Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V 18.2 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and 3.3-inch OLED (Silver) (2012 Model)

by Sony

• 18.2 megapixels
• 5X optical zoom
• 3.3-inch OLED
• Certified waterproof and dustproof
• Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode for blur-free movies

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.4 x 3.9 x 2 inches ; 4.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B006K552LG
• Item model number: DSCTX200V
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,748 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #83 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Underwater Photography > Cameras
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 20, 2012

Product Description

Color: Silver

From the Manufacturer

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V 18.2 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and 3.3-inch OLED

• Capture 18.2MP ultra-high definition images even in low-light
  
• Certified waterproof and dustproof
• Sleek glass design plus a large 3.3-inch OLED
• Hi-speed AF improves focus speed, even in low light
  
• Full HD 1080/60p with dual record of stills and movies¹
  
• Clear Image Zoom captures realistic detailed images
• Capture the decisive moment with up to 10fps
  
• Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode for blur-free movies
  
• Picture Effect for more expressive photos
• Photo Creativity allows exposure setting adjustment
  

Experience the stylish glass design of the Sony DSC-TX200V. The waterproof and dustproof camera features a 3.3-inch OLED touch screen, an 18.2MP sensor, an ultra-stable 5X optical/10X Clear Image Zoom, and Hi-speed AF. The DSC-TX200V also captures incredible low light pictures at up to 10fps, and Full HD 1080/60p video.

Key Features

18.2 Megapixel Back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS Image Sensor

The 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor captures ultra-high definition images that take full advantage of the camera’s sharp Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens. The sensor enables advanced processing that reduces noise levels up to 6 times more than other sensors, resulting in stunning low light images with incredible details.

Waterproof and dustproof

The sleek and stylish DSC-TX200V fits the slimmest pocket or purse. Thanks to its airtight construction, it is dustproof as well as waterproof to a depth of 16 feet. 

Slim glass design plus a 3.3-inch OLED

The DSC-TX200V features a sleek, polished glass camera front without protruding lenses or control buttons, making it one of the thinnest cameras in its class, and adding to its water- and dust-proof design. The 5X optical zoom extends internally, and scenes can be composed or played back on the camera’s bright and colorful 3.3-inch OLED monitor.

Hi-speed AF

To improve focusing speed and sensitivity, the Exmor R CMOS sensor uses its rapid 240fps throughput to deliver high-quality image signals to the camera’s BIONZ processor, which provides intelligent response data to a new high speed actuator motor in the lens. The result is fast, DSLR-like focusing speeds even in low light.

Full HD 1080/60p

Record crystal clear movies at the highest resolution available with capabilities for 60p in 1080.³ This provides stunning, fast motion video with less distortion for playback on your HD TV.² With dual record of stills and movies, you can shoot both at the same time.

Optical zoom plus Clear image zoom

Most digital zooms use electronic cropping to get closer to the subject, resulting in unsharp images. With Clear Image Zoom the powerful processor compares patterns found in adjacent pixels and creates new pixels to match selected patterns, resulting in more realistic, higher-quality images. Clear Image Zoom doubles optical zoom for closer photos.

Capture the decisive moment with up to 10fps

Capture full 18.2 megapixel resolution images at up to 10 frames per second, helping to ensure that the decisive moment is captured such as the soccer ball flying into the goal. In addition, a mechanical shutter helps reduce distortion when continuously shooting moving subjects.

Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode

Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode for blur-free movies even while walking. Camera-shake compensation using Optical SteadyShot/Active Mode has been improved with the addition of new electronic image stabilization. Now it’s easier than ever to obtain sharp, blur-free movies even when zooming in unsteady situations, such as shooting with one hand while walking.

Picture Effect for more expressive photos

Picture Effect adds a new level of expression to photos, making ordinary landscapes and portraits come to life by heightening mood and emphasizing certain attributes. Select camera models have up to nine different effects.

Photo Creativity

Photo Creativity allows you to fine-tune your exposure settings, such as brightness, color, and vividness, and quickly choose the right enhancement for your subject. Now you can view Picture Effects and Photo Creativity effects in real time on the camera’s monitor or in the viewfinder before shooting.  

Background Defocus

DSLR photographs are often beautiful because they blur the background, putting the emphasis on the subject. Now our point-and-shoot cameras can deliver this signature DSLR benefit. The system takes two shots, identifies the background and applies a defocused background keeping the subject crisp and clear.

Superior Auto mode

Get cleaner, more dynamic pictures and fewer missed shots. The DSC-TX200V automatically recognizes the correct scene mode, then quickly shoots and combines up to six shots to produce images with greater clarity, optimum dynamic range using backlight correction HDR technology and lower image noise using 6 shots layering technology. Superior Auto intelligently detects 33 scenes for still images and movies, making it easy to get the best shot.

