SONY CYBER-SHOT DSC-H1 REVIEW

As far as I can see there is no discernable difference in the picture qaulity between those taken on my D50 and this. The DSC-H1 is very very easy to use and allows you to concentrate on actually taking photos rather than worrying about whether you have the correct lense attached or not (Invariably not in my case!!!)

It is very solidly made, the 12x optical zoom is excellent and reaches way beyond what the 200mm lens I had with my D50 managed.
Another advantage is that it is exceptionally easy to carry around (lugging my D50 and lens around central Paris last week certainly finally confirmed to me that SLR photography was not for me) meaning you are much more likely to take it with you.

All the bits I need (spare batteries, memory stick and camera) all easily fit into a small Lowepro Rezo TLZ10 bag.

The only thing I miss about my D50 is the ability to zoom manually, this generally allows much more speed and accuracy in picture formation but I am once again getting used to a motorised zoom.If I was to improve this camera in any way I would:-

1 - Improve the fixing of the lense hood - the fit on the screw on adaptor is quite loose.

2 - Ditch the supplied software and start again. Whilst it is only marginally worse than that supplied by Nikon it is pretty poor. It is just aswell there is some good third party stuff out there.

3 - Fit a fully angled LCD allowing pictures to be taken from high and low angles. That said, the size of the LCD (2.5 inches) does allow this anyway to a degree.

All in all I am very happy and glad to be focusing (no pun intended!!) on taking good photos again rather then being weighted down by my old D50 brick.

If you are hesitating in anyway don't, just buy one before it is inevitably discontinued and replaced, with an 'improved' version, don't be one of those people who always hangs on waiting for the newer model, Sony are going to have to go some to better this.