Digital Trends

Sony Cybershot DSC-T100 March 26th, 2007 | by David Elrich

Features and Design

As you can tell, we’re big fans of the T series industrial design. The silver model we had is basically a sculpted piece of brushed metal, measuring 3.5 x 2.25 x .87 (WHD, in inches) and weighs 6 ounces with the battery and Memory Stick Duo card. There is subtle branding on the front that fits the overall style. The camera is also available in red or black. Slide the front panel down and the camera powers up and you’ll see the flash, lens, mic and AF Illuminator sensor. Of note is the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar glass that’s a 5x non-protruding optical zoom, the first T series with this zoom power. The Sony’s zoom has a focal length of 35-175mm in 35mm terms, far more powerful than the 35-105mm found in most digicams. Realize Casio has a new thin digicam with a 7x zoom, the EX-V7 ($399). However it’s 7.2MP with a 2.5-inch LCD. We’re on the list to test this one out to see if it measures up.

The DSC-T100 easily slips into a pocket but make sure there’s no change or keys there to prevent scratching the 3-inch LCD screen on the back. The LCD takes up most of the rear real estate, as you’d imagine. There’s just the wide/tele toggle switch, Menu and Home keys as well as the typical four-way controller with center set key. The top of the camera has a shutter button with power and playback keys angled to the side. The right of the camera has the battery/memory card compartment while the bottom simply has a tripod mount and an input for Sony’s bizarre hydra-headed connector that lets you connect it to a TV using A/V inputs or a computer via USB. Sony touts the fact this camera is capable of HD out to your HDTV—unfortunately you’ll need to purchase a separate accessory with the appropriate HD connectors. Sony’s CSS-HD1 dock costs $79, has component video outs and a remote; it also recharges the battery. There is a less expensive alternative since Sony has another hydra-connector with component outs for around $40. Guess you have to read the fine print…Still it’s a bit much to ask for an HDMI out on a sub-$400 camera, even for this reviewer.

The camera comes with a typical kit including the body, strap, rechargeable battery/charger, hydra-cable, printed manual and CD ROM with basic software and drivers. No Memory Stick Duo card is supplied (natch) so budget another $40 for a 1GB card. We dutifully charged the battery, loaded a card, set the date/time and hit the road.

Image Courtesy of Sony (T100 is also available in silver and black)