Cyber-shot Digital Camera TX20

Model number:

DSC-TX20/G

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Model Highlights: Certified waterproof, dustproof and shockproof, 16.2-megapixel Exmor® R CMOS sensor, Full HD 1080/60i video, dual record of photos and videos, up to 10fps, 3.0" touch screen

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Overview
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Features
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Specifications
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Accessories

Tough little guy.

Run with a rowdy crowd? The Cyber-shot® TX20 camera was built to keep up. It's waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, yet slim and stylish enough to take anywhere—from whitewater rafting, to girls' night out⁵. With a high-performance 16.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and advanced in-camera stabilization, you're sure to capture incredible photos and Full HD video of all your adventures. So bring on the raging rivers, dusty deserts and rocky ridges—the TX20 is ready for whatever action awaits.

Pixel Power

With a 16.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, capture high-resolution images that take full advantage of the camera's sharp Carl Zeiss® lens. More pixels means you can enlarge, zoom in and crop your photos without losing detail. Advanced processing technology reduces noise and graininess for incredibly crisp, clear images—even in challenging low-light conditions.
Practically Everything-proof

Want a camera that keeps up with your active lifestyle, plus delivers high quality photos and Full HD video? The TX20 is waterproof to a depth of 16ft, shockproof from falls of up to 5ft, completely dustproof and slender enough to slip in your pocket and take anywhere—from underwater escapades, to a night on the town⁵.
Amazing HD Movies

Record crystal-clear movies at the highest resolution available with Full HD 1080/60i AVCHD™ video capture¹. Stunning, fast-motion video with reduced distortion looks great when played back on your HDTV². Notice a perfect photo opp while shooting video? With dual record of stills and movies, you can shoot both at the same time.
Never Miss a Moment

Shoot up to 10 frames per second at full 16.2MP resolution. The perfect feature for high-speed sports or capturing a sequence of your buddy's backflip, no matter how fast the action, you know you'll get the shot. Plus, a mechanical shutter helps reduce distortion when continuously shooting moving subjects for even crisper, clearer high-speed shots.
Say Goodbye to Blur

Don't let a not-so-steady hand prevent you from capturing the moment. Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for camera shake by countering camera movements in both horizontal and vertical directions. Get sharp, blur-free footage in otherwise unsteady situations, like shooting video while swimming.
Capture the Action in 3D

Take your adventure mementos to a whole new dimension. Capture awe-inspiring 3D photos or expansive 3D panoramas with 3D Sweep Panorama™ mode, then relive the moment when you view your photos on your compatible 3D-enabled computer or HDTV³.

Take to the sea, the slopes or the streets with complete confidence when you wield this ruggedized Sony Cyber-shot® DSC-TX20 digital camera. Waterproof, dustproof, shockproof and slim enough to slip into your pocket and take anywhere, this tough little camera stands up to the elements and your active lifestyle to capture the action as it unfolds⁵. With a top-notch 16.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and Full HD 1080/60i video capture (records in 29-minute segments), you'll walk away with high quality mementos of every adventure. Shoot up to 10 frames per second (fps) so you never miss a moment, then relive the fun when you review your photos and HD video on the big, 3.0" touchscreen Xtra Fine LCD™.

16.2 Megapixel Back-illuminated Exmor^® R CMOS Image Sensor

This camera features a 16.2 megapixel Exmor^® R CMOS image sensor that brings out the full resolving power of the camera’s Carl Zeiss^® Vario-Tessar^® lens to deliver extremely fast speed, high resolution, and stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain. In addition, the combined Exmor^® R CMOS sensor and BIONZ^® image processor delivers extremely fast up to 10fps, Anti Motion Blur, Hand-held Twilight and 1080i movie modes.

Capture the decisive moment with up to 10fps

Capture full 16.2 megapixel resolution images at up to 10 frames per second, helping to ensure that the decisive moment is captured such as the soccer ball flying into the goal. In addition, a mechanical shutter helps reduce distortion when continuously shooting moving subjects.

