Joenel Umal

Today after watching UP in iMax 3D we walked by a Local Electronics Store to see what’s currently available. A Sony sales rep showed me the new camera from sony the Cyber-shot WX1, she pointed out that it’s Sony’s fix to low light shooting problems. She gave me a leaflet but I didnt accept it since I can have more information about the Cyber-shot WX1 online.

When I get home I googled for Cyber-shot WX1, and found out it was launched last month, August 5, 2009. The selling factor of the WX1 is it’s new “Exmor R” CMOS sensor, which extend low light performance by positioning the lens elements behind the photo-diodes. Thus increasing light gathering which results better sensitivity compared to other camera sensor. Combined with image stablisation and anti-blur modes, the WX1 can capture great image at night without using the flash or tripod. Another factor that makes it perform better in low light is it’s G lens, with f/2.4 maximum aperture making it capable to gather more light and 5x Optical zoom (24-129mm).

The Cyber-shot WX1 can shoot 10 frames per second at full 10.2 megapixel resolution and can capture movies in 720p high definition MPEG4 format. Its also capable of shooting panoramas and automatically stitching them together to produce 7152 x 1080 wide photos while having all the features of the latest camera available. (check out functions in full specs below).

The Sony Cyber-shot WX1, is available now at about $350 or 218.88 UK pounds (about 20 thousand philippine pesos).

General

• Imaging Device : 1/2.4″ (7.79mm) “Exmor R” CMOS
• Megapixel : 10.2MP
• Processor : BionzTM Image Processor
• Recording Media : 11MB internal Flash Memory, optional Memory Stick Duo™ Media, optional Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media
• ISO : Auto / 160 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200

Lens

• 35mm Equivalent : 24-120mm
• Aperture Range : Auto (F2.4/F7.1(W), 2 steps) / Program Auto (F2.4/F7.1(W), 2 steps with ND Filter)
• Digital Zoom : Smart Zoom / Precision Digital Zoom / Off
• Exposure Compensation : Plus / Minus 2.0EV, 1 / 3EV step
• Face Detection : 8 face(flash, focus, exposure, white balance, child/adult priority, blink, face motion detection)
• Focal Length : 4.25-21.25mm
• Focus : 9 points / Center Weighted AF / Spot AF
• Macro Mode : Auto Macro
• Optical Zoom : 5x
• Shutter Speed : Auto(2 – 1/1,600) / Program Auto(1 – 1/1,600)
• Smart Zoom® Technology : 5M:Approx.7.0x(Total), 3M:Approx.8.9x(Total), VGA:Approx.28x(Total), 16:9(2M):Approx.9.5x(Total)
• Total Zoom : Approximately 10x

Functions

• Burst Mode : 10fps at 10.2MP
• Date/Time Stamp : Available in the included PMB software.
• Dynamic Range Optimizer : Standard / Off / Plus
• Image Stabilization : Optical SteadyShot™ Image Stabilization
• Media/Battery Indicator : Yes/Yes
• Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility : Tested to support up to 16GB Memory Stick DUO PRO™ media capacity9; does not support Access Control security function.
• Red-Eye Reduction : Auto / On / Off
• Scene Mode(s) : Movie (Auto Adjustment / High Sensitivity / Underwater) / Scenes (High Sensitivity / Twilight / Twilight Portrait / Soft Snap / Landscape / Beach / Snow / Fireworks / Hi-speed Shutter / Underwater / Gourmet)
• Self Timer : Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)
• Still Image Mode(s) : Normal (JPEG) / Burst (JPEG) / Bracketing (JPEG) – AE(Plus / Minus 0.3EV / 0.7EV / 1.0EV)
• White Balance : Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Fluorescent 1 (White Fluorescent Lighting) / Fluorescent 2 (Natural White Fluorescent Lighting) / Fluorescent 3 (Day White Fluorescent Lighting) / Incandescent / Flash / One Push / Underwater White Balance Mode (Auto / One Push) / Underwater 1 (Blue Water)/ Underwater 2 (Green Water)
• AF Illuminator Light : Auto / Off
• In-Camera Editing : Trimming / Red Eye Correction
• Movie Mode(s) : 1280 x 720 (Fine) (Approx.30fps, Progressive); 1280 x 720 (Standard) (Approx.30fps, Progressive); 640 x 480 VGA (Approx.30fps, Progressive)
• Multi-Pattern Measuring : Yes
• NightFraming System : No
• NightShot® Infrared System : No
• PictBridge Compatible : Yes
• Power Save Mode : Yes (after approx. 3 min. of inactivity)

Inputs and Outputs (Interface)

• Accessory Terminal : Multi connector
• Audio/Video Output(s) : Yes via Mutli-Use Connector
• HD Output : Yes (1080i) 5
• USB Port(s) : Yes – USB2.0 Hi-Speed

Power Information

• Battery Capacity : Approx. 175 minutes / Approx. 350 images
• Battery Type : LITHIUM ION / InfoLITHIUM G type 3.6V

Weights and Measurements (Physical Specs)

• Dimensions (Approx.) : 3 9/16″ x 2 1/16″ x 25/32″ (90.5mm x 51.8mm x 19.8mm )
• Weight (Approx.) : Approx. 5.3oz. (149g) – With battery and Memory Stick PRO DuoTM media.

Hardware

• LCD : 2.7″1 Clear Photo LCD 230K
• Lens Construction : 6 elements in 5 groups (including 5 aspheric elements)
• Lens Type : Sony G-lens
• Microphone/Speaker : Mono / Mono
• Viewfinder : No

Software and Compatibility

• Operating System Compatibility : Microsoft® Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP2, Mac OSX v(10.3-10.5)
• Supplied Software : Picture Motion Browser Vers 4.3 + USB Driver (Not supported by Macintosh® Operating Systems)

Package Content

• Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BG1
• Wrist Strap
• Memory Stick DUO™ Media or adaptors are not included.
• Battery Charger BC-CSD
• CD-ROM Software
• Multi Connector Cable USB/AV
• Power Cord

Cyber-shot WX1 Accessories

• Handycam® Audio Video Adaptor Cable
• Marine Pack Arm Kit
• Ring Light for Macro Photography
• Cyber-shot® Aqty Pack
• Marine Pack
• Party-shot™ Automatic Photographer
• More accessories on this page

Sample Photos

I don’t know about you but that photo scares me out, more samples on imaging-resource.com. They don’t have night shot sample so we can see how well it perform in low light.

More sample photos on the photography blog. The above photos looks a bit saturated and the full res images are noisy.

Some Expert Reviews and Video Samples on Youtube

they reviewed the wx1, tx1 with the party-shot. Also explains how the new sensor design makes the wx1 perform better in low light.

Japanese Advertisement of the WX1

Video sample taken with sony cyber-shot wx1


Nice Video taken at night

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