Sony Cybershot DSC-T100 8MP Digital Camera (Red) Review
The DSC-T100 is a very good camera and I would highly recommend it. I have had several generations of the Cybershot series (DSC-T1, DSC-T9 and now the DSC-T100) and they’ve all been great, high quality cameras.
This camera takes beautiful pictures. The pictures are clear, little to no white bleeding, with superb colors and great contrast. The lens is bigger than previous models so it works better in low light conditions and apparently this camera uses the noise reduction technology used in the new high end Sony cameras so the pictures should be less noisy when it’s dark too.
The movie quality is 640×480 at 30 frames per second with audio. And unlike the previous models you can zoom while recording movies (BIG plus!), whereas in the previous models you were locked at whatever zoom level you set before you began recording. Also, the movies are saved into MPG and not Quicktime so you’re not locked into a video format.
The camera is bigger than the previous top-end models, but not by much. I imagine they made the change to fit in the 5x optical zoom (over the previous 3x). And while they had the extra depth they threw in a 3 inch LCD (instead of 2.5) and a larger battery (to drive the larger LCD no doubt). I personally preferred the feel of the DSC-T9, but I accept the trading of features for a bit more size.
The downsides to the camera are few and minor, and if I could I would have given this product a 4.5/5, but they don’t let you do that. But, here are the problems I have with this camera.
1. Reduced Buttons: From the previous models they removed buttons and replaced them with software driven menus. While I do not mind software menus, I do mind not having a choice between using the software menus and using physical buttons. They really should have included a button for delete and I really want a switch to pick between movie mode and picture mode. It takes a few extra seconds to switch from the previous models and I don’t like that. Companies seem to think that it makes something easier to use if they make it software driven, but really it makes it harder and slower to use.
2. Options Not Very Accessible: The software menus impose too many limitations. I should be able to cycle through all flash options with the flash button in auto mode, but I have to go into program auto mode to do it, and I have to use the software menus to do it. This camera has the ability to set a brighter flash or a dimmer flash, but it takes so long to change that I won’t ever be able to use it. The same type of problem applies to the red eye reduction (although, I don’t think it’s necessary because it doesn’t seem to have red eye problems since the flash is further away from the lens).
3. The camera is still missing options that the DSC-T1 had. When I bought my DSC-T9 I remembered being so angry that they changed and removed options, and still they’re missing. For example, you can cycle through different display levels (normal, normal with histogram, bright, etc.). On the DSC-T1 there was an option to turn off the backlight, which increased the battery time dramatically. But, you can’t do this on the newer DSC-T9 or even the newest DSC-T100 models.
4. It’s a Sony so you pay a lot more for it. The camera is a reasonable price, but to make it useful you need to buy a Memory Stick Pro Duo, which costs a considerable amount more than SD cards (even though they are the same technology). You also may want the docking station, which is far overpriced, and all of the various other peripherals are more expensive then this should be also.
Don’t let the negatives discourage you though. This is a good product a Sony deserves praise for making it. I just wish they’d consult with me before they marketed it. 
Product Description
The Sony DSC-T100 delivers an effective 8 Megapixel still Resolution for incomparably detailed still pictures. It also lets you take movies with sound. But what’s really amazing is how small and light this high-performance, easy to use camera is. Enjoy 5x Zoom from wide-angle to telephoto imaging. A large, bright LCD screen for viewing shots. Sony’s Steadyshot Image stabilization that virtually eliminates blur resulting from normal hand movements when taking pictures. What we’ve got here is Professional quality that’s friendly for everyday, anytime use here or when you’re travelling there. The DSC-T100 from Sony is what you should be taking along. Electronic-flash with in-camera red-eye reductionEdit on the fly with in-camera photo retouching and special effect modes8.1 Megapixel effective for up to JPEG resolution 3264 x 2448 stills with exquisite detail16 – 9 widescreen photo mode (1920 x 1080) to fill widescreen displays of new HDTV screensAnd it goes beyond stills! DSC-T100 has MPEG Movie VX with Audio (to 640 x 480 at 30 frames per second) – like having a built-in camcorderIn-camera slide showHigh-Definition still picture Output to compatible HDTVs (requires Optional Sony VMC-MHC1 adapter)31MB Built-in flash Memory (holds approximately 7 shots at highest resolution) – compatible with Memory Stick® Duo and Memory Stick® PRO Duo for more practical, portable use9 scene modes, including Beach, Fireworks, and Twilight; High Sensitivity mode for low-light shooting without flash with variable ISO settingsMacro mode (focus as close as 3-1/8 from subject) and Magnifying Glass mode (7/16 from subject) USB Connectivity PictBridge compatibleAn A/V output for connection to a TVUnit Size 3-1/2W x 2-1/4H x 7/8D; Weight (without Battery or media) -5.0 ouncesComes with rechargeable InfoLithium® battery (NP-BG1)
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