Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 10.2MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Zoom with SteadyShot Image Stabilization and 3.0 Inch Touch Screen LCD (Black)

by Sony

• Certified waterproof, dustproof, shockproof and freeze-proof
• 3.0-inch wide touch screen for easy operation and viewing of images and movies
• 10.2-megapixel "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for enhanced low-light performance
• iSweep Panorama Mode captures stunning panoramic images; fast capture with 10fps at full 10.2MP resolution
• Card slot for optional Memory Stick Duo media and SD media

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.8 x 2.2 x 0.7 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0033VMM3G
• Item model number: DSC-TX5/B
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,824 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 17, 2010

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The DSC-TX5 combines a sleek, waterproof design with high technology. The camera offers stunning low-light performance with the ability to capture amazing panoramic images in Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode. Never miss the best shot with 10 frames per second, and show off all your images on a large 3-inch wide touchscreen LCD.

Sony DSC-TX5 Cyber-shot Highlights

10.2-megapixel back-illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS image sensor
The DSC-TX5 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.


Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 25mm equivalent wide 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 ½" from the subject. A wide angle of 25mm equivalent wide-angle lens allows you to take wider shots of the scene or group in crowded spaces.

3-inch wide Clear Photo LCD Plus touch screen
A large 3-inch Wide Clear Photo LCD Plus touch-screen display (230K pixels) allows you to scroll through images by simply touching the display.

Easy Touch Screen Interaction
The DSC-TX5 offers intuitive functions 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 and index view.

Anti-Motion Blur Mode
Capture cleaner and sharper images in low light for non landscape shots. When set in Anti-motion Blur Mode, the DSC-TX5 captures six images in a fraction of a second with higher shutter speed and combines the data from all six to create a single image of extraordinary detail and dramatically reduce subject blur, beyond the capability of traditional cameras.

Hand-held Twilight
Capture cleaner and sharper night shots without using a tripod. When set to Hand-held Twilight Mode, the DSC-TX5 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.

Intelligent Sweep Panorama Mode
Capture expansive landscapes with Intelligent Sweep Panorama Mode. Press shutter and sweep and the camera does the rest, continuously, shooting images and in one second stitching them together. This model even detects faces and moving subjects to stitch intelligently different widths to help avoid subject distortion. Available in wide and ultra-wide options, the camera can take panoramic shots of up to 258 degrees. Now capturing wide landscapes is as easy as press and sweep.

Intelligent Sweep Panorama Mode makes it easy to capture wide landscapes.

Backlight Correction HDR
Shooting high-contrast scenes can often lead to washed out backgrounds and/or details lost in shadow. Backlight Correction HDR helps correct for this by taking two pictures at different exposure settings and processing the best elements of both into a single image for more natural looking shots.

High speed shooting
The DSC-TX5 can capture full 10.2-megapixel resolution images at up to 10 frames per second, helping to ensure that you capture the decisive moment such as catching big air on a snowboard. In addition, the DSC-TX5 employs a mechanical shutter that helps reduce distortion when continuously shooting moving subjects.

720p MP4 HD Movie Mode
In 720p MP4 movie mode the camera shoots 1280 x 720 high definition movies at 30fps, the perfect format when working with a PC. Users can create high quality movie files small enough to transfer to compatible PC or Mac. Once transferred to your computer you can effortlessly upload your media to popular photo and video-sharing websites such as Photobucket and YouTube. (Compatible PC with Internet connectivity required.)

Self-Portrait Timer
Self-Portrait Timer helps take the guesswork out of self portraits by utilizing Face Detection technology to recognize when your face enters the frame. Once the camera detects your face, it triggers a 2-second timer, and then snaps a picture.

Rugged and Stylish
If you want a camera that's just as much at home in the water as on a night on the town, the TX5 is for you! Just 3/4" thin, the sleek and stylish TX5 fits the slimmest pocket or purse, yet is waterproof to a depth of 10 ft, shockproof from falls up to approximately 5ft and dustproof thanks to its airtight construction. As well, this durable camera can even withstand extreme weather conditions, as it is operable in temperatures from 14- to 104-degrees Fahrenheit. The TX5 includes Sony's "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for incredible low-light performance, intelligent Sweep Panorama, Anti Motion blur and Twilight handheld shooting modes, even a 3-inch touch screen LCD1 operable underwater! Seamlessly shifting from underwater marvels to a night on the town, the TX5 always helps you get the best shot!

