Editors' buying advice

We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Digital cameras. This
content was chosen based on the Ieatures included with this model oI digital camera.
RAW image format
The main purpose oI RAW image Iormat is to capture a photo with as little processing as
possible. In a JPEG Iile, several parameters are applied to the image, such as white balance,
saturation and contrast, among other things; then the Iile is compressed using a lossy scheme.
With RAW Iormat you are generally getting as much inIormation as your digital camera can
record with, so in essence, RAW acts very much like a digital negative. The advantage oI having
a large amount oI data in each image is that the photographer has more to work with in post-
processing, and can cull out any unwanted data manually. The disadvantage is that the Iiles are
very large, causing more room to be taken up on the camera's memory card, and also slowing
down the camera's ability to capture shots because oI recording time.
Another thing to be aware oI with RAW Iormat is that each digital camera manuIacturer creates
their own proprietary type oI RAW, so not all photo processing soItware will work with all
RAW photos.
Aperture-priority
Aperture-priority is an automated exposure mode that will allow the photographer to set the
aperture, and the camera will then set the appropriate shutter speed based on the light meter
reading. In this way, a photographer can control depth oI Iield easily and create images with
selective Iocus. This works well when you have a distracting or unattractive background that you
want to keep out oI Iocus, or just want to have more creative options in your images.
See more Aperture-priority products
Shutter-priority
Shutter-priority is an automated exposure mode that will allow the photographer to set the shutter
speed, and the camera will then set the appropriate aperture based on the light meter reading.
Fast shutter speeds are ideal Ior capturing sharp images oI high speed events, such as sports and
other high action occasions. Slow shutter speeds can be set to get artistic blur in images, such as
moving water or car taillights at night. Using shutter-priority will allow such Ilexibility while
providing good exposure Ior your photos.
See more Shutter-priority products
Full body camera
Zoom lens reIlex cameras (sometimes reIerred to as ZLRs, megazooms, ultrazooms, or bridge
cameras) are designed to be an intermediate step between compact digital cameras and dSLRs.
They are larger than compacts but oIIer more versatile manual controls and lens systems,
including greater zoom capability. Unlike the typical digital SLR, they do not have
interchangeable lenses, but Iilters and adapters can be used on many megazoom cameras. The
sensor size in this type oI digital camera is smaller than in a dSLR, which limits the range oI ISO
settings.
See more Full body products
&ser Reviews

Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsc/4505-65017-
34469246.html#ixzz1JZNhAlMa
ompact Digital Camera with powerful zoom+
Pros: Compact, battery liIe, hd movie mode, intel auto mode, pic quality
Cons: slow power down time (oII), slight color tinting (edges), weight
Recently purchased this camera and I am amazed by the astonishing quality oI the photos it
takes. You don't need a very steady hand to take great photos with this mini machine oI a
camera. The quick auto Iocus and Iace detection soItware makes taking pictures a snap! A bonus
is the panoramic Iunction, quality in this mode suIIers a little, but it is still a neat Iunction. The
HD movie mode looks great on a computer once downloaded, Sony could have put a couple
more holes in the camera to allow more sound to be received/heard. The 25 mm lens is great
because oI the wide-angle quality and the Carl Zeiss/Sony G lens. I am an avid hiker/biker and I
needed a compact, rugged camera that would allow me to take great, memorable pictures. The
DSC H55 Iilled that requirement with astonishing shots. The only "gripe" I have with the camera
is that the lens and processor produces slight color tinting on the edges in sunlight (outside shots)
and the powerdown time takes a little bit oI time (1.33-2.0 seconds). So iI you are looking Ior a
great camera, look no Iurther, this camera will not disappoint!
(India)
Date: Jul 11, 2010
I've had this product Ior less than a month
13oI 13 people Iound this helpIul
Great Camera
Pros: 10X Zoom, Good Quality, Design, Value For Money
Cons: Takes time to get hang oI it
Great Camera.. Love the diIIerent Modes.. easy to use... any one complaining about the image
quality in dark, I suggest u keep trying... takes time to understand how but it clicks great images
in dark too... Grainy Display in dark is what disappointed me.. though the image comes out good.
