Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 Digital Camera Review by Gene Wright

The sleek Sony DSC-TX1 Digital Camera incorporates the "Exmor R" CMOS sensor and boasts stunning low-light performance, reducing grain by more than 50%, even without a flash. High speed burst captures 10fps without distortion and expansive Sweep Panorama shots are easy to achieve with press and sweep motion. Control it all with its 3-inch touch screen LCD.

Brown Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1/H Digital 10MP Exmor R CMOS Camera

Sony DSC-TX1 Highlights

10.2-megapixel Back-Illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS Sensor Producing Stunning Images in Low Light
The TX1 features a 10.2-megapixel "Exmor R" CMOS image sensor that brings out the full resolving power of the camera’s Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens to deliver extremely fast speed, high resolution, and stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain. . In addition, the combined "Exmor R" CMOS sensor and BIONZ image processor delivers extremely fast 10fps, Anti Motion Blur, Hand-held Twilight and 720p movie modes.

Blue Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1/H Digital 10MP Exmor R CMOS Camera

CMOS vs. non-CMOS image sensor

Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens with 4x Optical Zoom
The high-performance Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 4x optical zoom lens brings distant subjects closer for video recording as well as for outdoor, sports, and travel photos, and Close Focus shoots close-ups up to just under 1/2-inch from the subject.

Pink Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1/H Digital 10MP Exmor R CMOS Camera

3-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus Touch Screen
A large 3-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus touch screen display (230K pixels) allows you to scroll through images by simply touching the display. Thanks to a layer of hardened glass on the touch screen, the display of the TX1 is twice as durable as the DSC-T90 .

Silver Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1/H Digital 10MP Exmor R CMOS Camera

Stylish Ultra-slim Design
Measuring at just 3 3/4 x 2 3/8 x 2 1/32 inches, the DSC-TX1 is slim enough to slip into a pocket or purse, so you can take it with you wherever you go.

BIONZ Image Processor
The BIONZ image processor delivers the high resolution and fast performance you expect from a Sony digital camera. Fast processing enables Sweep Panorama Mode to create the image in seconds, clear images in low light settings, and layering one image over another to create a photo that looks just like what you see with your eyes.

Handheld Twilight
Capture cleaner and sharper night shots without using a tripod. When set to Handheld Twilight Mode, the TX1 captures six images in a fraction of a second with one press of the shutter, and combines the data from all six to create a single image of extraordinary detail and low noise. With these modes, you can capture images in low light, without flash, beyond the capability of traditional cameras.

Anti-Motion Blur Mode
Capture cleaner and sharper images, even when your subject is moving. When set in Anti-motion Blur Mode, the TX1 captures six images in a fraction of a second with higher shooter speed and combines the data from all six to create a single image of extraordinary detail and eliminate subject blur, beyond the capability of traditional cameras.

Sweep Panorama mode Reach beyond the traditional wide-angle lens, and capture more breathtaking shots with Sweep Panorama Mode. Simply press the shutter button and sweep the camera in the desired direction and the camera continuously shoots at a high speed, then seamlessly stitches the images together with automatic position adjustment to create one stunning panoramic image. Available in wide and ultra-wide options, the camera can take panoramic shots of up to 185 degrees. Now capturing wide landscapes is as easy as press and sweep.

Capture breathtaking Panoramic shots

High speed shooting
The DSC-TX1 can capture full 10.2-megapixel resolution images at up to 10 fps, helping to ensure that you capture the decisive moment such as the soccer ball flying into the goal. In addition, the DSC-TX1 employs a mechanical shutter that helps reduce distortion when continuously shooting moving subjects.

HD Movie (720p)
Capture more of your memories in high definition (720p) video. Record HD movies in 720p high definition MPEG4 format for stunning large-screen home movie playback. Record up to 29 minutes (or up to 2 GB) per movie in 720p format.

Easy Touch Screen Interaction
The DSC-TX1 now offers intuitive additions to the multi-purpose touch screen, such as the ability to select the focus point with a simple touch, scroll through images by sliding your finger across the screen and one-touch access to the MENU. The display also features improved readability with list view, index view as well as new colored icons.

Creative painting tools
Decorate your photos with words and drawings using the included paint pen. There are also more than 30 stamps and 15 types of picture frames.

Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization uses a built-in gyro sensor to detect camera shake and automatically shifts the lens to help prevent blur without sacrificing image quality.

High Sensitivity Mode (ISO 3200)
High ISO allows for faster shutter speed, so you can take photos indoors or in low light without the need for a flash. In addition to High Sensitivity Mode (ISO), you can select up to seven ISO settings (Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200) when shooting in Program Auto Mode to adjust sensitivity to your shooting conditions.

Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode
Unlike traditional auto mode, Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode thinks for you, recognizing scenes, lighting conditions, and faces, and adjusts settings resulting in clearer images, faces with more natural skin tone, and less blur. By incorporating advanced features such as Intelligent Scene Recognition, Face Detection technology, and Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, iAuto mode lets you take advantage of the latest Sony Cyber-shot technology without leaving auto mode. Whether you’re shooting expansive landscapes, capturing playground action, or taking pictures at a birthday party or wedding shower, iAuto mode will optimize your camera’s settings to help ensure you come away with a great shot.

Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) Mode
Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) Mode automatically detects nine different types of scenes and, within just 1/30th of a second, selects the appropriate camera settings: Backlight, Backlight Portrait, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Twilight using a tripod, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, and Close Focus. iSCN has two modes: Auto and Advanced. In Auto Mode, the camera takes a single shot using the optimal settings. In Advanced Mode, the camera takes a photo with the optimal settings and, if in difficult lighting (low light or back light) immediately takes a second photo with another optimized setting so you can choose which to keep.

Intelligent AF
Thanks to Intelligent AF technology, capture fleeting moments like a child’s adorable expression with the ultra-quick AF which locks focus in as little as 0.3 seconds.

Smile Shutter technology
Smile Shutter technology captures a smile the moment it happens. Simply press the Smile Shutter button and the camera does the rest. You can also select adult and child priority and indicate the degree of Smile Detection Sensitivity. Intelligent Scene Recognition can now be used together with Smile Shutter mode when the Intelligent Auto mode is on. This means that beautiful smiles can be captured with settings optimized for the particular scene, even in difficult conditions such as twilight and backlighting.

Face Detection technology
Sony’s improved Face Detection technology can automatically distinguish between children and adults. Face Detection technology detects up to eight individual faces and adjusts focus, exposure, and white balance to help deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends.

Motion Detection
Motion Detection, along with Face Motion Detection adjusts ISO sensitivity and increases the shutter speed when movement is detected, reducing blur in moving subjects and faces

Pet Mode
Pet-mode minimizes blur when shooting moving pets utilizing Motion Detection technology and automatically turns off the flash to reduce glowing pet eyes. AF illumination is also disabled so you can take more natural expressions avoiding startling your pets.

Dynamic Range Optimizer Standard and Plus
Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) Standard and Plus uses a sophisticated algorithm to help recover shadows and highlights. The result is more natural images with clearer details that more closely match what your naked eye sees. DRO is particularly effective when shooting backlit portraits or any scene with a dramatic contrast between background and foreground lighting. DRO Plus allows for even greater optimization by analyzing each region of an image and performing additional image processing.

Easy Shooting Mode
With Easy Shooting Mode, even beginners can take great photos. In Easy Shooting Mode, easy-to-understand basic instructions are displayed on the LCD screen and the camera switches to all automatic settings, removing several function choices and allowing you to focus on just your subject. Since this mode works together with Intelligent Scene Recognition, the camera selects the optimum setting for each scene. In addition the easy mode simplifies preview mode.

Viewing modes
Find your photos using the simple folder or calendar viewing modes.

In-Camera Retouching Tools
Retouch and enhance your photos on the go with in-camera Trimming, Red-Eye Correction, and Unsharp Masking functions.

Wide zoom display
To use the entire image area of your compatible HDTV screen (sold separately), Wide Zoom display automatically expands standard 4:3 and 3:2 images to 16:9.

PHOTOMUSIC
PHOTOMUSIC combines images with music (4 tracks, 5 minutes per track) to produce fun and entertaining slide shows with standard visual effects (Simple, Nostalgic, Active, and Stylish). Select from pre-loaded tracks on the camera or transfer your own from your compatible computer (sold separately).

