Underwater Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-TF1 - A Review

Meet my new baby, Sony Cybershot DSC-TF1.  She is just 4 days old.  She was bought out of necessity, a day before my beach trip in Camaya Coast in Bataan.

I let go of my almost 3-year old (very cheap) underwater camera, Fujifilm Finepix Z33 WP.  I bought this for just Php 5,000 in sulit.com.ph.  It is still in very good condition and I was still able to use it in my last Surigao trip during Holy Week.  When I asked my friend if she's interested to buy it, she immediately reserved the item and will pay me in installment every pay day.  I had no choice but to, of course, find a replacement for my Fujifilm underwater camera.

My choices were quite few as my budget is only Php 10,000 or less.  I found Olympus TG 630 and Sony Cybershot DSC- TF1 to fit my budget.  Sony Cybershot attracts me more.  Even if the reviews were not so superior on the Sony camera, I still pursue in buying it.  Actually, the reviews on both underwater cameras were not really good.  Well, I still have my almost 2 year old Nikon Coolpix P300, which I super love and no plans of letting it go (I have blog post about it here and here) I found this review on various underwater camera helpful.

As I've mentioned, even though the reviews were not so great on Sony DSC-TF1, I still decided to buy one.  What attracts me most is its Panorama option and beauty shot. Plus you can instantly beautify your pictures and edit them.  Now, let's actually try to use this new baby!

The Review

Usability.  It is not hard to use this camera.  Although, its quite difficult to press the buttons especially the delete option.  But overall, its still easy to use.

Design.  I like how it has a rubberized frame on top and bottom of the camera.  I'm not sure about other underwater cameras but my Fujifilm doesn't have that.  Maybe because my previous camera is just waterproof and not shock proof.  Unlike this Sony Cybershot DSC-TF1, it is also shock proof, dust proof and freeze proof.  Sony is also more ergonomically designed that Fujifilm.

Portability.  The size is almost the same as my Fujifilm but Sony is quite heavier.  I think this is because of the rubberized frame.  In terms of screen size, both are at 2.7".

Picture Quality.  For regular shots or pictures, Sony delivers clearer and more high quality pictures.  The colors stands out more than in my Fujifilm.  Although, there are shots that seems too bright.  I don't know if its in the settings but I found that some pictures were adjusted automatically so it won't appear too whitish (apologies as I am no photographer, I don't know the terms).  I like the focus capability of this camera.  Even if the subject is moving, you won't get blurred pictures.  It has this iAuto function which makes taking pictures a breeze as it automatically adjust to whatever your subject or surroundings are.  I also like the panoramic option.  It gives bigger output as compared to the panoramic shot with my Nikon.  For underwater shots, I haven't tried taking pictures underwater particularly those with fishes and corals.  Although, I've taken underwater shots in shallow beach area and in the pool.  I'm not sure if the waters were just not clear that's why it reflects in the result of the pictures.

Battery.  At full charge and used mostly on beach and underwater shots, it just took me 1 day before I got a low battery sign.  It seems battery life is not so reliable.  However, I appreciate that the camera battery can be charged by USB plugged into my laptop.  I cannot do this with my Fujifilm.

Overall, I'm still liking my Sony Cybershot DSC-TF1, except for the battery life.  Now I can take pictures just using one camera (for those quick trips).  Aperture for this camera is not so great as my Nikon Coolpix P300 which takes clearer picture at low lighting.  I'll post sample pictures soon in my succeeding blog post.  
  

Nikon Coolpix P300 sample shots

In reference to my blog about my new toy, here are some sample shots.  Mostly are set in auto scene detection.  Comments are welcome :)

Snake Island Panoramic View

Panoramic view of swimming pool at Microtel

Maximum optical zoom

Macro shot of hermit crab

Macro shot of Hello Kitty

Outdoor nigh shot

Outdoor night shot, no lights at all

Outdoor night shot

Sunrise at past 6am

Sunrise at past 6am

My toy also has features like scene retouch, editing of pictures with scene insertion (like fish eye), manual settings (for aperture and shutter speed), aperture mode, shutter mode, sepia, 360 degrees panoramic shots and many others.  I'm still learning picture tricks from my camera especially the manual settings.  I need to know how to make the background blur while focusing on the subject.  Would you know how?  I'm so lovin' my toy! :)

My New Toy

Remember my post about which camera to choose?  Well, I'm nearing to wanting to have Nikon Coolpix P300 among others.  I chose this camera since it works best in night shots or low lighting, which is one of the features I'm looking after.  After a long wait, I finally got my camera!  Night shots are really great with f1.8.  I tried taking pictures in my dark room (no lights at all) and still it captures a very well and very bright room!  Macro shots are also great.  I also love its panoramic shots, with choices of 180 degrees to 360 degrees.  Another feature that I love is that you can edit pictures in an instant, whether you want it to have more lighting, skin retouch or special effects (such as fish eye).  I'm still learning how to use each features.  I'm trying to find out how to make blurred background while the image/subject is very clear.  I guess this will be applicable in manual settings which this camera also offers.  I really am enjoying my new toy.  I'll post some sample shots soon so you can appreciate it :)

Which Camera to Choose?

I'm not so into photography but I like taking pictures (and I also love my pics to be taken!).  I get a little frustrated when my camera didn't capture what my eyes are seeing.  Most especially if the colors or the lights didn't go perfectly well with my camera.  And so I decided to upgrade my 2 year old Olympus FE-370.

No, I am not considering SLR cameras.  I know it can perfectly capture what my eyes are seeing and even more.  But they're expensive, in the long run.  I know because my brother in law is into photography.  His equipment is at par with most professional photographers.  I recall my sister telling me that his camera is often more advanced than the official photographer in a wedding ceremony.

Another reason why I am not considering SLR cameras is because they are bulky.  I am known to carry small little things in my small little bags.  And besides, I always pack light when I travel so small and lightweight camera is an essential factor for me.

I've heard that various camera models today have the "SLR camera" capability.  This is what I'm looking for!  Another factor that I am considering is a camera that can produce great pictures at night or at low light, most especially in a city skyline and fireworks shot.  These shots must be taken without a tripod but can still produce a clear shot.  Can a simple digital camera produce this?  My Olympus does but you still need to position the camera in a steady surface.  My friend's Canon Ixus can also produce nice pictures at night but some are too grainy maybe due to high ISO setting.  Another thing that I'm after in a digital camera is the video capability.  It would be best if it has high quality or HD video capability even if at far distance.  Other factors I'm considering are image stabilization, panoramic scenes availability, fast shutter speed, longer battery life, affordability and of course good quality pictures.

So I'm choosing from these "pocket SLR cameras":  Canon Powershot S95, Panasonic Lumix LX5, Olympus XZ-1, and Nikon Coolpix P300.  I have read the reviews of the Nikon.  Not so positive but I think it is capable of taking nice quality night shots without tripod.  I also can't understand the technical specifications (aperture, RAW format, wide-angle focal length, etc.).  So I'm not really sure about the review.  Can someone help?  I would greatly appreciate your responses.  And if you know how much is it being sold here in the Philippines, please post it and let me know.  Oh and by the way, if you know other camera models that fits my description above, please let me know also.

Thanks so much in advance!