Rating: 
Summary: Amazing Gizmo (with some minor shortcomings)
Review: After laboriously searching for several weeks, I chose this camera over all other models. As this is a complex unit, there are many long reviews here, and being succinct is very difficult. I will skip most features listed, and try to concentrate on the advantages (many), and shortcomings (few) of this camera compared to others: The picture quality is superb. It's like watching a television. Just one look and you'll be immediately impressed. The only way to get a higher quality picture is to go to a 3CCD camera (more $, and bigger). The only other 1 CCD camera whose picture is as good, is the Canon Elura (because of it's RGB filter), but the Elura doesn't do half what the PC100 does, and it is a lower res camera. The megapixel photo/stills are excellent. Especially when taken at the highest resolution (for simple web photos, several lower res sizes are available). Yes, a 4mb memory stick is not enough. Expect to spend the $125 or so for the 64mb stick. I do not feel the low lux of 7 is not as much of a limitation as some others. ALL camcorders have problems in very low light, be it 7 lux, or 3 lux. The size to features ratio is amazing. The camera fits pretty well in a jacket pocket. You can do more with this little camera than so many other cameras of larger sizes. It will do all most anyone will want. The size also fits well in your hands. The zoom feature is too sensitive, and it would be nice if there were a way to lock it into slow/med/fast settings. I occasionally find myself bumping the back lit button, and sometimes hitting the still/photo button, but otherwise all the controls are easy to reach and get used to. If you buy an extra battery, do not buy the NPFM90. Buy either two 50's, or a 70. The 90 is simply too big. The 70 is pushing the size limit. The good news is that the batteries seem to have a lot of stamina, even with the 50. The Sony batteries seem to last longer in this unit than the old PC1 or PC10 or PC3. And in general more than the Canon or JVC batteries. Something to consider if you are travelling a lot (how I use the camera) I should also note that I have taken this camera mountaineering (in pretty bad weather) and rock and ice climbing. While I did not expose it to the elements for very long, it has proven to be very tough. Do not complete any order, or leave any store, before also purchasing a UV filter to cover the lens, a wide-angle lens attachment, and case for the camera. The wide-angle is very reasonably priced (less than $100) and you'll use it a lot. If you use the wide-angle attachment, take off the UV filter first, or it will vignette while taking stills in bright light. The biggest negative I have about the camera is the sound quality. Sony put the microphone right on top of the unit, instead of in front of it. This creates two problems. First, if someone in front of the camera is talking, and there is any ambient noise, their voice is weak. Second, and most annoying about any aspect of the entire unit, is that in some situations the camera picks up an extremely annoying oscillating sound from the camera's motor. How audible is it? Barely, but just enough to drive you mad. Sony does make a few microphone attachments that fit on the hot shoe (great idea here, as flashes and other toys can use the shoe as well) that eliminate this. The best microphone however, is a large shotgun mike that makes the camera a little hard to handle, pick up and put away, or fit in the case (or pocket) with the mike attached. But there are a few other mikes that will at least improve the sound quality. What I have found is that if I am taping someone talking, I make sure I use an attachment mike. If we are out and about, I keep the camera in my pocket and just shoot, worrying about the sound later (during editing it mostly gets wiped, voiced over, or scored over with music and subtle sound effects). As soon as you buy this unit, if you don't already have a computer that can edit your video, you will want one. There is a world of difference between having good video footage clunked together on a VCR tape, and slickly edited footage on a computer then put to tape. I gave this camera only 4 stars out of 5 because of the sound quality, and other minor shortcomings listed. It should however be noted that I am quite strict in this grading, thinking in terms of the entire star scale, while many reviewers use only stars 3-5 to rate things, with anything good being a 5. Most other cameras I looked at would probably rate in the 3 star range. Very few cameras rate 5 stars, and if Sony made a better microphone (or supplied one for recording voice) this camera would probably rate 5 stars with me. All in all, this is a pretty amazing little gizmo. A great unit for the size to features to quality ratio.
Rating:
Summary: Not even 1 Picture ?
Review: I am surprised, why doesn't it have a picture. Is it some kind of a secret or....?
Rating: 
Summary: Problem with still pictures
Review: I bought a DCR-PC100E in July 2000. Generally, I am satisfied with it, but I have a problem with making still pictures as follow: I make still pictures in the best quality (1152 x 768, Superfine). When I see the still pictures they are all made with the big sharpenning of edges. If I make a details of some object (faces etc) I can be satisfied for 60%. But if there are many small objects on the still pictures, I don't be satisfied at all, because I see "Edges" on many small objects and the picture is very bad. The sharpenning of edges is a problem of software for DCR-PC100E. My question: Can I eliminate this sharpenning of edges ? Or Is there a FIRMWARE for this Camcoder to eliminate this sharpenning. I can make a sharpenning with some software after making a picture and I don't understand why SONY incorporate a software with it. Thanks to help me.
Rating:
Summary: Why I took it back.
Review: I bought the camcorder after my Jvc was destroyed in an accident. I really enjoyed my Jvc but the sony was much better. I did finally take it (the pc100) back because I found out on the Sony website that sony was coming out with a dcr pc 110. It has a U.S.B. connection which means I'll be able to download stills much faster. The still pictures in the pc100 come out very dark .The pictures were great if you were outside.We end up buying a flash but then the subjects of the pictures looked like deer in headlights.The video was superb. Keep in mind the pc110 is quite a bit more expensive. If you can do without great looking stills consider the pc100.The software for pc110 is also better and did I mention the movie mode? You decide.
