While in Sedona with Sony I spent the week playing with Sony’s new line of cyber-shot cameras coming out in May. Of all the Cyber-shot models I tried out my favorite because of price and functionality was the rugged model, the ULTRA-SLIM T SERIES CYBER-SHOT, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20.

Why do I like it so much?

“Advanced, thinly designed, ruggedized model”

Because of the features:

· Waterproof, dustproof, freeze-proof and shockproof

This camera is practically drop proof. I love this camera and would feel completely safe letting my kids use it. Most of the time I’m terrified to hand my kids a camera that costs over $100 because I feel like that’s letting money go down the drain because they will most certainly drop it. If you’re around water it will get wet, if it’s breakable it will get stepped on. This camera works under water, in cold environments, meaning last year when I went to the ice exhibit and they told us to put our cameras away because they might freeze and break, this camera is safe to use in those environments and will take excellent photos.

· 9 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video

I hate having to edit photos, but being a food and travel blogger sometimes photos need a little sprucing up to keep up with the competition on other blogs out there. So I have to spend 30 minutes to an hour depending on how detailed I’m getting on editing photos. Photoshop is a computer power hog (just saying). The Sony Cyber-shot series has a range of picture effects and this camera has my favorite feature the paint feature making colors brighter and artistic.

· “Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities

My husband could become a Sony Cyber-shot salesman because he loves this feature most of all. This camera takes excellent shots in daylight and in night, with an automatic low-light shooting capability.

· Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60i) and two direction Optical image stabilization with “Active Mode”

This would be my husband’s second favorite feature. One, he loves taking video, two he loves when a camera has built in stabilization. His hands take terrible video. I love him dearly but it’s true and he knows it.

· 25mm equivalent lens with 4x optical zoom, 8x virtual zoom via “Clear Image Zoom” technology

The picture above is zoomed into the max from where I was standing looking at this peek. It’s taken in amazing clarity with fine detail and in black and white from the camera.

· 3.0-inch LCD touch screen

The touch screen to me is something I don’t really care about. I mean it’s an awesome feature but I still like the tactile feel of the buttons. It’s easy to use though and finding menus on the touch screen was easier than on some of the other Cyber-Shot cameras, so I can’t justify my opinion, it’s just my opinion. I think part of it is that I know screens are usually what eats up battery power.

· Captures 12 MP still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”

· 16 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 will come in five different fashionable colors: orange, green, black, blue and pink and retails for approximately $330

Sony paid for my travel to Sedona and let me play with their cameras