 x 47.5 mm - 380 gr).
The Sony Cybershot H3
- available in silver or black - has a 8 MP CCD but what really stands out is its Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar 10x zoom lens: a 35-mm equivalent of 38-380 mm, aperture F/3.5-4.4 definitely places this Sony offering near the top of this class of cameras. Macro mode allows for less than 2 cm (much less than an inch) focusing distance from the subject.
Super Steadyshot image stabilizer helps avoiding motion-blur in images for both newbies and consumed photographers; for faster shooting, Sony incorporates an Advanced Sports Shooting Mode along with a predictive, multipoint autofocus (9 points matrix).
The ubiquitous Face Detection technology is here too, though it still fails to recognize cool people from their faces…
Sony Dynamic Range Optimizer technology, developed for the company’s flagship Alpha DSLR and reused in this high end compact model, analizes CCD captured data and optimizes exposure and hue before JPEG compression and storing.
The H3 Cybershot has a 2.5″ LCD display, a Li-Ion NP-BG1 battery - rated at 330 shootings by Sony, uses Memory Stick Pro Duo as storage media and allows for VGA-resolution, 30 fps video recording with audio.
Last but not least, the HD output (1080 lines) provides spectacular photo viewing on your Sony KDL-40V2500 40″ Bravia V-Series 1080p LCD HDTV
and other compatible HDTV screens (cable available separately).
This a recent (and welcome!) trend even for compact and point-and-shoot cameras: Sony already announced on February the Sony Cybershot DSCW200 12.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot
, which sports HDMI output.
Available for pre-order now, and expected to be in stores by November 2007, the price For the H3 will be around US$ 300.00.
Update: Additional lenses for the H3 are now available, both Super Wide Angle
, tele zoom and Macro for close-ups
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