SONY DSC-WX1 – Technology Tour De Force [Review]

Introduction

Once the digicam makers had created face detection and smile sensing, we were left wondering what they’d think of next. Sony managed to think up some new tricks for its digicams, which are squarely aimed at consumers who expect advanced features and the slick design Sony is known for. I couldn’t get my hands on the new DSC-HX5V but the Sony DSC-WX1 shares the new Exmor sensor and other Sony advances like:

• Hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur shooting modes – the camera takes half a dozen shots in burst mode and blends them into one, not unlike an HDR capability, allowing you to get shots indoors and at night without getting blur from subject or camera movement
• Sweep panorama function which automatically assembles panoramas from many shots captured by panning your camera across a scene
• New superfast image processing engine
• Back-illuminated ‘Exmor R’ CMOS image sensor
• HD video.

I was curious to see how well some if this new technology worked, and if it could make up for poor photographic technique. As usual, this is a hands-on user review where I grab the camera as most users would and take some photos. For a full product review, check these links

• http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/DSCWX1/DSCWX1A.HTM
• http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_cybershot_dsc_wx1_review/

Value Proposition

Sony claims that its new Exmore sensor delivers a 200% increase in sensitivity over a traditional front-illuminated CMOS sensor, and it was this sensor that got my attention – 200% seemed a big call. Most sensors are front-illuminated, and light must pass through the electronic circuitry before reaching the light-sensitive pixels. Back-illuminated sensors place the circuitry behind the sensor, so it can collect more light.
(more…)

Summary

Reviewer

Kim Brebach

Review Date

2010-05-04

Reviewed Item

SONY DSC-WX1 – Technology Tour De Force

Author Rating

4