By direct imaging we determine spin structure changes in Permalloy wires and disks due to spin transfer torque as well as the critical current densities for different domain wall types. Periodic domain wall transformations from transverse to vortex walls and vice versa are observed, and the transformation mechanism occurs by vortex core displacement perpendicular to the wire. The results imply that the nonadiabaticity parameter β does not equal the damping α, in agreement with recent theoretical predictions. The vortex core motion perpendicular to the current is further studied in disks revealing that the displacement in opposite directions can be attributed to different polarities of the vortex core.