Stefan Mileschin

Sony's priciest CES model is still quite affordable, with a wallet-friendly $249 MSRP. That sticker price will net you a 26x lens with SteadyShot optical stabilization, a 22.3mm wide-angle focal length and a 20.1-megapixel sensor. The "DSLR style" shooter follows a typical superzoom form factor, with a large extended grip, a dedicated mode dial and a generous pop-up flash. You won't find the full gamut of advanced shooting modes, but there is a manual option, along with a program mode, Intelligent Auto, panorama and scene modes. There's a 3-inch LCD on the rear, but no touch functionality to speak of, so you'll need to use the four-position toggle to navigate through menus and settings. There's also a "burst" shooting option with 0.8 fps (yes, less than 1 frame per second), a top sensitivity of ISO 3200 and an HD movie mode that tops out at 720p. The camera is powered by four AA cells, and while constantly replacing batteries can become pricey, they're certainly convenient for travelers.

We spent a few minutes with the surprisingly light Cyber-shot H200 off the show floor. The camera was comfortable to hold, and the size wasn't overbearing. The display didn't appear to be terribly sharp, and the device itself didn't have the premium feel of Sony's higher-end models, or any of the company's mirrorless or DSLR cameras. In other words, while the H200 may look like a DSLR, the similarities end there. Still, at $249, it's much less expensive than even an entry-level interchangeable lens camera, and the 26x optical zoom range is quite versatile. Sony plans to ship the camera in the second half of this month, so you should be able to pop over to your local camera store to snag some sample shots of your own before January is through. But for now, the hands-on shots below will have to do.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/s...h200-hands-on/