Canon Powershot S3 IS, Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H5, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7, and Kodak Easyshare Z612

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5

$499 (street)

www.sonystyle.com

877-865-7669

Sony bested its competitors with one more megapixel of resolution and an LCD one notch bigger--a sharp, fine-grained 3-incher. The biggest of these cameras, the H5 has very good ergonomics and well-located controls (except for the peculiarly placed eyepiece diopter). It goes up to ISO 1000 (with lower noise, according to Sony), and a macro mode focuses to 3/4-inch.

Smart: Function Guide explains almost every setting as you use it. Fun: Beach mode, for "waterside scene with rich blue color."

Imaging: 7.2MP (effective) CCD. Lens: 12X 36-432mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8-3.7. LCD: Fixed 3-in., 230,000 pixels. EVF: 0.2-in., 201,000 pixels. Image stabilization: Lens-based, continuous or shoot only. ISO range: 80-1000. Storage: MemoryStick Duo/PRO Duo card slot, 32MB internal storage; JPEG format. Output: Hi-Speed USB 2.0; NTSC/PAL video. Power: 2 AA batteries. Size/weight: 4.5x3.3x3.7 in.; 1.3 lb with card and batteries. Video: 640x480 at 30 fps; image stabilization and zooming; mono sound. CIPA battery life rating: 340 shots with supplied NiMH batteries, 50% with flash. In the box: Rechargeable NiMH batteries, charger, lenshood and adapter ring, AV and USB cables, neck strap, software (Cyber-shot Viewer). Wide-angle and telephoto lenses available.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

• Biggest LCD screen.

• 7.2MP capture

Certified Test Results:

Noise: Low at ISO 80 (1.42) and ISO 100 (1.71), Moderately Low at ISO 200 (2.23), Moderate at ISO 400 (2.46) and 800 (2.68), High/Unacceptable at ISO 1000 (3.29)

Color: Extremely High (Average Delta E: 8.31, Auto ISO 80)

Resolution: Extremely HIgh at ISO 80 (1682), Excellent at ISO 100 (1705), Extremely High at ISO 200 (1668), ISO 400 (1640), ISO 800 (1610), and ISO 1000 (1545)

Lens Distortion: Visible Barrel (45.00%) at 1X, Imperceptible Barrel (.02%) at 6X, and Imperceptible Pincushion (.03%) at 12X.