 VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE: Great Camera! "Attention Buyers and Owners"! |
| Review Date: September 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Nick Bibbo, Denver NY |
UPDATE: I just found out today that a White Balance setting might be the key to this camera for outdoor shots. When setting on "P" mode I found out that switching the White Balance from "Auto" or "Daylight" to "Flash" in improves outdoor photos color, tone, exposure and warmness. I was so amazed in the difference!! See my photos above!
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After 3 weeks of waiting for this camera to be released I now have it in my hands and taken over 500 pictures. Within those photos I have found out the best settings for the right scenes and conditions. With that, I will clear up problems previous owners have had.
First, I'm sure all of you want to know how good the new Exmor R sensor is. It's pretty good, WITH THE RIGHT SETTINGS. I will go into that later.
This camera really has some cool features, Like Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, Handheld Twilight and AntiMotion Blur Mode.
The key is setting the camera up for the right scenes, which means not keeping it set on Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) Mode(AKA Auto everything). I find that iSNC mode and easy mode don't work well and as a result people are complaining about the the noise, the low light picture quality and outdoor picture quality.
I'm now going to go though the scenes and the right settings and modes to put the camera on for best results.
For Low Light shots(at widest zoom):
Again iSCN Doesn't work well at all in low light. You have to switch the camera to Handheld Twilight mode and adjust the Exposure Value(EV) from -0.3 to -1.7(this is a very important setting that needs to be set on order to remove the noisyness and grain from the photo, a setting people don't adjust and then complain about how bad the photo looks in low light). You might also want to try different White Balances,setting correctly results in really nice low light shots.
Outdoor shots:
This camera in iSCN mode seems to keep the lens all the way open(F2.4)and it adjusts the shutter speed(a big No No)resulting in washed out over exposed photos(yuck).
The solution: switch to "P" Mode which closes down the lens to around a nice F5.0 to F7.1(much better) and switch the White Balance to "Flash" . Also for better exposure you can again adjust the EV.
Panorama Shots: This one's tricky, from where you press the shutter to start the panorama it locks the exposure at that point. If you start in a dark scene and move across through a bright scene, It's going to be over exposed. Make sure you start in a modernity lit scene and if needed switch EV from -0.3 to -1.0.
Hopefully this information helps and clears up previous reviewers problems with this camera.
Other good things to add: This camera does quite nicely in bright sun light(see my test photos above, however amazon doesn't let you upload them in high quality but you'll get the idea). Takes really nice close up Marco photos. High Definition video is really nice and clear(just remember to adjust the EV in low light 1.0 to 2.0 to remove noise).
Over all a nice Sony camera great size, style and pictures.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
I should be adding more to this review soon.
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From a Leica M2 to a Sony WX1
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| Review Date: October 12, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quick Ben, SF, California |
I'm somewhat puzzled after reading several of the poor reviews for this camera. I've had this camera since the beginning of October, and I've taken a number of shots under various conditions, day and night. In some cases the results, day and night, were outstanding. In other cases they were less so. In no case have I had the problems described by those who have given the camera one, two or even three stars.
Now I suppose that it could simply be the case that my standards are lower than those writing strongly negative reviews. However, while not a "pixel peeper", I do care about the quality of the image. My first camera was a Leica M2 that my grandfather gave to me. What a great camera. I spent a lot of happy days taking pictures with that camera. The prints that I developed were, imho, better than anything I've seen come out of a less than ultra high end DSLR. The Leica M2 was followed by a series of Nikon and Olympus SLR's. I was still shooting film when the digital age rolled around. Until the WX1 my only concession to the digital shift was a FujiPix F30. It's a fun camera, but I wanted something smaller for casual shooting. When I can afford it, I'll get a DSLR to replace the SLR's.
All of this is to say that I have some experience with photography, although I would not in any way consider myself a "serious" photographer. Measured in terms of that experience, the WX1 is a very good camera for its purposes. I bought it as a pocket camera that could take quality pictures, day or night. So far, that expectation has been satisfied. I also bought it for the HD video which I haven't tried out yet.
