Sony Cyber-shot TX200V

At this year's Camera and Photo Imaging Show (CP+) in Yokohama, the Japanese camera maker showcased the latest member of its Cyber-shot family, the DSC-TX200V. This weather-sealed Sony compact sports an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 5x (25mm to 125mm) optical zoom range and 1080p full-HD video recording capabilities. We had a chance to get our mitts on the new shooter during the show and here are our first impressions.

Upside

Sony has managed to keep its latest camera attractively small with the TX200V's footprint being just slightly larger than a credit card. Despite not being shockproof, the TX200V can survive depths of up to 5m, withstand temperatures as low as -10 degree Celsius and is dustproof as well. From our brief hands-on of the compact, we liked how its zoom lever has been ergonomically placed at the corner of the shooter, which makes it easier to reach when shooting video, resulting in less camera shake.

Shutterbugs who enjoy capturing moments in ambient night, would be pleased to know that the camera also comes with a newly-developed 18-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor which the company claims can provide better image quality and reduced noise in low-light conditions.

One of the highlights has got to be its 3-inch, 921k-dot-resolution OLED touchscreen. While operating the camera, we found the TX200V's touch display to be quite responsive. Making selections and swiping through images during playback was fast and lag-free.

Downside

The TX200V's smooth, polished exterior does score points with us, but at the expense of fingerprint smudges which could be annoying to some. If you're looking at getting this snapper, it may be a good idea to invest in a good microfiber cloth (unless one's provided). We're afraid there's bad news for those who aren't too fond of touchscreen devices as the shooter lacks the traditional rear physical button interface found on many compacts.

This could be a problem for those residing in colder climates as it'll be tricky to access camera controls while wearing gloves. The Cyber-shot doesn't have gesture controls like those found in the Nikon Coolpix AW100 or Olympus's Tough cameras, either.

Outlook

Overall, Sony's reputation for combining style and function in its products continues in the TX200V. With its sleek, attractive exterior and good feature set, the Cyber-shot will appeal to those in the market for a camera that can brave the elements without compromising on design.

Pricing and availability of the camera in Asia have yet to be confirmed, but we'll update this story when we get more information from Sony.