Color (8.51)
We test color of every digital camera using Imatest Imaging Software and a GretagMacbeth color chart. The software measures the amount the reproduced colors differ from the ideal color of the chart. For each color tile the outer square is what the camera produced, the inner square is a corrected version of the camera's color by the software, and the smallest innermost vertical rectangle is the ideal version from the chart.

Below is a graph representing the color reproduction of the Sony DSC-P100 and how much the camera differs from ideal colors. The circles represent what the camera produced and the square represents the ideal color; the distance between them is the amount of error.

For a point-and-shoot camera, I don’t think there is any camera on the market right now that exceeds the Sony P100 in imaging capabilities. The Sony P100 received a camera saturation value of 110.7%. While this is not something to brag about, this is a common flaw to which many digital cameras are susceptible. As the common eye has become blind to over-saturation, camera trends have unfortunately followed. This is a flaw in the P100’s imaging capabilities and if there was one thing I would alter this would have to be it.

In terms of color accuracy, the P100 is most accurate in middle blue, purple, and brown tones. The green values and red tones are most accurate when the color is closer to white. For the most part, the color representation of the P100 is incredibly strong and only seems to falter a bit with its rendition of dark green and crimson. The P100 provides accurate color rendition and imaging that can rival upper level consumer cameras, making this truly a jewel that can be stowed in your pocket.

Still Life Scene
The below image is our favorite still life scene which we photograph with every camera.

Click on the above image to see a full size version (CAUTION: It is a very large file)

Resolution / Sharpness (4.17)
We tested the resolution of the Sony DSC-P100 using an ISO Resolution Chart and Imatest Imaging Software. The software utilizes the exposures of the chart and reads the real lines of resolution found within the image. This technique reads from the recorded image itself and is not responding to the stated capabilities of the imager. While many manufacturers state high claims for their imagers, many cameras not live up to their marketing hype, often resulting in compressed or stretched images that are not as crisp as their intended megapixels would promise.

Although there are not many cameras that match their manufacturer's proclaimed megapixel count, there is a wide range in how close the camera will come to its intended performance. Typically, anywhere above 80% of the manufacturer’s megapixel count is considered very strong while 90% is excellent. The P100 performed very well in this department, producing images with 4.17 megapixels, 83% of the boxed description. Although many may wonder why there is such a discrepancy between the camera's description and its actual performance, it is largely due to marketing intentions and loose play with decimals. However, users of the P100 have nothing to fear as this camera produces strong resolution and crisp detail in all of its images.

Noise - Auto ISO (6.71)
The Sony P100 produces clear exposures in both automatic and manual ISO modes. For a $399 5.0 megapixel camera, the P100 is a tough camera to surpass. In automatic ISO mode, the P100 contains the same ISO range that is available in manual ISO; it is just controlled by the camera. Please note that the identical score to the manual section is not a mistake--the camera actually scored the same in each section. The P100 will excel in daylight and bright settings, producing images that are well exposed with minimal noise. The only flaw in the P100’s imaging capabilities occurs when the camera is pressed to perform in low light without a flash or added light source. When this occurs, a higher ISO rating is needed and some noise distortion will occur. However, as long as the ISO setting can remain under 200, the P100 will perform as well as any 5 megapixel camera around. With the added flexibility of manual ISO, this camera is a real value.

Noise - Manual ISO (6.71)
When variable ISO settings are available, we test the noise produced by the camera at each of the various settings using Imatest Imaging Software. The graph below portrays the results of these tests for all the ISO settings on the Sony P100. The horizontal X-axis represents the ISO ratings while the vertical Y-axis is the resulted noise reading.

From the graph above, the P100 appears to maintain low noise levels when a low ISO setting is applicable. Although it is a near unique feature for point-and-shoot cameras to include variable ISO speeds, the P100 did not produce exceptionally high quality, low noise imagery as the ISO ratings were pushed. To help read the chart, we put the noise values and ISO settings into a regression analysis to give an overall noise value. The score here indicates the P100 performs strong in extreme illumination, when a lower ISO setting is available. As with any camera, noise will increase when a higher ISO value is used and the P100’s performance clearly declines when ISO ratings are increased, which is why 400 is the highest rating available.

Speed/Timing
Start-up to First Shot (8.83)
Using our standard speed test the Sony DSC-P100 had a start-up to first shot time of 1.17 seconds. Compared to a host of other point-and-shoot cameras this is a very quick start-up speed.

Shot to Shot (7.9)
The Sony DSC-P100 was pretty average in its shot-to-shot speed with an average of 2.1 seconds between shots.

Shutter to Shot (6.44)
On many point-and-shoot cameras there is a noticeable lag in between pressing the shutter and taking a photograph. The Sony DSC-P100 performed well in this category, measuring 1.28 seconds.