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The Cyber-shot DSC-H1 was Sony’s first foray into the increasingly crowded compact, image stabilized ’super zoom’ market, and it was a very successful one too. The DSC-H5 (along with little brother the DSC-H2) arrived almost exactly a year later in February 2006. The H5 is notable as the first ‘big zoom’ compact camera to feature a 7 megapixel sensor (a new Sony 1/2.5″ CCD), and for its huge 3.0″ screen. Otherwise the specification is pretty much the same as the H2, itself a fairly subtle update to the original H1 - no bad thing given the very high standards set by that model. Let’s start with the headline features:

7.2 million effective pixels
36-432mm equivalent (12x optical) F2.8-3.7 Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens
Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization
Wide ISO 80-1000 range
Clear RAW™ noise reduction technology
3.0” LCD (230,000 pixels) & 0.2″ (200,000 pixel) Electronic viewfinder
Full photographic control
Real Imaging Processor & 14-bit DXP A/D Conversion
Optional wide and tele lens converters
Scene selection (7 modes)
Histogram indication
32MB internal memory, plus a Memory Stick/PRO Duo slot

DSC H-5 key specifications
Street price • US: $470
• UK: £310
Body Material Metal and plastic
Sensor

• 1/2.5 ” Type CCD
• 7.2 million effective pixels
Image sizes

• 3072 x 2304
• 3072 x 2048 (3:2)
• 2592 x 1944
• 2048 x 1536
• 1632 x 1224
• 640 x 480
Movie clips

• 640 x 480 @ 16 / 30fps (30fps requires MS Pro Duo)
• 160 x 112 @ 8fps
File formats • Still: JPEG
• Movie: MPEG VX
Lens

• 36-432mm equiv
• 12x optical zoom
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar
• F2.8-3.7
Image stabilization Super SteadyShot® (moving lens element type)
Conversion lenses Yes
Digital zoom • 2x (24x total)
• Up to 57x Smart Zoom (dependent on selected resolution)
Focus • Manual (with focus aids and magnification)
• Single
• Monitor
• Continuous
AF area modes • 3 Area Multi-Point AF
• Center AF (selectable)
• Flexible spot AF
• Contrast detect
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • Normal: 50cm (19.7 in) min
• Macro: 2cm (0.74 in)
Metering • Multi-pattern (49 zone)
• Center weighted
• Spot
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 80
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1000
Exposure compensation • +/-2EV
• 1/3 EV steps
Exposure bracketing +/- 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 EV
Shuttter speed

• 1/4 - 1/2000 sec. (Auto)
• 1 - 1/2000 sec. (Program Auto)
• 46-step 30 sec – 1/1000 sec. (Shutter Priority, Manual)
* Shutter speeds of 1/2000th are only available at apertures of F5.6 and higher.
Aperture F2.8 - 8.0 (wide), F3.7 - 8.0 (tele)
Modes

• Program
• Aperture priority
• Shutter priority
• Manual
• 7-preset select scene modes
Scene modes • Twilight
• Twilight Portrait
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Beach
• High-speed shutter
• High sensitivity
White balance

• Auto
• Manual
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Fluorescent
• Incandescent
• Flash WB
Self timer • 10 or 2 secs
Continuous shooting • 7 Shots at 1.1fps (7.2MP JPEG fine)
• 100 Shots at 1.4 fps (640×480 JPEG std)
Image parameters • Saturation (3 levels)
• Contrast (3 levels)
• Sharpness (3 levels)
• Color effects (Sepia, Black and White, Vivid)
Flash • Pop-up
• Auto, On, Off, Slow synch, Red-eye reduction
• Range (ISO Auto): 1’ to 29’ 3″ (0.3-9.0m) (Wide)
• Range (ISO Auto): 35.5 ’ to 22 ’ 4 ” (0.9-6.8m) (Tele)
• Range (ISO 1000): 2’ 11″ to 52’ (0.9 -16m) (Wide)
Viewfinder • 0.2″ EVF
• 201K pixels
LCD monitor • 3.0-inch TFT
• 230K pixels
Connectivity • USB 2.0 high speed
• AV out
Print compliance PictBridge, DPOF, PIM III
Storage • Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo compatible
• 32MB internal memory
Power • 2x NiMH batteries
• Ac adaptor (optional)
In the box* • DSC-H5 camera
• NH-AA-DB Rechargeable AA Batteries,
• BC-CS2 Battery Charger and Cord
• A/V and USB Cables
• Shoulder Strap
• Lens Cap
• Lens Cap Strap
• Lens Adapter Ring
• Lens Hood
• Software CD-ROM
Other features • Real Imaging Processor
• Clear RAW NR
• Filter Diameter: 58mm (with supplied Adapter Ring)
• Optional Flash units, converter lenses, filters
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)

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

If you’re new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

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