Manufacturer Sony is associated with the average buyer with technologically advanced, relatively reliable, but expensive products. Having spent a substantial amount of money on a product of this brand, you can be sure of the quality of the product. But there are exceptions to the rules. And this is not about lowering the quality, but lowering the price. Especially such exceptions relate to the difficult segment of photographic equipment. Of course, the company focuses on premium devices, focusing on professionals. On the other hand, the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H100 demonstrates the opposite. In this case, the Japanese manufacturer offers a decent camera for beginners in photography. This is a cheap model, which, however, has absorbed a lot of advanced features.
General information about the model
The device occupies a confident position in the class of budget cameras, although a number of characteristics knock it out of the general mass of similar entry-level models. For example, the performance of the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H100 Black in combination with a massive lens looks very solid. But the essence remains the same - it is a modest ultra-reason with good basic functionality and well-thought-out technical stuffing. The advantages that again distinguish the device from a number of competitors include the control configuration and a decent lens.
But this model should not be referred to the standards, even in the budget segment. Weaknesses of the camera are expressed in the average quality of the resulting images and the unsatisfactory operation of some options. One way or another, the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H100 version is quite suitable for amateur experiments and operation as the first device in the hands of a beginner.
Specifications
The declared technical and operational indicators are more than attractive. And this is understandable, since competitors are also striving to increase the capabilities of budget lines. Another thing is that not everyone can jump above their heads, and the weakness of the main components like the matrix makes itself felt, despite the rich set of settings. In the case of the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H100, the characteristics of which are presented below, the situation is not so deplorable, but you should not place high hopes on the official parameters either:
- Dimensions - 12, 3 x 8, 3 x 8 cm.
- Weight - 415 g.
- Resolution - 16.1 MP.
- Sensitivity range - from 80 to 1600 ISO.
- Autofocus type - contrast.
- Viewfinder - missing.
- Display size is 3 inches.
- Matrix resolution - 460,000 pixels.
- Burst shooting - 1 frame per second.
- Memory card - 1 SD.
- Minimum photography distance is 1 cm.
- Video format is 1280 x 720 with auto focus enabled.
Lens data
The performance of an ultrazoom lens is important in many ways. Actually, the capabilities of optics determine the quality of the resulting images. In this case, the lens has a magnification of 21x, and the working focus distance is in the range of 25-525 mm in 35 mm increments. This is not record data at all, but for amateur shooting in various formats, these capabilities are more than enough. Especially for landscapes, the developers of the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H100 provided a wide angle, and a long focus makes it easier to shoot distant objects. At the same time, the lens of this model is not devoid of quite understandable limitations inherent in budget devices. In particular, we are talking about a low aperture ratio - that is, one should prepare for insufficient illumination in poor conditions. It can also upset the deterioration of the image at a large focal length. When shooting at wide angles, the quality is quite tolerable, but at long distances there is a deterioration in sharpness.
Functionality
The set of options and settings is really wide, but this is not surprising. It often happens that a significant part of the functionality becomes useless due tomodest hardware capabilities. The Sony model boasts automatic operation in SCN mode. Activating this format will provide the user with 11 shooting conditions, each providing specific autofocus and exposure options. For greater convenience, you can use the software format of operation, in which the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H100 independently sets the aperture and shutter speed, although the operator controls the rest of the settings. For those who are used to manually controlling the aperture, this camera will disappoint with the complete absence of such an opportunity. Only its full closing or opening can be adjusted, and there are no intermediate adjustment options. There are no restrictions on the optical part, which works equally across the entire range of allowable values. The situation is different with shutter speed - it can be set with a detailed gradation.
Ergonomics opinions
As already noted, the camera does not indulge in compactness, which can be considered both a plus and a disadvantage. In general, the appearance and design of the structure are reminiscent of classic SLR cameras - this is hinted at by a powerful grip, a large lens and a pop-up flash. Most importantly, users associate the appearance of the model with functionality and reliability not by visual stylistic effects, but by real qualities, confirmed, among other things, by the good assembly of the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H100 case.
Reviews about tactile sensations are not so positive. In this case, the stylization did not translate into quality due to the material. The company used cheap plastic with rare inclusionsrubberized elements, which, by and large, provide the convenience of using the device. The owners also note the advantages of a large handle, with which you can shoot with one hand. As for the placement of the buttons, their configuration raises no objections. Again, the large case of the model, which did not constrain engineers in the implementation of the layout, affects. All controls are placed in full accordance with the needs of the genre - as required by a modern photographer.
Photo quality
The characteristics of the resulting images are determined by a CDD-matrix of rather modest size with a resolution of 16.1 megapixels. Even against the background of budget devices, these are rather mediocre indicators, which determined the corresponding photo quality. Many owners note that as the ISO sensitivity increases, the quality of photographs decreases. But this happens with all models of this class. As experience shows, the level of 400 units is optimal for the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H100. Photos taken above this value can be compared in quality to those taken with mobile phones. Under ideal conditions and with optimal settings, the camera produces no noise. This is how the noise reduction function manifests itself, but you should not rejoice at it either. The same option deprives images of detail, and in the worst cases, blurs objects altogether.
Video quality
On the possibilities of video shooting in cameras of this classnot to be taken seriously. Only with rare exceptions, developers manage to achieve a good result from the minimum capabilities of the hardware. But this did not happen in the case of the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H100. Reviews of professionals note that the presence of autofocus, 30-frame rate and 1280 x 720 format look promising, but the quality of the resulting video material noticeably loses even to less famous counterparts. In particular, there is a decrease in sharpness and darkening of the "picture", although the possibility of stabilization slightly corrects the negative impressions.
Conclusion
According to its characteristics, the device seems to be a very worthy solution for the needs of an undemanding photography lover. The massive body and solid controls seem to hint at the high class to which the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H100 digital camera belongs, with its classic DSLR styling. However, the practice of using the device will reveal a completely ordinary “soap box” with characteristic flaws. The biggest disappointment may be the matrix, which in this version is used less and less even in budget series. However, due to the reduction in the cost of high-quality optics, this model received a very modest price tag.
