Sony Cyber-shot TX1: Panorama Mode

Posted on October 21st, 2009. Written by Rico.

One of the first things I learned on Photoshop was how to properly stitch images together to create a wide panoramic image. Even though newer versions of Photoshop automate this process, nothing beats the Sony Cyber-shot TX1‘s panorama feature in terms of convenience. Some same panorama shots follow.

The TX1 has two panorama modes: Standard and Wide. Resolution for the former is 4912 x 1080, while the latter is really really wide at 7152 x 1080. The following are thumbnails of pictures copied straight from the camera, with no processing done whatsoever. Click on a thumbnail to view the full-size versions, and please be patient as they load. As with other pictures captured by the TX1, panoramas are in JPG format. The first three standard panorama pictures are each approximately 2.5MB in size, while the fourth wide panorama takes up 3.0MB on the memory stick.

Why do I consider the panorama view very convenient? It’s a simple matter of:

• Switching the camera to panorama mode
• Pressing the shutter
• Moving the camera in an arc to take in the entire scene

As I’ve said, there’s no need for manual stitching: the camera takes care of everything, and stores the final picture on the Memory Stick for later retrieval. It’s also possible to take vertical panorama shots, very useful for those who want to capture the ground/floor and the sky/ceiling at the same time.

There were a few times when the stitching was wrong, usually under low-light conditions or when there are a lot of moving elements in the scene. But the panorama mode of the TX1 is mostly effective at capturing those wide vistas that aren’t enough for just one frame. More on the Sony Cyber-shot TX1 to follow, so stay tuned!

Photos taken at Ayala Greenfield Estates