Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20/B 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization
by Sony
Our Price: $459.99
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SonyModel: DSCH20/B
Color: Black
Product features:
- 10.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD image sensor
- 10x optical zoom Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens; Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
- 720p high-definition movie capture; BIONZ image processor
- 3.0-inch (230K pixels) LCD; Face Detection and Smile Shutter technology
- 11MB built-in memory; capture images to Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo Media (not included)
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20/B 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization
Customer Review: Superb photos and for a lot less than the ZS3 / TZ-7
Summary: 4 Stars
After going through 2 generations of the lumix TZ series (TZ3 and TZ4) which served well as multi purpose cameras, I wanted a multi-purpose camera that also had better video quality and superior low light capabilities. Here is my why not others comparison (it may not match with your needs, but it might help some of you)
Panasonic Lumix ZS1 / TZ6 vs Sony H20
Lower quality video (same as WVGA resolution as the TZ4), and could not adapt to the different lighting conditions like its higher model TZ7 (something that Panasonic does not mention clearly so be vary).
Panasonic ZS3 / TZ7 vs Sony H20
Unfortunately seems to have fallen prey to its high reviews with the price at $399 (even with weekend discounts it was around $340).
Panasonic has decided to clam on cheap batteries, so you can't use OEM batteries with the latest firmware (needed as it supposedly fixes the autofocussing issue in videos). This mean you need to bust out 50-60$ for a spare battery, and since the new battery is smaller than the one's used in the previous models, you need the spare.
[Update] Price has dropped considerably, but the battery prices still remain ridiculously high. After market batteries that work around the chipping proof logic seem to be available but no guarantee if they will work, so not worth the hassle. One more issue i came across after i tried the unit was that Class 6 SDHC is not good enough to record video in high quality and you need to spend loads of $$ and get high speed SDHC if you want to record in high quality :(
Canon SX200 vs Sony H20
The canon SX200 though having good picture quality and full manual controls was out simply because it does not have optical zoom in videos.
Samsung WB550 vs Sony H20
Optics that match the Lumix TZ7 in spec, and yet offering all what the Sony has to offer, so in theory its the camera that's the all rounder
But the reviews highlighted the picture quality was not very good and had the purple fringing problem
Uncertain quality of samsung camera (Since the samsung mobile phones are a bit low on reliability from experience)
Therefore i came to the conclusion the best alternative to the Lumix that also matched my needs was the Sony DSC-H20 though knowing that the lack of a true wide screen (38mm vs 28mm in the panasonic) may limit my landscape shots and group photos.
The initial impression once i received the unit was that it was definitely not as slim as the Lumix cameras, and the build quality while good for a plastic unit seemingly a bit fragile compared to the all metal lumix. I guess its going to take some time for me to shift from the lumix mindset :) The positive being that this sony model was made in Japan.
However the pictures confirmed what the reviewers said that it was camera with good potential. The daylight pictures are superb, and the focus is much faster than the TZ4 i had last. The macro mode is able to go much closer than the TZ4 (and even the TZ7), and i realized this meant even better close up pictures. The video quality in good light is superb, and the zoom speed is decent, and smooth. The jump to 720p HD is definitely noticed compared to VGA/WVGA and you will not want to revert back :) The Sony focussed quite well while zooming in video mode compared to the TZ4 (and i heard the new TZ7 panasonics also still have this problem).
Then i tried the indoor pictures, and the quality again was very good (My wife said the pictures were definitely a lot more clear and vivid compared to the TZ4). The dual shot capability is also useful, though in most cases the second option is useless as the modes used don't seem very intelligent. The flash definitely is very powerful, and works well even to provide background clarity. The video indoors is much better than my TZ4 as it adapts well to the low light, and in high sensitivity mode while the video can be a bit noisy it still able to provide fair footage.
If you are the forgetful type remember to set the flash to auto, if not you are are going to be disappointed when the shots turns out grainy when taken without the flash.
The menus are fairly easy to use the feedback from the navigation buttons are bit less than the TZ4, and i miss the context menu capability of the lumix. Sony hiding the settings menu and requiring the user to press "." at the last menu option is unnecessary initially then i realized its to keep the menu's slimmer with the options required for normal use available, and only the lesser used options are in this hidden menu.
One feature that i thought the camera had was that it could increase its optical zoom to higher values just like the Panasonic range (e.g. in the lumix when i set it to 3MP, the zoom increased to 15.9X from 10X optical). However seems the Sony cannot do that, and only has the digital zoom increasing and this is of no use.
Another useful feature is that you can press the play button when the camera is switched off to view the photos on the camera without having the lens come out. The play button also works when you connect the USB connector to connect to the PC again without the lens mechanism getting activated.
PROS
Good picture quality both outdoors and indoors
Video is very good, and does well in low light as well
Very good macro photos
10X optical zoom an asset for an all purpose camera
Nice features and smile shutter works well (yet to try blink detection)
Fast focusing specially in low light conditions
Lightweight and well balanced
Nice 3" LCD which shows pictures well
Manual mode useful for indoor and night photos
CONS
Lens cover is a pain, and would have preferred an automatic option like in the lumix, this also makes the camera a bit more bulky
Not a true wide screen optics, so you have a limited view in wide mode
Only 3 modes for video VGA (4:3), and high/low HD (16:9).
Use of memory stick as the storage medium :(
A slimmer profile would have been nice
Pop-up flash while effective also mean you need to pop-it in back
Flash recycle time is slow
Manual mode has limited flexibility
[Update]
Sold the camera the shutter lag and long flash recycling did not suite my type of photography sadly.
More Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20/B 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization reviews:
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Description of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20/B 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization
The Sony DSC-H20 is a full-featured point-and-shoot with outstanding high-power zoom capability and fast shutter speed. It includes Smile Shutter technology which captures smiles the moment they happen, as well as Face Detection technology to optimize focus, exposure and color for up to eight faces. Capture detailed images with 10 megapixel resolution, and get in close to the action with the 10x optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens. Intelligent Scene Recognition helps you avoid failure picture, while Sony?s Double Anti-Blur solution (Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization plus High ISO) helps keep your images blur-free. The DSC-H20 completes the package with a 3.0-Inch Clear Photo LCD Plus Display that lets you easily view your images and menu options. Supplied accessories include a rechargeable battery (NP-BG1), a battery charger (BC-CSGB), a multi-connector cable, a lens cap and the CD-ROM software. Memory sticks are only optional.Digital Cameras
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