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February 25, 2006 – In one of the fastest growing segments of the digital imaging market, Sony released the ultra zoom Cyber-shot H5 and H2 cameras. Both models have improved Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 12x optical zoom lenses and Sony’s Super SteadyShot image stabilization system. The 7 megapixel H5 will retail for $499 and the 6 megapixel H2 will sell for $399; both models will be available in May.
Both camera bodies are chunky SLR-like forms with large right-hand grips and prominent viewfinders. They also both have the new 12x optical zoom lens. The previous Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 had a 12x optical zoom lens, but it wasn’t a branded Carl Zeiss piece of glass. The new cameras keep the same image stabilization that was on the H1, though.
In the new models, the image stabilization is especially useful for shooting in low light. Sony added a higher ISO rating of 1000 to each model; this in conjunction with the image stabilization will enable users to take blur-free pictures in low light without the use of the flash.
The Sony H5 will have a large 3-inch LCD screen and come in a more professional looking black finish. This new flagship of the H-series will use AA batteries and get 340 shots of battery life. The Sony H2 will have a 2-inch LCD and just as much battery life. Both digital cameras have manual, priority, and automatic modes, as well as VGA movie modes. They will also each include 32 MB of internal memory.