Compact Sony with 10x Carl Zeiss stabilised zoom, genuine telephoto reach in a smaller-than-bridge-camera body.
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 is a compact camera from 2007 featuring a 10x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optical zoom with Super SteadyShot optical stabilisation. The 10x zoom provides 38-380mm equivalent coverage in a body smaller than bridge cameras, offering serious telephoto reach in a relatively compact package.
The 8.1-megapixel sensor and Carl Zeiss optics deliver functional image quality with Sony's image processing. The Super SteadyShot system provides effective stabilisation essential for handheld use at the 380mm telephoto end. Face detection autofocus and auto scene recognition simplify operation for casual users.
Build quality is solid compact construction with Sony's characteristically clean design. The camera includes a 2.5-inch LCD screen, and the ergonomic grip provides stable handling for telephoto shooting. Sony's High Sensitivity mode boosts ISO for better results in low light at the expense of noise.
The H3 holds modest value on the used market as a compact camera with genuine telephoto reach via its Carl Zeiss 10x zoom. The Super SteadyShot stabilisation and Zeiss optics provide better-than-average image quality for a camera of this type and era.