The Cyber-shot H7 features a Carl Zeiss 15x, 5.2 to 78mm (31 to 465mm in 35mm equivalent), F2.7 - F4.5 zoom lens. The lens is constructed of 13 elements in 8 groups, with 4 aspheric elements and 1 ED element. Sony's Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization feature counteracts camera-shake to ensure sharp images. This feature also benefits low-light photography by allowing the use of longer shutter speeds with reduced risk of image blur from camera-shake.

Equipped with a low-light AF-assist lamp, the 9 area contrast detection autofocus system has a range of 19.7" (50cm) - infinity in normal mode and from 0.4" (1cm) - infinity in Macro focus mode. Focus modes are selectable and include: Multi-Point AF, Monitoring AF, Flexible Spot AF.

The auto popup speedlight has modes for: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Fill-in and Slow-sync. The working range at ISO Auto: 7.9" to 32.2' (0.2-9.8m) Wide, 3.9' to 20' (1.2-6.0m).

The eyelevel electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a tiny 0.2-inch (0.5cm) color LCD monitor with a magnified eyepiece. The diopter adjustment is located on the left-hand side. The EVF can be used for framing, review and menu operations. The FINDER/LCD button switches the active display from EVF to the large color LCD - the information displayed on both monitors is identical.

The 4-way controller is for navigating menus, changing settings and selecting playback images. The center button accepts menu selections. In record mode the 4-way buttons are used for: "Up" changes DISPlay settings (controls the amount of information displayed on the EVF or LCD), "Down" enable selftimer, "Left" enables Macro focus mode and "Right" is for changing the flash mode. Around the 4-way is the "Wheel" dial, which, depending on the mode being used, allows you to quickly change settings like ISO value, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure value, etc. Lastly, the Home button pulls up the "Home" menu with options for shooting mode, playback mode, Home screen, Settings etc.

Top controls: Out in front is the shutter release button. The Metering button selects the desired mode (Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot). The BRK/Drive button selects the drive mode (Single, Burst, AE Bracketing). You can also see the Infrared System sensor, built-in microphone, and Power button.

The Mode Dial has positions for: AUTO, Program AE, Shutter-speed priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Movie, SCN, Landscape, Twilight Portrait, Advanced Sports Shooting, Portrait and High Sensitivity (ISO).

On the sides are the I/O ports: The multi-connector is used for A/V output (video is NTSC or PAL) and USB 2.0 (high speed) data transfers. This is PictBridge compatible for direct printing to most modern photo printers. The DC IN port on the right allows use of and external power source.

The H9 stores its data on ~31MB of internal memory and optional Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick Duo PRO Cards. Memory Stick Duo PRO is required for capturing the MPEG-VX Fine mode 30fps motion video clips.

Approx. Storage Capacities

The Cyber-shot H7 is powered by a Sony Lithium-Ion NP-BG1 3.6V, 3.4Wh (960 mAh) battery pack. Sony's Stamina technology provides power for up to 300 shots with LCD On or 320 shots using the EVF. This pack is charged in the handy BC-CSG charger. It features folds away prongs, which is great for traveling and easy storage.