See All Digital Cameras (Ultra-Zoom)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10

Discontinued

Reviewed

February 2009

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Cheap, but looks it
3-inch LCD screen
Eight scene modes

Cons

Unimpressive images
No viewfinder
Plastic body

Where to Buy

for $549.00

Our Analysis
Specs
87 Amazon Reviews

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10B has a 10x lens, 8.1-megapixel resolution, a plastic body and a low price compared with most ultra-zoom digital cameras. Most reviews dislike the image quality, but they note some cool features such as a 3-inch LCD screen and eight programmed scene modes, including one for sports. Owner reviews are generally more positive than those by professionals, but some complain about the lack of a viewfinder and a cumbersome process for deleting photos. Ultimately, most professional reviews suggest buying something else.

You can't go wrong with the ratings at PCMag.com, CNET or ConsumerReports.org (if you subscribe). Their ratings systems make it easy to see how cameras compare, and while the reviews are based on solid testing, they are written for a general audience. The more technically inclined will find more detailed information at Steves-Digicams.com and DPReview.com. About three dozen owner reviews at Amazon.com offer a highly positive consensus but do note some aforementioned drawbacks.

Where To Buy

Sony Cybershot DSC-H10 8.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot
(87 reviews) Buy new: $299.99 16 Used & new from $55.00

Our Sources

1. PCMag.com

PCMag.com thoroughly tests five ultra-zooms, ultimately giving the Editors' Choice award to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10 produces "poor" images when a flash is needed, although the sports-shooting mode will be an attraction for some.

Review: How to Buy a Superzoom Camera, Molly K. McLaughlin, Aug. 12, 2008

2. CNET

CNET bases its reviews on extensive testing and gives the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10 a score of seven out of 10, not bad for an ultra-zoom. Reviewer Lori Grunin says image quality is good only in good outdoor light and that the DSC-H10 is a "decent but not outstanding" value. She directs readers to a chart of best ultra-zooms.

Review: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10 (Silver), Lori Grunin, April 29, 2008

3. ConsumerReports.org

If you have a subscription, you'll want to see ConsumerReports.org's rankings of 14 ultra-zooms, including the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10. Otherwise, you can find ample coverage for free elsewhere.

Review: Digital Cameras, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, As of June 2009

4. StevesDigicams.com

Reviews here are based on heavy testing, and there are plenty of image samples, but this website usually shies from purchase recommendations. It does point out that for about $80 more than the 10x Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10, you can get a 15x lens and more features (like a viewfinder) from the DSC-H50.

Review: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10, Editors of Steves-Digicams.com, Sept. 5, 2008

5. DPReview.com

Reviewer Lars Rehm makes no bones about this being a budget model and says the plastic body looks less cheap in black than in silver. Image quality, he says, is "good in reasonable light" and no worse in other light than other budget models.

Review: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H10 Concise Review, Lars Rehm, April 2008

6. Amazon.com

About three dozen user reviews combine to give the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10 a very high average score, with no ratings below three out of five. Some complaints concern lack of a viewfinder and a tiresome process for deleting photos.

Review: Sony Cybershot DSC-H10, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of June 2009

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