Canon IXUS 200 IS vs Sony Cybershot DSC TX1 Comparison
Canon IXUS 200 IS
Sony Cybershot DSC TX1
As well as being pocket sized the Canon IXUS 200 IS and the Sony Cybershot DSC TX1 are two of the more stylish digital cameras. They both have an excellent build quality. When it comes to features the Cybershot DSC TX1 has a number of advanced functions on offer. These include a sweep panorama mode. All you need to do is pan the camera round and the camera will stitch together the scene for you. It also has a very rapid burst mode and is able to shoot at a rate of 10 frames per second.
Basic Specification
Canon IXUS 200 IS
12 megapixels
5x Optical Zoom
99.9 x 53.4 x 22.9mm
130g
3 inch LCD screen
Macro Focus 5cm
High Definition Movies
Sony Cybershot DSC TX1
10 megapixels
4x optical zoom
93.8 x 58.2 x 16.5mm
119g
3 inch LCD screen
Macro Focus 1cm
High Definition Movies
Features
When it comes to the touch screen the two cameras are very different. The Sony Cybershot DSC TX1 allows you to perform more or less every function through the screen where as the Canon IXUS 200 IS is far more limited. I think Sony has really improved the menu system it uses behind the screen. I find it is much more intuative than previous versions.
One feature the IXUS 200 IS is able to offer that the Cybershot DSC TX1 does not is a wide angle lens. This is likely to appeal if you enjoy shooting wide scenes such as landscapes and cityscapes.
Design
The two cameras look very different indeed. Having said that, you can see a lot of effort has gone into the design of each camera. The Cybershot DSC TX1 has a very sleek look. This is helped by a sliding lens cover. The IXUS 200 IS may be more conservatively styled, but it is still a very attractive camera to my eye.
Start Up and Shutter Lag
The Cybershot DSC TX1 is very difficult to beat if you want to fire off a quick snap or two. In my test it was by far the faster of the two cameras taking a picture in almost half the time the IXUS 200 IS took.
Power Supply
Both cameras run on lithium ion batteries. Batteries and chargers are supplied as standard.
Picture Quality
Usually I rate Canon digital cameras as the best on the market. Perhaps it is down to the wide angle lens, but this time around my test shots were not quite as sharp as I am used to seeing. In fact there was little difference between the two cameras in my tests.
Ease of Use
A lot will depend on whether you feel more comfortable using the button approach from Canon or the touch screen from Sony. The touch screen does not necessarily speed up using the camera, but it can make it a bit more fun.
Verdict
Owing to the innovative features I personally prefer the Sony Cybershot DSC TX1. This is especially true if you take into account the results of my speed tests. At the time of writing this comparison the two cameras are similarly priced and in my view the Sony model offers you a bit more for your money.
Where to Buy - Canon IXUS 200 IS
Product Shots
Front View
Canon IXUS 200 IS
Sony Cybershot DSC TX1
Back View
Canon IXUS 200 IS
Sony Cybershot DSC TX1
Top View
Canon IXUS 200 IS
Sony Cybershot DSC TX1
