Sony unveils TX5 camera: waterproof, tough--and stylish

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We've been waiting for Sony to add an all-terrain compact camera to its catalogue for a long time, and the manufacturer has finally obliged with this waterproof, shock-resistant model, the TX5.  We're surprised at how thin it is, and its slimline looks match the T series.  With its Exmor R sensor, this new Cyber-shot has a lot going for it.

Although the majority of tough cameras either boast a solid, shell-like appearance (like the Panasonic FT2) or else a rather unusual design (like the Olympus Mju 6020), Sony has decided to rely on good looks with a waterproof, shock-resistant camera that has the same thin styling and smooth lines of its T series camera.  And it's paid off: according to Sony's specs, it's only 18 mm thick.

The Sony Cyber-shot TX5 isn't ready for the most extreme adventures just yet: it can only cope with being 3 metres underwater and survive falls from a height of 1.5 m; it can withstand the cold up to -10°C.  It might not be able to go diving like the Olympus Mju 8010 which works at depths of 10 metres, but it will have no problem at the pool, on the beach or on your next ski trip.  What's more, it has some rather attractive tech specs, because, as the X in its name indicates, the TX5 has a 10 Megapixel 1/2.4'' Exmor R CMOS sensor, which should perform well at high sensitivities.  It also promises to be fast, allowing you to take an automatic panorama composed of several shots without using a tripod or shoot a burst of action at 10 frames per second at its maximum resolution.



The lens is a Carl Zeiss periscopic zoom which starts at 25 mm and reaches 4x, and it's stabilised by the SteadyShot system.  At the back--and this is new for an all-terrain camera--you'll find a 3'', 230 000 entirely touch-based screen.

Sony hasn't forgotten about video, and the TX5 can film in 720p HD at 25 fps, but the maximum bitrate is 6 Mbps.  It doesn't have a mini HDMI output for playing back your video on a compatible TV.

The Sony Cyber-shot TX5 will be available in April in silver, pink, black, red and green for around £350.



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