Value (8.0)
Based on the comparisons above, the Sony DSC-P100 stacks up fine against the competition in both price ($399) and features. It’s cheaper than a lot of 5 megapixel cameras in its class, but doesn’t lack any of the crucial controls or quality. The Sony DSC-P100’s biggest value feature is its size and fun factor. This is the camera for you if you want to have fun taking photos and look cute doing it. Who says you can’t buy happiness?

Comparisons
Sony DSC-P10-- The Sony DSC-P100 falls into the middle range of digital cameras and therefore has a lot of competition with similar features and competitive prices. Even within its own brand there are many models to choose from. When the Sony DSC-P100 came out on the market it replaced the DSC-P10. The DSC-P100 is similar in many ways, but Sony improved upon it in a few different areas. Although the two cameras have roughly the same megapixel count and many of the same options and features, the DSC-P100 boasts a better image quality with the Carl Zeiss Lens. Sony also caved towards popular demand by creating more options, increasing the camera’s speed, and giving it a thinner, lighter package. The Sony DSC-P100 also has a 1.8” LCD screen, which is a significant improvement to the 1.5” LCD screen on the P10.

Sony DSC-W1-- Another comparable camera put out by Sony is the DSC-W1 ($399). This camera also has 5 megapixels and, like the DSC-P100, a Carl Zeiss lens. The defining feature of the DSC- W1 is its large 2.5” LCD screen, which is great for people who have poor eyesight. The DSC-W1 also uses AA batteries, a useful advantage when you’re traveling abroad and can’t plug in your recharger. These two major differences also contribute to the DSC-W1’s slightly larger size and weight. Measuring 3.6” x 2.4” x 1.4” the DSC-W1 is slightly shorter in length, taller in height, and wider than the DSC-P100, and weighs an ounce and a half more. Since this size is pretty comparable to the Sony DSC-P100 it probably won’t be the deciding factor for most people. If a larger LCD screen appeals to you I would suggest the Sony DSC-W1 over the DSC-P100. It’s a significant feature for a camera this size.

Nikon Coolpix 5200-- The Nikon Coolpix 5200 ($499) is a very similar camera in megapixels, general features, and size, but there are few features that the Coolpix doesn't have. For example the LCD screen is only 1.5” with a resolution of 110,000. This pales in comparison to the Sony DSC-P100’s 1.8” LCD at 134,000 pixel resolution. The Nikon Coolpix 5200 is also a larger camera (approximately the size and weight of the Sony DSC-W1) with a small protruding handgrip that aids in shooting, but detracts from portability. The unique feature that the Nikon 5200 has that others in its class don’t is auto red-eye fix. This allows you to take out red-eye right in the camera, a feature that would be useful for those (like me!) who always seem to look possessed in flash pictures. The Nikon Coolpix 5200 also has a manual white balance function that I would have liked to see in the Sony DSC-P100. The Nikon Coolpix is a bit more expensive than the Sony DSC-P100, but I would go for it if you care about the little bit of extra control and red-eye capabilities.

Olympus C60-- In the Olympus line of point-and-shoot cameras, the C60 ($449) model is pretty comparable to the Sony DSC-P100. Although the Olympus offers more megapixels (5.9) and some increased options (a lower ISO of 64, and a super high resolution setting) it lacks in other areas that the DSC-P100 doesn’t. The movie mode in the Olympus C60 is a little disappointing at 15 fps (frames per second) when compared to 30 fps in the Sony cameras and many others in this range. The Olympus is also a bit heftier to carry around at 8.1 oz. compared to the flyweight 5.4 oz. Sony DSC-P100. Similar to the Nikon Coolpix 5700, the Olympus is a better deal in terms of increased control, but I wouldn’t get it if portability is your big concern. It’s hard to beat the Sony DSC-P100 in size.

Konica Minolta DiMAGE G500-- Another similar camera that has a hard time next to the DSC-P100 is Konica Minolta’s DiMAGE G500($449). This camera has a comparable zoom (3x) and megapixel count (5.0), but suffers from some of the same problems as the Olympus C60: larger size (8.3 oz.) and poor movie quality (15 fps rate). It also has a smaller 1.5” LCD screen with a mere 118,000 pixels of resolution. However, the G500 has three image quality modes (one more than the DSC-P100), and has an impressively low ISO option of 50. The Konica Minolta DiMAGE G500 clearly has more image quality options than the Sony DSC P100, but lacks in portability.

Pentax Optio 450-- Another similarly priced point-and-shoot camera is the Pentax Optio 450 ($388). This camera has a slightly smaller megapixel count at 4.0 as well as a small 1.5” LCD screen, but offers more options than the previous models. The Pentax Optio 450 has a 5x zoom lens and a shutter capability of 1/4000 of a second (much higher than the 1/1000 capability in previous models!). It also has Panorama Assist, 3D, and Digital Filter modes that you don’t see in many cameras at this range. In terms of portability, however, the Pentax Optio 450 is on the larger end of the middle range, measuring 3.9”x 2.3”x 1.6” and weighing 8.8 oz. Again, more options, but almost 9 oz. is too much. Who would carry that around in a shirt pocket?

Canon S60-- Back up into the 5 megapixel range the Canon S60 ($449) is a tough competitor with a 1.8” LCD screen and 3.6x zoom. Similar to the Pentax Optio 450, the S60 has panoramic capabilities and larger shutter speed capabilities than the Sony DSC-P100 (the S60 can reach up to 1/2000 sec). The unique features of the Canon S60 are RAW format capabilities, an evaluative metering mode, and a new underwater white balancing mode. For a little bit more money the Canon S60 clearly has more options. Although it is a slightly larger and heavier digital camera you might get more bang for your buck.

Kodak EasyShare LS753-- And finally in Kodak’s EasyShare line there is the LS753 digital camera. This 5 megapixel camera is the only one to offer ISO settings of 80 and 800. It has an impressive maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 and a 134,000 pixel 1.8” LCD screen that can be viewed well both in and out of doors. The lens capabilities of the LS753 are not as impressive as the DSC DSC-P100, with a zoom of 2.8x and a small lowest aperture of f/3.0 (compared to f/2.8 on the DSC-P100). If you know you’re going to be doing a lot of outside shots the Kodak LS753 may be your best bet. Solarizing can impede your LCD viewing, but Kodak does a great job of compensating for that.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters-- The Sony DSC-P100 is definitely a good camera for point-and-shooters. It has the portability that most people want in a point-and-shoot camera and is relatively easy to learn how to use. It is a camera that you could pick up and shoot with without having to spend hours fussing with the manual and settings. The most important thing is it produces good pictures, something that everyone wants in a camera.

Budget Consumers-- The Sony DSC-P100 is not the cheapest camera out there, but its prices are pretty competitive for the camera you’re going to get. If you want a really cheap camera you will have to get one with a lower image quality. That said, if you’re in the mid-$300 range the DSC-P100 is in your ballpark.

Gadget Freaks-- Although the Sony DSC-P100 is primarily a point-and-shoot camera is has a surprising number of features to play around with. It has a variety of options for the zoom, flash, exposure settings, and movie mode, but if you’re looking for something with all the bells and whistles you’re going to have to go a step up.

Manual Control Freaks-- The Sony DSC-P100 is not the farthest thing from a camera with full manual capabilities, but it’s still a far cry from it. There are a lot of options to satisfy the appetite of a novice or slight enthusiast, but it will leave the higher-end consumers feeling empty.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists-- Definitely not a serious photographer’s choice. Take one look at the camera and you’ll know why. Sony designed the DSC-P100 with mid-levelers in mind and the buck stops there.