Face Detection technology

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.

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.

Anti-blink Function

It’s frustrating to capture the perfect shot, only to review it later and discover subjects blinked during the photo. The Anti-blink function works to help counter blinking and squinting. When the camera is set to Soft Snap, the Anti-blink function captures two images, recording only the photo with less squinting. If a blink is detected in other shooting modes, a warning will be displayed after you take the shot.

Soft Skin mode

Portrait subjects will love the results. Soft Skin mode recognizes skin tones and reduces the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles without affecting the rest of the shot.

Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) Mode

Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) Mode automatically detects 33 different types of scenes and, within just 1/30th of a second, selects the appropriate camera settings. 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.

Natural Flash

Conventional point-and-shoot camera flash shots just don't capture colors the way the eye sees them. Natural Flash mode takes a reference shot without flash and then uses that reference to correct the color, for far more lifelike images.

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.

<sub>1. Records in 29 minute segments
2. Requires HDTV and HDMI cable sold separately</sub>

Product Description

This camera sports its remarkable 1/2.3&rdquo; Exmor&reg; R CMOS sensor that allows you to capture 18MP photos and full HD videos with ease. This compact digital camera owns a Optical SteadyShot™ with Active Mode, letting you avoid blurred shots as it compensates any probable camera shake. Moreover, the Sony DSC-TX200V Cyber-shot Digital Camera has a sleek 3.3&rdquo; Xtra Fine™ TruBlack™ OLED touch screen for awesome composition, and reviewing of your shots, all with the touch of your fingers on the screen. It is also equipped with GPS and compass feature for better scene and location recording plus of course waterproof for you to shoot underwater.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 65 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars If money is not everything! May 21, 2012

By rbhatta TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Color Name:Silver|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

If money is not everything and you do not mind spending a few hundred dollars extra then you will find this Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX200V ultra-slim, ultra-light a "perfect" choice which offers very unique features that makes this the best `point & shoot' camera product of the year 2012! ...

Here is why...

Image resolution & Movie recording:
-----------------------------------
This tiny shiny camera boasts 18.2 MP resolution image captures which is the highest resolution till date of any point and shoot camera of this size. It also captures very smooth `optically stabilized' video up-to 1080p/60 true HD AVCHD movies in stereo AC3 sound at the same time allowing user to capture stills [16:9] seamlessly while taking movies which is very impressive and useful feature indeed.

Perfect looking stills every time. Thanks to various built-in camera post processing. Almost if not every photo I have taken so far has come out perfect. No blurry images No shake. Excellent results every single time.

Practical use of a point & Shoot:
---------------------------------
How many times you wished that you take a video of that special Birthday moment of your child while at the same time wished to have a high resolution still image of the moment to cherish later? Well, Sony got that it right this time. You no longer have to juggle a camcorder and bulky DSLR with plethora of lens attachments, this `simple looking' lightweight stylish point and shoot camera does it all effortlessly.

Waterproof - Peace of mind!
---------------------------
The Camera is waterproof! - Yay! The specs say up-to 5 meters and can operate underwater for full hour of underwater photography! - Very impressive indeed.... But for most users may not really use the camera underwater. What it gives to a general user is peace of mind that if you accidently drop this in pool or get wet in the rain it will not damage the camera.

Creative and Macro Photography:
-------------------------------
Very Impressive Macro photos, I must say it is truly amazing how close you can get to the subject to take those beautiful looking Macro photos. I have used Canon EOS 60D before; I must say it is very close to the DSLR quality when it comes to macro photography without any need of special lenses or contraptions. You can use the "Defocus Effect" feature to get those professional looking close-ups that otherwise takes a lot of photography experience and expensive lenses and contraptions. This simple point and shoot camera does it beautifully and effortlessly. - Impressive!

Memory card:
------------
I used SanDisk microSDHC 32GB Flash Memory Card (Retail Packaging) SDSDQM-032G-B35,Black with this camera and found the memory card fully compatible. I did not try any other microSD/SDHC memory card. It accepted the 32GB capacity just fine. I however wished that it accepted standard SD cards which are faster and cheaper these days. I am not sure why SONY decided to go with microSD/SDHC cards with this camera.

Battery life:
-------------
The battery life is good, In real life test I wished that it could have given me more but I got about 195 photos under 3 hours before it gave up on me. The OLED screen display has various options to conserve battery, I have found that if I use a "Darker" menu theme the OLED screen consumes less power and you get more juice out of the battery and also turn off the GPS feature if you do not want location data for your photos.

