I must admit I'm having lots of fun with this (DSC H1) versatile camera, taking lots of photos I never thought of taking before. Sony may had screw up in the music front but they sure make some nice cameras though. There are many "experts" around who look down on Sony as a camera brand, just like some "drivers" who do likewise to Korean cars. Don't be fooled by these "experts" as they may not had taken any decent photos themselves. I have read more than my fair share of baseless comments against Sony cameras in Singapore and it's time to straighten the facts now.

Myth 1: Sony is a new-comer in cameras and can't be compared to old horses like Canon and Nikon in terms of quality.
Fact 1: The first consumer digital camera (as we know it) was born in 1994, Sony sold their first cybershot (DSC F1) in 1996. So Sony had 10 years of experience in digital photography. In addition, Sony cameras nowadays uses Zeiss lens and in Sony cameras are doing as well as Canon in lab tests. (At least for my H1, which incidentally is a Sony made lens)

Myth 2: Sony cameras are over-priced.
Fact 2: The Canon Powershot S2 IS list price S$949 (23/6/05) vs Sony H1 list price S$899 (18/7/05). This is just an example that Sony cameras are competitively priced. Not forgetting the Sony H1 comes with more accessories than Canon S2 IS. This comparison is fair because both cameras are 12X 5mp cameras with similar specs competing for the same market.

Myth 3: CF/SD is better than Sony memory stick because it is cheaper and more versatile.
Fact 3: Comparing Sandisk 1gb price for standard memory cards, SD (USD 99.99), MS Pro (USD 89.99), CF (USD 99.99). The memory stick came out cheaper! Of course, I have to say that the MS is more expensive for 512mb and below but cheaper for 1gb and higher but this is sufficient to dispel the myth.
Fact 4: CF/SD cards are more common among several brands of cameras while the MS is mainly used by Sony, but MS could be use with other products such as PSP. They are versatile in their own ways.


Tagged: singapore digital camera dsc h1