Sony Cyber-shot H5 and H2

SONY LAUNCHES FIRST H-SERIES DIGITAL STILL CAMERAS TO COMBINE ZEISS 12x OPTICAL ZOOM WITH SONY DOUBLE ‘ANTI-BLUR’ TECHNOLOGY – FOR SHARPER SHOTS

The Cyber-shot H5 and H2: 7.2 and 6.0 effective Megapixel cameras, Super SteadyShot, High Sensitivity, ZEISS 12x Optical Zoom, Large and Bright 3-inch and 2-inch LCD screens, Full Manual Control, and long STAMINA battery life

If you cherish freedom and versatility in photography, then you’ll adore these two new Cyber-shot cameras from Sony. Get close to the action with the first super zoom Cyber-shot cameras to include the revolutionary Double ‘Anti-Blur’ technology – first seen on the recently introduced ultra compact Cyber-shot T9. Perfect for reducing picture blur, whilst greatly expanding your photo expression.

The 1/2.5-inch size Sony Super HAD CCDs at the heart of the cameras, result in sharp and vibrant pictures every time. The Cyber-shot H5 offers a 7.2 effective Megapixel CCD, and the Cyber-shot H2 a 6.0 effective Megapixel CCD. As well as a massive 12x Optical Zoom from the precision Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, both the cameras also feature a 24x Precision Digital Zoom, and a 52x VGA Smart Zoom on the Cyber-shot H2, that increases to a remarkable 57x on the Cyber-shot H5. This versatile lens gives a focal length of 36-432mm (35mm conversion) at F2.8-3.7, while also offering a 2cm Macro shooting facility for close-up work. For greater rigidity the cameras feature an aluminium lens ring, and for increased flexibility the use of the high power zoom is even possible whilst shooting movies in the MPEG VX Fine mode.

The Sony Real Imaging Processor further enhances the shooting experience, keeping pictures sharp, colours real, ensuring an extremely rapid camera operation, and long STAMINA battery life - up to 400 shots* using the supplied Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.

Both cameras offer full manual exposure control suitable for the more creative photographer, as well as automatic modes for quick shooting and ease of use. Taking brilliant pictures of your family, friends, holiday, sport, wildlife or hobby couldn’t be more rewarding!

Double ‘Anti-Blur’ - Super SteadyShot and High Sensitivity Technology

Thanks to the Cyber-shot H5 and H2’s double ‘Anti-Blur’ technology you can confidently shoot in difficult conditions, such as low light, reducing the risk or hand shake blurring your pictures. The combination of the Super Steady Shot and High Sensitivity even allows you to shoot with out the flash, resulting in pictures that are as sharp as when using a flash but far more naturally lit. Plus difficult to capture moving objects can be captured with the reassurance that blur will be minimised.

The inclusion of Super SteadyShot optical image stabiliser automatically compensates for ‘hand-shake’ and vibrations to produce sharp digital pictures every time. Unwanted movement of the camera that could blur the image is measured, processed and the optical lens element adjusted to compensate for the vibration, which is especially useful when shooting at the tele-end of the 12x Optical Zoom. The Sony engineers have designed the system so that it is carefully optimised for vibration frequencies that occur when the camera is held, reducing the effects of ‘hand-shake’. This feature can also be used in combination with slow shutter or closed aperture for more creative shots, or even whilst in the movie mode - MPEG VX Fine. Additionally, using the new 2-second self-timer mode is a further aid to reducing camera shake associated with pressing the shutter button.

Picture blur is also reduced because of the High Sensitivity capability of both the cameras. This allows you to capture moving objects with less blur, likewise you can be moving (such as in a car) shooting a stationary object – an option that is not possible when just using image stabiliser technology. Traditionally High Sensitivity would lead to an increase in noise, however utilising the newly developed Clear RAW NR feature, the signal to noise ratio is greatly improved. The Sony Clear RAW NR original algorithm system reduces colour and luminance noise, enabling shooting with significantly higher sensitivity (up to ISO1000). This ensures images with less noise and finer detail. This is especially beneficial when shooting in low-light conditions. You can relax in the knowledge that your photo opportunities will be never limited, and the results stunning every time.

Share with Style

The Clear Photo LCD plus technology incorporated in the Cyber-shot H5 greatly improves the resolution and brightness of the huge Hybrid 3-inch (7.5cm) LCD screen. The improvement of the LCD screen’s NTSC colour ratio to 65% leads to superior colour reproduction. The LCD screen also incorporates a smooth anti-reflection layer, for a better image quality than conventional textured layers. It additionally suppresses reflections more effectively to increase the display contrast, especially outside in bright sunlight. Perfect for sharing photographs with friends and family. The Cyber-shot H2 includes a convenient 2-inch (5.1 cm) LCD screen, with 100% LCD screen field of view – again, allowing you to clearly frame, view and review images with ease. Naturally, both cameras also come with a built-in optical viewfinder – keeping your shooting style flexible.

The new direct display brightness adjustment option prevents the need to access the menu to make adjustments to the screen’s brightness. In addition to sharing your favourite pictures on the LCD screen, images can be viewed on a connected TV screen. With the 16:9 shooting mode you can even shoot wide-screen images for playback on a wide-screen TV.

