The Cyber-shot DSC-H1 was Sony's first foray into the increasingly crowded compact, image stabilized 'super zoom' market, and it was a very successful one too. The DSC-H5 (along with little brother the DSC-H2) arrived almost exactly a year later in February 2006. The H5 is notable as the first 'big zoom' compact camera to feature a 7 megapixel sensor (a new Sony 1/2.5" CCD), and for its huge 3.0" screen. Otherwise the specification is pretty much the same as the H2, itself a fairly subtle update to the original H1 - no bad thing given the very high standards set by that model. Let's start with the headline features:

Specifications

 More information  :  Announced 25-Feb-06 Max resolution      3072 x 2304
 Low resolution   :   2592 x 1944, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480
 Image ratio w:h   :   4:3, 3:2
 Effective pixels  :    7.1 million
 Sensor photo detectors   :   7.2 million
 Sensor size  :    1/2.5 "
 Sensor type  :    CCD
 Colour filter array   :   RGB
 Sensor manufacturer  :    Sony
 ISO rating   :   Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
 Zoom wide (W)   :   36 mm
 Zoom tele (T)    :  432 mm (12 x)
 Digital zoom   :   Yes, 2x
 Image stabilization   :   Yes, Lens
 Auto Focus  :    Yes
 Manual Focus   :   Yes, 5 presets
 Auto focus type  :    Multi-point 3 area (selectable)
 Normal focus range  :    50 cm
 Macro focus range  :    2 cm
 White balance override  :    5 positions
 Aperture range   :   F2.8 - F3.7
 Min shutter  :    30 sec
 Max shutter   :   1/1000 sec
 Built-in Flash   :   Yes, pop-up
 Flash guide no.       
 External flash  :    No
 Flash modes  :    Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
 Exposure compensation   :   -2 EV to +2 EV in 1/3 EV Steps
 Metering   :   Multi-Segment, Center weighted, Spot
 Aperture priority   :   Yes
 Shutter priority   :   Yes
 Focal length multiplier       
 Lens thread   :   Yes
 Continuous Drive   :   Yes
 Movie Clips  :    Yes, MPEG VX (VGA, 8/16/30 fps, unlimited) with audio
 Remote control  :    No
 Tripod mount   :   Yes
 Self-timer  :    10 sec
 Timelapse recording  :    No
 Orientation sensor  :    No
 Storage types   :   Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
 Storage included    :  32 MB Internal
 Uncompressed format  :    No
 Compressed format   :   JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
 Quality Levels  :    Fine, Standard
 Viewfinder :     EVF
 LCD  :    3.0 "
 LCD Pixels   :   230,000
 Video out    :  Yes
 USB   :   Yes, 2.0
 Firewire (IEEE 1394)  :    No
 Battery / Charger  :    Yes
 Battery  :    AA (2) batteries (NiMH rechargables included)
 Weight (inc. batteries)  :    490 g (17.3 oz)
 Dimensions   :   108 x 81 x 92 mm (4.3 x 3.2 x 3.6 in)

Review

Advanced amateurs who find dSLRs too bulky will like the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-H5's versatility but lament the noise at higher ISOs.
http://reviews.cnet.com/