Optical zoom plus Clear image zoom

Most digital zooms use electronic cropping to get closer to the subject, resulting in unsharp images. With Clear Image Zoom the powerful processor compares patterns found in adjacent pixels and creates new pixels to match selected patterns, resulting in more realistic, higher-quality images. Clear Image Zoom doubles optical zoom for closer photos.

Photo Creativity

Photo Creativity allows you to fine-tune your exposure settings, such as brightness, color, and vividness, and quickly choose the right enhancement for your subject. Now you can view Picture Effects and Photo Creativity effects in real time on the camera’s monitor or in the viewfinder before shooting.

Face Detection technology

Face Detection technology detects up to eight individual faces and adjusts focus, exposure, and white balance to help deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends.

Soft Skin mode

Portrait subjects will love the results. Soft Skin mode recognizes skin tones and reduces the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles without affecting the rest of the shot.

Motion Detection

Motion Detection, along with Face Motion Detection adjusts ISO sensitivity and increases the shutter speed when movement is detected, reducing blur in moving subjects and faces.

Full HD 1080/60i

Record crystal clear movies at the highest resolution available with capabilities for 60i in 1080 AVCHD™ video. This provides stunning, fast motion video with less distortion for playback on your HD TV.² With dual record of stills and movies, you can shoot both at the same time.

3D still image and 3D Sweep Panorama™ mode

Produce awe-inspiring images with 3D still image and 3D Sweep Panorama™ capabilities.³ Photos will take on a new dimension of creative capabilities for viewing the world in a whole new way.

Picture Effect

Picture Effect adds a new level of expression to photos, making ordinary landscapes and portraits come to life by heightening mood and emphasizing certain attributes. Select models have up to nine effects.

Superior Auto mode

Get cleaner, more dynamic pictures and fewer missed shots. The camera automatically recognizes the correct scene mode, then quickly shoots and combines up to six shots to produce images with greater clarity, optimum dynamic range using backlight correction HDR technology and lower image noise using 6 shots layering technology. Superior Auto intelligently detects 36 scenes for still images and movies, making it easy to get the best shot.

Anti-blink function

It’s frustrating to capture the perfect shot, only to review it later and discover subjects blinked during the photo. The Anti-blink function works to help counter blinking and squinting. When the camera is set to Soft Snap, the Anti-blink function captures two images, recording only the photo with less squinting. If a blink is detected in other shooting modes, a warning will be displayed after you take the shot.

Natural Flash

Conventional point-and-shoot camera flash shots just don't capture colors the way the eye sees them. Natural Flash controls the white balance of both the background and main subjects.

Rugged and Stylish

This camera is just as much at home in the water as on a night on the town! The sleek and stylish camera fits the slimmest pocket or purse, yet is waterproof to a depth of 16 ft, shockproof from falls up to approximately 5 ft and dustproof thanks to its airtight construction. Seamlessly shifting from underwater marvels to a night on the town, the TX20 always makes it easy to get the best shot!

Optical SteadyShot™ with Active Mode

Optical SteadyShot™ with Active Mode for blur-free movies even while walking.⁴ Camera-shake compensation using Optical SteadyShot/Active Mode has been improved with the addition of new electronic image stabilization. Now it’s easier than ever to obtain sharp, blur-free movies even when zooming in unsteady situations, such as shooting with one hand while walking.

Intelligent Sweep Panorama™ HR mode

With Intelligent Sweep Panorama™ HR mode just press the shutter, pan the landscape and let the camera do the rest. It automatically links together each frame to produce a high resolution panoramic image providing the ability to zoom in on small details. This model even detects faces and moving subjects to stitch intelligently different widths to help avoid subject distortion.

Background Defocus

DSLR photographs are often beautiful because they blur the background, putting the emphasis on the subject. Now our point-and-shoot cameras can deliver this signature DSLR benefit. The system takes two shots, identifies the background and applies a defocused background keeping the subject crisp and clear.

Smile Shutter™ technology

Smile Shutter™ technology captures a smile the moment it happens. Simply press the Smile Shutter™ button and the camera does the rest. You can also select adult and child priority and indicate the degree of Smile Detection sensitivity. Intelligent Scene Recognition can be used together with Smile Shutter™ mode when the Intelligent Auto mode is on. This means that beautiful smiles can be captured with settings optimized for the particular scene, even in difficult conditions such as twilight and backlighting.