Stylish Ultra-slim Design
Measuring at just 3 3/4" x 2 1/4" x 3/4", the DSC-TX5 is about as slim as a deck of cards and can easily 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 unique Sony features such as Intelligent Sweep Panorama, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur, HDR, etc to take and combine multiple images in less than a second to create wide panoramic images. Images have reduced grain and appear less washed out.


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 landscapes, capturing a beautiful flower, or taking pictures at an in-door birthday party or wedding shower, iAUTO mode will optimize your camera's settings to help ensure you come away with a great shot.

Capture up to 10 frames per second at full 10.2 MP resolution.

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.

Anti-blink Function
It's frustrating to think you've captured that perfect shot, only to review it later and discover one of your subjects blinked just as you pressed the shutter. When the camera is set to Soft Snap, the Anti-blink function captures two images, recording only the photo with less squinting or blinking. If a blink is detected in other shooting modes, a warning will be displayed after you take the shot.

Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization uses a built-in gyro sensor to detect camera shake and automatically compensates 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, 125, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200) when shooting in Program Auto Mode to adjust sensitivity to your shooting conditions.

Face Detection helps direct the focus to the subject you want.

Face Detection technology
Sony's Face Detection technology can automatically distinguish between children and adults. Face Detection technology detects up to eight individual faces and adjusts flash, 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.

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 be used together with Smile Shutter mode. This means that a beautiful smile can be captured with settings optimized for the particular scene, even in difficult conditions such as twilight and backlighting.

Scene modes
The DSC-TX5 features 12 convenient scene modes: High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High Speed Shutter, Underwater, Gourmet, Pet.

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-sec.

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.

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.

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.

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


Creative painting tools
Decorate your photos with words and drawings using the included paint pen or your finger. Have fun using more than 30 stamps and 15 types of picture frames and save new images at up to 5-megapixel resolution.

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

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.

Lithium-ion battery
Included lithium-ion battery provides added convenience with longer lasting power than alkaline batteries (capacity of 125 minutes or 250 images for shooting still images).

Media card slot
For convenient storage and sharing of your images, the DSC-TX5 accepts Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo media or SD/SDHC media (Class 4 or above) (sold separately).

SD Card Functionality
Sony SD memory cards are the perfect solution for storing and sharing your digital content such as high-quality photos, videos, music, and more.

Includes Sony PMB (Picture Motion Browser) Software ver. 5.02
Sony Picture Motion Browser software offers a simple, intuitive way to transfer, sort, and view your video and still images on your compatible PC. In addition, multiple output options let you burn your memories to DVD (sold separately), as well as take advantage of one click upload to a number of popular video and photo sharing sites.

Product Description

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 combines a sleek, waterproof design with high technology. The camera offers stunning low light performance with the ability to capture amazing panoramic images in Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode. Never miss the best shot with 10 frames per second, and show off all your images on a large 3" touchscreen LCD.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 80 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 5 star camera with 4 star results. May 20, 2010

By Brian Douthit

It is a very enjoyable camera with some limitations -- but, what else would you expect as no camera of this type is perfect. I am generally a very picky shooter, I have had to lower my expectations with this camera but I feel it is a certainly capable camera if you aren't expecting it to be perfect. Sounds like a back-handed compliment but it really isn't, this really is the only camera of its kind when you consider the size, features, and capabilities.

PROS

- good photo quality, in most situations
- very quick and responsive from the shutterlag to the touchscreen
- great features from the very good video mode(with zoom and good audio) to the panorama and hand-held twilight mode
- stylish, I wouldn't buy the camera because of this but when you compare it to any other waterproof camera it makes them look toyish
- memory stick pro duo AND SDHC support!
- and of course its waterproof and durable, the biggest selling point.

CONS

- battery life is short, about average for todays small cameras but I'd recommend a spare battery for most anyone just in case. The battery does charge fast though.
- limited control, I'd love for it to have some control over saturation, contrast, and sharpness. Aperature/Shutterspeed control would be great as well...
- very saturated and 'poppy' image quality, to me it is just fine but it is not subtle and you cant really control it in camera.
- awkward media cable port. I generally do not use these and mainly just use a card reader but if I were to use the cable I wouldn't like it.

