Testing my new toy (Sony DSC-WX1) - [dial-up warning]

[HappyCynic]

I got a new "toy" on the weekend - the Sony DSC-WX1. It's the point-and-shoot with the new low light sensor. I gave it a quick test on the way home from work. I was a bit tired and eager to get home so artistically, any instances of quality are purely coincidental. I didn't worry about the aesthetics - I just wanted to give the "handheld twilight" mode a good test. In this mode, it takes 6 quick shots and combines the images. I must say, I think I'm going to really love this camera - not as much as my DSLR but the WX1 looks like it'll be my primary camera for low-light conditions. Now for the images, all of which were taken handheld (no tripod or monopod)...

Here's a shot of a church close to where I work:


Here's an unscaled 800x600 crop near the center:


Then I decided to give it a better stress test. In the first shot, I used the "smart mode", which switched it to "twilight" mode. Unlike the "handheld twilight" mode, "twilight" mode takes two regular shots and varies the ISO. The first two images are using "twilight" with ISO values of 800 and 3200.

ISO 800:


ISO 3200:


The next shot is using "handheld twilight" mode:



The next set of images is an 800x600 unscaled crop of the images near the center. First the two "twilight" mode, 800 and 3200 ISO crops:

ISO 800:


ISO 3200:


Now the "handheld twilight" mode:



I'll definitely have to give it a good all-around test on the weekend. I'll have time to actually find good subjects for pictures at that point.

[Callalily]

1. Nice "test" pictures.

I have yet to master the art of night photography. Was much better at it with my old Canon.

Can't wait to see your next installment.

[HappyCynic]

3. Night photography

So far, the only experiences I've had with night photography have either used a tripod, failed miserably, or both. I'm quite eager to try a lot more night photography with the new camera. I don't expect much in way of good photos - I expect it'll mostly be me getting used to the camera and its little quirks. If I do get some decent shots, I'll definitely post them. For some shots, I'll probably try taking a few with the WX1 and a few with the A330 just for comparison.

[Celebration]

2. These look GREAT

I can't wait to see more.

[HappyCynic]

4. weekend

I hope you can wait until the weekend. I'll probably put it through its paces on Saturday - day and night. I also intend to try its macro performance. As mentioned above, for some shots, I'll try similar shots with the A330. It should make for some interesting comparisons.