Intelligent Scene Recognition mode

Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) Mode automatically detects 36 different types of scenes and selects the appropriate camera settings. In Auto Mode, the camera takes a single shot using the optimal settings. In Advanced Mode, the camera takes a photo with the optimal settings and, if in difficult lighting (low light or back light) immediately takes a second photo with another optimized setting so you can choose which to keep.

Product Specifications

Recording

Media Type : optional “Memory Stick Duo” (No movie recording), optional “Memory Stick PRO Duo” (Mark 2 only for movie recording), optional “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo”, optional SD Memory Card (Class 4 or higher), optional SDHC Memory Card (Class 4 or higher), optional SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or higher)
Still Image Mode : JPEG
Still Image Max Effective Resolution : Approx. 16.2 Megapixels
Still Image Size 16:9 : 12M(4,608 x 2,592) / 2M(1,920 x 1,080)
Still Image Size 4:3 : 4:3mode:16M(4,608 x 3,456) / 10M(3,648 x 2,736) / 5M(2,592 x 1,944) / VGA
Panorama Still Image Size : Sweep Panorama:HR(10,480 x 4,096) / Wide(7,152 x 1,080/4,912 x 1,920) / Standard(4,912 x 1,080/3,424 x 1,920)
Sweep Multi Angle Image Size : 2M (1,920 x 1,080)
Video Mode : AVCHD 60i:24M FX/ 17M FH(1,920 x 1,080/60i) / 9M HQ(1,440 x 1,080/60i) / MP4:12M(1,440 x 1,080/30fps)/ 6M(1,280 x 720/30fps)/ 3M VGA(640 x 480/30fps)
Photo Capture from Movie : Yes
Dual Record : Yes
Audio Format : AC3 (Stereo)
Microphone/Speaker : Stereo/mono
Wind Noise Reduction : Off/on

Focus Control

AF Modes : Multi Point AF / Center Weighted AF / Spot AF / Flexible Spot AF / Tracking Focus / Face Tracking Focus / Flexible Spot AF(Tracking Focus) / Flexible Spot AF(Face Tracking Focus)
AF Illuminator : Auto / Off

Flash

Flash Modes : Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off
Flash Coverage : ISO Auto: Approx.0.08m-3.7m(3 1/4 inches to 12 feet 1 3/4 inches)(W) / Approx.0.5m-2.7m(1 feet 7 3/4 inches to 8 feet 10 3/8 inches)(T), ISO3200: up to Approx.5.2m(17 feet 3/4 inches)(W) / Approx.3.8m(12 feet 5 5/8 inches)(T)

Interface

Memory Card Slot : MS Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC Compatible
HD Output : Micro HDMI
USB Port(s) : Multi Type3b(AV/USB/DC IN), Hi-Speed USB(USB2.0)
TransferJet : Send: Yes, Receive: Yes

Camera

Camera Type : Touch screen digital camera

Optics/Lens

Lens Type : Carl Zeiss^® Vario-Tessar^®
Aperture : f 3.5-4.6
Optical Zoom : 4x
Focal Length (35mm equivalent) : Still 16:9: 27-08mm / Still 4:3: 25-100mm / Movie 16:9: 27-108mm(Optical SteadyShot Standard), 29-116mm(Optical SteadyShot Active) / Movie 4:3: 33-132mm(Optical SteadyShot Standard), 35-110mm(Optical SteadyShot Active)
Lens Construction : 12 elements in 10 groups(including 6 aspheric elements, 1 prism)
Minimum Focus Distance : iAuto:AF(W:Approx.1cm(0.03') to Infinity, T:Approx.50cm(1.64') to Infinity) / Program Auto:AF(W:Approx.8cm(0.26') to Infinity, T:Approx.50cm(1.64') to Infinity)
Clear Image Zoom : 8x
Macro Mode : Yes
Steady Shot Mode:Active : Yes