I've been wondering whether my relative lack of familiarity with recent model digital cameras may explain the difference between my experience with the WX1 and the experience of others. When my grandfather gave me his camera, he emphasized that among the things that I needed to know in order to take good pictures was how the camera worked. I spent a lot of time familiarizing myself with the workings of the Leica. This made a big difference in the quality of the pictures that I took. Accordingly, before using the WX1, I downloaded and read the manuals in their entirety, trying to familiarize myself with the camera's resources (of which there are quite a few and limits (of which there are also quite a few). I still haven't figured out how best to use the WX1, but I learned for, example, that turning the DRO on or off made a substantial difference in IQ, as did learning the idiosyncracies of the white balance and the various settings that were automatically set in the various camera modes. I would say, and this may be a mark against it for many people, that the WX1 is not a "point and shoot" camera unless one is familiar with its workings, but when I read the negative comments I wonder if some of the issues complained of could be addressed through a better understanding of the camera. I been following several threads on the WX1 at an online camera forum. The complaints were loud and long about the picture quality of the WX1 daytime shots. Photos were posted that looked really bad. Photos were posted that looked really good. Most were the work of apparently accomplished photographers. Finally someone complained that the camera wouldn't shoot over 800 in the handheld nighttime setting. Someone else said that they had no problem shooting at higher speeds in that setting. It turned out that the the problem was that in one case (the no greater than 800 case), the DRO was on. It also turned out that with the DRO turned off, many of the problems with the IQ of daytime shots were addressed. This doesn't mean that someone with all the knowledge in the world of the camera's capabilities and all the skill in the world at taking photographs might not conclude that they found shots taken with the WX1 were unacceptable. "De gustibus non est disputandum". It also may be the case that someone might feel that taking a lot of time to figure out the workings of a camera is a waste of time. Still, this camera seems to me to have a lot of functionality that makes it worth the time learning how to use it properly. |
Former DSLR owner
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| Review Date: February 20, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Bryce Hale, Inverness FL USA |
As a former owner of a Sony A700 with 16-80mm Carl z lenses, plus a whole bag of long range lenses. Dealing with toting all that stuff around, cleaning lenses, I finally got sick of it and sold everything on eBay and bought this camera, sure the image quality will never touch the A700 DSLR but I find the joy of photography is having a camera always with you. The 24mm f2.4 lens is it's best feature, don't let anyone else fool you. Wide angle is the best feature of any camera, I find you can always walk closer but that wide angle comes in so handy in real estate photos (makes the room look bigger), group photos, cramped spaces, The burst mode is handy (10fps is amazing in such a small camera), the panorama pictures are truly amazing, no more stitching photos together in Photoshop.
I have owned digital cameras all the way back to the 1999 sony mavica (floppy disk memory) and progressed up to the DSLR. I dont think I will get back into DSLR due to the bulky, expensive, complex (think dust on your sensor from lens changing).
The price of $259 is mind blowing too given all these features. I hoped I helped you in some way. |
DSC-WX1
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| Review Date: January 31, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Mike P., |
| An amateur photographer, I enjoy having this camera where my SLR can't or shouldn't go (say a packed bar). It's still no SLR, but it's night shooting capabilities without flash along with it's small portable size were more than worth it for me. You'd expect excellent quality with normal lighting, but it's more like above average for the price range and lens. I got it from the Amazon warehouse, so the used price helped make it more palatable plus it's arrival in 2 days thanks to Prime! |
I love this little camera...and I mean little
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| Review Date: May 2, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Martin, IRVINE, US, Canada |
I've had many many many cameras over the past few year and this little wonder isn't going any place soon.
I've DSLRs which were too big and bulky to carry around so I'd miss a shot. Or the low light capabilities on pocket cameras are horrible, so you miss the shot. The Sony DSC-WX1 solves both of these issues.
And the panorama sweep feature is really cool. |
Better in some aspects than a canon Rebel Xsi
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| Review Date: October 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Anirudh Sen, Los Angeles |
When taking pictures in Low light without a tripod this camera absolutely kicks the ass of the canon rebel xsi (with stabilised lens). In fact i took a picture of the lcd display of my air conditioner in a dark room at about 10 feet distance (without a tripod) without flash of course, and the picture is unbelievably clear.
