Sony Cybershot TX5 Waterproof Camera Review

Camera Reviews Featured Sony Uncategorized Underwater Videos

Sony Cybershot TX5 Image Quality

 
The Sony TX5′s image quality is pretty standard point-and-shoot – it tends to blow out highlights, color is a bit oversaturated, and pixel peepers will notice details are mushy from over-processing. If you’ve read my Outdoor & Waterproof Camera Guide you’ll know I think all waterproof digital cameras have compromised image quality. However, the TX5′s image quality was a pleasant surprise. Sony spec’d a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor in the TX5 – a decision that surprised me because CMOS sensors are mostly used in high-end compact cameras and DSLRs. But the results speak for themselves – the TX5 has better image quality than I’ve come to expect from the “rugged” camera category. Of course you can get better image quality from a camera that isn’t shockproof or waterproof. But I’ve abused the TX5 in ways I wouldn’t dare with other cameras and I have great photos to show for it.

Sony Cybershot TX5 - Pesos

I have been very happy with most of my TX5 photos. The lens was better than I expected. Aside from the occasional curved ocean horizon, which is to be expected from a small, internally zooming lens, there were no optical issues. Large subjects that don’t require lots of detail photographed best. As with other waterproof point-and-shoot cameras, the TX5 images are a bit over-compressed with excess in-camera noise reduction. The result is photos that are a bit mushy at all ISO settings. For most photos this isn’t really a problem. But in big landscapes with lots of detail – wildflowers in a meadow, for instance – it can be a problem.

Sony Cybershot TX5 - Mazatlan Sunset

Things start to get funky and chunky (sorry for the technical jargon) above ISO 800. The water-colory effect of noise reduction was even apparent in some photos shot as low as ISO 400 (click on the Mazatlan Sunset image above to take a closer look). Thankfully, Sony’s Optical SteadyShot image stabilization makes high ISO settings mostly unnecessary and I had very few photos that were actually unusable. TX5 photos printed at 8.5 x 11 looked great – even images where there was some mushiness visible on the computer. When there were problems, I was usually able to correct them with a simple levels adjustment in Photoshop. With photos shot below ISO 400 I think bigger would be no problem. Overall, I was very pleased with the image quality from the TX5 – especially considering that it fits in my pocket and I don’t have to worry about dropping or dunking it.

Sony Cybershot TX5 - Beach Booty Sony Cybershot TX5 - Wasatch High Country Sony Cybershot TX5 - Bowie
Sony Cybershot TX5 - Mariachis On The Beach Sony Cybershot TX5 - Brent Sony Cybershot TX5 - Mazatlan Breakfast

Click on thumbnails to view sample photos.

Sony Cybershot TX5 Studio Test Images
Sony Cybershot TX5 Studio Sample Photos
    ISO 125 Sample >>
    ISO 200 Sample >>
    ISO 400 Sample >>
    ISO 800 Sample >>
    ISO 1600 Sample >>
    ISO 3200 Sample >>
    All Digital Camera Sample Photos >>

 

Next – Sony Cybershot TX5 Conclusion >>

 

Introduction Features & Design Camera Experience Image Quality Conclusion

 
Next page

About the author: Photo-John

Photo-John, a.k.a. John Shafer, is the managing editor of PhotographyREVIEW.com and has been since the site launched back in 1999. He's an avid outdoor enthusiast and spends as much time as possible on his mountain bike, hiking or skiing in the mountains. He's been taking pictures for ever and ever, and never goes anywhere without a camera.


Related Articles


NOTE: There are two ways to comment on our articles: Facebook or Wordpress. Facebook uses your real name and can be posted on your wall while Wordpress uses our login system. Feel free to use either one.

Facebook Comments:



Wordpress Comments:

  • Fred says:

    May I add that this camera is great for children?

    My 6 year old is taking fantastic pictures. He’s places I’m not and even when I am, he has his own perspective. Now his 3 year old brother borrows it as much as he can and I get yet another “personal photographer”.

    I recommend any family getting a camera for their children. Waterproof and drop-proof at this price may be overkill, but less tears from the young ones and less annoyance from the parents is worth something (plus the image quality of the TX5 is really pretty good, and I’m a DSLR user).

  • Photo-John says:

    Thanks for your comment, Fred. Rugged, waterproof point-and-shoot cameras like the TX5 are definitely a good choice for kids. Olympus even made a video for one of their Stylus Tough cameras where they called it “kidproof.” You don’t have to spend as much as the TX5, either. Both Olympus and Panasonic make less expensive waterproof and shockproof camera models. I’d get myself a TX5 but if I had a kid I’d be looking at something a lot cheaper :)

  • gregg says:

    Nice review, John! Do you have any samples of the HD video that this takes?

  • Photo-John says:

    Glad you like the review, Gregg. On page three of the review there’s a video that I shot with the TX5.

