Sony Black Cyber-Shot Digital Still Camera - DSC-H3/B

Product Details

Sony Black Cyber-Shot Digital Still Camera - DSCH3B

Longer zoom, smaller size. Sony® puts 10X Optical zoom in the palm of your hand. With compact body design, 8.1 megapixel resolution and a top-quality Carl Zeiss® lens, the black Cyber-shot® DSC-H3 packs more photo opportunities in a small size. Advanced Sports Mode (up to 1/2000 sec.) catches fast action. And Face Detection detects up to eight faces in a picture, so everyone will look their best. HD Output¹ provides spectacular photo viewing on your Sony BRAVIA® and other compatible HDTV screens and the Sony Double Anti-Blur Solution combines Super SteadyShot® optical image stabilization with High Sensitivity (ISO 3200) for crisp imaging in low light.

Video Demonstrations:
(Click hyperlink text to view)

• 360° View
• Cyber-Shot DSC-H3 Microsite

Key Features:

• 10X Optical Zoom in compact body design
• 8.1 MP Resolution, precision Carl Zeiss® lens design
• Advanced Sports Mode (1/2000 sec,) for fast action
• Super SteadyShot® Optical Image Stabilization
• High Sensitivity Mode (ISO 3200) for low-light shooting
• Powerful flash for long-distance, backlit and macro shots
• Wheel dial for photo modes and manual exposure settings
• Face Detection to make faces look their best
• HD Output¹ to Sony Bravia® or other compatible HDTV screens
• Large 2.5”² screen with Home button, Function Guide
• Stamina® battery power: up to 330 shots³
• 31 MB Internal Memory

Features:

10X Zoom in a Sleek Compact Body: Sony radically redesigned the positioning of key camera components to fit a powerful 10X Optical zoom capability into a compact design that’s easy to carry anywhere. The grip fits firmly into your hand, the lens ring adds a high-performance feel -- and the top-mounted Wheel Dial lets you adjust shooting modes faster.

High-Power Carl Zeiss® 10X Optical Zoom: A superb lens for bringing long-distance subjects up close, the pro-quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens design of the DSC-H3 provides 10X Optical zoom design -- with 20X Digital zoom to enlarge the center portion of the picture so you see even more detail.

8.1 MP Super HAD™ CCD: More megapixels give you more detail and definition for editing, cropping, and making large digital prints. Sony’s advanced Super HAD™ (Hole Accumulated Diode) CCD design allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise.

Advanced Sports Mode: To capture fast-moving subjects in split-second detail, the DSC-H3 combines high shutter speed (up to 1/2000 sec.) with Continuous AF and predictive focus control that tracks moving subjects and forecasts their position during the interval between shutter release and image capture -- a great way to catch the perfect moment in sports, children’s games, pet tricks and more

Face Detection: Because the face makes the photo, Sony has created Face Detection technology that recognizes up to 8 faces in a photo and automatically controls focus, exposure, color and flash to bring out the best in everyone. Unlike some competitive systems, Sony Face Detection makes skin tones look more natural and reduces red-eye with pre-strobe flash.

HD Output1: With direct HD output1 to spectacular Sony Bravia® and other compatible HDTV screens, you can view DSC-H3 still photos in high definition clarity and detail. Optional HD solutions include a Cyber-shot cradle/charger with component cable output and high-speed Photo Printers that make 4” x 6” prints in about 45 seconds. (Cradle/charger and printer sold separately)

Powerful, Versatile Flash: With flash powerful enough to illuminate subjects up to 23 feet away, the DSC-H3 opens up new opportunities for flash photography -- including dimly lit interiors and outdoor shots at twilight. Auto Daylight Synchro provides effective fill-in flash illumination for backlit subjects -- and Macro Flash lets you take ultra-close-up shots with optimal exposure and minimal “whiteout” effect.

Super SteadyShot® Optical Image Stabilization: Other image stabilization systems crop in to compensate for “camera shake” -- but with the Super SteadyShot® system, optical sensors detect camera movement and send correcting signals to a stabilization lens that allows even ultra-long-distance digital photos to capture more detail with less camera shake distortion.

High Sensitivity Mode: With Super SteadyShot® image stabilization to minimize blur, High Sensitivity Mode (ISO 3200) lets the DSC-H3 shoot effectively in low light without flash to preserve the mood -- and Sony’s original Clear RAW™ NR (Noise Reduction) image processing technology helps suppress the color noise that can accompany high-sensitivity shooting.

