A Comprehensive Review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 Camera

As one of the most popular cameras in the Sony Cyber-shot range, the DSC-H50 is a versatile camera that offers a range of features and capabilities for both amateur and professional photographers. From its powerful zoom lens to its high-resolution sensor, this camera has a lot to offer. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at what the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 is all about and why it's a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their photography gear.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 15 2009

Announced

9 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCCD
Weight547g
MSRP$399USD

Other similar cameras

Overview of the Cyber-shot DSC-H50

Are you in the market for a new camera? If you're looking for a versatile, high-quality camera that can handle a range of photography needs, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 is definitely worth considering. With its impressive specs and features, this camera is a top choice for many photographers. Let's take a closer look at what makes the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 an excellent option and why it's a great investment for anyone serious about their photography.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

9.1 megapixels
Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens
High-resolution 3.0" LCD screen
Super SteadyShot image stabilization
Powerful optical zoom (15x)

Cons

No HD video recording
Limited manual control options
Slow shot-to-shot time
Relatively bulky and heavy design
Mediocre low light performance

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50

Weather sealed
Dimensions116 x 81 x 86mm
Weight547g
Thickness86mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution230k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 230k dots. This makes the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Cyber-shot DSC-H50 includes a electronic viewfinder with n/a of resolution with a coverage of n/a and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 has a 9MP sized CCD sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 9 pixels. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 has a native ISO range of 80 - 3200 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jan 15 2009

Announced

80 - 3200

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution3456 x 2592 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Cyber-shot DSC-H50 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageMemory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Battery Life
Battery ModelNP-BG1
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 supports Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 uses the NP-BG1 model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 features a CCD sensor

Is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 weather sealed?

No the Cyber-shot DSC-H50 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 announced?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 was announced on Jan 15 2009

Does the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Cyber-shot DSC-H50 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50?

The Cyber-shot DSC-H50 has a native ISO range of 80-3200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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