Rating:
Summary: Good camera - just of couple of minor negatives
Review: I bought this camera about 8 months ago. Just a few 'negatives' I'd like to point out. (1) It is a bit bulky, so sometimes a bit cumbersome to carry around with you, but then again, so are many of them. (2) The zoom switch really takes some getting used to. In the beginning it would zoom in or out completely in a microsecond the moment I tried to zoom a tiny bit. Did not exactly make my films look professional. Now I've gotten used to its sensitivity and its a lot better. Separately, there are SOOOO many features to this thing, I had to read the (bulky again!) instructions manual three times and still I probably don't know and definitely don't use 3/4 of its features. But, all in all, it's a great camera and I have zero regrets!
Rating: 
Summary: What a quality peice of kit!
Review: I decided to update my hardware from and old (needs a car battery to run and lasts two minuites) camcorder to a new digital all bells and wistles one. I am not dissappointed at all, the Sony DCR-PC100E is one of the best things I have ever bought. The quality of the picture is excellent, the battery lasts forever and there are enough buttons and functions to last a lifetime! It is very easy to use, even with all the advanced features available I had no trouble working it out. The quality of both the moving and still images is the most impressive feature, with stereo sound and an effective zoom all adds up to decent results. I would recommend this camcorder, go on, go and get one. p.s. No, I don't work for Sony.
Rating:
Summary: Everything you'll ever need for near broadcast quality
Review: I don't work for Sony, me neither! But when you're the witness of such an impressive sense of technical sophistication and ease of use, you can't say anything else but "Wow! This stuff is very close to perfection." If you are a beginner in DV, Sony's DCR-PC100 will let you believe that you're a pro. Despite the tiny size of its body, all buttons are intuitively positioned so that you don't have to look after them for hours while shooting at your favorite topics. Right at your fingertips! If you are more familiar with DV cams, Sony's stuff will stimulate you a lot. The very low weight, the precision of still images (the first and only megapixel available on the market) and the astonishing quality of videos will definitely convince you that you've done the best choice. Everything you'll ever need for getting very close to broadcast quality. The price seems pretty high... But you know what? This is the price of perfection.
Rating:
Summary: Great Camera!
Review: I got this camera a few months ago I must say it is wonderful to use. It's got a simple interface, the recording quality is excellent, and best of all, it take still-shots. The Memory Stick integration is awesome, and it saved me the trouble of getting a Digital Camera, so I was pretty happy about that. The only complaints I have are that the included Memory Stick is only 4 MB, which isn't a huge amount when you're talking about Digital Pictures, and it's kind of expensive. However, you're paying for the quality of Digital Footage, which in my opion, is worth it. Aside from these minor problems, the camera is great. Also, the FireWire (Or "i.Link" as Sony calls it) is great for editing movies, and sending them through e-mail or burning them on a CD. In short, if you can afford it, and you've been looking around for a DV Camers, this is it: Go and buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Top model for video amateurs
Review: I have been using this camcorder for more than 6 months now. I wanted a compact camcorder with the convenience of mini digital videocassettes and firewire support that lets me edit video on my home PC. I also wanted a high quality and yet easy to use camcorder with a long lasting battery. PC100 has everything a video amateur needs. PC100 also have a built-in mega pixel digital still camera, although it cannot compare with specialized products like Nikon CoolPix cameras. The video quality is extremely high. The only complaint I have is the zoom control. It zooms in and out a bit too fast. I am very happy with my PC100. Worth the price!
Rating:
Summary: New Father that isn't a pro photographer
Review: I needed to buy a video camera before my son was born about 6 months ago. The criteria I had, was that I wanted a camera that was small which did both digital still pictures and video. I didn't want to carry two cameras everywhere we went. But, I wanted the best video/still pictures I could get (These moments are precious, and I wanted to remember them as best as possible) The DCR PC100 fits this criteria to a tee. I've been very happy with Sony products in the past, but I did my research on this camera, and at that time, this was the best camera for the above criteria (It also seemed to have some features that I may grow into). I've now had 6 months to play with the camera and feel comfortable giving suggestions about my experience with the camera (I've been concentrating more on the still pictures, since my son is a newborn, they don't move that much yet :-): 1) Definitely buy the flash attachment! Still photos without it in low light situations just are not very good without the flash. You'll be very disappointed without it. 2) If you buy the flash attachment, you might want to think about an extra battery. Batteries go faster with the flash on. 3) The zoom button is very sensitive. This took a little getting used to, but wasn't a problem after a little practice. 4) Definitely buy a 32M or 64M memory stick. I bought a 32M memory stick which holds a little more than 50 pictures at maximum resolution. It comes with a 4M memory stick, which is good for only 4 or so pictures (not real useful). 5) It doesn't come with a carrying case, so you'll need to buy one of these. So far, this camera has performed extremely well at Disneyland, his Baptism and Christmas. Not to mention, it is really fun sending out weekly pictures of my son to friends and family.
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