Sony's first H-series superzoom — 5.1MP CCD, 12x 36-432mm f/2.8-3.7 stabilised zoom, AA power
The Cyber-shot DSC-H1 of February 2005 was Sony's first H-series superzoom bridge camera, its answer to Panasonic's FZ line, combining a long stabilised lens with a DSLR-style grip and body. It was replaced a year later by the DSC-H2 and DSC-H5 but established the series formula.
It carried a 5.1-megapixel 1/2.5-inch Super HAD CCD and a 12x optical zoom spanning 36-432mm equivalent at f/2.8-3.7 with Super SteadyShot optical stabilisation. A fixed 2.5-inch 115,000-dot LCD handled composition, video recorded at 640x480 30fps, two AA NiMH batteries (supplied with charger when new) provided power, and images saved to full-size Memory Stick or Memory Stick PRO cards.
Its usefully bright f/2.8-3.7 zoom and effective stabilisation made it a popular first wildlife and sports camera, and the chunky grip handles well for the class. Burst depth is shallow and high-ISO output noisy by later standards, so it rewards good light.
Confirm smooth zoom travel and working stabilisation, check the LCD and battery door, and note it takes full-size Memory Stick cards — unlike the Duo-based H2 — so media is scarcer; a working card included in the sale is a genuine plus for buyers.