Digital Camera Review assesses the Sony Cybershot DSC-H1 digital camera: “The H1’s 5.1 megapixel resolution, 2.5 inch LCD screen, and Super Steady Shot (image stabilized) 12X optical zoom provide photographers with an incredible increase in performance, flexibility and creative potential when compared to the cameras of five years back — and the H1 costs about a hundred bucks less than consumers shelled out for the C3000 in 2001.”

Specification:

* Resolution: 5 Megapixels (2592 x 1944).
* Viewfinders: Coupled Optical viewfinder and 2.5 inch LCD screen.
* Lens: f2.8-f3.7/6-72 mm (36-432 mm 35mm equivalent) all glass (11 elements in 9 groups) optical zoom.
* Exposure: Auto, program, shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual.
* Flash: Built-in multi mode.
* Metering: Multi-Pattern (Evaluative), Center Weighted Averaging, or Spot.
* White Balance: TTL Auto and Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash, and Manual.
* Auto Focus: Wide area Multi-Point (3 AF points), Center AF point, and Flexible Spot AF.
* Exposure Compensation: Yes (+/-2EV in 1/3 stop increments).
* Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): Yes.
* Sensitivity: Auto, 64, 100, 200, and 400 ISO (35mm equivalent).
* Image File Formats: JPEG.
* Image Storage Media: Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick DUO, and Memory Stick Duo Pro.
* Connectivity: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed out, A/V out, DC in.
* Power: 2 AA NiMH rechargeables.

Check out the best price here.

The recent announcement by Nikon that it was withdrawing from the film camera business has been topped by today’s announcement from Konica Minolta that it’s transferring its assets to Sony and withdrawing altogether from camera production.

Here’s part of the press release:

Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business and Photo Business (Konica Minolta News Release)

Konica Minolta has long been a leading company in photo imaging business covering wide range of imaging from input to output. In addition, we have provided inspiring products and services by fusing our unique technologies.

In camera business, we have expanded picture-taking opportunities by developing innovative technologies such as the world’s first autofocus cameras. In 1962, our camera, well-accepted for its high reliability, boarded on the US’s first manned spaceship “Friendship 7.” Also, ever since introduction of the world’s first body-integral autofocus SLR camera, Maxxum/Dynax series, in 1985, SLR cameras have become more popular among picture-takers, and we have succeeded in selling 16 million units of interchangeable lenses since then.

However, in today’s era of digital cameras, where image sensor technologies such as CCD is indispensable, it became difficult to timely provide competitive products even with our top optical, mechanical and electronics technologies.

Read the rest …

Amazon U.S. is running a special offer on the Sony Cybershot DSC-S600 until January 15. They’re shipping it for only $199. So don’t delay, or you could miss it. Go here to order at the special price. Only two days left. [aff].

Features of the digital camera are:

* Powered by AA-size batteries (two single-use alkaline batteries included); stores images on Memory Stick DUO or MS PRO DUO memory cards (32 MB internal memory included)
* 6-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 14 x 19-inch prints
* 2.0-inch LCD display; 3x optical zoom
* High-sensitivity shooting mode increases ISO to maximum of 1000
* Includes Cyber-shot Viewer software to organize and browse through photos on your PC.

With the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas already underway, many camera manufacturers have released new models. Sony is no exception.

Yesterday, the company issued a press release for its new Cybershot DSC-M2.

The new Sony
Cyber-shot(R) DSC-M2 digital camera combines great quality digital still
photography and impressive movie-shooting capabilities. Featuring 5.1-megapixel resolution, a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar(R) lens and Sony’s Real Imaging Processor circuitry, the camera offers outstanding image capture in either mode. “We recognize that some people don’t want to have separate imaging devices
for their photos and video,” said James Neal, director of digital imaging
products at Sony Electronics. “Our new Cyber-shot has been specifically
engineered for these people.”

Available at around $500 from March 1.