PhotoTV HD
Bring your photos to life and enjoy highly detailed, high definition images with PhotoTV HD-capable Sony BRAVIA HDTVs. PhotoTV HD fine tunes settings on your PhotoTV HD enabled BRAVIA HDTV, such as sharpness, gradation, and color to display images that look more like printed photos

Function Guide
This beginner-friendly optional function helps navigate through the various functions and settings displaying the description of chosen functions or settings on the LCD screen.

Lithium-ion battery
Included lithium-ion battery provides added convenience with longer lasting power than alkaline batteries.

lithium-ion battery

Pocket Rocket, September 13, 2009

By Craig T. Niedzielski (Jacksonville, Florida United States)

I normally buy my products through ebay, but I am here in Taiwan when the TX1 was released and I decided to take a stab and buy one from the local 3C.

I was wary of getting the touch screen version, having tried my sister's T9 from last year and not liking the interface. But I have to say that the screen on the TX1 is very much improved and now I wonder if I could go back to a conventional interface. Taking pictures with this camera is so much fun.

Because it is so thin and light, pressing the shutter release button without adding shake to the shot takes a very steady hand. I rather prefer to use the 2-second timer, which gives me just enough time after pressing the button to steady up the focus frame on my subject. My only caveat so far is that I could keep it on 2-second timer as default, rather having to set it for each shot.

This, combined with the various technologies give great low-light shots, really incredible for hand-held. The TX1 is my so-called "American Express" camera, replacing my much larger and less-forgiving Fujifilm F31fd. It is really hard to take bad shots with this camera, and if you take the time to learn the benefits of the various modes, I am certain you will get great results too.

I was also skeptical of getting the rather narrow range of the 35mm lens, thinking I would prefer the wider lens on the WX1 when it comes out next month, but the panorama mode is awesome so I don't miss having the wider lens. All of the technologies work well, and are not just Sony's hype. This camera really deserves way better than two stars.

Give this little gem a spin. You can always return it if you don't agree that it's the best little camera out there. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

By Jean M. West (Daytona Beach, FL)

My requirements in a camera are pretty basic: compact for travel, good color values, enough megapixels to maintain clarity when the pictures are shown in class on a data projector, and something convenient for family and pet shots. When I body-slammed my camera and myself to the paving stones of Salisbury, England, my Sony DSC-T9 performed like nothing had happened until I returned home, four days later. Then, it completely kicked the bucket, vibrating uncontrollably and unable to focus. I researched other brands online and in person, but frankly, the color values for Canon, Nikon, Casio,Samsung, and Kodak and the Sony W-series were completely unnatural on the viewing screens. I've been with Sony digital cameras since the first Mavica and I liked what I saw advertised, so took a leap of faith with the TX1. My daughter got the HX1 and after seeing its colors values and features, it was tempting, but bottom line, too bulky for my needs.

I've had the DSC TX-1 camera for 24 hours and having mastered the touch screen am running it through its paces:

* Low light, wonderful! That will help in museums and the interior of historic homes where flash and tripod are not welcome, not to mention sparing people (especially babies) temporary flash blindness when taking candids at parties.

* Panorama? Not a gimmick to me: I can shoot the local lighthouse which means I can shoot cramped cathedrals.

* The pet feature is great. Don't laugh, my first dog was a ham and it didn't matter, but the new one's camera shy.

* Closeups of the flowers in the garden and some figurines inside without flash came out beautifully.

* I tested out the film feature, and caught a pair of squirrels chasing on the fence in perfect clarity (not to mention hilarity.)

I don't have an SLR and I don't want one. I'm strictly point and shoot. The memory stick duo is what Sony uses; save to an external hard drive (you're going to need one either for the quantity of VGA photos or the memory required to store all your 10.2 megapixel treasures) and re-use to bring down your expenses if the price differential with other media is such a big factor. Maybe I should know what "noise" is without having to look it up, but I don't. The outdoor and indoor pictures look just fine, even at full magnification. I haven't transferred them to the computer, but I don't show my pictures on my computer. Neither do I have a huge HD television, nor a super-duper printer for printing large images on photo paper. If you're like me, then you probably won't see odd color flecks either (that's what noise is, for the uninitiated.)

For me, it's a sweet little camera, a perfect fit. Did I pay too much? Having the first decent portrait of my three-year-old Sheltie, in glorious true sable and white color (unlike the competition), is worth every penny I paid.