Reviewer Images: (click to see Iull-size image)

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Reviewer: ADLPChris (Elkton, MD)
Date: Jun 1, 2010
I've had this product Ior less than a month
9oI 9 people Iound this helpIul
Great Point and Shoot for everyday pictures
Pros: Size, Options, IntelliAuto
Cons: Not touch screen.
First, the best thing about this camera besides it's ability to take OUTSTANDING pictures is that
it will take Pro Duo memory sticks (which I don't like) AND SD memory cards (which I have a
ton oI). The only thing that would make this camera better would have been touch screen. Worth
every penny I spent on this camera.
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Reviewer: JSutliII (Indiana)
Date: Sep 13, 2010
I've had this product Ior less than a month
5oI 5 people Iound this helpIul
est uy
Pros: Small, lightweight,
Cons: Haven't Iound any
Replaced an old HP digital with this camera. Love the picture quality and the video is just as
good.
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Reviewer: GrieI
Date: Sep 28, 2010
I've had this product Ior 1-3 months
12oI 16 people Iound this helpIul
attery
Pros: Nice pictures
Cons: The battery has to be taken out oI the camera to charge it
The simple Iact that I have to take the battery out oI the camera to charge it makes this camera
non portable. And to make the package more cumbersome, the USB cord is huge. This camera as
semi-slim as it appears, needs a separate case to bring its battery charger and very large USB
cord. Very ineIIicient.
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Reviewer: shuttereye (Reston, VA)
Date: Jul 9, 2010
I've had this product Ior 3-6 months
6oI 7 people Iound this helpIul
Enthusiast
Pros: Compact, Iunctionality, several photographic modes
Cons: Not so "steady" steady shooting
I have "played" with photography since childhood, and have learned much about lenses, shutter
speeds, light, etc. When I ventured into buying a new camera, I was interested in a Canon. SInce
I have been a - by primary choice - Canon consumer. I began by reading the specs oI all the
cameras available at the store. As I progressed, I looked at the price, Iunctionality, and other
ammenities (steady shot). While other cameras oIIered the steadiness at a higher, more precise
end, the price, Iunctionality and other details (lens, zooming, MM opening, etc) oI the Sony
came up as higher "value" Ior the money. I must say that the only Iunction I Iind that is less than
expected is the "steadiness" detail. Frankly, I am surprised that the camera could not perIorm
better, especially since all oI the rest oI it is truly oI a superior nature. I am not necessarily
swayed Irom Canon, but I understand now why in other "proIessional" evaluating revies Sony
has been considered a true rival to Canon. I hope to see more and better. Go Sony!
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Reviewer: Dee1948 (Ft. Myers, FL)
Date: Apr 23, 2010
I've had this product Ior less than a month
26oI 67 people Iound this helpIul
Shutter speed to slow!
Pros: None - other than I like the size
Cons: when zooming, it jumps all over the place - can't take a picture when it i not still
I have had a Kodak Easy Share since 2003 - I dropped it and researched cameras Iorever - came
across this one I thought perIect. The shutter speed is so slow - I can't believe it - only thing I
like is the size! I am returning it ASAP! The battery was gone by 2 1/2 hrs oI trying to use the
camera. This pic was not taken with the Sony! It is not letting me put my review on here!!!!
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Reviewer: Thaddeus (Chicago, IL)
Date: Jun 11, 2010
I've had this product Ior less than a month
25oI 26 people Iound this helpIul
Wux thlx revlew helpful?
es no
Report as inappropriate
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ives up to expectations and more!
Pros: Great Lens/ Large Screen/ Compact Size/ 10x Zoom/ Acceptable Battery LiIe
Cons: When you take pictures in low light, the display seems a little Iuzzy but turns out clear
aIter the picture.
