The Sony H3 combines eight megapixel resolution with a 2.5" LCD display and a powerful Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar branded 10x optical zoom lens, offering a range from a rather tight 38mm wide angle to a very useful 380mm telephoto. As with previous H-series models, the DSC-H3's lens incorporates Sony's Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization to minimize blur caused by camera shake - an essential feature for such a long zoom when not using a tripod.

Other Sony H3 features include ISO sensitivity to a maximum of ISO 3200, an advanced sports shooting mode which combines predictive continuous autofocus with high shutter speeds, a Memory Stick Duo / PRO Duo card slot plus 31MB of built in memory, and power from a proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery. The DSC-H3 also offers high definition component video output, via a proprietary cable.

The H3 includes Sony's face detection technology, which is linked not only to the camera's autoexposure and autofocus systems as in most similar systems, but also to white balance and flash metering as well - allowing the camera to ensure proper flash exposure and pleasing flesh tones. Also, the H3 includes Sony's Bionz image processor - first seen in the company's Alpha digital SLRs - which the company says will offer improved image quality, faster response times, and better battery life in its compact cameras.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 ships in black and silver variants from early September 2007 and is priced at US$300.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3
General
Camera Type	Mid-Sized
Manufacturer	Sony
Model Number	DSC-H3
Dimensions	4.2 x 2.7 x 1.9" 106.0 x 68.5 x 47.5mm
Weight	380.0 g 13.3 oz
Image Capture
Sensor Type	1/2.5" CCD 8.29 megapixels (total) 8.01 megapixels (effective)
Filter Type	RGBG
Aspect Ratio	4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions	3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels) 3264 x 2176 (7.1 megapixels) 2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels) 2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels) 1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels) 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder	No
LCD	2.5", 115,000 pixels
Playback Zoom	5.0x max
Lens
Lens Type	Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 10x optical zoom
Image Stabilization	Yes
Focal Length	6.3 - 63.0mm (actual) 38 - 380mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range	f/3.5 (wide) / f/4.4 (tele) - f/10.0
Focusing System	9-point with AF assist lamp
Focusing Range	Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity) Macro: 0.8" - infinity (2.0 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed	30 - 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes	Program, Manual
Metering Modes	Multi Pattern, Center Weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance	Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent, Flash
Internal Flash	Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Forced Flash w/ Red-eye Reduction, No Flash, Slow Syncro, Slow Syncro w/ Red-eye Reduction Range: Wide: 0.2 - 7.0 m; Tele: 0.9 - 5.6 m
Flash Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene Modes	Twilight, Twilight portrait, Soft snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High Sensitivity, Advanced Sports Shooting
Digital Zoom	20x
Self Timer	Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse	No
Movie Format	MPEG-1 with audio
Storage
Recording Medium	Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Built-in
File System	Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format	JPEG (EXIF v2.21)
Connectivity
Video	Yes
Computer	USB 1.1
Other	DC Input
Power
Battery Type	Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor	Proprietary NP-BG1 InfoLithium
Product Bundle
Battery / Charger	1 x proprietary NP-BG1 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory	31.0MB built-in memory
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant	Yes
Internal Microphone	Yes
Internal Speaker	Yes
Tripod Mount	Yes
Remote Control	No
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