With its 12X-zoom Sony DSC-H1, Sony joins the megazoom competition. Although slightly larger and heavier than its competitors, the H1 holds its own thanks to a broad feature set, speedy performance, and a generally well-thought-out design. We have a few quibbles and wish that the photos were sharper, but overall, the H1 may please enthusiasts hankering for a camera with an extended focal range.

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Boxy but well-balanced and sporting a large 2.5-inch nonarticulating LCD screen, the Sony DSC-H1 delivers a wide array of features, shooting modes, and performance for just under $500. The camera sports a long 12X optical zoom lens, which is quickly becoming the new standard for superzoom cameras. The one glaring problem was the camera’s shutter lag—a big hindrance if you’re trying to capture that fleeting moment.

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The Sony DSC-H1 is a very compact camera, given its 12x optical zoom. It’s about the size of the new Canon PowerShot S2 IS, another new mega zoom digicam with optical image stabilization for about the same price. We won’t go into an HC1-versus-S2 riff, but the most obvious difference is Sony’s large, 2.5-inch LCD screen compared to the Canon’s variable angle 1.8-inch monitor.

The DSC-H1, made of metal and plastic, has a comfortable form factor with an angled shutter button nicely placed on the grip. A jog wheel on the grip helps you to speed through the menus and make adjustments when you’re in manual, aperture- and shutter-priority modes. The top of the camera has the power button, the often-used mode dial and the pop-open flash. The dial is easy to read and clicks nicely into the desired shooting position. You’ll also find a focus key for choosing the type of focusing you’d like as well as a key for taking a burst of images (9 maximum in 5MP fine mode) and for exposure bracketing, which takes three shots of a subject. You can then pick the best and delete the others.

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The Sony DSC-H1 produced a very good set of photos. I would not say that one area really stood out from all the others and it is capable of taking great shots both indoors and out.

The 12x optical zoom lens has a focal length that is the equivalent to 36-432mm in 35mm format. This is supported by a digital zoom of 24x and a smart zoom of 48x. For close up work the macro mode lets you get in as close as 2cm from the subject. A lens adapter is provided by Sony with the DSC H1. This allows you to add conversion lenses as well.

The Sony DSC H1 is a worthy addition to the increasing list of extended zoom cameras. It takes very good photos and will give all of its competitors a run for their money. I like the way the camera is set out and in a relatively short time I was up and running with the camera. I am certain that this camera will prove to be a big success.

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DC Views wrote an excellent side-by-side comparison in ‘Review: Sony Cybershot DSC H1 compared to Canon Powershot S2 IS’: The Sony Cybershot DSC H1 and the Canon Powershot S2 IS are almost equal. Apart from the same specifications, both cameras almost perform at the same level. Nevertheless the Powershot is the winner in this test because of it’s somewhat higher responsiveness and much higher frame rate in continuous mode.

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