HD Slide Show with Music: It’s the high-definition viewing experience that makes photos come alive on compatible HDTV screens, accompanied by your choice of visual effects and any of four preset musical selections stored in memory or your favorite MP3 tunes downloaded from PC to your camera for use as background music 7.

9-Point Auto Focus: Because an off-center subject can make your shot more interesting, the DSC-H3 can measure auto-focus precision at 9 points on your screen -- giving you greater creative freedom to compose your image.

D-Range Optimization: Powered by the exclusive Sony Bionz™ high-speed processing engine, D-Range Optimization preserves image data in bright highlights and reveals more detail in shadows or backlit areas -- for great results even in difficult lighting conditions.

In-Camera Retouching: The DSC-H3 lets you add creative effects to photos after you shoot -- including soft edge filter to soften backgrounds, cross filter to place starry “dazzles” at highlight points, partial color filter to mute surrounding colors, even fish-eye filter to create interesting fish-eye lens effects.

In-Camera Red-Eye Reduction: Irritating “glowing eyes” can ruin even the most creative photos -- so the DSC-H3 gives you in-camera correction at the touch of a button to reduce lingering red-eye effect that other systems might miss.

2.5”2 LCD Screen, Simple Controls: The DSC-H3 provides a large, bright LCD screen -- plus simple camera menus, a Home button for quick access to necessary functions, and a simple Function Guide that displays menu information to make it easier for beginners to learn camera features.

Wheel Dial for Manual Exposure Modes: For more creative freedom, a simple wheel-dial control lets you quickly change camera settings in manual modes (shutter speed priority, aperture priority, manual exposure) and also control ISO sensitivity, focus area, and exposure value. In play mode, the wheel dial provides a quick way to view your next or previous shot.

31 MB Internal Memory: The DSC-H3 allows you to capture a limited number of shots in-camera for later transfer to PC or Memory Stick Duo™ media -- so even if you forget your flash memory card, you can always get the shot.

Up to 51X Smart Zoom® Feature5: Sony’s Smart Zoom® feature lets you crop in close on the central portion of interest in your photo while avoiding the image degradation of other digital zooms -- with 17X HD Smart Zoom® function at 1920 x 1080 resolution for 16:9 widescreen display, 51X Smart Zoom® function at VGA resolution.

MPEG Movie VX Fine Mode: The DSC-H3 can capture VGA (640 x 480) audio/video clips at high frame rate (up to 30 frames per second6) -- with Optical Zoom in movie mode to let you zoom in or pull back while taking action shots.

Stamina® Battery Power: The DSC-H3 provides up to 330 shots3 with a fully charged NP-BG1 Lithium Ion battery -- enough shooting capacity to cover a long weekend or a whole vacation.

Specifications:

• Convenience
  
  • Burst Mode: Yes
    
  • Erase/Protect: Yes/Yes
    
  • Media/Battery Indicator: Yes/Yes
    
  • Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility: Tested to support up to 8GB Memory Stick PRO DUO™ media capacity8; does not support Access Control security function.
    
  • Color Mode(s): Black & White, Natural, Sepia, Vivid
    
  • Red-Eye Reduction: Yes
    
  • Self Timer: Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)
    
  • Still Image Mode(s): Burst, Normal JPEG (Fine/Fine A4), Bracket Exposure
    
  • White Balance: Automatic, Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent, Flash
• Convenience Features
  
  • Movie Mode(s): MPEG VX Fine with Audio (640x480 at 30fps) (MPEG VX Fine requires Memory Stick PRO DUO™ media), MPEG VX Standard with Audio (640x480 at 16.6fps), Presentation Mode (320x240 at 8.3fps).
    
  • Power Save Mode: Yes (after approx. 3 min. of inactivity)
    
  • Scene Mode(s): Advanced Sports Shooting, Beach, Fireworks, High Sensitivity, Landscape, Snow, Soft Snap, Twilight, Twilight Portrait
    
  • AF Illuminator Light: Yes
    
  • PictBridge Compatible: Yes
    
  • Multi-Pattern Measuring: Yes
    
  • SteadyShot® Image Stabilization: Yes
    
  • In-Camera Editing: Red-eye correction, soft focus filter, trimming, cross filter, partial color filter, fish-eye filter
• General
  
  • Recording Media: Optional Memory Stick® DUO Media, optional Memory Stick PRO DUO™ Media, optional Memory Stick PRO DUO™ (High Speed), optional Memory Stick PRO HG DUO™
    
