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CAMERA

Sony Cybershot DSC-TF1 - Affordable Water-Resistant Camera

7/2/2013 9:31:34 AM

Sony Cybershot DSC-TF1 is a water-resistant camera which is very affordable.

Launched in January, 2013, Sony Cybershot DSC-TF1 is a low-cost camera which features water-resistance and a 16.1 MP sensor with the 4x optical zooming. Its price is roughly $212.

Features

This product is waterproof to 10m as well as dust, freeze and shockproof. It also owns a 16.1 MP CCD sensor and a 4x optical zooming lens, which is a 35mm equivalent to 25-100 mm. Its stabilization is under the control ò the Optical SteadyShot.

A low-cost water-resistant camera

A low-cost water-resistant camera

The Intelligent Auto mode can help adjusting the camera settings automatically to produce good shots. Besides, there are also other scene modes and picture effects. Moreover, a Sweep Panorama mode is offered and in order to activate this mode, all you need to do is pressing the shutter button and sweep across the scene. When shooting for portraits, the camera is able to eliminate automatically the blemishes on the subject’s skin, whiten the teeth, widen eyes and reduce forehead shine.

The video is recorded in 720p HD.

The Intelligent Auto mode can be used to adjust the camera’s settings automatically

The Intelligent Auto mode can be used to adjust the camera’s settings automatically

Main features

·         16.1 megapixel CCD sensor

·         4x optical zoom lens (35mm equiv: 25-100mm)

·         Optical SteadyShot

·         2.7 inch 460k dot LCD screen

·         Waterproof to 10m

·         Sand, dust and freeze proof

·         720p HD video recording

·         ISO 100-3200

·         1cm minimum focusing distance

·         Intelligent Auto mode

·         Artistic picture effects

·         Sweep Panorama mode

Handling

The Sony Cybershot DSC-TF1’s body is made of plastic and there is a rubber grip in the front side. The position where you lay your left hand on when holding the camera is also made of rubber with an indent for you to put your thumb on. On the top side of the camera, you will see a on/ off button, shutter release and zoom rocker.

In order to switch between different modes (including Intelligent Auto, P, scene and picture effect modes, panorama and video), there is a dedicated button provided at the back. Other buttons at the back side is comprised of playback, menu and? / delete buttons as well as navigating buttons for moving across the menus.

The menus system of this device is quite easy to use, when choosing the scene modes, there will be a detailed explanation for each choice. The 2.7 inch LCD screen is rather small, but its resolution is pretty high at 460k dot, although it is a little difficult to view in bright environment.

The battery life is estimated to be about 200 shots according to the testing results of CIPA. We picked out some shots to check the performance and responsiveness of the camera, from switch on to first photos, shot by shot, focusing speed… We also took some pictures and then came up with the average to assure the accuracy and consistence of the testing results, making it easier to compare between cameras.

·         Shutter Response: 0.15 secs

·         Wide - Focus / Shutter Response: 0.6 secs

·         Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response: 0.6 secs

·         Switch on Time to Taking a Photo: 3.2 secs

·         Shot to Shot without Flash: 3.3 secs

·         Shot to Shot with Flash: 6.2 secs

·         Continuous Shooting: 0.7 fps

Consecutive shooting records pictures at full 16.1MP resolution.

Battery and memory card

Battery and memory card

Performance

More additional sample photos and product images are available in the Equipment Database, so in order to have further information for your own assessment, feel free to look over.

Sample photos

The sample photos

The sample photos

The photos are displayed in good colors. The portraits have good skin tones but the red-eye effects when shooting with the flash on is usually. Pictures that are taken underwater look good too.

Lens test images

Images of lens testing

Images of lens testing

The images’ details are not really good. The taken photos just stop at the level of suitable for sharing on the website, not for a large-size printing. The purple fringing is under good control. The lens owns the minimum focus distance of 1 cm only, so you will be happy with many high-quality close-distance captured pictures.

ISO noise testing

Images of ISO testing

Images of ISO testing

The noise is low at the ISO level of 100 and 200, but it starts to be noticeable when ISO reaches 400, making the image quality getting worse. The photos are blurred at the ISO level of 800 and a considerable number of lost details at ISO 1600. The quality of images is extremely bad at ISO 3200.

White Balance

Images of white balance testing under incandescent light

Images of white balance testing under incandescent light

Images of white balance testing under fluorescent light

Images of white balance testing under fluorescent light

Under the incandescent light, the auto white balance (AWB) performs well, just like before we set the incandescent mode. The AWB settings mode also does a fine job under the fluorescent light. Three different fluorescent modes of the white balance produce good photos with the above color tones.

