13 July, 2006 |

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5

DP Review has a review posted for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5, and gives good reasons why to with the upgraded model or its processors. The review states:

The good news is that everything we liked about the H1 and the H2 is still here; handling is excellent, it’s very fast and responsive and the results - even shooting in full auto mode with default settings - excellent. There are few cameras I can wholeheartedly recommend to both novice ’snappers’ and experienced photographers, but the H5, like the H2, is that rarest of beasts; a ‘compact’ camera with handling and control close to a DSLR, yet one that - even in inexperienced hands - can be left in ‘idiot-proof’ mode and trusted to produce the goods time and time again. Above all, the H5 is fun and easy to use, which means you will find yourself taking a lot more pictures, which has to be a good thing.

Like the H2, the H5 improves on its predecessor (the highly-praised DSC-H1) in several small but significant ways, both in terms of features and in the all-important matter of image quality. What it doesn’t offer is a significant step up from the H2 in any respect (bigger, sharper screen aside). Of course there are differences in the output; the H5 has even worse purple fringing than the H2 and has slightly less impressive high ISO performance, but it seems a lot less prone to highlight clipping, so what you win on the one side, you lose on the other. At standard print sizes you’ll see burnt out highlights a lot more than you’ll see purple fringing, but it’s still something Sony needs to address. The screen is lovely, but does come at a cost; slightly lower battery life, and the black finish is nice, but only you will know if it’s worth paying extra for.

If you’re attempting to decide between the H2 and H5 then it won’t come down to image quality or performance; there really isn’t going to be a visible difference in the printed output. It’s a bit like the choice you make when buying a car; do you go for the base model or splash out on the ‘Sport’ with its leather seats, aircon and fancy body styling kit? The H5 appeals to those of us who feel we’d regret not paying the little bit extra every time we settled back into cloth seats…

Your comment:

Name (required)

Mail (requried)

Website