The Sony Cybershot TX20 Underwater Safe Camera

(Last Updated On: November 12, 2019)

My DSLR camera snob world has been rattled by a new point and shoot on the market. The Sony Cybershot TX20 is taking my photography to places that my camera and other devices can’t go.

I’m such a cell phone camera addict that it rarely occurs to me to carry a point and shoot. If I want a “real” camera, I figure I’ll grab a my DSLR with interchangeable lenses. Otherwise my cell phone will do. Sound familiar?

Sony’s aware that there is a shift in the market. They know that people rely on their cells to take pictures on the fly and they don’t love to carry multiple devices. But they also know that there are many situations that you might not want to shoot with your cell phone or DSLR. Situations like the beach, the pool and the back of a safari bus where you are being drooled on by a giraffe.

It would be so great, in those situations, to have a tiny lightweight camera that was waterproof, shock resistant, dust and sand resistant, and that shot great HD video, wouldn’t it? If only there were….  Aha! There is! Enter the Sony Cybershot TX20. As much as I love to shoot with my cell, it’s not holding a candle to the 16.2 mega pixel quality of the cybershot. It’s enough to make me leave my phone in my bag.

Suddenly the point and shoot is back, with improved image quality and dedicated rugged functionality that opens up whole new worlds for you.Literally. This is a camera that functions underwater and is shock and sand resistant. It goes where your cell phone fears to tread.It’s worth it to bring this extra electronic device along.

I gave my cybershot to my 12 year old to take to the pool. She and her friends dressed in costumes and dove in. No instructions necessary. She and her friends took all of ten minutes to figure out the touch screen commands and test some of the many features.

It took me just a little bit longer. I figured out how to shoot with the color pop and “painting effects” first.

I then mastered the “partial” color features.

By then I was hooked. As much as I love my cell phone and playing with the filters available in multiple apps, the Sony takes better pictures.  It’s amazing to try out the different effects while shooting, as opposed to using a tool like photo shop after. And if that is not enough to convince you – these two words may: “Soft Skin”. Wrinkles, blemishes be gone. If only there was a skinny feature as well, I’d marry my cybershot.

There are so many features to try that I’m still playing around with it after a couple of weeks. I’ve shot food with the gourmet setting and am looking forward to taking pictures in 3D. All around I am impressed. For around $300 this is a great camera to keep in your purse and to pack for travel. It’s perfect for family vacations.

More safari and underwater shots below. Check out how vibrant the colors are. That’s one of my favorite things about Sony cameras.

For more features and specific tech specs, see the Sony Cybershot TX20 on the Sony site.

 Disclosure: I’m a member of the Sony Moms, a group of moms selected to test and review Sony products. Some of the stuff I get to keep, some of it I get to try. I got to keep this camera – and it’s getting a lot of action. All opinions are my own but I think my family’s got my back here. They love this camera!