  • gregg says:

    Thanks, don’t know how I missed that vid the first time.

    The vid looks good, I like the ending! ;)

    One of the important features that I’m looking for in a new camera (besides being able to take a beating) is the ability to do HD video. Overall the video looks pretty good, but it really doesn’t look all that “HD” to me. ‘Course some of that could be due to the YouTube compression.

  • Photo-John says:

    Gregg – HD is just resolution. It doesn’t really say anything about the actual image quality of the video. Spec-wise, the 720p video on the TX5 is HD and it’s as good as you’re going to get from a waterproof, shockproof camera right now. Here’s a link to another TX5 sample video I made. This one is all mountain bike stuff. I’m actually colllecting more footage and I’m going to update this video soon: http://forums.photographyreview.com/showthread.php?t=66048

  • Bill says:

    Great review, great camera. I’ve had the TX-5 for a couple of months; I think iI bought it from Best Buy the day it arrived. Everyone who sees me doing the panorama sweep asks about it, very cool. Low light mode good too. This is my 6th Sony camera (I started with a 1.2mp Mavica that used 3.5 inch floppies and have had successively higher resolution cameras since, including Alpha 350 DSLR), so Sony controls logic not an issue. I rather like the touch screen control. Caution on the drop resistance factor; I believe the fine print reads: impact resistance tested from 5 feet on plywood surface. I’ve dropped my several times, usually over something harder than plywood and have always managed to get my foot under it to soften the impact. A lot of scratches, but otherwise no damage. I like the slidable front cover that functions as of on/off switch also, should resist damage/hang ups of leaf shutter type lens covers I have on some of my other Sony’s. I take ithe TX-5 everywhere, including kayak trips, but have not used it under water yet. I love the image quality, the best of any camera I have owned.

  • Kim says:

    John,

    Did you take any under-water with TX-5? I am look for a compact camera which we can use for under-water like swimming, diving at pool, snokelling (no deep diving involve here). Wondering how the TX-5 rating for this purpose.
    thanks

  • Mike says:

    Has anyone used this with thicker gloves on (i.e. ski gloves)? I’d like to take this mountaineering, but also be able to use it in the water/dust, etc. I’m mostly concerned with being able to operate the touch screen with thick gloves.

    Thanks!

  • Photo-John says:

    I skied with it last week. The touchscreen does work with thicker gloves, although it’s next to impossible to press the buttons accurately. It’s not heat sensitive like the iPhone screen, though. In the end, with ski gloves, I think you’re gonna have to take them off to really get full use of the camera. I haven’t found a pocket camera where that isn’t the case, though. Using glove liners might be the solution if it’s really cold. I do that when I’m doing serious shooting with the DSLR.

  • Igor says:

    I’m really looking for the smallest/ best picture/ best picture at night camera. I have a brave canon ixus7, that I love because its so small and just fits in my pocket as a dream, but now, after many concerts, rain, sand and trips it takes very pool pictures at night and the audio always gets disturbed in a concert for example.
    I’m between the Sony TX5, Panasonic TS2 and the Fujifilm XP10, specially by the size of it, looks to be the smallest.
    Ive been told that this Sony TX5 have some issues when some sand from the beach stuck between the lens and the slide cover scratchin the lens.
    Everyone talks about these Laica lens from panasonic that are amazing and I really noticed it too on my gf camera, but its the bigest.
    And the Fujifilm I dont have any good feedback and never heard or tried a Fujifilm camera.

    What do you recommend for me!?
    Many thanks John

  • aris says:

    this is the best review i’ve read about tx5! seems like you really used it well! thank you! i am loving to purchase a tx5 even more!

  • Eric says:

    I just purchased the Sony TX5 from Fry’s Electronics for $272. I can’t comment on the picture quality yet, but I found that water gets endlessly trapped under the sliding lens cover. After 25 open/closes and wipe downs in between each and several attempts to blow the water out there is still water trapped under the cover. I plan to return it for this reason. If the water was dirty, sandy, or salty this would be a major issue. I used the Olympus Stylus for years before loosing it and I loved it. I plan to exchange the Sony for the Olympus immediately.

  • Photo-John says:

    Eric-
    I understand your concern and I shared it while I was reviewing the camera. However, I had the review camera in the pocket of my swim trunks in salty surf for a long time. I turned it on and off multiple times over multiple days, in and out of the water. My pockets got sand in them, even. Because of the way I was treating the camera I fully expected it to fail. But it never did. Of course, that’s just experience with one camera and you’ve got every right to be nervous about the water. But I basically had the same experience and it never led to any sort of camera failure. That’s part of why I gave this camera so much praise and why I’m still calling it my favorite underwater point-and-shoot camera.

Leave a Reply to Photo-John Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*
*