Sony Cybershot DSC-H5 reviewed

The good folks at Digital Photography Review have come through with a typically thorough review of Sony's latest prosumer camera, the Cybershot DSC-H5 --  the bigger, blacker counterpart to Sony's DSC-H2, both of which were announced way back in February. On the whole, they found the camera to perform virtually identical to the H2, which they also gave a big thumbs up, once again digging the big 12x optical zoom, great image quality, loads of features, and decent battery life out of a pair of AAs. Also like the H2, the H5 lacks a RAW or TIFF mode and the image stabilization isn't quite as effective as that from some other camera manufactures. That means you'll have to decide for yourself if the extra megapixel of resolution (seven as opposed to six), larger LCD (three inches versus two), and black body is worth the extra hundred bucks or so over the H2.

[Rusty @ Jul 4th 2006 4:11PM]

I just upgraded my non stabilized 3.1 megapixel Fuji S5000 last july to the Sony H-1. If the H5 is as good as the H-1, people will love it. I think they made the "refresh" a bit faster, but for 2AA batteries, the cycle time is a bit slow. But, if I'm shooting, and the batteries die, I can pop in a fresh set of CHEAP rechargables, or even cheaper disposable AA's instead of having to pay big $$ for a battery pack.
I love taking pictures at airshows and the stabilization is really handy to catch the action.

[aparaty cyfrowe @ Jul 4th 2006 5:04PM]

but hey Rusty you can always buy AA rechargering batteries 2500 and better battery charger for 40$ or more so what is the problem?

[rickm @ Jul 4th 2006 5:16PM]

40 bucks for a recharger and a few bucks each for a dozen or so rechargeables will fix you right up. I even *sold* someone some recharged batteries a few weeks ago on a hike (theirs drained).

[Michael @ Jul 4th 2006 6:05PM]

Rusty, it depends on batteries what you buy. I'm advicing you consult with seller

[Rage @ Jul 4th 2006 10:19PM]

looks good....

[ex-casio @ Jul 5th 2006 2:53AM]

while this is great news, I am taken aback by the 7 megapixels. I would love to create DIN-A0 posters, but I don't want any SLR because they can't make movies. Why didn't Sony bump up the sensor to 10-12 megapixels???

[MobileMistress @ Jul 5th 2006 5:45AM]

I'm pretty sure I have this camera.. (I know, Im pathetic, I really dont understand much about cameras) But yes, according to the picture Im almost positive that this is the camera I recently bought. It's a pretty great camera, only problem is that is seems less effective at night. Maybe its just me and knowing what to do with the nighttime functions, but most pics I try to take at night come out blurry... (And YES, I DO open the flash...I'm not THAT bad...) :-)

[binary visions @ Jul 5th 2006 6:56AM]

ex-casio, megapixel count isn't everything. More megapixels packed into a small space doesn't improve image quality that much. You get a lot more noise as well.

MobileMistress, image stabilization is only a help with low light shots. For nighttime shots, you need a tripod and non-moving subjects. Once you get below 1/30th of a second, you're into shaky territory and you'll find a lot of your shots will turn out blurry.

[Paul @ Jul 5th 2006 12:43PM]

I just picked up my camera... it was a tough choice between the Sony H5 and the Canon S3IS and the Canon won. I can't believe how great it is and its worth dropping the 1 mp for the pop-out lcd screen.

[Tech Rewind @ Jul 5th 2006 10:37PM]

Looks like a nice camera. I wouldn't pay that much though. My 7.1mp Sony does a fine enough job for me.

[Bob Buryanek @ Jul 9th 2006 5:07PM]

I have had my Sony DSC-H5 for a few weeks now and I would like to comment on some of its features. My previous camera was a Sony DSC-S85. I bought the new Sony so I could take faster pictures and have a greater memory card. To make a long story short I am disappointed at the time it needs to take a flash picture. The pop up flash is right where you hold the camera and I have held it down by mistake. I am dissapointed that you have to remove the batteries to charge them up and they do not last very long. I do like the pictures and the true to life colors that it displays. I love having the 2GB duo memory card. On a scale of one to ten I rate this camera a 7 with ten being the best. I rate my sony DSC-S85 an 8.

[Oldnavy @ Feb 7th 2007 6:13PM]

TO overcome waiting for the flash I (a) use a fresh set of 2000+ AA Rechargeables and (b) force the flash rather waiting for the camera to decide. Then I can always reduce the brightness later in digital editing if I want to. I shoot virtual tours for realtors and this camera is perfect. Just bought a 512MB Duo Pro Stick and I am impressed.

I used to use an HP (old) and an Olympus. Sony wins hands down for me.

[w foster photo @ Jul 10th 2006 10:31PM]

Looks like a decent camera. 12x optical, Zeiss lenses. Could be great for vacations and just carrying around.

--Bill

[Lori @ Jul 12th 2006 2:14PM]

I have a question that I hope some of you can help me with. I am just now getting on the Digital camera bandwagon and am debating between the Sony DSC-H5 and the Canon Powershot S3 IS. According to the one website I looked at, the Sony is compatible with iPhot on my Mac. Is the Canon also? I love that they both do movies and I like that the Canon has the pivot screen, but apparently it has a shorter time in terms of movies. Any advice or comments will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[pvs1313 @ Mar 28th 2007 6:13PM]

HI
I have this camera as wel,

I love iot except for the problem oif the flash tyaking so long to charge between pistures, i miss lot sof things ( kids events) because it wont shoot while i wait for the flash to charge. I have started to notuse the flasj, but this turns off the stabilizer and that is one thing i need.
any idea how to speed up the flash cycle? soemone mentions force th falsh, how do yo do this.

I use rechargeble baterries, are there betterones that will allow the flash to shoot faster?

thanks for any info

[Steve Davidson @ May 27th 2007 4:07PM]

I have a Sony Cybershot DSC-H5 and would like some suggestions on how to take action shots in low light. When I increase the setting I get blurred figures (arms etc;) A flash cures it, but I cannot use a flash due to restrictions. The light available is probably best described as a 60 watt light bulb, perhaps a bit better. Any help would be appreciated.

[Manuel @ Aug 19th 2007 12:37AM]

do you know child porn is illegal?

[margie @ Dec 11th 2008 4:41AM]

I have had this Sony DSCH5, for about a year. I have recently sent it in for service 3 times, over the last 4 months. Twice, for the same problem (the shutter button popped off). My friends rely on me to have great pictures, that we all share, on line in a photo album.
When your in the middle of a vacation, in Sedona AZ, Canyonlands, Moiad, etc this sucks.
I use it when we are traveling via Harley, and sometimes the anti shake doesn't come thru. It looks blurry.
I had an Olympus, Camedia, C2100, that I loved. But it too, broke that mode dial and the factory said they couldn't fix it. Now, that now a great camera. No problems shoting inside pictures. It shot pictures quickly.
Any ideas...the Sony camera, is still, at the factory, but they assured me a person that could speak English would be calling me.