Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W100

Viewfinder (4.25)
As part of the W-series, the Sony W100 keeps the optical viewfinder that is the hallmark of traditional cameras. Some compact digital cameras include optical viewfinders, but most are small, blurry, completely inaccurate. While this one has its flaws, it is one of the better optical viewfinders included in point-and-shoot models. The viewfinder itself is quite small, but is actually bigger than those on the Sony W50 and W30: the same size as the W70’s viewfinder. Unlike that on the W70, the W100’s optical viewfinder is on the left edge of the back, which keeps the photographer’s nose from greasing up the LCD as it does with the other cameras. The downside to its placement is that it can be easily covered up while handling the camera, though it would be easy for the photographer to notice and correct this.

As for accuracy, the W100’s optical viewfinder does fairly well when the lens is at its widest focal length. In this case, the viewfinder sees only part of the recorded image – it doesn’t catch all of the right and bottom edge. Still, this isn’t all that bad; users can simply crop pictures later rather than worry about cutting off subjects’ arms or legs. This last is a concern when the lens is in telephoto, which causes the viewfinder to see much more than will be recorded, particularly on the top and left edges. The optical zoom viewfinder has the flaw of all compact models’ finders; it isn’t placed within the lens, so it doesn’t see exactly what the lens and image sensor records. It also doesn’t see if the image is focused. Still, when the battery is running low, using the optical viewfinder in the wide focal lengths can be a sound option.

LCD Screen (6.75)
The 2.5-inch LCD screen provides a more accurate view of the recorded image than the optical viewfinder, but the resolution isn’t very flattering with only 115,000 pixels. Pushing the button below the mode dial can turn the screen or cycle through different display modes, such as live view. Users can add a histogram as well, but most will find it too crowded to view the exposure accurately. Overall, the LCD screen isn’t gorgeous and won’t warrant awe from onlookers, but will suffice for snapping a few shots here and there.

Flash (8.0)
Instead of being off-center, in the way of fingers, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W100’s flash is placed directly above the lens. This evenly lights subjects and somehow still manages to avoid sucking the color out of photos. The flash is effective from 6 inches to 13 ft 8 inches when the ISO is automatically set, and 2 ft 7 inches to 24 ft when the ISO is graded at 1250 (these figures are from the widest focal length of the lens).

Auto, On, Off, and Slow Sync flash modes are available from the top of the multi-selector. Users can also access Red-eye Reduction via the setup menu, letting off a string of preflashes prior to firing the final flash with the photo. The flash level can be adjusted in the recording menu while the camera’s in any flash mode but off. There are +, Normal, and – options available; the differences between the three choices are subtle but definitely noticeable. Overall, the built-in flash is one of the Sony W100’s best assets.

Zoom Lens (6.75)
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W100 has a 3x optical zoom lens with the same 38-114 mm equivalency as the W70. Both Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lenses extend from the camera body in two segments. While the W70 measures from 6.3-18.9 mm, the W100 measures from 7.9-23.7 mm. Its lens is constructed from 7 elements in 5 groups with 3 aspheric elements.

Although the end of the lens barrel is flat, a lens adaptor with a 30 mm filter diameter can be purchased for $30 and will let the camera accept conversion lenses. The wide conversion lens retails for $99 and the telephoto retails for another $130. All of these optional accessories bring the total camera cost to $600. Better options are available for that price.

For most point-and-shooters, however, the 3x optical zoom lens should satisfy their needs. The Carl Zeiss lens shows some barrel distortion, but it is only noticeable if photographing graph paper or taking self-portraits with the nose occupying half of the image. While zooming in and out is audible, the noise itself is a quiet whine that will only be obnoxious in quiet concert halls and after a day on a tour bus full of fifth graders.