PROS:
[+] The sleekest waterproof point & shoot camera on the market.
[+] Takes beautiful stills & amazing looking Macro still photos.
[+] Takes very good high quality movie captures in HD 1080p/60 and still simultaneously.
[+] GPS enabled location markers for your photos!
[+] Ultra compact and extremely lightweight makes it easy to carry anywhere.

CONS:
[-] Battery compartment is fragile and does not look well built; it will eventually break sooner or later.
[-] Accepts MicroSD/SDHC cards only instead of standard SD/SDHC cards which are a big bummer! As most MicroSD cards are expensive and run at slower speed than standard SD/SDHC cards.
[-] USB and HDMI interfaces are tucked inside the battery compartment which will take toll on the battery compartment each time you need to charge the camera and or transfer photos.
[-] Front Face and rear OLED Screen are prone to dust and scratches.
[-] The W/T (Zoom) lever is placed at odd location which is difficult to use and feels fragile.

Having said, the major issue with this camera is the price. Most of the CONs mentioned above can be lived with by carefully handling the camera, but the price is something that most users will have to think twice before shelling out hard cash for this tiny shiny ultra slim point & shoot camera.

If money is not an issue for you and want portability without sacrificing picture quality this will be the best point and shoot camera you can buy today.

Hope this review was useful to you. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to let me know and I will try to answer them for you.

Happy Shopping! Read more ›

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Slick June 25, 2012

By taihua saelee

Color Name:Silver

Length: 0:29 Mins

I shot this video to show the waterproof pouch that I use when I take the camera to the beach. I'm trying to show it in the mirror at the beginning of the video, though not so successfully. I also wanted to show what a stunning video this tiny camera can take, but it won't happen here. You can search for "tx200v Parke Ronen" on YouTube, and you'll find the original in HD. BTW, Parke & Ronen is the brand of trunks I was wearing that day. It works ;-)

If you want to see what kind of silly video one ends up taking with this camera, search for "tx200v River Rafting Valencia".

MY TAKE ON THE CAMERA

This is the only one in its class that can go from kayaking to clubbing in style. Cool!

Compact, easy to use, and fun to play with. The pictures and the videos are impressive. Reviewing and sharing the images on that tiny screen is incredibly fun. They just look amazing.

SHOOTING

Most of the time, I just turn the camera on, compose, and press the shutter button. The camera starts up pretty fast, except when it reminds you to keep the water seal clean (annoying). The camera does an excellent job of adjusting for day, night, portrait, landscape, etc, which you would expect from this caliber of camera. It hangs a little after taking a picture, though you can still continue taking pictures, just without previews. I have not noticed any motion blur from pressing the shutter.

In advanced modes the camera does get sluggish and will refuse to do anything until it finishes processing the image. But considering what it does under difficult lighting condition and the resulting image, I think it's worth it.

VIDEO

To take a video, I just tap the red dot labeled "Movie" on the touch screen. It's really that simple.... Zoom speed is fixed (bummer). Audio is great for casual events but not for recitals (background noise will ruin it).

PREVIEW

Preview pictures look vivid, maybe too much, and sometimes appear tinted or mosaic as a result. They are fine when you transfer them to the computer. Selecting and zooming into a picture on the camera is awkward. Finger gesture on the touch screen is limited. This is not an Apple.

INTERFACE

I noticed myself experimenting with this camera a lot more than with my old one. Exposure, panorama, high contrast (HDR), twilight, rich-tone monochrome (I never thought I would use that one) and other features are easy to access and use, thanks to the touch screen. It's intuitive, the options are clearly labeled, and mini-help is only a few taps away. I would refuse to go back to clunky menu and cursor buttons again.

BTW, this camera does not have aperture control or shutter speed. Only ISO. You control the camera primarily by task.

WATERPROOF

I don't have much faith in it. The majority of complaints, especially the bitter ones, for these types of camera are related to water damage. I have a waterproof pouch for my iPhone (up to 100 ft). When I go to the beach, I just put the camera in that pouch. Controls are a little unwieldy (use "Movie Mode" to take videos using the shutter button) and flash bounces off the shield, but the camera is protected from water and sand (scratches) and doesn't need to be cleaned afterwards. I posted a picture of it in the "View and share related images" section.

SMUDGE

The camera does collect smudge (cosmetics and sun blocks are the worst), and it shows. It's actually not as much of a problem as it may seem. I learned to handle the camera by its edge. Since the lens area is essentially a piece of glass, it's easy to keep clean. As far as the touch screen is concerned, I learned to live with some smudge. It's just unavoidable. Since the camera is "waterproof", cleaning it is easy and carefree. I also applied the protector for Nitendo DSi XL's lower screen on the touch screen. Width is perfect, though I had to trim the height.

