Product face-offs
Sony DSC-H10
| Buydig.com | 235.00 |
| J&R Music and Computer World | 269.88 |
| Sony Style US | 279.99 |
| Target Corp. | 279.99 |
| Sony Style US | 279.99 |
| Staples US | 279.99 |
| Compare prices | |
| Sensor | CCD super HAd 8.1 mégapixels (1 / 2.5'') |
| Zoom | 10x (38 - 380 mm / F3.5 - F4.4) |
| Optical stabilization | non, numérique |
| Internal/external memory | 31 Mo / Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
| Sensitivity | 100 - 3200 ISO |
| Video mode | 640 x 480 - 320 x 240 pixels / 30 fps |
| Power source | Lithium N (NP-BG1) |
| Dimensions/Weight | 106 x 68.5 x 48.9 / 380 g |
Look out for finger smudges
While the Sony Cyber-shot H10 proudly integrates a 3 inch LCD that is very nice to use indoors, it proves to be quite glossy and therefore difficult to use in full sun. This isn’t helped by the fact that it also attracts numerous finger smudges which impedes visibility.
Nilofar Hadjanadjiboudine
Test date: 2008-05-13
Test date: 2008-05-13
While the H9 highly ressembles the H8, the H10 is more compact and comfortable in hand. With a super CCD HAd sensor with 8.1 million pixels, the H10 totally changes design. Can we say as much for the quality of images?
Handling
Sony opted to offer a compact bridge camera with a stylish look. And this turned out to be a very good idea! Panasonic already has this type of compact model, notably the TZ5, which also has a 10x zoom. The H10 is a bit thicker, more imposing and has a small handle for a good grip. The back of the H10 features a 3 inch screen with a definition of 230,000 pixels but it becomes quickly covered with finger smudges. Otherwise, navigation is simple: there is a dial for setting the main modes (auto, scene, video, etc.) and a MENU button giving direct access to the various shooting parameters.
Overall, this camera is not very fast. Startup takes almost 1.78 seconds and only autofocus in good lighting conditions is rapid at 0.53 seconds. As for the burst mode, it attains 2 i/s, a more or less average score. Unfortunately, there is still no wide angle and the screw thread for a tripod is still not aligned in the optical axis.
Quality of images
Sony still offers an 8 million pixel sensor (1/2.5") but now includes a 10x zoom (the H9 has a 15x). This new bridge still doesn’t have a wide angle (36 mm). Overall, image quality is good with efficient noise control. The ‘’billowing’’ effect is well contained up to 400 ISO while white balance has a slight violet dominance (the same problem with the H9). On strongly contrasted areas, the presence of purple fringes is visible. Otherwise, optical stabilisation is efficient as it prevents going into higher sensitivities too quickly. In our tests, we obtained sharp shots of our test Barbie at 400 ISO and 1/6 of a second although granulation is too strong at this ISO setting. You should avoid going any higher. As for the macro mode, it’s entirely satisfactory. Finally, video isn’t overly impressive and results were typical of most digital compacts.
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Handling
Sony opted to offer a compact bridge camera with a stylish look. And this turned out to be a very good idea! Panasonic already has this type of compact model, notably the TZ5, which also has a 10x zoom. The H10 is a bit thicker, more imposing and has a small handle for a good grip. The back of the H10 features a 3 inch screen with a definition of 230,000 pixels but it becomes quickly covered with finger smudges. Otherwise, navigation is simple: there is a dial for setting the main modes (auto, scene, video, etc.) and a MENU button giving direct access to the various shooting parameters.
Overall, this camera is not very fast. Startup takes almost 1.78 seconds and only autofocus in good lighting conditions is rapid at 0.53 seconds. As for the burst mode, it attains 2 i/s, a more or less average score. Unfortunately, there is still no wide angle and the screw thread for a tripod is still not aligned in the optical axis.
Quality of images
Sony still offers an 8 million pixel sensor (1/2.5") but now includes a 10x zoom (the H9 has a 15x). This new bridge still doesn’t have a wide angle (36 mm). Overall, image quality is good with efficient noise control. The ‘’billowing’’ effect is well contained up to 400 ISO while white balance has a slight violet dominance (the same problem with the H9). On strongly contrasted areas, the presence of purple fringes is visible. Otherwise, optical stabilisation is efficient as it prevents going into higher sensitivities too quickly. In our tests, we obtained sharp shots of our test Barbie at 400 ISO and 1/6 of a second although granulation is too strong at this ISO setting. You should avoid going any higher. As for the macro mode, it’s entirely satisfactory. Finally, video isn’t overly impressive and results were typical of most digital compacts.
- Reactive autofocus in good lighting
- Large fluid 3 inch LCD
- Good stabilized 10x zoom
- Nice saturated colors
- Attractive design
- Autofocus struggles under poor lighting conditions
- No wide angle (38mm)
- Poor visibility of screen in full sun especially with finger smudges
- Visible purple fringes
- No A and S priority modes
With the H10, Sony offers a quality camera that produces nice shots in fully automatic mode. It easily rivals the Canon SX100 but is penalized by the absence of a wide angle while its autofocus can be erratic in poorly lit conditions.