Overall, if you are getting this camera for the purpose of being waterproof(and more durable than normal) then you will be pleased with everything else it offers. There are as good or better cameras out there for specific functions but if you are looking for a camera that takes good photos, is snappy, has a bunch of fun and usable features, and is waterproof then this should be very high if not at the top of your list!

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Small, Nice Features, super fast, but variable Image quality June 6, 2010

By Carson Lawall

I bought this camera (Sony Cyber-shot Tx5) to replace a 2 year old olympus stylus tough that had leaked and to supplement a Fuji Finepix F200 EXR with waterproof case. This will be a little comparison for waterproof cameras and cased cameras. Skip to the bottom if you just want to read about the cyber-shot.

The olympus was a pretty good camera, mediocre to good image quality, slow as far as shutter lag, and unfortunately it eventually leaked after 2 years. I used it for surfing pictures, which is pretty rough on a camera. As advice for people using cameras in salt water, always rinse after and make sure the 0-rings are clean. From reviews it appears that eventually these cameras are going to fail (cannon, olympus), so take care as best you can because it looks like the service life is about 1-3 years. The olympus is a very good camera, but the slow shutter makes action shots a little hard to catch at times.

The Fuji Finepix f200EXR is probably the best point and shoot I have ever had. I did buy the hype about the new sensor technology and decided to try it out. I have not been disappointed. Very good image quality, easy to set up, automatic settings are very good. The waterproof case is another $159 to an already expensive camera (about $350), but it has fast a shutter (very little shutter lag after you try to shoot), very fast burst, great low light image quality and it is easy to use. The automatic technology is good, but can be variable even shooting the same subject based on the light and camera position. The drawback is that when in it's waterproof case it is very bulky and will not fit in a wetsuit sleeve. Surfing picutures have been really good with this camera, but you essentially have to leave your board on the beach and get in the water specifically to photograph the action. (not a very spontaneous camera).
Fuji also makes an inexpensive WP camera (about $120) but the shutter lag is REALLY long (very slow to take the picture once you press press the shutter button).

I also compared this with the digital elph on dry land (the elph also has a waterproof case), and the elph also takes very good pictures and might also be an option in this price range (or a little cheaper-probably the same price with the case). The elph actually was a little better in tough backlighting situations. Canon also makes a waterproof camera but there appears to be a lot of failures of waterproofing in the reviews, and it looked a little big so I did not try it. The Canon waterproof camera reviews are pretty good as far as image quality so it may be worth checking out.

For the Cyber-shot TX5, I found the picture quality to be very variable when set with the automatic settings (there are limited choices). Some pictures are great, some pretty bad. It actually can vary even when you are shooting the same subject as repositioning the camera can change the setting and change the picture. (If your picture turns out bad, try repositioning the camera). Some pictures look a little too bright and colors look almost unreal...although this can be variable so rarely the pictures turn out better than even the Finepix, but most of the time the Finepix wins. Sometimes it may have nicer looking images because they appear bright/sharp and almost unreal, but in most cases you probably won't be looking for that appearance.
The burst speed is very fast (fastest of those I tested) and great for action shots.
Shutter lag is minmal (comparatively for WP cameras and point and shoots).
No problems with water yet. The camera has a lower rating for depth and drop height than the olympus, and feels less sturdy.
The battery life is a little short
Doesn't give very much control over the settings, but this is a point and shoot so, that's really what it is made for.
The sweep panorama mode is really neat, although not something I use a lot.
The biggest plus for this camera is it is very small. It fits anywhere. I think if you need a small camera (say one that fits in a wetsuit sleeve), that is waterproof, this is probably your best bet for a fast small camera with good image quality.

Overall:
for a small camera
the cybershot is a very good small camera with a lot of easy to use features. Very fast, good for action, and portable enough to be in the action. variable photo quality, but usually good to very good. I'm still playing with the cybershot so there may be more good things or more bad things about it, but so far I'm fairly happy with it. Too new to really comment on durability.
The olympus, very tough, good photo quality, also small, but a little slow for action (that said I took action pictures with it for 2 years). might be a better camera if you are going to abuse it.
for image quality (using a point and shoot):
may be best to get a regular point and shoot with a waterproof case. FujiFinepix f200EXR would be my vote, Very good amateur surf photography camera in the water (but can't really surf if you have the camera with you). Tough case, rated deep enough for scuba diving.

UPDATE
Still working great with very nice surfing shots. The Burst feature is excellent.

