Our
early info on this diminutive shooter only indicated it'd be waterproof, so it's a pleasant surprise to see some further optimizations thrown in for use in less hospitable environments. You'll be able to go down to 10 feet under water with the TX5, drop it from a 5-foot height, or explore the tundra at temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) without the camera throwing in the towel. So Sony claims anyhow. Other features include a now confirmed 10fps burst mode, a 10.2 megapixel
Exmor R CMOS sensor, 4x optical zoom plus optical image stabilization, and a 3-inch touchscreen on the back. The one thing that doesn't make the transition from rumor to reality is the reputed 1080p movie mode -- the TX5 makes do with a still desirable 720p video recording. Sony's also kicking out the DSC-H55 (pictured after the break) today, which will have the same video mode, but adds a 10x optical zoom and a thicker, non-weatherproofed body. Both cams will happily write to Class 4 and above SDHC cards when they debut this April, priced at $350 for the TX5 and $250 for the H55.
posted February 18th 2010 2:57AM
SDHC? Finally, I might start looking at Sony digicams.
@pika2000
I think Sony will always be behind the times when it comes to flash memory in their devices.
Canon just released a camera that supports SDXC cards (up to 2TB)
@guroth
SDHC also theoretically goes up to 2TB. I don't understand why everyone is praising SDXC for an advantage that is not real.
@guroth what about a Memory Stick XC + SD Card = 4TB (only possible on sony)
@pika2000 When did Sony change from using memory sticks to sd's?
@guroth
That's right. Engadget forgot cheap-and-easily-available-media-proof.
@pk The SDHC standard, though theoretically capable of 2 TB, is limited to 32 GB. You know, that's what a standard is for.
These sound great. I was just thinking about replacing my Cybershot. I wonder about the PQ.
Waterproof-ness or 10x Zoom. Hmmmmmmmmm.
@MasterCKO
I'm having the same dilemma. Although to be honest, I seldom find myself zooming with a pocket camera, especially as the small lense lets too little light through.
But a touch-screen in -10 Celcius?
@Jotomatic Yeah! you dont live in a coold environment, here in northen sweden thats nothing ;)
@Jotomatic Here's the solution - http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/south-korean-iphone-users-turn-to-sausages-as-a-cold-weather-me/
@Snowbear Try nothern Ohio in the winter. It can be just as bad, if not worse, than Sweeden. Damn lake effect snow.
@Jotomatic
Yeah, touch screen = automatic "no" for me. I know it's great for some users, but I miss the good old buttons on my Sony DSC-T10. Shame, when I replaced it I had to get a Canon. :)
@Jotomatic It must be a resistive screen (and Sony includes an small plastic stylus) so there's no problem with temperatures, the difficult thing could be using it with gloves on.
But is it recession-proof?
yeah right......
Ey! I think that freeze proof feature its bullshit ! I was in Changchu at -26C and my $160 usd fujifilm finepix witch is just waterproof survived but my SLR Cannon crashed and I lost all the pics..........
I suspect it won't be scratchproof...
what about a Memory Stick XC + SDHC Card = 4TB (on a same device, only possible on sony)......still some will say .........not enough.
https://www.oss-formats.org/en/memorystick/index.html
Now I can store my camera in with my sandwich box - without any cling film. Yay!
Awesome! I'm glad it's more than just waterproof!
I don't buy that it's anything PROOF.
I'll believe resistant, but not proof.
Its got the same specs as the TX1.
does this thing have a backside? a thousand pictures of this thing on the interwebs, but not one of the back. what are they hiding?
@BK Phil
Yes pics on sonystyle.com
but no pics for TOP Side or BOTTOM Side !
The DSC-H55 says 14,1 megapixels and not 10,2.
Touch screen + compact battery size/small battery capacity + below freezing temperature = camera dying after 20 shots and getting frostbite on fingers (assuming capacitive touch screen an no fancy wired gloves)
I was hoping for 1080 and SDXC, since they're adding a new memory format anyway, but the sheer number of photos I can take on a 16G card at 10MP is staggering. As long as video compression is decent, I don't need SDXC. I think this will be the perfect companion for canyoneering etc.