  • Imaging Device: 1/2.5" Super HAD™ CCD
    
  • Megapixel: 8.1 MP
• Hardware
  
  • LCD: 2.5"2 (115K Pixels TFT LCD Screen)
    
  • Lens Construction: 10 Elements in 9 Groups, including 1 Aspheric Element
    
  • Microphone/Speaker: Yes/ Yes
    
  • Lens Type: Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar®
    
• Inputs and Outputs
  
  • USB Port(s): Yes (Supports USB 2.05)
    
  • HD Output: Yes - 1080i (with optional accessory)
• Operating Conditions
  
  • Flash Mode(s): Auto, Forced On, Forced Off, Slow Synch
• Optics/Lens
  
  • Total Zoom: 20X
    
  • Optical Zoom: 10X
    
  • Digital Zoom: 0-2.0X (Precision)
    
  • Smart Zoom® Technology: Up to 12X (5MP), 15X (3MP), 17X (16:9 2MP) 51X (VGA Resolution)4
    
  • Exposure Compensation: ±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Step Increments
    
  • Focal Length: 6.3 - 63 mm
    
  • 35mm Equivalent: 38 - 380 mm
    
  • Focus: 9 Area Multi-Point AF, Monitoring AF
    
  • ISO: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
    
  • Shutter Speed: Auto( 1/2000 - 1/4 ) / Program auto( 1/2000 - 1 ) / Manual( 1/2000 - 30 )
    
  • Aperture Range: Auto, (f3.5-f10.0)
    
  • Macro Mode: Yes
    
  • Face Detection: Yes
• Power
  
  • Battery Capacity: 3.6V, 960 mAh
    
  • Battery Type: Lithium-Ion NP-BG1
• Service and Warranty Information
  
  • Limited Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor
• Software
  
  • Operating System Compatibility: Microsoft® 2000 Professional, Me, XP Home and Professional, Vista; Macintosh® OS 9.1/9.2/OS X (10.1-10.4)
    
  • Supplied Software: Windows: Picture Motion Browser Vers 2.1 + USB Driver
    
• Supplied Accessories:
  
• Rechargeable Battery - NP-BG1
  
• Battery Charger - BC-CSG/CSGB/CSGC
  
• Multi Connector Cable - USB, AV
  
• Power Cord
  
• Shoulder strap
  
• Lens Cap
  
• Lens Cap Strap
  
• Lens Hood
  
• Lens Adaptor Ring
  
• CD-ROM Software
  
• Note: No Memory Stick® DUO media or adaptors are included.

Approximate Dimensions:

• Width: 4 3/16"
• Height: 2 11/16"
• Depth: 1 7/8"
  

Approximate Weight:

• Unit (Body): 9.3 oz
• Unit (including Battery and optional Memory Stick® DUO Media): 13.4 oz.
• Shipping: 1 lb

Warranty Information:

• Manufacturers Warranty (authorized online retailer):
  One year parts and labor

Download Files (.pdf):

• Spec Sheet
• Cyber-shot® Handbook
• Instruction Manual
• Sony Digital Camera Warranty

Footnotes

1. HD Output requires a Sony® HD connector cable (sold separately).
   
2. Viewable area, measured diagonally
   
3. Actual results may vary based on product settings, usage patterns, battery and environmental conditions.
   
4. Smart Zoom® feature will not work at highest resolution setting.
   
5. Not all products with USB 2.0 connectors may communicate with each other.
   
6. Shooting at high frame rate of up to 30 frames per second requires Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media.
   
7. Maximum playback length of each music file is 180 seconds.
   
8. A portion of the memory is used for data management functions.

Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Reviews

Overall Great Camera

By SM from Dayton, OH on 04/14/2008.

Pros:	Amazing Pictures
Describe Yourself:	Casual user
Best Uses:	Fun
Cons:	Menu system takes time

Camera takes amazingly clear pictures. The menus take a little bit of getting used too. Also, you have to manually add the date onto the pictures one at a time with the provided program, that is annoying. Also, doesn't take black and white pictures.

nice product for the tagged price

By aditya from new york,NY on 04/4/2008.

Describe Yourself:	Casual user
Pros:	Comfortable Controls, Bright LCD, Strong Construction
Cons:	Flash control is bad, No shutter for the lens, Loud
Best Uses:	Fun, Travel

the product is really good,i will suggest it for my friends also,but i found some cons including no shutter for the lens and for every time the flash console is getting opened and i have to close it every time,excluding those this camera is worthy one.

Awesome!!!

By Shawn the nagger from Brownsville, MN on 03/31/2008.

