Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-T100 8.1-megapixel shooter is certainly a looker, with a petite, purse-friendly exterior available in a choice of silver, black, or red. But underneath the slick exterior, there’s not enough to love.
Image quality was below average in Macworld Lab tests, with some lack of detail in most shots and persistent exposure miscalculations. Getting to the limited control options is a challenge, given the minimalist layout of buttons and dials.
The on-board flash is one of the weakest we’ve seen in some time, although it may help the battery last for an above-average 786 shots per charge. (Samsung’s NV11 [ ] performed best, coming in at 1,233 shots per charge.) And when it comes to storage, you’re limited to Sony’s expensive Memory Stick format. Plus, the camera is relatively expensive.
The DSC-T100 does score a few points for including a 5x zoom lens and relatively effective image stabilization features. And the red version of the camera really makes a fashion statement.
performance
| Image quality | Good |
|---|---|
| Color quality | Poor |
| Flash quality | Poor |
| Battery life | 786 shots on single charge |
Scale is Superior, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor.
How we tested: The image-quality rating of the camera is based upon a panel of judges’ opinions in five categories: exposure, color, sharpness, distortion, and overall. Battery life testers follow a precise script, including shots with and without flash, until the battery dies.
specifications
| Resolution | 8.1 megapixels |
|---|---|
| Zoom/focal length (35mm equivalent) | 5x/35mm – 175mm |
| Battery type | Lithium ion |
| Media slots | Memory Stick Duo Pro, Memory Stick Duo |
| Size (width x height x depth, in inches) | 3.6 x 2.3 x 1 |
| Weight (in ounces) | 6.1 |
Macworld’s buying advice
If style is a prime consideration and you plan to let the camera do all the exposure and composition work, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100 is a capable enough shooter in a slick package. Those who care more about what’s under the hood, however, can find a lot more camera for the money.
[ David Becker is a writer and photographer based in San Francisco who regularly writes about personal technology, gadgets, and travel. ]
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100
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