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Question

Sony DSC-H9 help

Jan 5, 2012 11:44AM PST

I'll be attending a basketball game tomorrow, and the arena's policy states no DSLR or SLR digital cameras are allowed inside. I'm trying to find out if my camera, a Sony DSC-H9, falls into that category. I've been looking online for info, but I'm still unsure. I don't want to take the camera with me, in case I'm turned away and have to return it to the car.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Not a DSLR
Jan 5, 2012 11:55AM PST

The H9 is not a DSLR, but that doesn't mean you won't be turned away. It might be up to the discretion of security, since to the untrained eye, the H9 looks similar to a DSLR.

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Agree
Jan 5, 2012 11:09PM PST

If it is big and black, security will usually rule it to be DSLR.
A silver color H9 camera might get through.

Even if you get the camera into the arena you will not be pleased with the shots you get.
The typical basketball arena exposure setting is about::
1/500 sec, f/2.8, ISO=3200 and a focal length of about 85mm if you are on the sidelines.

But if you are in the stands, the H9 camera will max out at f/4.5 when you zoom the lens.
And the brightest H9 ISO setting without excessive noise is 400.
800 is not too bad, but 1600 and 3200 are poor.

So for a good exposure with a minimum of noise, you would have to set the shutter speed to about 1/15th of a second and ISO to 400.

That means most of your shots will include some degree of blurring from either camera motion and/or subject motion.

..

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Agree #2
Jan 6, 2012 12:38AM PST

Unless you are sitting right under the basket, you won't have a chance at getting a Sports Illustrated worthy shot. Only a DSLR has the low noise and available bright lenses to capture indoor sports. With your Sony, you'll likely get nothing but very noisy and/or blurry photos.