Of course, images are also stored on optional Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo for you to save on a PC or print out. Both cameras feature a 30MB worry-free internal memory, so you can be safe in the knowledge that you will never miss a great photo opportunity again. They both also features high speed USB 2.0 and PictBridge, the standard for printing directly to compatible PictBridge photo printers, such as the Sony DPP-FP50.

The new Cyber-shot Viewer software that is supplied with both cameras offers a fast and easy to use solution for importing pictures to your PC, browsing and sharing your pictures using a new and unique calendar function, or even making simple edits such as resizing or trimming.

Full Creative Control

The menu screens and the on-camera controls give convenient access to a wide range of more professional tools for those wishing to be more creative in their photography. There is a range of exposure modes from fully manual to fully automatic modes as well as adjustable White Balance and several Auto-Focus settings such as Continuous AF, Flexible Spot AF, as well as Manual Focus. ISO, Sharpness, Contrast and Saturation settings can be customised and Light Metering configured for flexibility and creativity in various shooting situations.

In addition to the existing Standard, Monochrome and Sepia colour modes, both cameras offer the additional creative choice of Natural and Vivid colour modes. The Natural mode is ideal for situation with subtle colour, and the Vivid mode emphasises primary colours with more detail, vividness and colour depth.

Other great features include seven convenient Scene Selection shooting modes to capture the mood of every moment. For Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Portrait, Landscape, Beach, High-Speed Shutter and High Sensitivity, just point and shoot while the automatic settings do all the hard work and produce excellent quality images. If you’re not sure which is best for your shooting situation, then don’t worry, as the function guide will display an accompanying explanation of the Scene Selection mode.

Sophisticated Features combined with Ease of Use

The new function guide for modes and icons is great for beginners as it guides you through the main functions such as Flash, Macro and Self-timer settings on the camera’s LCD screen.

Additionally, the new image brightness (EV) adjustment allows you to directly adjust the exposure value easily and quickly, without the need to enter a complicated operation in the menu. This is ideal for when taking shots against the sun or on cloudy days, especially when combined with the on screen Histogram function. The On Screen Display even indicates ‘Darker’ & ‘Brighter‘ controls, so even beginners to digital photography can make adjustments. Again thanks to a user-friendly layout and a separate new ‘Play’ button, users can easily check their images without entering the menu.

Finally, when selecting the image size the new menu guidance handily displays a suggested size for printing paper and the available number of shooting images with the remaining memory.

Greater Appeal

A great range of optional accessories are also available for the Cyber-shot H5 and H2, such as a durable black leather jacket case (LCJ-HB), spare Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (NH-AA-2DB), and variety of dedicated filters and high grade lenses.

Your language

A staggering choice of 15 menu languages on both cameras is another great solution to ensure easier operation. Menu languages include: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.

The Cyber-shot H2 will be available throughout Europe from the beginning of April, and Cyber-shot H5 from the end of May 2006.

Key specifications:

Cyber-shot H5

• 7.2 effective Megapixels
• 12x Optical Zoom, up to 57x Smart Zoom, 24x Precision Digital Zoom
• Super SteadyShot
• Macro 2cm
• High Sensitivity (ISO Auto/80/100/200/400/800/1000)
• Clear Raw NR
• Flexible Spot AF
• Hybrid 3.0-inch (7.5cm) Clear Photo LCD plus Screen
• Quick Operation (Shutter Time Lag 0.4 sec, Shutter Release Lag 0.01 sec)
• Stamina Battery Life (approx 340 shots*)
• Real Imaging Processor
• Manual Focus
• Manual White Balance
• Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries & Charger included
• Conversion Lens Compatible (Optional)
• MPEG VX Fine with Audio
• Internal Memory 30MB
• AF Illuminator
• Histogram Indication
• 16:9 Mode for Wide Screen TV
• New "Cyber-shot Viewer" Software Supplied
• USB 2.0 High Speed Transfer
• Scene Selection Modes (7)
• 100% LCD Field of view
• PictBridge Compatible
• 15 Menu Languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Hungarian, Czech)

Cyber-shot H2

• 6.0 effective Megapixels
• 12x Optical Zoom, up to 52x Smart Zoom, 24x Precision Digital Zoom
• Super SteadyShot
• Macro 2cm
• High Sensitivity (ISO Auto/80/100/200/400/800/1000)
• Clear Raw NR
• Flexible Spot AF
• 2.0-inch (5.1cm) LCD Screen
• Quick Operation (Shutter Time Lag 0.4 sec, Shutter Release Lag 0.009 sec)
• Stamina Battery Life (approx 400 shots*)
• Real Imaging Processor
• Manual Focus
• Manual White Balance
• Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries & Charger included
• Conversion Lens Compatible (Optional)
• MPEG VX Fine with Audio
• Internal Memory 30MB
• AF Illuminator
• Histogram Indication
• 16:9 Mode for Wide Screen TV
• New "Cyber-shot Viewer" Software Supplied
• USB 2.0 High Speed Transfer
• Scene Selection Modes (7)
• 100% LCD Field of view
• PictBridge Compatible

• 15 Menu Languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Hungarian, Czech)

* The measurement method is based on the CIPA standard (CIPA: Camera & Imaging Products Association). The Cyber-shot H2 offers up to 400 shots, and the Cyber-shot H5 offers up to 360 shots battery life.

Subject to errors and technical changes.