Underwater with the Sony TX10

We got the successor of the TX5, the Sony TX10, a water-proof, shock-proof camera and was able to test it out during our last scuba-diving session in Anilao, Batangas (t’was an Epson event). I’ve only had a short stint using the TX5 before and have not really reviewed it so I was expecting a bit more with the TX10.

Turns out the TX10 is indeed every bit of an upgrade to the TX5. The Sony TX10 can now go down as deep as 16 feet (5 meters) compared to the previous 10 feet (3 meters) on the TX5.

Sony Cybershot DSC-TX10 Specs:
16.2MP sensor
25-100 mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens (4x zoom), F3.5 – F4.6
Exmor-R CMOS sensor
3” touchscreen LCD display
ISO: Auto, 125, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Full HD 1080/60i movie recording with stereo sound
iSweep Panorama Mode
3D Still image, 3D Sweep Panorama
SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo

Unfortunately, our dive master tells us we will be going around 20 feet deep into the corals (they call the spot Twin Rocks). I did not want to risk the TX10 to go 4 feet further than what the specs says.

I was contemplating about it for a while and was thinking I’ll just tell Sony Philippines that the loaner unit leaked if ever an unfortunate incident happens. I ended up just snorkeling and taking some shots in shallower waters.

So, all I got were these very few shots I managed to get with the limited battery life I had in the unit (also forgot to fully charge it before leaving town).

The shots are near impressive and the colors are vivid. Had some minor issues with exposure levels but that was easily fixed once I got the hang of it (matter of giving the camera some time to automatically adjust to ambient light).

Even the underwater shots are very decent though I noticed the slight bias towards the blue spectrum when using the underwater scene modes. Depending on the strength of the current, you could get fairly sharp shots to a bit blurry (it’s kind of 50-50 hit or miss when you’re underwater).

Unfortunately, all my underwater video footage mysteriously disappeared in the SD card (either I wasn’t using it correctly or the remaining battery just could not handle the power required to write it into the card).

The panoramic shots are just awesome and it’s been like that even with the previous generations of the TX-series (starting with the TX5 and TX7; or was it way back with the TX1?). See this sample sweep panorama shot.

Was also able to get a decent underwater panoramic shot after several attempts (the underwater current and the waves definitely made it harder for you to do the sweep correctly).

What I noticed is that the touchscreen is very hard (or close to impossible) to navigate when you’re underwater. I think resistive touch screens don’t work well when submerged in water.

If you’re looking for a more detailed review, check it out here at PTB. Suggested retail price of the Sony Cybershot TX10 is Php24,990USD 426INR 36,101EUR 406CNY 3,101.

Update: So I forgot I lent Calvin the camera during his recent trip to Palawan and took some more footages.

Here’s some more underwater shots — click, click!