Advance the main requirements I have in a outdoor camera:
1. Shockproof
2. Waterproof
3. Easy to operate, even with one hand
4. Good image quality
Point 1: the camera has at the end faces a kind of rubber bead. If the camera falls on it that can certainly prevent major damage. If it falls to the front or back, but that certainly helps nothing. So as it is, that no real protection is for example in mountaineering. Sony is but - hopefully - also in Germany, the Soft Case LCJ-THG offer (currently there is only via ebay from Japan). By not outgoing lens and this envelope I'm assuming that the camera is also suitable for a really rough use.
Point 2: I do not want to dive with this camera, you can use but in the ever come under water. I have taken them to test with in the bathtub. If one pays it well that the lock of the battery cover is properly engaged (yellow marking), there are no complaints here.
Point 3: The operating logic is used to. But real problems arise from the fact not because the settings of the DSC-TF1 have fallen quite clear. The fully automatic mode works well, but I usually use the Programmed Auto (P), because I can also adjust the flash, focus area, etc. manually. The keys are in accordance with the camera size is relatively small, but still good to use. The vertical zoom rocker at the top like it very much and is also quite finely dosed.
The arrangement of the recessed lens in the upper corner, the gripping surface on the front side is relatively large. However, this area is also relatively slippery, again, I hope the soft case that is give the camera the necessary grip. Thus also one-handed operation should be no problem - not least because of the Softcase a carabiner is still grown as a kind of handle.
Point 4: - not more and no less but the image quality is equivalent to a camera of 100 euros class. That is the charge for the outdoor suitability is currently about 75 euros. The noise from ISO 400 easily visible, but useful for normal image sizes even up to ISO 800. The lens is relatively weitwinkelig (up to 25mm), recorded and hardly has an acceptable light intensity from 3.6 to 4.7. The automatic white balance works well. The small flash is unexpectedly powerful and lights up rooms up to 8 meters (!) From far, exaggerating it a bit but at closer objects. The mediocre image quality you notice particularly in Panorama mode: in enclosed spaces blur the images here by the long exposure times, so this feature is unfortunately only in good light (Outoor) highly recommended.
Overall, I'm quite happy with the camera, but I have not expected high performance straight in the image quality. I forgive 4 stars and will update this review when I made the first practical experience with the soft case.
Addendum: I now get the Soft Case LCJ-GHG from Japan and am very satisfied. The camera is now - of course, except for the glass surfaces lens and display - optimally protected. Likewise, the grip has improved a lot. The carabiner camera is also better handlebar and also contribute to a belt loop or backpack. But I'll stay with the vote of four points, because I found it incomprehensible Sony find the Softcase not offer in Germany.
I have 3 images adjusted by the combination. The black of Softcases still looks rather gray. This is but the poor white balance, my cell phone. The black is very tired and the combination can be quite impressive.
