Equipped with both a large 2.5
inch monitor and an EVF with an identical resolution, the
interface of the H1 is just as visible whichever one is used.
Information is presented using white characters and icons
with a black trim that makes them legible on any background,
and changes to the Mode Dial position are represented on the
screen graphically, making it easy to change mode without
looking at the Mode Dial itself.
The general appearance of the interface and menus are similar
to other recent Sony cameras, but with one notable exception.
Where generally Sony cameras have a Setup menu accessed through
a Setup Mode Dial position, the DSC-H1 does not. Instead
the Setup options are accessed as a sub-menu of all the top
menus for capture and playback, thereby freeing up a space
on the Mode Dial. Nevertheless, the Setup menu itself is also
reminiscent of those from other Sony cameras, and is composed
of 5 sections, each accessed through a tab on the left side
of the screen:
Camera 1:
AF Mode selects how the autofocus operates:
Single (S-AF): activated only when the shutter
release is pressed to the halfway point.
Monitor AF (M-AF): automatically adjusts the
focus before the shutter release is pressed halfway,
shortening the time it takes for the camera to be ready
to shoot.
Continuous AF (C-AF): automatically adjusts
the focus before the shutter release is pressed
halfway, and continues adjusting the focus even after
the focus has locked.
Digital Zoom provides three options: Smart,
Precision or Off(see the Characteristics
section of the review for more information about the functioning
of the digital zoom).
Date/Time: selects if and how the image is permanently
time/date stamped: Date, Date and Time, Off.
Red-eye Reduction controls the H1's red-eye reduction
system, which emits brief flashes before the main flash
fires: On or Off.
AF Illuminator: On or Off. Controls whether the
AF assist lamp, which also serves as the Self-timer indicator,
comes on when the ambient light is too low for the AF to
work reliably.
Auto Review: to decide whether an image will be
briefly displayed (2 seconds) immediately after capture.
Camera 2:
Expanded Focus: On or Off. Decided whether or not
the central part of the image is magnified during manual
focusing.
Enlarged Icon: On or Off. Controls whether or not
icons depicting a camera setting are temporarily enlarged
when changed to another mode.
Steady Shot controls how optical stabilization
is performed:
Shooting: stabilization only occurs when the
shutter release is held halfway.
Continuous: the image is constantly stabilized,
a mode that consumes more power.
Conversion Lens serves to let the camera know that
a conversion lens is attached. 4 choices are provided: Close-up,
Tele, Wide, Off.
Memory Stick Tool:
Format: serves to format a Memory Stick.
Create REC. Folder: allows creating a folder into
which images will be stored.
Change REC. Folder: changes the current Recording
folder to another.
Copy: allows copying all images stored in the internal
memory to a Memory Stick with a capacity greater or equal
to 32MB.
This section of the menu is replaced with Internal Memory
Tool when there is no Memory Stick in the camera, and
it has a single option:
Format: formats the 32MB internal memory of the
DSC-H1.
Setup 1:
LCD Backlight controls the brightness of the LCD
monitor: Bright or Normal.
EVF Backlight controls the brightness of the EVF:
Bright or Normal.
Beep controls the noises made by the camera: Shutter
(only when the shutter is released), On (both shutter
and camera beeps), or Off.
Language selects the interface language: English,
French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese or Japanese.
Initialize: resets the camera, returning all settings
to their original values.
Setup 2:
File Number: Series or Rest. Decides whether images
are numbered consecutively, or restart at 1 when an empty
Memory Stick is used, or the memory/Memory Stick is formatted.
USB Connect sets the communication protocol: Normal,
PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) or PictBridge (to print
directly to a PictBridge compatible printer).
Video Out decides the signal the camera will send
out of the AV port: NTSC or PAL.
Clock Set: serves to set the internal clock and
calendar of the DSC-H1.
The DSC-H1 is retailed with a printed manual in Canada, offered
in three languages English, French and Italian. Although the
manual provides diagrams identifying each part of the camera,
explanations are quite often minimalist, and occasionally obscure.
This is regrettable, as the camera deserves to be equipped with
a better and more in-depth manual.
Software
A single CD was included with the Canadian market version
of the Sony DSC-H1 reviewed here. Called Cyber-shot Application
Software, it contains Picture Package version 1.6,
USB Drivers for all operating systems that need them
and ImageMixer VCD2 from Pixela, all available for
Windows and Macintosh OSX.
Picture Package is composed of a group of programs designed
to handle both still images and videos.
Picture Package Viewer is the part of the program
that serves to see photos, presenting them in one of the most
effective ways, as slides on light table. It is possible to
change the orientation of a selected image. Furthermore, doubling
clicking on a picture allows modifications of the brightness,
contrast, hue, saturation and sharpness with the Image Editor.
Still, the program makes it possible
to create compilations of photos and videos as albums and
slide shows, and burn them onto CDs, through the use of ImageMixer
VCD2.
Although installed at the same time as the rest of the software,
ImageMixer VCD2 is only partly useable, and cannot
be used to burn DVDs until its upgraded version is purchased
online.
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Interface & Software
