Cybershot H9 exceeds expectations

As an advanced amateur, yet unwilling to pay the high price for a digital SLR, I find the H9 more than fills the gap where point-n-shoot models leave off and SLR flexibility begins. The built-in flash far outperforms typical point-n-shoot. The 15x zoom capability combined with 8.1 megapixels means I can photograph distant wildlife or sporting events from afar and then crop later to achieve the desired photo. The night mode works better than the human eye when the sun goes down. Although surprisingly lightweight, it still has a solid, quality feel about it. The display is hinged so you can adjust it, allowing you shoot over top of tall people and fences without guessing where the lens is pointing—an amazing feature unknown to point-n-shoot or SLR models. Annoyances include a frustrating inability to add filters without adding a bulky Sony-proprietary adapter. The wide angle accessory is heavy, but comes in handy when photographing large objects at close range. The image stabilization makes shooting one-handed easy, and the resulting picture quality is superb. I purchased two extra batteries and you'll need a memory stick.