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The Sony DSC-TX5 is a10 megapixel mini-camera in the Sony T series that includes some pretty sophisticated features, such as Panoramic, Anti-blur and Twilight modes. In Twilight mode the camera takes 6 pictures under low light conditions and combines them into one. This is similar to stacking images in astrophotography. It is very useful for handheld shots in dark forests and scenic views of cities at night. It also works well for close-up shots of shiny subjects where flash or photofloods create reflective hot spots in the image. The camera has a touch screen with a menu system that is pretty easy to learn. The down side for me is touching the screen with soiled fingers. On a positive side the camera is waterproof and can be used in the rain. In addition, it takes memory stick pro duo and SD cards. Like other T-cameras, the image quality in macro mode is very sharp, sharper than the macro mode of Sony superzoom cameras like the DSC-HX1; however, the T-9 and T-10 still may be a little sharper.

The following close-up images were taken with low ambient light in the twilight mode. This mode does not have the ultra macro of T-9s and T-10s, but still allows you to zoom up to 3.0 X and get within three inches of the subject. The images are not quite as good as my Nikon D-90 with 60mm Micro Nikkor AF-S F/2.8G ED Macro Lens & Phoenix Ring Flash, but this little camera costs about 1/3 of the Nikon lens and it is waterproof!

An uncropped image of a U.S. Penny (one cent). It fills the entire field of view in program mode when set to maximum ultra macro (close-up): ISO 125 1/30 at f 3.5. The camera will focus down to about one centimeter, with a field of view width of approximately 21mm (less than one inch). At this distance the camera casts a shadow on the subject. Unfortunately, the flash is too bright at this distance and higher f-stops are not available. Although the close-up images are pretty good, the depth of field is less than the T-9 and T-10.

The Sony DSC-TX5 is a good little waterproof mini-camera that is probably better than most similar models in its price range ($299) that are available at this time (December 2010). For macro shots in Program Mode the flash is too bright and only low f-stops are available. If you are interested in high quality macro images, I think the T-9 and T-10 are superior. If you own one of these older cameras and they develop the dreaded gyro vibration problem, they are definitely worth repairing.

The DSC-TX5 Twilight Mode is very useful for handheld shots in dark forests and scenic views of cities at night. It also works well for close-up shots of shiny subjects where flash or photofloods create reflective hot spots in the image. In my opinion, the DSC-TX5 is worth the money as a small light-weight addition to your camera bag. It is ideal for rainy days or dim light situations when you don't want to bother with a tripod. It is also a good camera to carry on your belt for people pictures and parties, pictures taken through glass without flash, or just walking around a city after dusk.

As of January 2016, the DSC-TX30 is Sony's latest mini-camera in the Sony T series. It is waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof with 18.2 megapixels and 5x optical zoom. For naturalists it can be used under water, in pouring rain, and on sand dunes with blowing sand. It is small enough to be carried as a 2nd camera on hiking trips. Like the TX5, it includes some pretty sophisticated features, such as Panoramic, Anti-blur and Twilight modes.

The camera has a touch screen with a menu system that is pretty easy to learn. The down side for me is touching the screen with soiled fingers or viewing the icons in bright sunlight. Like other T-cameras, the image quality in macro mode is very sharp. For extreme closeups one cm from subject using Magnifying Glass Plus, two LED lights on either side of the lens will automatically turn on and illuminate the subject without using the overpowering flash. The downside to Magnifying Glass Plus is that the shutter speed is slow. If you can't steady the camera the image will be blurred.