UPDATE
Still very tough, no leaking, good for surfing shots. Still love the burst feature. Little annoyances: Lens is very close to the edge of the camera, sometimes catches my finger...my fault, but very annoying. Finding with more use that comparatively the picture quality is not that great (just variable, still sometimes is great). Comparing a far less expensive elph, the photo-quality is consistently better with the elph. It still takes very good pictures, and I think for a portable camera that you can take surfing, there is no equal, but outside of that niche there are cameras with consistently better photo quality. (every once in a while it still captures something amazing and different than my other cameras, but consistency is important).

UPDATE
downgraded to 3 stars. The paint on the front cover suddenly peeled off. very odd. Starting to get stiff with the sliding cover no matter how much you rinse it. It is still fast, still has a great burst feature, but photoquality still variable (now I only use it in the water, other small cameras are better), inconsistent. One new problem is that the lens cover doesn't repel water very well anymore, so sometimes it does not focus or there is a drop on the lens and you can't take a good picture until it clears. Still is small and handy, just maybe showing it's age. (about 2 years old)

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best waterproof point and shoot on the market today. November 10, 2010

By nw_pentax

I bought the Canon D10, Panasonic TS2, and the Sony TX5 and tested them side by side. The photo quality was a toss up between the TS2 and the TX5 most of the time with the exception of tricky lighting situations. I am typically a DSLR photographer so using a point and shoot camera is a bit like going back in time. However, with the Sony TX5 it did not completely feel this way. Having a CMOS sensor instead of a CCD (like most other point and shoot cameras) gives this camera better low light shooting performance. If you are more into shooting video than stillshots, the TS2 might be a better choice as they have a better video capture encoding than Sony (not that Sony's is bad by any means) but Panasonic's is better.

Things I love most about the TX5:
-It feels good in your hand and looks good too! It doesn't look like it is trying to convince you with its rivets and armor look that it is tough... it just is and remains stylish and sexy at the same time. Kudos to that!
-The TX5 has a a great "Intelligent Auto" shooting mode that picks the best settings for you based on your composition and light meter readings. Whether your subject is backlight (where the camera will take an underexposed image and an overexposed image and blend them together to make a high dynamic range photo (handheld) which is quite impressive, or you are shooting in low light handheld and the camera will shoot many shots in rapid succession and make the best photo it can from the group, to the specialized scene modes for underwater, snow, beach, fireworks, high speed shutter for sports/action shots, etc... they all do what they claim.
-This camera has one of the fastest start up times and also will shoot at 10 frames / second which is amazing for a point and shoot camera!
-Sony finally got smart and allowed the owners to use SD cards in Sony cameras... its about time!

Things I don't really love about the TX5:
-This camera has only one spot on the whole body to attach any kind of tether. I know many p&s cameras are this way with their little wrist lanyards but it would be great if they could put a matching one on the other side so I could use a neckstrap or something to hold the camera hands free while shooting video, etc.
-While the images generally look good, there are some photos that do come out less than stunning. Sometimes "Intelligent Auto" mode selects the wrong preset and the results are not pretty.
-The touchscreen is a bit oversensitive and often I find myself accidentally pushing buttons when I didn't mean to.
-The camera is so thin and with almost the entire rear being a touchscreen, there is not much to hold on to. Sometimes it can be slippery in the hands and hard to hang on to.
-The lens is fairly wide but if Sony really wants to compete with adventure/sports cameras like the GoPRO HD, it needs a wider angle lens (or attachment).
While the photos generally look good and the in-camera editing much more useful than most other cameras, any prints bigger than 5x7 (depending on the light conditions the photo was shot in) and you may start seeing the noise reduction and/or sharpening artifacts that Sony uses in the their cameras to make better straight out of camera photos.

Bottom line : After testing the top 3 contenders in the waterproof/freezeproof/and tough cameras, I know I made the right decision to go with the Sony TX5. It is fun to use, versatile, captures some great photos with minimal effort (regardless of being on a beach mid-day or en la discotecta at night)... This camera ROCKS! I woudl recommend it to anyone who doesn't want to have to baby and worry about their camera getting wet, dropped, etc. Even outside the waterproof camera realm, I don't think there are many point an shoot cameras (especially in this price range) that take as nice of photos as this camera. The waterproofing, drop proof, freezeproof, etc are all just bonus items on an already great camera!