In PCWorld Labs' subjective evaluations for image quality, the Sony Cyber-shot HX100V was a solid performer three measures: sharpness (Very Good), lack of distortion (Superior), and color accuracy (Very Good). However, exposure quality exhibited some automated white-balance issues and a bit of underexposure in our test images, and the camera earned a score of just Fair for exposure quality.

In my hands-on tests, the HX100V's still-image quality was a mixed bag, though pretty good overall. When shooting at lower ISOs, with the lens at wide to midrange focal lengths, many of my test shots came out razor sharp and with better-than-average details. When I pumped up the ISO and/or extended the zoom, the images got softer and lost detail--hardly an unexpected occurrence with this type of camera, but still noteworthy. I wasn't surprised, either, that purple fringing occasionally appeared along high-contrast edges when zoomed at telephoto. However, the HX100V delivered (mostly) accurate exposures and pleasing colors.

Start-up and power down were a little slower than I had expected, but autofocus speed under good light was speedy; the autofocus speed slowed a bit under low light and at full zoom. Tracking focus was fairly responsive and accurate, though the camera occasionally got distracted and went off-course from its intended subject. Again, you should use a tripod for long shots: The HX100V's stabilization system works well, except at the farthest reaches of the zoom.

In PCWorld Labs' subjective video tests, the HX100V emerged as a very good long-zoom option for people who want to shoot video. Our sample footage looked sharp and smooth in bright light, and the HX100V did a much better job than most cameras we've tested in creating a usable low-light video scene. The low-light test clip is certainly dark, but the scene's details are visible, and the camera doesn't jack up the ISO automatically to reduce color accuracy. The HX100V earned a video quality score of Very Good, with a better score in our low-light tests than most other cameras we've tested this year.