Sony TX30 Review

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Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
Resolution:	18.20 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.3 inch (6.2mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	5.00x zoom (26-130mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	OLED
Native ISO:	80 - 6400
Extended ISO:	80 - 12,800
Shutter:	1/1600 - 4 sec
Max Aperture:	3.5
Dimensions:	3.8 x 2.3 x 0.6 in. (96 x 59 x 15 mm)
Weight:	5.0 oz (141 g) includes batteries
MSRP:	$350
Availability:	03/2013
Manufacturer:	Sony
Full specs:	Sony TX30 specifications

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Sony TX30

18.20 Megapixels	5.00x zoom	1/2.3 inch size sensor

TX30 Summary

The Sony TX30 perhaps takes the best pictures of any compact waterproof cameras in its class, but its ultra-compact design makes it hard to hang onto underwater, and its 3.3-inch high-resolution OLED touchscreen is virtually unusable and unviewable while submerged. However, if you're looking for a rugged, element-defying camera with a sharp sense of style, and you don't intend to use it for photographing aquatic life, then the Sony TX30 just may be the model for you.

Pros

Good image and video quality for a compact waterproof camera; Stylish, pocketable design; Improved ruggedness; Speedy performance including 10 fps continuous shooting at full resolution.

Cons

Touchscreen unusable and unviewable while submerged; Slim, slick design makes it unwieldy to hold (and difficult to hang onto!) underwater; Poor battery life.

Price and availability

The Sony Cyber-shot TX30 started shipping in the U.S. in March 2013 for US$350, and is available in black, orange, blue or pink.

For our review of the Sony TX30, see our
2013 Best Waterproof Cameras Shootout,
where we compare the TX30 against five top competitors
and identify which waterproof camera may be right for you.

Sony TX30 Overview

by Roger Slavens
Updated 10/20/2013

The successor to last year's TX20 rugged, element-defying pocket camera, the Sony TX30 is built for photographers who want to document their active lifestyles, whether it's windsurfing, snowboarding or just hanging out at the pool with the family. Sony claims the TX30 is the world's slimmest waterproof compact camera -- measuring at just 3 7/8" wide x 2 3/8" tall x 5/8" deep (96.4 x 59.3 x 15.4mm) -- and it features a sleek, slick style that stands out from the rugged digicam crowd.

Serious upgrades. The Sony TX30 gets a significant bump up in a number of performance areas over last year's model, including resolution where the camera sports an 18.2-megapixel (effective) 1/2.3-inch Exmor R backside illuminated CMOS sensor, as well as an extended optical zoom range of its Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens to 5x (26mm to 130mm equivalent) and max apertures of f/3.5 (wide) and f/4.8 (telephoto). Additionally, the TX30's waterproof capabilities have (literally) been deepened to 33 ft. (10m), while it remains shockproof from a fall of up to 5 ft. (1.5m) and freezeproof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10°C).

The upgraded, top-of-the-line waterproof Cyber-shot also gets a touchpanel OLED monitor that's bigger than the TX20's LCD, now measuring 3.3-inches diagonally and giving a bigger viewing for composing and capturing underwater and terrestrial shots alike. For macro shooting, the Sony TX30 also features a new up to 15x Magnifying Glass Plus mode and a built-in LED light that Sony says can help you focus on subjects as close as 1 cm.

Improved modes. Like the other Cyber-shots announced this winter, the TX30 also received Sony's new, improved Superior Auto Mode that helps photographers get the right shot by automatically adjusting the camera's settings for composition and lighting, as well as by adding Picture Effects ranging from Toy Camera to Partial Color. For the TX30, Beauty Effect mode allows you to re-touch your portraits and remove blemishes, whiten teeth and open squinting eyes.

Since the camera is designed to capture on-the-go action, the Sony TX30 records video up to Full HD at 1080/60i, and also shoots 10 frames per second at full resolution in burst still mode. Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode allows for full 360-degree shots, as well as Underwater Sweep Panorama.