Panorama modes

Standard Panorama | 1/500 sec | f/6.5 | 4.4 mm | ISO 100

Standard Panorama | 1/500 sec | f/6.5 | 4.4 mm | ISO 100

Wide Panorama | 1/640 sec | f/6.5 | 4.4 mm | ISO 100

Wide Panorama | 1/640 sec | f/6.5 | 4.4 mm | ISO 100

360 Panorama | 1/1000 sec | f/6.5 | 4.4 mm | ISO 100

360 Panorama | 1/1000 sec | f/6.5 | 4.4 mm | ISO 100

The panorama mode stitches the photos together very well, but the details seem to be unclear, once again, this is just suitable for sharing on websites, when it is possible to resize.

Digital filter

Picture Effect - Partial Color | 1/20 sec | f/4.7 | 17.7 mm | ISO 400

Picture Effect - Partial Color | 1/20 sec | f/4.7 | 17.7 mm | ISO 400

Picture Effect - Pop Color | 1/20 sec | f/4.7 | 17.7 mm | ISO 400

Picture Effect - Pop Color | 1/20 sec | f/4.7 | 17.7 mm | ISO 400

Picture Effect - Soft High Key | 1/25 sec | f/4.7 | 17.7 mm | ISO 400

Picture Effect - Soft High Key | 1/25 sec | f/4.7 | 17.7 mm | ISO 400

Picture Effect - Toy Camera | 1/20 sec | f/4.7 | 17.7 mm | ISO 400

Picture Effect - Toy Camera | 1/20 sec | f/4.7 | 17.7 mm | ISO 400

The number of built-in scene modes is very moderate, not as diverse as that on other Sony’s cameras.

Value

Sony Cybershot DSC-TF1 costs about @212. The underwater camera lines which has been introduced up to now includes Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5, available or $447, Nikon Coolpix AW110, whose price is $409 and Canon Powershot D20 which costs $394. For further understanding about other underwater cameras, have a look at Top 10 Best Waterproof Cameras. If your budget is copious, cameras of Olympus Tough get very high scores in our tests, for example like TG-620 and TG-320.

You would also need a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected – Have a look over our full instructions for choosing camera’s bag.

Conclusion

For the Sony Cybershot DSC TF-1, it is an underwater camera which is sold at a very reasonable price, but unfortunately, the image quality is quite low. If you are looking for a waterproof camera and just need to post or share your photos on websites, you will be definitely pleased with what this camera can offer you, especially the elegant color reproduction. Generally, we suggest you to have a careful consideration about other substituting waterproof cameras that are available on the market.

Advantages

·         Optical SteadyShot

·         Intelligent Auto mode

·         Screen with good resolution

·         Many rubber grips

Disadvantages

·         Low quality images

·         Short battery life

·         Panorama shots are not very detailed

Evaluation

·         Features: 3/5

·         Processing: 2.5/5

·         Performance: 3/5

·         Value: 3/5

·         Conclusion: 3/5

Specifications

Lens

·         Max Aperture: f/3.6 – f/4.7

·         35mm equivalent: 25m -100mm

·         Optical Zoom: 4x

Image sensor

·         CCD pixels: 16.2 MP

·         Pixels (w): 4608

·         Pixels (H): 3456

·         Sensor Type: CCD

·         Sensor Size: 1/2.3 inch

·         Aspect Ratio: 4:3; 16:9

LCD Monitor

·         LCD monitor: 2.7inch

·         Screen resolution: 460k

·         Touchscreen: no

Focusing

·         Min focus: 1cm

·         Focusing modes: Autofocus

Exposure Control

·         Shutter speeds shortest: ½,000 sec

·         Shutter speeds longest: 2sec

·         Exp modes: program; scene modes; A

·         Metering: Centre-weighted – Average; Multi pattern; spot

·         ISO sensitivity: 100 – 800

·         White balance: Auto; Outdoors/daylight; Cloudy; Incandescent; Fluorescent; Shade; Underwater

·         Exposure Comp: +/-2

Shooting options

·         Continuous shooting: 1fps

Video

·         Movie mode: yes

·         Video resolution: 1,280 x 720 720p

·         Video FPS: 30

·         Stereo Sound: yes

·         Optical Zoom with Video: no

Other features

·         Image Stabilization: yes

Interface

·         HDMI: no

·         USB: USB 2

·         Wi-Fi: no

Storage

·         Card type: MS micro SD

·         File type: JPG

Power source

·         Battery type: Lithium N NP-N

·         CIPA rating: 200

Box content

·         Box content: Rechargeable battery ‘pack (NP-BN), AC adaptor AC – UB1-/UB10B, Multi USB, Wrist Strap, Instruction manual

Dimension and weight

·         Dimension: 102.4 x 62 x 22.7 mm

·         Weight: 152g

 

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