Jump to a part
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Introduction
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01.Physical Tour
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02.Components
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03.Design/Layout
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04.Modes
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05.Control Options
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06.Image Parameters
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07.Connectivity/Extras
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08.Overall Impressions
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09.Conclusion
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10.Specs
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11.Photo Gallery
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12.Comments
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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9
First Impressions Review
Previous: Page 3
Design/LayoutNext: Page 5
Control Options
Image Size 640F, 640S, 320
Color Mode
None, Sepia, Black & White
White Balance
Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent, Flash, One Push, One Push Set
SteadyShot
On, Off
Auto Mode
The auto mode is labeled on the mode dial in green, while all the other modes are labeled in black. This makes it easier to find the auto mode, and that is good because the mode dial is quite cluttered. The recording menu is accessible from the auto mode, but it is a little different from the menu that appears in the manual exposure modes. Some options like white balance are left out, but there is the addition of Sony’s new face detection auto focus mode. The functions on the multi-selector can be accessed: self-timer, flash, macro, and display options can be changed. The selector wasn’t labeled on the preproduction model I looked at, but the functions still worked and the labels will be added on the final product.
Movie Mode
The Sony H9 comes with a standard movie mode. It doesn’t have any fancy widescreen videos, and even requires users to purchase a Memory Stick Duo Pro card to record video at the standard 30 fps frame rate. Otherwise, video can only be shot at 16.6 fps.
Sony tailored the H9 towards families and consumers who shoot sporting events and other activities that require speed and lots of zoom. The 15x optical zoom is also functional in the movie mode even when the mono audio is recording. The H9’s competitor, the Olympus SP-550UZ, has an 18x optical zoom lens that is functional in its movie mode – but only when the audio is turned off. The tradeoff between sound and zoom is unfortunate, and one that Sony users won’t have to make.
The Sony H9’s optical zoom is very fluid in the movie mode, even more than when shooting still images. The movie mode’s menu describes some of its features.
The smallest resolution records at 8.3 fps, so it is very choppy, but its advantage is that it emails quicker than the other sizes. The optical image stabilization system works well and is a necessity for any movies that use the telephoto side of the optical zoom.
Monaural audio can be captured within close range, about 6 ft, and it even sounds good when played back in the camera. Voices were picked up clearly and distinct from the constant drone of background noise at the convention center where the H9 was reviewed.
The Sony H9 can’t record HD or widescreen movies, but it does a great job of recording standard television-quality video. The optical zoom is functional, shakes are minimal with the stabilization system, and the audio sounds good. Video can be recorded up to the capacity of the memory card, which Sony says maxes out at 8 GB.
Drive / Burst Mode
The burst mode has its own button behind the shutter release atop the camera. This cycles through these settings: Single, Continuous, +/- 0.3, +/- 0.7, and +/- 1.0. The continuous burst mode snaps 2.2 fps at any resolution. Specs state the burst can last for a hundred shots. That sounds accurate; I snapped 66 pictures at full res to fill my memory card. Of note in this section is the self-timer, which can be set to delay for 2 or 10 seconds with a push of the bottom of the multi-selector.
Playback Mode
The playback mode is activated by a button to the right of the viewfinder on the back of the camera. The button is set too far into the body, so it isn’t very comfortable to push. Single images can be viewed or index screens can be viewed with 6 or 25 pictures per screen. The index screen can be viewed by pushing the "W" end of the zoom control or entering the View Images portion of the Home menu. Slide shows can also be viewed from here. The following is the playback menu that includes the extensive options from the slide show mode.
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Delete
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This Image, Multiple Images, All in Folder
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Slide Show
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Start, Exit, Multiple Images (All, All in this folder), Effects (Simple, Nostalgic, Stylish, Active, Normal), Music (Music 1-4, Off), Interval (3-60 sec), Repeat (Repeat, Normal)
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Retouch
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Soft Focus, Partial Color, Fish-eye Lens, Cross Filter, Trimming, Red-eye Correction
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Protect
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This Image, Multiple Images
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DPOF
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This Image, Multiple Images
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Print
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OK, Cancel
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Rotate
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OK, Cancel
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Select Folder
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OK, Cancel
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The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 supports HD (1080i) output so users can view high-definition slide shows on their HDTVs. While the camera is compatible with HD viewing, it doesn’t come with a cable. The optional VMC-HD1 component cable costs $40. Sony will also sell a camera dock with a connection to HDTVs.
Slide shows can be played with background music. There are four preloaded soundtracks and users can upload MP3s through the Print sub-menu of the Home menu. That doesn’t make any sense, so perhaps that is a preproduction model quirk.
Navigating through pictures with the control wheel was handy – but only if moving at the right speed. If you go too slow, you might as well just use the multi-selector. If you go too fast, there are delays and the pictures will keep scrolling long after you take your finger off the wheel. Perhaps this is another quirk with the preproduction model, but there was way too much processing time in the playback mode. When the wheel was moved and a picture appeared, it would look blurry at first and then sharpen up.
Pictures can be magnified up to 5x, but the zoom into the picture isn’t very smooth. Videos can be played back but not edited on the H9. Overall, the playback mode has its pros and cons but comes in above average with its spectacular display interface with wide viewing angles, musical slide shows, and cool retouching features. These will be discussed in the picture effects portion of this first impressions review.
Custom Image Presets
The Sony H9 has a host of scene modes that are spread between the mode dial and the "SCN" menu. The "SCN" position on the mode dial has a menu with Twilight, Beach, Snow, and Fireworks scene modes – the typically less frequently used settings. The more common presets are located directly on the mode dial: Landscape, Twilight Portrait, Advanced Sports, Portrait, and High Sensitivity. The abundance of scene modes along with the manual, automatic, and movie modes makes the mode dial a flurry of icons. It is quite crowded, so it takes more than just a quick glance to find what you’re looking for.
While the other scene modes are found on the older H5, the new Sony H9 includes a new advanced sports shooting mode. This preset combines a 2 fps burst with a tracking auto focus mode that predicts where the action is moving. This is good for sporting events like track and baseball where the athletes move in predictable patterns. The mode worked well in the convention center; I panned as attendees walked by the Sony booth and they remained in sharp focus in the pictures. The only downside to this mode is that the burst lasts only 4 shots at a time.
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