Thursday, May 10, 2007

7 best SLR-like’s specification table; Sony DSC-H5 as a cheap & clever choice



I’ve already talked about my friend’s intention to choose ultra zoom. He bought the Sony DSC-H5 for $350. And his reasons are: it’s a great camera with a big LCD and with everything you need. However, it’s a rule for the modern digital market to fill up a cam with a lot of features which you never need or use. Its manual looks like a novel and nobody can read it entirely. What about new models such as Sony DSC-H7/H9? He says that he wants to have a good digital cam but doesn’t want to pay extra money for latest models.
More SLR-like camera's Comparison.
The newest ones do not mean the best and especially it does not mean the cheapest. I think that it’s a clever method of attacking the shopping to wait for a tomorrow's model to buy today's one. Of course, with new models’ appearances you can calculate on a discount. Now he is happy and I’m happy too because he promised me to lend this gadget for a few days for shooting in sauna. I have a blog about sauna and hamam etc. but my SLR doesn’t like such high temperature. And now (i'm so sorry) it seems to me that his doggy starts hating this gadget.
What about other SLR-like cameras? I talked more than enough at my previous posts: Choosing SLR-like’s compare Panasonic DMC-FZ8, Olympus SP-550, Fujifilm IS-1 / S9600. Choosing Digital zoom cam: Canon PowerShot S5 IS can fight vs. Sony DSC-H9 or H7; Canon, you really can?
And for your convenience I have made the specifications’ table. In any case there are only some technical terms. After all it’s impossible to put into the table any personal bias or any tasks which you ask from your new digital camera. My own opinion about SLR-like cameras you can see in my next post: Canon PowerShot S5 vs EOS350D, Sony H9 vs A100; SLR-like cam never comes to SLR.

Camera

Kodak Z710

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

Olympus SP-510 UZ

Panasonic DMC-FZ8

Fujifilm FinePix IS-1

Sony DSC-H9 / H7

Sony DSC-H5

Format

SLR-like

SLR-like

SLR-like

SLR-like

SLR-like

SLR-like

SLR-like

Max resolution

3072 x 2304

3264 x 2448

3072 x 2304

3072 x 2304

3488 x 2616

3264 x 2448

3072 x 2304

Min resolution

2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200

2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480

2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480

2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480

2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480

2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480

2592 x 1944, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480

Image ratio w:h

4:3, 3:2

4:3, 3:2

4:3, 3:2

4:3, 3:2, 16:9

4:3, 3:2

4:3, 3:2, 16:9

4:3, 3:2

Effective pixels

7.1 million

8.0 million

7.1 million

7.1 million

9.1 million

8.0 million

7.1 million

Sensor photo detectors

7.4 million

8.2 million

7.4 million

7.4 million

9.2 million

8.1 million

7.2 million

Sensor size mm

1/2.5 "

1/2.5 "

1/2.5 "

1/2.5 "

1/1.6 "

1/2.5 "

1/2.5 "

Sensor type

CCD

CCD

CCD

CCD

CCD

CCD

CCD

Sensor mfr.

?

?

Matsushita

Matsushita

Fujifilm SuperCCD HR (IR sensitive)

Sony

Sony

ISO rating

Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, (800 at 2 MP)

Auto, 80 ,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600

Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, (2500 / 4000 with limitations

Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1250, (3200 high mode)

Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600

Auto, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200

Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000

Zoom wide(W)

38 mm

36 mm

38 mm

36 mm

28 mm

31 mm

36 mm

Zoom tele (T)

380 mm (10 x)

432 mm (12 x)

380 mm (10 x)

432 mm (12 x)

300 mm (10.7 x)

465 mm (15 x)

432 mm (12 x)

Image stibilization
No Yes, Lens No Yes, Lens No Yes, Lens Yes, Lens

Normal focus range

60 cm

50 cm

60 cm

30 cm

?

50 cm

50 cm

Macro focus range

12 cm

10/0 cm

3 cm

5 cm

?

2 cm

2 cm

Auto focus tape

Multi-zone, Center Spot

AiAF TTL 9-point (with face detection)

TTL

TTL

?

Multi-point 3 area (selectable)

Multi-point 3 area (selectable)

White balance override

4 positions

6 positions & manual preset

5 positions, plus manual

5 positions, plus manual

6 positions plus manual

5 positions

5 positionsl

Aperture range

F2.8 - F3.7

F2.7 - F3.5 / F8

F2.8 - F3.7

F2.8 - F3.1

F2.8 - F4.9

F2.7 - F4.5

F2.8 - F3.7

Min shutter

8 sec

15 sec

15 sec

60 sec

30 sec

30 sec

30 sec

Max shutter

1/1000 sec

1/3200 sec

1/1000 sec

1/2000 sec

1/4000 sec

1/4000 sec

1/1000 sec

Built-in flash

Yes, pop-up

Yes, pop-up

Yes, pop-up

Yes, pop-up

Yes, pop-up

Yes, pop-up

Yes, pop-up

Flash guide nu.