Even indoor shots are better than the canon. Of course with a tripod it is a completely different story but think about this will you lug a tripod around with you if u go to ur friends party or incase you feel like taking an outdoor shot at night?
I found taking pictures of my friends at parties without the use of the flash and the pictures were amazing.
The people crying about the picture quality are the type of people who will crib about how the performance of a ferrari leaves a lot to be desired.
*** My parents (not tech savvy at all) found it a breeze to use with the various presets and the awesome auto modes
IT IS AWESOME. I GUARANTEE YOU WILL LOVE THIS CAMERA.
and in case you are not satisfied you can always return it, but trust me chance of that happening are super low. |
Excellent pictures with the right lighting.
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| Review Date: January 17, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Richard Scerbo, Newton, NJ United States |
I have been using Sony digicams for almost 10 years now. I was always impressed with their speed, size, and the great pictures I would get from them. As the go to guy to take pictures at birthday parties, reunions, school plays, etc, I rely heavily on my cameras and I can't be left with a camera that won't cut it. With that, I am very pleased with my new WX-1 camera. Start up time is super quick, ensuring that I can go from having the camera in my pocket, to turning it on, and getting the shot. The high speed mode is one of the best I have seen in a small digicam. Of course it does not equal my slr, but I am very impressed with the pictures I yield from it. The new panaramic feature is very fun and I really like using the many scene modes the camera offers.
Many people complain about the memory stick. Back in the day, the memory stick was lightening quick compared to the SD cards. Now the SD cards have finally caught up to the speed of the MS. With that, I do not mind paying $20 for a 4GB memory stick pro. Since my other cameras have been Sony cameras, I have already had memory stick cards and readers, so to me, its not a big deal. If you have had other cameras that used SD, just think of making a $20 investment into a very reliable, fast card for your camera, and use the SD card in your Wii.
The only two complaints I have for this camera are it's low light picture taking, and the format it uses when recording video. The low light picture taking is always a problem with cameras this size. I can still take decent pictures of a rock concert from high up, or a sporting event from the nose bleed sections. Birthday party pictures come out good as well. I do notice that some of the action shots I take in low light situations tend to be on the softer side. With video recording, I was very happy to finally be able to zoom in and out while recording, however, I am not happy that it records in mp4 format. Usually, I use the digicam to record home movies, and then view them using media player before putting them on dvd. Now, I have to convert them to mpg format (which is what the other cameras used to record in). Just an extra step I shouldn't have to be bothered with.
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sony wx1
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| Review Date: October 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: I. Arias, |
Excellent product, i switch from konica minolta z1 (that i really liked), and there is a huge difference in the quality of this camera, besides of the 5x zoom, this product is all i need for taking great pictures both indoor and outdoor, and the panorama setting is so easy to use and incredible results, just have to understand how it works and you will have excellent memories of incredibles views!!
Video is excellent both indoor and outdoor and you can zoom it while recording!!
Very happy with this purchase, and believe me, i have never write any reviews on anything, but i've decided to take the time because all the bad publicity this camera is receiving from some reviewers! Enjoy it |
Good Camera- 24mm wide angle is amazing
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| Review Date: November 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Purvag Nanavati, |
I bought this camera after doing some research as an amateur photographer. It was little more than my budget but as I look back now it was worth spending $50 more for this 24mm wide angle feature. The wide angle makes a huge difference while taking pictures inside small room and with large families. It is very compact and portable and with a decent compact size.
It has a decent battery life. The aesthetics of the camera is not very great, I would love to see some design elements in it for the camera at this price.
I would recommend this camera to anyone who can manage to spend little extra money to buy this 24mm wide lense, its worth it. I would like to thank my boss who pushed me to buy this 24mm wide angle lense camera.
Panoramic feature is also great. The auto feature is generally gives good result and if somebody is not satisfied with that it also has some very good scene settings as well. I am not happy with not able to forcefully turn on flash in auto mode.
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Very Happy with this camera!
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| Review Date: February 16, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Timothy, New York, NY United States |
| I needed a small pocket sized camera to use in low light situations and this one has been the best I've ever used! I've been very happy with it! |
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