The DSC-H55 is the best compact camera I have Iound that Sony makes Ior the price. Every
picture I have taken has been absolutely stunning. The panorama mode works better than
expected but is a little hard to get the hang oI at Iirst. You have to go slowly or else you end up
with a photo with only halI oI peoples body... The Ilash is incredibly overbearing Ior its size it
makes sure every square inch oI the photo is bright but not too bright; even during the nighttime
it looks like daylight, that is iI you even need the Ilash. This camera practically takes the pictures
Ior you with smile shutter and the Iace recognizing selI timer. Not to mention the amazing zoom.
My Iriend used it once and decided she was going to get rid oI her old one to get the DSC-H55. I
could go on and on about this camera. It is by Iar the best overall camera with the quality you
expect Irom Sony at an EXTREMELY reasonable price. Things aren't always two good to be
true.
Reviewer Images: (click to see Iull-size image)
The Sony DSC-H55's 10x wide (25mm equivalent) lens takes better shots Irom greater distances
and wider landscapes in a compact body. Take breathtaking panoramic shots in one sweeping
motion with Sweep Panorama mode and review them on a 3.0 LCD screen. Take clearer images
with Optical SteadyShot image.
14.1 Megapixel Super HAD CCD Image Sensor:
A powerIul 14.1 megapixel 1/2.3 Super HAD CCD image sensor helps you capture gorgeous
images with superb contrast and clarity down to the Iinest detail. With 14.1 megapixels, you can
create stunning, photo-quality prints up to A3 (13x19) size, or crop your images and still come
away with high resolution shots.
IONZ Image Processor:
The BIONZ image processor delivers the high resolution and Iast perIormance you expect
Irom a Sony digital camera. Fast processing enables unique Sony Ieatures such as Sweep
Panorama, Handheld Twilight, Antimotion Blur, HDR, etc to take and combine multiple images
in less than a second to create wide panoramic images. Images have reduced grain and appear
less washed out..
3.0" Clear Photo CD display (230k pixels)1:
Compose and show oII your images on the large 3.0 (230K) Clear Photo LCD display,
which Ieatures a special anti-reIlective coating Ior sharp visibility, even in bright sunlight.
10x (25mm) Professional-quality optical zoom G-ens:
G lenses are used in top oI the line digital single lens reIlex (DSLR) cameras and advanced pro-
sumer HD Camcorders. Capture the action up close with the 10x optical zoom, and with the
25mm equivalent wide angle lens the H55 even allows you to capture more oI the scenes in
landscape or group portraits.
Sweep Panorama mode:
Reach beyond the traditional wide angle lens, and capture more breathtaking shots with Sweep
Panorama Mode. Simply press the shutter button and sweep the camera in the desired direction
and the camera continuously shoots at a high speed, then seamlessly stitches the images together
with automatic position adjustment to create one stunning panoramic image. Available in wide
and ultra-wide options, the camera can take panoramic shots oI up to 244 degrees. Now
capturing wide landscapes is as easy as press and sweep.
720p MP4 HD Movie Mode:
MP4 is ideal Ior enjoying and sharing HD movies on your PC, Mac or the Internet. You can
record video up to 1280x720 at 30Ips. A MP4 HD Iile is a compressed single Iile Iormat, perIect
Ior uploading to computers and Web sharing sites like YouTube.


