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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
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 - 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 - 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
|
