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Sony's DCS-H9 15x megazoom digicam reviewed
If you (or your wallet) aren't quite ready to succumb to the DSLR urge just yet, but yearn for a solid megazoom to bridge the gap between your pocket-friendly P&S and that future money pit you're sure to eventually end up with, Sony's DSC-H9 offers an enticing list of options including a 15x optically stabilized zoom lens. Reviewers over at Megapixel were quite pleased with the "comprehensive bundle" that Sony includes in the package, and while the svelte three-inch flip-up LCD monitor, ridiculously long zoom, and "good image quality for printing past the widest angle" were praised, there seemed to be a negative vibe about the whole shebang. Among the lengthy list of digs were complaints that the compression was too strong, noticeable barrel distortion, purple fringing, and pincushion effects marred image quality, and a "convoluted menu system" kept operators on the verge of frustration. As if those weren't damaging enough, the battery was said to drain faster than other Sony digicams, and the plastic enclosure was dubbed "too slippery" for their preferences. Of course, it's not unusual to see these megazooms suffer in one area or another while still offering incredible closeups for a relatively low price, but we'd recommend perusing the read link for yourself before pulling the trigger on the H9.[Via PhotographyBlog]
Hands-on with Sony's DSC-W80, W90, W200, H7, H9, W35, W55, S650, and S700
And the rest of Sony's gear, including their mid-size compacts and hybrids, which while a little chubbier definitely get up in the megapixels. We've got here Sony's DSC-W80, W90, W200, W35, W55, S650, and S700, all of which felt fairly similar in the hand; you've also got the H7 and H9, the latest in their line of strange, modular looking H-series. Gallery, as always, below!%Gallery-1987%
Sony's DSC-H7 / DSC-H9 CyberShots get official, pack 15x optical zoom
If you're here for surprises, you're not apt to leave satisfied, but if you're interested in a few extra deets on Sony's latest duo of megazoom digicams, this is the spot. Set to replace the DSC-H2 and DSC-H5 just about one year after their respective releases, Sony once again did a horrendous job keeping the DSC-H7 and DSC-H9 on the low, but we're not complaining or anything. Anyways, future H7 / H9 owners can look forward to a Carl Zeiss 15x optical zoom lens, 8.1-megapixel sensor, face detection technology, HDTV output, the ability to shoot up to 1/4000 of a second, Bionz processing engine (seen in the Alpha lineup), Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization, up to ISO 3200, and red-eye reduction. The H9 steps it up ever so slightly by adding a three-inch flip-up LCD (compared to the H7's 2.5-inch rendition) and Sony's own NightShot technology, which purportedly allows photographers to snap legible shots even in dark alleys. Notably, neither camera sports any kind of movie mode whatsoever, and those hoping to shoot in RAW will also be sorely disappointed, but if you're fine with those two oversights and the massive zoom tickles your stalking instincts, both cameras will be landing in April for $400 (DSC-H7) / $480 (DSC-H9). %Gallery-1827%
Sony goes PMA crazy, planning seven more Cybershots
We were already feeling the Cybershot love with the DSC-W80, W90 and W200 Sony foisted upon us today, but it appears those aren't the whole story. Sony is planning at least seven more Cybershot cameras for PMA 07 this March: The DSC-T100, H9, G1, W60, W85, T20 and H7. The main surprise in this group is the G1, the rest of 'em appear to be natural extensions to current lines. Obviously the W80, W90 and W200 didn't really bring a lot of surprises other than the HDMI ports on the latter two, and we aren't really expecting much different from the W60 and W85, though we do know the W60 will fit into the W80's underwater housing. The T100, which we hear has an 8.1 megapixel CCD and 3200 ISO, and its T20 buddy are most likely fashionable shooters of the T10 or T30's ilk, while the H9 and H7 probably pick up where those mid-range H5 and H2 Cybershots left off. The mysterious G1 eludes us, but we've spotted a £319 ($622 US) pricetag, which would put this thing pretty far into the upper-tier price wise. From the looks of things, Sony's evolution-centric lineup isn't going to turn many heads at PMA, but perhaps Sony still has some fancy surprises still up its sleeves -- like a new Alpha camera, oh pretty please?