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Specifications

Image Capture Device:
O BIONZ engine: yes
O Megapixel: approx. 14.1 megapixels
O Imaging device: 1/2.3" (7.76mm) Super HAD CCD Sensor
ens:
O Lens construction: 10 elements in 7 groups (including 4 aspheric elements)
O Lens type: Sony G-Lens
Focus:
O 35mm equivalent: still shots: 25-250mm / Movie 16:9: 30-300mm / Movie 4:3 :36-
360mm
O Digital zoom: Smart Zoom / Precision Digital Zoom / OII
O Exposure compensation: Plus / Minus 2.0EV, 1 / 3EV step
O Face detection: 8 Faces (Auto / OII / Child Priority / Adult Priority)
O Focal length: 4.25-42.5mm
O Focus: 9 points AF / Center Weighted AF / Spot AF
O Macro mode: iAuto(W:Approx.5cm(0.16') to InIinity, T:Approx.100cm(3.28') to InIinity)
O Optical zoom: 10x
O Smart Zoom technology: 10M: approx. 11x (Total), 5M: approx. 16x (Total), VGA:
approx. 67x (Total), 16:9 (2M): approx. 22x (Total)
O Total zoom: approximately 20x with Precision Digital Zoom
CD:
O LCD: 3.0"1 Clear Photo LCD (230,400 pixels)
O ViewIinder: no
Aperture and Shutter:
O Aperture range: iAuto(F3.5/F8.0(W)) / Program Auto(F3.5/F8.0(W)) /
Manual(F3.5/F8.0(W)) (2 Steps with ND Filter)
O Shutter speed: iAuto(2" - 1/1,600) / Program Auto(1" - 1/1,600) / Manual(30"-1/1600)
Flash:
O Flash eIIective range: ISO Auto: approx. 0.25-approx. 4.1m (approx.0.82'-
approx.13.5')(W) / approx. 1.0-approx. 2.6m (approx. 3.28'-approx. 8.53')(T), ISO3200:
up to approx. 8.2m (approx. 26.9)(W) / approx. 5.2m (Approx. 17.06')(T)
O Flash mode(s) : Auto / On / Slow Syncro / OII
White alance:
O White balance : Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Fluorescent 1(White Fluorescent Lighting) /
Fluorescent 2 (Natural White Fluorescent Lighting) / Fluorescent 3 (Day White
Fluorescent Lighting) / Incandescent / Flash / One Push
Shooting Specifications:
O Microphone/speaker: mono / mono
O Movie mode(s) : 1280 x 720 (29.97Ips, Progressive) (Approx.9Mbps,6Mbps) / VGA
(640 x 480) (29.97Ips, Progressive) (Approx.3Mbps)
O Burst mode: approx. 1.84 Ips at 14.1MP (maximum 4 shots)
O Date/time stamp: available in the included PMB soItware
O Dynamic Range Optimizer: Plus / Standard / OII
O Erase/protect: yes/yes
O Image stabilization: optical
O Media/battery indicator: yes/yes
O PictBridge compatible: yes
O Red-eye reduction: Auto / On / OII
O Scene mode(s): High Sensitivity / Twilight / Twilight Portrait / SoIt Snap / Landscape /
Beach / Snow / Fireworks / Advanced Sports / Gourmet / Pet
O SelI timer : yes (OII / 2 sec. / 10 sec.)
O Still image mode(s) : Normal / Burst
O TransIerJet : no
Convenience Features:
O AF illuminator light: Auto / OII
O Clear RAW NR: yes
O Histogram display: yes
O In-camera editing: Trimming / Red Eye Correction / Unsharp Masking
O Multi-pattern measuring: yes
O NightFraming system: no
O NightShot inIrared system: no
O Power save mode: Standard / Stamina /OII
Image Storage:
O Recording media : 45MB internal Flash Memory, optional Memory Stick Duo Media,
optional Memory Stick PRO Duo Media, optional Memory Stick PRO Duo (High
Speed), optional Memory Stick PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC media
Interfaces:
O Accessory terminal: multi connector
O Audio/video output(s): yes
O HD output: component (1080i)
O USB port(s): yes - USB2.0 Hi-Speed
Power:
O Battery capacity: approx. 155 minutes / approx. 310 images (when shooting still images)
O Battery type: InIoLITHIUM G type 3.6V
O Power consumption (in Operation): approx. 1.1W
Physical Specifications:
O Color: black
Additional Information:
O Operating system compatibility: MicrosoIt Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP2,
Windows 7, Macintosh OS X (v10.4-v10.6)
O Supplied soItware: Picture Motion Browser Ver 5.0, PMB Portable 5.0 (Ior Windows),
PMB Portable 1.1 (Ior Macintosh), Music TransIer
Included:
O Rechargable battery pack (NP-BG1)
O Wrist strap
O Battery charger
O CD-ROM
O Multi connector cable (A/V, USB)