February 15th, 2008Review Of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H7
There has been a rising insist for super zoom dig cams in new months. Sony probably had this in brain when it lately brings in the DSC-H7. We decided to give it the works as usual. The overall build of the camera is quite naive, with a basic grasp of buttons. The screen doesn’t pop out to tilt or swivel in any direction, which is astonishing and rather sad for a camera of this caliber. But before I mention the good parts I would like to point out what I didn’t like about the camera – its lack of scene modes. For a casual user who needs to warm up before getting his hands unclean with the manual mode the camera has to offer, scene modes can be a lifesaver. Sure, there are the basics like portrait, sport, landscape, etc. but I would have liked a lot more options.
That out of the way, the camera’s other features are top-notch. The 8.1 mega pixel image sensor is escort by a whopping 15x optical zoom (31-465mm), and an outstanding image stabilization system that works well even at full zoom. The characteristic that, for me, sets the H7 apart from the other cameras in its class is its wireless remote control. This feature may be common in camcorders, but its applicability in consumer digital cameras is long overdue. The remote not only allows you to play back images and video after you attach the camera to the TV, but also has a shutter release button, so you can click pictures from coldness.
The H7 also boasts of HDTV output (1080i), but since there were only composite cables provided with the camera, I’m guessing you need to pick up component cables disconnectedly to support that output resolution. So, do all these specs really make a good camera? That’s where our tests come in. It’s happened before. Cameras that appear outstanding on paper have ended up as lemons in actual performance. Unfortunately the H7 is pretty much in that group.
The image quality doesn’t quite live up to the expectations that the camera raises. Firstly the images suffer from distorted edges, which add a minor pincushion effect in wide-angle images. Besides that the detail levels bent by the camera is not at par with what you’d expect from a considerably higher-priced super zoom. Colors were handled well in wholly lit areas, as in the flower macro shots below. The colors and gradients were perfectly copy.
But once I moved to the shadows, things got very different. The slope and the colors took on rather a pasty look in full view, particularly with look upon to skin tones. The camera also had a bit of trouble handling greens. Nocturnal shots weren’t too impressive either. As you can see from the photo below, the scene I shot (keeping the camera on a steady outside shows well-lit areas as a bit blurred. That and the color distortion created by the higher ISO setting are quite obvious.
In burst mode the camera shot pictures at intervals of 0.6 seconds (without flash). It took a little over two seconds for the camera to start and the same time to shut down. The battery life was pretty good though. I got close to 100 shots (some with flash, some without) before the battery showed any signs of dying. The Cyber-shot DSC-H7 is accessible in the US for around $350 (Rs 14,000 approx), which would have made it a decent buy. But since it’s retailing here for Rs 22,500, the expectations are a lot higher. Sadly, the H7 doesn’t fare too well in overall presentation when contrast with other cameras in its category.
Outstanding features such as 15x optical zoom and the remote control don’t do much to make up for its other flaws. So if you’re considering a super zoom, there are other cameras obtainable that offer similar features at VFM prices. The DSC-H7 is therefore hard to advice.
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