The Sony Cybershot DSC WX1 has a lot more to it than just 10 megapixels and a 5x extra wide angle lens. Sony has used a different type of sensor for the Cybershot DSC WX1. This has lead to a number of advances such as a burst mode that can shoot at up to 10 frames per second.

This high speed capability has also been used to add a feature called a sweep panorama. This is a great feature for shooting sweeping landscapes and cityscapes. All you need to do is place the Cybershot DSC WX1 in the correct mode and pan the camera round. The camera does the difficult bit of stitching the scene together for you. I found the results to be impressive.

Another advantage of the speed at which images can be captured has allowed Sony to introduce a handheld twilight mode. In this mode a series of photos is taken and then overlaid one on top of the other. This can help to produce better quality photos when light starts to dip.

Other features of note include a High Definition movie mode, a 2.7 inch LCD screen and image stabilisation.

This is a pocket digital camera that offers something very different to cameras produced by other brands.

Outdoor 1 (Medium Zoom)
There are a number of positive points about this picture. Any glare from the sun is handled well. On top of this there is a good balance to the colours. The colours also remain true. Shady areas pose a bit of a problem with the edge being taken off the definition in these areas.

Outdoor 2 (No Zoom)
For a camera with such a wide angle lens this is a tough test. Looking at the result I think the Cybershot DSC WX1 matches up well against similar cameras I have tested recently with wide angle lenses. There will be compromises when it comes to sharpness, but this camera is as good as any of the current crop of small, pocket cameras I have tested recently when the lens is zoomed out.

Outdoor 3 (Maximum Zoom)
With the lens fully zoomed in you do not get quite the same crispness you would from some larger digital cameras with physically bigger lens units. My test shot still produces a good quality print though.

Outdoor 4 (Building)
I like the brightness in this shot. The contrasting colours work well again and with the lens not zoomed in or out to one of its extremes, sharpness is very good too.

Outdoor Portrait
In my opinion the colours are more or less spot on. This is quite a straightforward test for a digital camera and the Cybershot DSC WX1 comes through well. You should be able to take plenty of pleasing portrait shots.

Indoor Portrait with Flash
This is a good effort. There is plenty of brightness. This helps to create quite a vivid looking portrait. There is a crispness about the shot and it works well.

Indoor Portrait without Flash
I am impressed by this shot. Noise levels are lower than I am used to seeing. This helps to increase the level of detail in the shot.

Colours
The colours produced are roughly average in terms of strength. They are well balanced and do not overpower.

Macro
Sony digital cameras have a habit of reacting to the artificial lighting used in my macro test by producing a slight purple tinge. This can be seen with my test shot for the Cybershot DSC WX1 as well. This issue should disappear when shooting outdoors in natural light. Aside from that point I am happy with the shot.

Noise
The innovations Sony has added help with noise levels, although you still need to temper any really high expectations. There will still be plenty of times when the best results come from using flash. In my tests a tripod is still a big help when the light starts to fall.

Overall
My overall impression is that the Cybershot DSC WX1 handles most of the challenges it faces well. It solved most of the problems it faced and picture quality is in line with a good quality pocket camera.

Shutter lag times are impressive. The first photo timed just 0.18 seconds with five taking 7.54 seconds. With flash turned on times were 0.35 seconds for a single photo and 9.91 seconds for five.

The turn on time was very good to with the first photo being taken within 2.59 seconds.

You can compare this camera to other models by taking a look at the Shutter Lag Comparison Table.

There is not too much about this camera that really makes it stand out from the crowd. It looks pleasant enough and is available in silver, gold and black.

90.5 x 51.8 x 19.8mm

120g

Lithium ion (NP-BG1). Sony estimates you should be able to take up to 350 shots in between charges.

Sony has only built in enough memory to take a couple of snaps. The Cybershot DSC WX1 is also compatible with Memory Stick™ Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo™. Memory Stick PRO Duo™ High Speed (No Speed Advantage), Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™(No Speed Advantage).

Click here to save money on SD cards..

Very good. The extra features will take a little bit of digging out and getting used to. Aside from that this is a straightforward, point and shoot camera.

Ease of use - features - minimal shutter delay - pictuire quality

Very small internal memory

The Sony Cybershot DSC TX1 is built along similar lines when it comes to features. The main difference between these two digital cameras is the fact the Cybershot DSC TX1 has a 3 inch LCD screen offering touch control and a sleek, stylish design.

I really like the Sony Cybershot DSC WX1. The newer features are fun to use and picture quality is very good in most instances. Recommended.

Front View

Back View

Top View

Sample Menu

Description:	10 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom lens
Ease of Use:	8
Features:	9
Colour:	8
Macro:	8
Indoors:	9
Value for Money:	9
Style:	8
Movie Mode:	9
Image Quality:	9
Build Quality:	8
Total:	85
Verdict:	The Sony Cybershot DSC WX1 includes features you will not see on a typical, pocket camera. It has a very high speed burst mode, a sweep panorama mode for landscapes and cityscapes, plus a High Definition movies mode. Picture quality is very good too. Recommended
Review Date:	October 2009
Related Pages:	Sony DSC WX1 Specification Sony DSC WX1 Sample Images Sony DSC WX1 Features
Comparisons:	Sony Cybershot DSC WX1 vs Sony Cybershot DSC TX1

	GBP 159.99
	GBP 229
	GBP 259.99
	GBP 264
	GBP 287.88
Click a flag for prices from other countries:

Camera	Rating
Panasonic DMC FP1	86
Panasonic DMC FP3	86
Canon IXUS 105	86
Canon IXUS 210	86
Sony DSC TX7	86
Panasonic DMC FX60	86
Canon IXUS 120 IS	86
Sony DSC TX1	86

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, please make sure you double check the feature set and specification at the point of purchase.

Sony DSC WX1