BATTERY

I call it a day battery. As long as I don't take any video, I can comfortably go though an entire day taking a bunch of pictures (sometimes >100) and reviewing and sharing them. The battery is tiny, so it's easy to carry a spare.

I would recommend an external battery charger. A much more elegant way to charge a battery than tying up the camera with a USB cable for hours with the battery compartment open and the water seal exposed.

AC MODE

Start recording a video, then plug the camera into a USB charger (not a computer), and stop recording. Voila. You have a fully operational camera running on AC. Handy for recording extended video.

CLOSING

This is the first time I bought a Sony camera. Very happy with it. I finally feel like I entered the world of HD video, in a very nice way, and the pictures are amazing.

Hope this review is helpful :-) Please let me know. Read more ›

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Darned Good Little Camera July 18, 2012

By Chrystos B. Minot

Color Name:Silver|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an awesome little point and shoot; I am tempted to call it the best, but for a few design details which I will get to.

The upsides (for me) are:

~18 megapixels! Shoot first, zoom and crop later! Works wonderfully. There is lots of room for high res photos after major zoomage. With the right photo editing software, it's the equiviant of a huge, strong zoom lens but without the weight or bulk!
~In-camera color saturation and exposure controls!
~Waterproof, dustproof & freezeproof!
~Fast boot-up, and quick focusing.
~Quick boot up of your shots for review
~User friendly - in camera help menus even with keyword search
~Larger (3.3 inch), bright, high resolution screen

The downsides (for me)

~Not shockproof - a serious design omission. I hike, scramble on rocks a bit, take pictures of rock formations, insects, mountain summit views, creek ice crystals--nature stuff (as well as portraiture, and family and friends). I do not treat my beloved equipment roughly, but don't want to have to treat them like little soap bubbles either! I own (and love) the TX-200's predecessor, the TX-10, (16 megapixels) which is shock-proof (waterproof etc) and sturdy.
~Expensive. At $500, it's above & beyond all the other point and shoots, ruggedized and otherwise.
~Has okay but not great macro capability. Again, I am comparing it to my trusty TX-10 which focuses down to an awesome 1 centimeter (about 5/8 inch), and the TX-200 only goes down to 3 centimeters. But if you are not into serious macro close ups, of course this will not be an issue for you! :-)
~You can NOT tuck in into a back pocket of your favorite jeans (Cargo pockets, or belt cases only!) It does flex and bend, and does not like this....

I am not interested in a "sleek and stylish" poolside / party camera. Is this a creative tool, a viewer into magical worlds, a documenter of cherished events, or a stylish pendant? For me, it is the first three.

I very carefully wrapped and glued my TX-200 in neoprene (spongy wetsuit materal), on all the non-functional surfaces. Now it is not pretty at all, and way more sturdy and shockproof. (So much for the stylish fragile glass front!) For $500, I wish Sony had done this for me.

So to summarize this bit--I wouild love for Sony to have made it heavier, bigger, more durable and sturdy, more an adventure camera like the Nikon AW-100, or the Canon. --- What good is a full featured, creative, user friendly tool (especially one as pricey as this) if it's going to die in six months from a two foot drop?

Okay, enough preaching from the pulpit. I do appreciate this little camera immensely. It has wonderful instructions and explanations built in, even a keyword search function, it has background defocus, and it has HD movies at 60 frames per second, and it has a bigger (3.3 inch diagonal) screen with top-end resolution, which you can brighten as is your wont. It has a terrific picture review zoom function (onscreen) where you can get a tantalizing fortaste of fun on the computer, with photo editing (which I love!) And it (like all little point and shoots) is a camera you DO take with you. If you don't take the camera, you don't get the shot!

I have Sony's flagship smaller camera, the NX-7 (24 MP, interchangeable lenses, DSLR functions, etc) ....and my little TX's still get used plenty --- they are not mothballed or eclipsed by any stretch!

It (the TX-200) has almost all functions as touch screen buttons, which has its upsides and downsides for me. Some people go crazy about touch screen functionality (try it in the winter with gloves on, at 8500 feet and a 15 mph wind chill! :-) ) so I will note it as a positive and negative with a sum total of a slight plus.

So to summarize --- if you can afford the hefty price tag, and if you don't mind a (comparitively) fragile, nonrugged camera, this is an awesome little friend -- spectacular photos, ease of use, waterproof, full functions. I will give this little buddy 4.8 stars! Read more ›