Sony has certainly had its share of long-zoom digital cameras, but those models have either been models from the company's Mavica series (known for their floppy diskette-based storage and relatively low resolutions), or models like the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828 which have featured mid-range 5 to 7x optical zooms and high resolution, and a swivelling body design. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is the first truly long-zoom Cyber-shot, which brings a high resolution five megapixel imager and 12x optical zoom lens into a package that looks much like a traditional SLR camera (although it should be noted that as with other "SLR-styl"e digicams, the H1's viewfinder uses a miniature LCD display, rather than a true SLR optical viewfinder).

Scheduled to reach stores this June at a price of $499.95, the DSC-H1 uses a newly developed Sony lens with optical image stabilisation that functions using a gyroscope to detect motion, and moving lens elements that correct for the motion. The camera offers an array of manual controls, and optional accessories will include wide, tele and close-up conversion lenses.

Detailed specifications and product photos follow below:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1
General
Camera Type	SLR-style
Manufacturer	Sony
Model Number	DSC-H1
Dimensions	4.2 x 3.2 x 3.2" 107.8 x 81.4 x 81.7mm
Weight	460.0 g 16.1 oz
Planned Price	$499.95
Planned Availability	Jun 2005
Image Capture
Sensor Type	1/2.4 Sony SuperHAD CCD 5.10 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio	4:3
Image Dimensions	2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels) 2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels) 1280 x 960 (1.2 megapixels) 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Quality	2 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder	Yes, Electronic viewfinder
LCD	2.5", 115,000 pixels
Lens
Lens Type	Sony Lens 12x optical zoom
Image Stabilization	Yes
Focal Length	36 - 432mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range	f/2.8 (wide) / f/3.7 (tele) - ???
Focusing System	5-area multi-point / center with AF assist lamp Manual Focus possible (5) steps
Focusing Range	Macro: 0.8"
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, 100, 200, 400
Shutter Speed	30 - 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes	Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes	49-area multi-pattern
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance	Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent
Internal Flash	Modes: Auto / Forced On / Forced Off / Slow Synchro / Redeye Reduction Range: TBD
Creative
Scene Modes	Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Candle
Digital Zoom	2x
Self Timer	Yes, 10 seconds
Movie Format	MPEG VX with audio 640x480 and 160x112 Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second
Storage
Recording Medium	Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Built-in
File Format	JPEG
Connectivity
Video	Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer	USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed
Other	DC in
Power
Battery Type	Alk. disposable, NiMN / NiMH rechargeable
Battery Form Factor	2 x AA
Product Bundle
Software	Picture Package for Sony v1.6 (Windows), Pixela ImageMixer VCD2 (Macintosh)
Battery / Charger	2 x AA NiMH rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory	32.0MB built-in memory
Other
PictBridge Compliant	Yes
Internal Microphone	Yes
Internal Speaker	Yes
Tripod Mount	Yes
Remote Control	No
Operating System Compatibility	Windows / Mac OS
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