Pros:	Bright LCD, Strong Construction, Comfortable Controls, Small Lag Time, Quiet
Describe Yourself:	Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Best Uses:	Travel, Fun, Art

It is a little hard to navigate through the menu for first time users. BUT, once you figure out the abilities of the camera, and play with the settings--AWESOME photos are easy!!

fast

By Bellerina's mommy from Bryant,AR on 03/27/2008.

Describe Yourself:	Casual user
Pros:	Comfortable Controls, Quiet, Strong Construction, Bright LCD, Small Lag Time
Cons:	Slow Sensor

Pros 1st; super fast, great automatic uses, great sound and visual with movies. Very little trouble with lighting and blurred pics. Horrible user manual. No suggestions or specifics in the manual. I used a HP 5.3 before this camera and the manual was as good as the camera. We recently had an addition to our family and wanted a camera that would catch every smile. It does that and more!

Excellent quality for a great price

By Brian the Beginner from Anoka, MN on 03/26/2008.

Describe Yourself:	Getting started
Cons:	Proprietary USB connector
Pros:	Quiet, Comfortable Controls, Long battery life, Small Lag Time, Bright LCD, Easy to use and learn, Tons of features
Best Uses:	Travel, Fun, Art

A friend of mine that is far more experienced with cameras than I am recommended this model. I bought it shortly before I went on vacation to Disneyworld and it captured some excellent shots of the trip. Frankly, I wish I would have bought it a long, long time ago. The only difficulty I've had with it so far was trying to take a large landscape shot in low or no light, but I blame that more on myself not knowing how to do it than a problem with the camera.

Many pro's than con's

By Nikhil from Houston Texas on 02/29/2008.

Describe Yourself:	Casual user
Pros:	Quiet
Best Uses:	Travel, Fun

very very Good picture (daylight) Good zoom, infact more than expected Rigid body, looks tough, attractive too Negatives - Not effective for a distance of more than 5 feet on 'no zoom' at night although Flash is very very powerful The flash is like a pop up and i feel uncomfortable as it looks very delicate and i get the feeling that it could break very easily

This Sony RAWCKS!

By Hannah the Radio Girl from Chicago, IL on 01/10/2008.

Pros:	Fast Shutter Speed, Excellent in Low Light, Easy to Use, Nice Features and Settings, Great Resolution, Love the HD 16x9 Format, Rugged, Good sized screen, Good Battery Life
Describe Yourself:	Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Best Uses:	Sports/Action, Home, Outdoors, Travel

I bought this camera for my Husband - we already have the Sony Cybershot... but wanted the HD capability. I also thought the Steady Shot would be a welcome feature! This camera takes the most amazing photos! We even took a picture of a lightening storm and had it published on the top news website in Chicago! Now THAT'S a great camera!

Images shared by: Hannah the Radio Girl

Tags: Using Product
Caption: Browns and Seahawks (Roadtrip!)

Great Camera

By David the Camera know-nothing from Kansas City, KS on 12/30/2007.

Describe Yourself:	Casual user
Pros:	Excellent in Low Light, Great Resolution, Good sized screen, Nice Features and Settings, Easy to Use
Best Uses:	Travel, Outdoors, Home, Weddings/Events, Sports/Action, Portraits

This has been a great camera so far. Easy to use right out of the box. I really don't know much about taking pictures, and therefore the numerous features on this camera are lost on me. I can tell you though that as a person who really doesn't know anything about digital cameras this camera has been easy to use and takes great looking pictures. It hooks up well to my HD tv too!

Fantastic Digital Camera!

By TaraMitch from Des Plaines, IL on 12/26/2007.

Cons:	Contrast can be difficult
Describe Yourself:	Getting started
Pros:	Great Resolution, Easy to Use, Nice Features and Settings, Good sized screen, Fast Shutter Speed
Best Uses:	Outdoors, Portraits, Home, Weddings/Events, Travel, Office

I bought this camera as our first digital camera and LOVE it! I've never even used a digital camera, without direct supervision of the owner, and this was so incredibly easy to get started with. The longer I messed around with it, the easier it got. The only complaint I have is that the contrast is not as easy to grasp as the standard use of the camera... so I'm still working on that. Generally though, a great camera and I'm incredibly pleased with our purchase!

Photos

Sony Black Cyber-Shot Digital Still Camera - DSC-H3/B Click on Image(s) Below to Enlarge Larger Image Rear LCD

Larger Image - DSC-H3/B

Questions and Answers