Exposure System

Metering Modes : Multi Pattern / Center Weighted / Spot
Exposure Compensation : Plus / Minus 2.0EV, 1 / 3EV step
Scene Mode(s) : High Sensitivity / Soft Snap / Soft Skin / Landscape / Night Portrait / Night Scene / Handheld Twilight / Gourmet / Beach / Snow / Fireworks / Pet Mode / Anti-Motion blur / Backlight Correction HDR / Hi-speed Shutter / Underwater
D-Range Optimizer : Standard
ISO : Auto / 125 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200
White Balance Mode : Auto (Intelligent) / Daylight / Cloudy / Fluorescent 1 (White Fluorescent Lighting) / Fluorescent 2 (Natural White Fluorescent Lighting) / Fluorescent 3 (Day White Fluorescent Lighting) / Incandescent / Flash / One Push, One Push Set / Underwater

Convenience Features

Red-Eye Reduction : Auto / On / Off
Erase/Protect : Erase: Single / Select / Date / Folder / AVCHD, Protect: Single / Select / Date / Folder / AVCHD

Weights and Measurements

Dimensions (Approx.) : 3 7/8" x 2 1/4" x 23/32"(95.9 x 56.2 x 17.9mm)
Weight (Approx.) : 4.7 oz (133g)
Weight(Approx) (Main unit only) : 4.2 oz (118g)

Imaging Sensor

Imaging Sensor : 1/2.3" Exmor^® R CMOS Sensor
Processor : BIONZ^®
Pixel Gross : 16.8MP
Effective Picture Resolution : 16.2MP
Color Filter System : RGB primary color filters

LCD Display

LCD Type : 3.0” Xtra Fine LCD™ display (921K dots)
Brightness Control : 5(Bright) / 4 / 3(Normal) / 2 / 1(Dark)
Grid Display : Yes (Off / On)
Touch Panel : Yes

Drive System

Self-timer : Off / 10sec. / 2sec. / portrait1 / portrait2
Shutter Speeds : iAuto(4" - 1/1600) / Program Auto(1" - 1/1600)
Burst Mode : Approx 10 fps at 16.2MP (Maximum 10 shots)

Advanced Features

Anti Motion Blur : Yes
Sweep Panorama : Intelligent Sweep Panorama / 3D Sweep Panorama / Underwater Sweep Panorama
Face Detection : 8 Faces (Auto / Off / Child Priority / Adult Priority / Selected Face Memory)
Smile Shutter™ technology : Yes
Image Stabilization : Optical SteadyShot™ with Active Mode Image Stabilization⁴
In-Camera Editing : Trimming / Red-Eye Correction / Unsharp Masking
Intelligent Auto : Yes
Shooting Tips : Yes
Background Defocus : Yes
Waterproof : Yes
Dustproof : Yes
Shockproof : Yes
Superior Auto : Yes
Tracking Focus : Off / Auto
Blink Detection : Yes
Picture Effects : HDR Painting / Richtone Monochrome / Miniature / Toy camera / Pop Color / Partial Color / Soft High-key

Power

Battery Type : LITHIUM ION NP-BN 3.6V
Battery Capacity : typical: 2.3Wh (630mAh), minimum: 2.2Wh (600mAh)
Power Consumption (in Operation) : Approx. 1.0W
Power Requirements : AC 100V to 240V, 50/60 Hz, 18W

In the Box

Multi USB Cable
Instruction Manual

Battery (NP-BN)
Wrist Strap

AC Adaptor AC-UB10
Paint Pen

Product Profile

Support

Find related product support and help in Sony eSupport

Product Warranty

Limited Warranty

Floating Camera Strap

$29.99
Rechargeable Battery Pack

$49.99
Lightweight Tripod

$34.99
Mini High Speed HDMI Cable - 4' 7"

