As I'm counting down to my Darwin trip and contemplating which cameras to tag along, I got a pleasant surprise from Sony when they passed me a Cybershot H9!

I have to admit that the Sony Cybershot H9 was impressive at first sight. I remember the last time

when I toyed with a H-series cam, it was the H1. Then, I did not like the camera due to several observations - eg. Super Steady Shot with images that's wasn't really showing its potential, noisy images at ISO 400, and perhaps most of all, an auto-focus system that hunts too much and has challenges with "locking" on subjects that are relatively small in size, especially at the long end of the zoom (12X).

Many months on, and I am holding the H9 in my hands. Although I haven't really played with it much, but I can already see some wonderful features that I would definitely love! For example, a whopping 3-inch screen that's tiltable, 8.1 megapixels, nightshot (a feature that's long missing from Sony's Cybershot range) and of course the 15x optical zoom! Not to mention that  D-RO (Dynamic Range Optimizer), face-detection technology and basic image enhancement features are all packed into the camera as well. :)

It's amazing that the size of the camera hasn't changed much since the H1, and a noticable difference is the reduction in weight.  The Cybershot H9 weighs a mere 407g, compared to the H1 at 591g.  Hee...I have a beckoning from my inner voice that the H1 could fit snugly into my camera bag :)  As you are probably aware, size/weight of the equipment is critically important for a nature photographer like myself, as lunging around with a 2okg backpack is no fun.  Instantaneously, I have access to 15x zoom (equivalent to 465mm) at my fingertips when it is not convenient to carry my big "mama" lens with me.

For the past year, I have been using the Sony DSLR Alpha 100 and can attest to its wonderful features like the BIONZ image processor and the D-RO feature. I'm glad to see Sony putting these into their Cybershots as these are the exact features that will help to optimise the end results - the photographs.  Its like having "Adobe Photoshop" built into your camera, and users of cameras like the Alpha 100 or the Cybershot H9 can be assured of superb quality pictures everytime. 

Of course, there would never be a perfect camera.  To be absolutely truthful, some of the things that sets me back a little on the Cybershot H9 include the battery (H1 used to be using AA-sized battery...an important feature cos they're available ANYWHERE in the world), "noisy" nightshot images (good effort to bring back this feature though) and achieving only acceptable image quality above ISO 400.  However, I'm sure technology will move by leaps with every new model, and the H9 is already miles ahead...compared to the H1.

Talking about the perfect cam...as part of a photographer's quest for that elusive perfect toy, I was hoping future models could include the following features...:P  Wow, that would be most wonderful!

1.  Ability to capture RAW images
2.  Flexi-screen instead of just "tiltable" (just like the DSC-R1)
3.  Compact Flash slot
4.  Super Nightshot (colour!) instead of just Nightshot

But then again...I have to admit that I'm probably asking too much for a camera that cost only SGD899!  

Okie, with this "skimpy" intro to my new little baby, expect some pics to come your way.  What you have to do is to stay tuned to my blog for the pics.  I'm sure I'll have some exciting photos to show you when I'm back from Darwin!

Conclusion:
- A wonderful piece of prosumer electronics good for those who want more from their digital compact camera, but is not ready to step on to DSLR camera yet. 

Pros:
1.  15x optical Zoom
2.  Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) built in.
3.  BIONZ image processor (originally designed for the Sony Alpha 100)
4.  Nightshot
5.  ISO up to 3200
6.  Extremely light weight
7.  In-built (basic) image editing and slideshow software
8.  Good handling
9.  Large 3.0" screen with tiltable screen

Cons:
1.  Only JPG image format
2.  Noisy image when using Nightshot
3.  Rechargable Lithium-Ion battery (although this is a personal perference for AA-sized batteries)
4.  Need to perform multiple steps for some basic features (eg. deletion, Super Steady Shot, etc)
5.  Acceptable, not great pictures using ISO 800 and above.

Recommendation:
- BUY.  It's affordable and worth forking out SGD899 for a feature-packed camera (A camera with similiar features would cost around SGD1100-SGD1300 a couple of months ago)

Julian W.