4.9 m (16 ft) 9 m

5.2 m (17 ft) 2 m

4.5 m (14.7 ft) 5 m

6.0 m (19.6 ft) 0 m

5.6 m (18.3 ft) 6 m

9.8 m (32.1 ft) 8 m


External flash

No

Yes, hot-shoe

No

Yes, hot-shoe

Yes, hot-shoe

No

No

Flash modes

Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off

Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off

Auto, Red-Eye, Forced, Off, Slow 1&2, External

Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync

Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Slow, Off

Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync

Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync

Exposure compensation

-2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps

-2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps

-2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps

-2 to +2 EV in 0.3 EV steps

-2.0 to +2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps

-2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV Steps

-2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps

Metering

Multi-segment, Center weighted, Spot

Evaluative, Center Weighted, Spot

ESP multi-pattern, Center-Weighted, Spot

Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot

256 segment, CW-average, Spot

Multi-Segment, Center weighted, Spot

Multi-Segment, Center weighted, Spot

Lens thread

No

Yes, optional Bayonet

?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Continuous Drive

Yes, 1.7 fps up to 3 images

Yes, 1.5 fps

Yes, 1.7 fps, 3 images

Yes, 3/2 fps, max 7 images

Yes, 1.5 fps, up to 4 frames

Yes, 2.2 fps

Yes

Movie Clips

Yes, 640 x 480, 10.5 fps, 320 x 240, 20 fps

Yes, 640 x 480, 15/30 fps with stereo audio, unlimited

Yes, 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 15/30 fps

Yes, 848 x 480, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 @ 30/10 fps

640 x 480, 320 x 240, 30 fps with audio

Yes, MPEG VX (VGA, 8/16/30 fps, unlimited) with audi

Yes, MPEG VX (VGA, 8/16/30 fps, unlimited) with audio

Remote control

No

No

?

No

No

No

No

Self-timer

2 or 10 sec

2 or 10 sec

Yes

2 or 10 sec

2 or 10 sec

10 sec

10 sec

Orientation sensor

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

Storage types

SD/MMC card + Internal

SD/SDHC/MMC card

xD Picture Card + Internal

SD/MMC/SDHC card + Internal

xD Picture Card + Compact Flash Type I or II

Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo + Internal

Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo + Internal

Storage included

32 MB Internal

32 MB SD card

?

27 MB Internal

?

31 MB Internal

32 MB Internal

Format

JPEG (EXIF 2.2)

JPEG (EXIF 2.2) )

RAW / JPEG (EXIF 2.2)

RAW / JPEG (EXIF 2.2)

RAW / JPEG (EXIF 2.2)

JPEG (EXIF 2.2)

JPEG (EXIF 2.2)

Quality Levels

Best, Better,Good

Super-Fine, Fine, Normal

Standard, High, Super High

Fine, Standard

Normal, Fine

Standard, Fine

Fine, Standard

Viewfinder

Electronic

Electronic

Electronic

Electronic

Electronic

Electronic

Electronic

LCD/Pixels

2.0" indoor/outdoor / 201,000

2,5"/ 207,000 (flip-out & twist)

2.5" Flip-up /230,000

2,5"/ 207,000 (flip-down & twist)

2.0"/ 235,000

3.0" Tilting / 230,000 / 2.5"/ 115,000

3,0"/ 230,000

Video out/USB

Yes

Yes, 2.0

Yes

Yes, 2.0

Yes, 2.0

Yes, HD, 2.0

Yes, 2.0

Battery

AA (2) batteries (NiMH recommended)

AA (4) batteries (NiMH recommended)

AA (4) batteries (NiMH recommended)

Lithium-Ion rechargeable

AA (4) batteries (NiMH recommended)

Lithium-Ion NP-BG1 rechargeable

AA (2) batteries (NiMH rechargables included)

Weight (inc. batteries)

360 g (12.7 oz)

550 g (19.4 oz)

410 g (14.5 oz)

340 g (12 oz)

750 g (26.5 oz)

440 g (15.5 oz) / 405 g (14.3 oz)

490 g (17.3 oz)

Dimensions

98 x 78 x 73 mm (3.9 x 3.1 x 2.9 in)

117 x 80 x 78 mm (4.6 x 3.2 x 3.1 in)

106 x 75 x 70 mm (4.2 x 3 x 2.8 in)

113 x 72 x 79 mm (4.5 x 2.8 x 3.1 in)

128 x 93 x 129 mm (5 x 3.7 x 5.1 in

110 x 83 x 86 mm (4.3 x 3.3 x 3.4 in)

108 x 81 x 92 mm (4.3 x 3.2 x 3.6 in)

Notes


Face detection


Panasonic's new tendency

Mechanically linked zoom, special IR sensitive camera (400 - 900 nm)


Announced 25-Feb-2006

Price abt.

US$190

US$499

US$230

US$299

US$899

US$470 / $390

US$360

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sony H5 has an excellent 3 inch LCD to review shots and a great tele-macro lens! I'm happy...

fototramp said...

You made your own choise and it is right. Congratulate...

Anonymous said...

I attentively read your posts and I think that you have some favorite mfrs. such as Canon,Nikon and Sony. You are contemptuous about others, e.g. Olympus.

fototramp said...

I shot with 35mm SLR Olympus many times and can only say: it’s neither good or bad, it’s no camera.

Anonymous said...

I recommend the Sony DSC-H5 too. I did extensive research before buying. This is my first digital camera. Important features for me were image stabilization, 3" LCD with a view finder, more than 6mp, 12x optical, availability of additional lenses and filters and ability to use standard AA batteries in a pinch.
The resulting images were great! I love this camera!

fototramp said...

My friend mentioned in the post likes DSC-H5 too. But having chosen it following my advice he is mocking at my SLR --Sony A100.

Anonymous said...

You may feel that having to recharge Li-Ion batteries (Sony, Panasonic)all the time is a problem. You must have an extra set and you will always be covered. And unless you are in a very remote location where there isn't electricity AA batteries are more welcome

fototramp said...

Just to be absolutely sure I have the second camera - Canon Powershot with AA batteries.

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking about the Sony Cybershot DSC-H7 but it’s a little expensive for me. Can I get the same qualities in any different cameras at a better price?

fototramp said...

To anonymous
For saving your money it's better to look at the Sony DSC-H3. It has generally good picture quality with a low noice. For more look at my article: Compare 10x SLR-likes: Sony DSC-H3, Panasonic TZ2 vs Canon SX100.