The user interface of the Cyber-shot
DSC-H5 differs from the DSC-H2 only in the fact that the H5
is equipped with a 3-inch monitor with 230,400 pixels, instead
of a 2-inch screen with 84,960 pixels. The extra inch, as
measured diagonally, translates into a much larger image and
a larger size for the icons and indications superimposed on
the monitor. While the much higher resolution of the H5's
monitor means a sharper and more detailed image.
The electronic viewfinder (EVF) used for both models is identical,
and although it offers a sharp image, it is small and since
the large monitor's image offers a high resolution, it tends
to be less practical to use.
Using either the monitor, or the EVF, the icons and text
shown on screen indicating current camera settings are easily
understood and very legible, in part because their design
is usually easy to figure out, and also because they have
dark perimeters that make them stand out against the image
coming from the lens.
The menu system is also easy to use and navigate, although,
because of the limited space available to hold the camera,
on the H5 the menu is easily called up accidentally as the
camera is handled. Still, whether the camera is set to the
capture mode or the playback mode, menu options are superimposed
on the lower part of the screen, and as the cursor moves from
one to the other, optional settings for the highlighted menu
item are displayed directly above it. As with all new Sony
cameras, whatever the menu, its last item is an access to
the Setup menu.
The Setup menu is composed of 5 sections, identified
by tabs on the left side of the screen:
Camera 1:
AF Mode provides three autofocus modes:
Single AF activates the autofocus only when
the shutter release is pressed halfway,
Monitor AF adjusts the focus before the shutter
release is pressed halfway, shortening the time needed
to capture the image but consuming more power.
Continuous adjusts the focus continuously,
even after AF lock, making it possible to capture moving
subjects.
Digital Zoom offers three options: Smart Zoom,
Precision or Off(see the Characteristics
section of the review for more details).
Function Guide: decides whether or not a short
text explanation of the function or a mode is shown when
it is selected.
Red-eye Reduction: On or Off. Controls the pre-flashes
used to reduce the red-eye effect.
AF Illuminator: Auto or Off. Controls the
AF assist lamp, which comes on when there is insufficient
ambient light for the auto focus system to operate reliably.
Auto Review: decides whether or not an image is
briefly displayed ( for approximately 2 seconds) immediately
post capture.
Camera 2:
Expanded Focus: On or Off. Magnifies the centre
of the screen to double the normal size when the Manual
focus mode is used.
Flash Sync: selects the flash synchronization
for the Slow Sync flash mode: Front, which causes the
flash to fire at the beginning of the exposure; or Rear,
which fires the flash just before the end of the exposure.
Steady Shot selects the stabilizer mode:
Shooting: stabilizes the image only when the
shutter is released.
Continuous: stabilizes the image continuously,
both during composition and when the image is captured.
Conversion Lens: lets the camera know what lens
converter is attached: Close-up, Tele, Wide, or none.
Memory Stick Tool/Internal Memory Tool(depending
on whether a Memory Stick or the Internal memory is in use):
Format: serves to format a Memory Stick, or the
Internal memory.
Create REC. Folder(only available with a Memory
Stick): serves to create a new folder into which images
will be saved.
Change REC. Folder(only available with a Memory
Stick): serves to change the active REC folder for another.
Copy(only available with a Memory Stick):
copies the content of the Internal memory to a Memory Stick,
which must be at least 32 MB.
Setup 1:
LCD Backlight: offers two settings, Bright and
Normal, to control the brightness of the 3-inch LCD monitor.
EVF Backlight: serves to adjust the brightness
of the EVF's backlight (Bright or Normal).
Beep controls the beeps produced by the camera:
only when the shutter release is pressed, or both the shutter
release and camera operations, or none.
Language: selects the interface language (English,
French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese or Japanese).
Initialize: returns all settings to their default
value.
Setup 2:
File Number: to decide if files restart at 0001
when a new Memory Stick is used, or when it has been formatted,
or if files continue being incremented.
USB Connect decides the USB protocol: Pictbridge,
PTP, Mass Storage, or Auto (see the Characteristics
section of the review for more information).
Video Out: NTSC or PAL.
Clock Set: to set the time and date on the DSC-H5.
The North American version of the Cyber-shot DSC-H5 reviewed
here came with copies of an introduction sheet entitled "Read
This First" in English, French and Spanish. Designed to
provide a quick overview of both the DSC-H5 and DSC-H5, the
fold out sheet is mostly easy to follow and allows a user to
start taking photos immediately. In addition, a printed manual
is also supplied. Too often, however, the manual's explanations
are too short, or simply refer the reader back to the "Read
This First" sheet, which offers little explanation.
Software
In North America, the DSC-H5 is supplied with a single CD-ROM,
which contains Cyber-shot viewer version 1.0 as well
as the USB drivers for the Windows operating system (Windows
Me, 2000 Pro and XP).
The Cyber-shot Viewer's
interface is a bit confusing, starting out by wanting to import
images via USB or from a Memory Stick Duo in a card reader.
Not finding any, the program tries to import all the
images in the computer into its database. Images are imported
haphazardly, and need to be re-organized to be viewed in more
manageable groups. Still, the program is able to show shooting
parameters for any image once it has been selected with a
mouse click.
The top part of the program's window
provides a few buttons that make it possible to change the orientation
of a selected image, print it, send it by e-mail, or review
images as a slide show.
One of the buttons serves
to open a selected image in a new window, on top of the program's
main window, where some specific corrections can be made.
The editing window presents the image on the right, and in
a vertical column on the left, thumbnails of the other images
imported in the same group, either from the same folder, or
from those selected from the same shooting date. At the top,
some tools allow for navigation, rotation of the image, zooming,
and running a slide show.
The correction tool provided
at the top of the window opens a drop list from which the
correction to be made is chosen, the correction applying to
the entire image. Brightness can be adjusted, either for dark
or light sections of the image, or for both simultaneously.
Contrast, sharpness, and saturation can be adjusted as well;
and red-eye can be corrected automatically. Finally, the last
tool makes it possible to crop the image.
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Interface & Software