$29.99
Battery Charger

$49.99

DSC-TX20/G 3 5 4 4

Beware! I first bought this camera in 2008. I took it on an international vacation and wanted something durable, plus waterproof. The pictures I took in and out of the water were amazing! Sadly, after a couple years, it died. The screen only showed pixels and it just died. Because I loved the camera, I bought the same one in 2010. Plus, we bought the charcoal colored one and after using itin the pool just a couple of times, the charcoal coating peeled off in random places. Looked terrible. Also, the screen has permanent blotches on it that don't show up in the pictures but it is hard to view the screen. Guess what? It's 2012 and it died. I will not be buying another Sony Cyber Shot because they only last two years! September 16, 2012

Fantastic for movies! Picked this up earlier this week to take movies of the kids in the pool. I must admit I am blown away by the movie quality. It's stabilized, waterproof, and you just flip up the front cover for instant on/off. Movies look incredible. Shot a few pics that were ok, but not going to replace your DSLT any time soon. A real keeper, and unlike the more expensive model, uses regular SDHC memory cards. Shawn July 28, 2012

LOVE IT!!! I did lots of research on underwater cameras before I made the purchase of this Sony TX20. I loved the looks of it b/c it doesn't look like an underwater "rugged" camera. Honestly, I was a little worried about the underwater feature...but as you can see...the pictures turned out BEAUTIFUL! Or, at least I think they did. I'm not a professional by any means but the preset modes on this camera seem to work really well. I will admit that the all touch screen display on the back take a little getting used to...but I am so glad I made the decision to get this camera. I am in love with it and can't wait to take it to Disney and not have to worry about it getting wet on the water rides! The pics I have uploaded have not been photoshopped at all. The camera also has the "iSweep" feature which works really well. It takes the panoramic photos and when you put the iSweep in HD format...the pictures look really nice! I've never been so pleased with a product! I give it only 4 stars b/c of the all touch screen and the price is a little high...but I purchased with some gift cards so the cost wasn't as bad "out-of-pocket". I would buy this camera again even if I didn't have the gift cards! June 18, 2012

Great but fell apart. Going on to my 5th Cybershot!!! Don't think I will buy another one. My last cyber shoot broke when I was snow skiing. I saw this was shock proof/ waterproof so I bought this camera for my girlfriend. She loved it so much I bought one for my trip to Thailand. I knew I was gonna be in the ocean and wanted a small video camera/ camera. I was on a small island phi phi taking pics and the lid that covers the lens just fell off. It is glued on in little dabs of glue. The camera has to detect that the lens cover is down to take pictures. I was so lucky that they had a little store that had super glue. So I was able to glue the lens back on. However I put super glue in all the same spots Sony glues this camera and the next day walking on the beach went for a swim in the ocean and it broke again. I really super glued it all over and made a mess but that thing wasn't gonna come off again. Yesterday at the lake the strap got caught on a step on the back of the boat and ripped off. So I do not like this camera and wouldn't by another one. I'm going to buy the new more expensive on because it doesn't have any parts that move or slide for my trip to Hawaii. I think the heat made the glue come apart?? Who knows. The touch screen doesn't work well when wet. It's hard to change settings to video if you out in the water. I love the technology that's why I keep buying these cameras. However, I just wish they made one that can take the elephant treks in the jungle,. extreme heat to the snow skiing trips to the being under water for a extended period of time. I'm giving Sony one last shot with the TX200V. Hope TX stands for Texas :) I have a Nikon D5000 for the regular stuff but I need a little pocket camera to capture the adventures. The camera is great for around the pool not the ocean so much. I still love ya Sony. May 7, 2012

1-4 of 4

VIEW FOOTNOTES

1. Records in 29 minute segments

2. Requires HDTV and HDMI cable sold separately

3. Requires 3D HDTV, HDMI cable (at least 10.2 Gbps) and active 3D glasses sold separately.

4. Combined with electronic stabilization.

5. Waterproof certified to IEC60529 IPX8 standard, shock-proof Certified to 1.5M MIL-STD-810F Method 516.5-Shock, and dustproof certified to IEC 60529 IP5X standard.

© 2012 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony, Cyber-shot, Optical SteadyShot, BIONZ, Smile Shutter, Sweep Panorama, Exmor R, and the Sony make.believe logo are trademarks of Sony. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Vista are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Mac is a trademark of Apple, Inc. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Features and specifications subject to change without notice.