Sony PCM-D100 | Worth Buying in 2021?

This is my long term user review of the Sony PCM-D100, the handheld recorder capable of recording pristine audio. The question is though, is it the best portable recorder ever made, and how does it compare to the Zoom H6, Zoom H5, or even the Zoom H4n?

Note: It is important to differentiate between the Zoom H4n Pro, and the H4n. The newer Pro version basically sounds the same as the H5 and H6. That being said, I'd say the Zoom H5 and Zoom H6 are still the better choice, due to the detachable mics, no SD card issues, and other features.

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[rumijarl]

just watching for 20 sec and im impressed with just your production value.

[JulienMatthey]

I absolutely love this recorder to recording stereo ambiences, especially when I'm travelling. It's so easy to have it with you in a small bag

[iamantoniofernandez]

Your reviews are absolutely fantastic! So incredibly detailed, with a stunning cinematic approach. Your voice is soothing, and your videography and flow of video editing is tremendously captivating. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. It's helping me A LOT with deciding what recorder to purchase, since it will be my first recorder. I will likely purchase this one thanks to your video! Thank you for what you do and for sharing your gifts with the world.

[Stelios.Posantzis]

Gee.. this review is so good that if I was out to buy a dishwasher and happened by chance across this review, then I'd buy the PCM-D100...
Really professionally done. I stupefied trying to think of something I'd want to know about it that isn't covered.

[VidaSalvajeSupervivencia]

Hi!
I was planning on buying a recorder with this format mainly to do nature ambient recordings and voice-overs. 50% of its use would be chirping birds, rivers flowing, wind blowing through trees, etc... And the other 50% would be me talking to it from a close distance.
I initially was going to buy the Zoom H5, but after getting to know this one, now I can't really decide. I love the H5's capsule system and its versatility, but the fact that the lower preamps on the Sony make it more suitable for outdoor ambient recordings prevents me from making a final decision.
Another important fact, is that I'll be buying a Rode VideoMic Pro+ or Rode VideoMic Pro in the near future for my DSLR camera. Would a combination of this mic along with the H5 solve its "high" preamps issue for quiet outdoor sounds?
I hope you can help me with this, since I am nervous about spending so much money into equipment with which I am not familiarized.
Kindly regards and thank you in advance
Pablo

[cheesun]

How about for 2022 going into 2023? there is nothing else in this category with this kind of quality build...what its competitor? Only thing I'm hesitant about is the lack of warranty since its been discontinued. so its a steep price for a discontinued product.

[FlyingPetschman]

wow ... so well and professionally done! Thank you - i love your voice!

[chinguyenmanh]

I really like your review style!
I feel like peaceful! Lovely!

[lolakyle]

I mainly using D100 as a not-so-portable music player, and I can tell you, different battery result in different sound. I used to love Energizer Lithium, but buying them over and over again is a chore, so I ended up with Fujitsu Premium High Rechargeable. Eneloop Pro's midrange is too forward and thick, and low freq. is also quite muddy. I don't have any experience with Powerex though. Alkaline batteries tend to sound good at first, but when they lose voltage as capacity decrease, generally they will sound a bit muddy and somewhat 'slow' before they meet their end.

I don't test that in recording mode, as you may expect, but if you can try different set of battery for your recording session, might as well do it. You'll never know when someday you'll use different set of battery for different occasion! :)

[mixoh]

this video was so good. well done mate!

[DadsAmazingAdventures]

Great information..I am looking to upgrade my field recording capabilities. Appreciate your videos.

[mike_qbik]

Absolutelly top notch review. The quality of this production is top class, I am very impressed. Having this device for few years, this is eye openner of what it can do. Thank you so much for this. Handling it just make it very noisy, so the holders are a must. Subscribed with respect to this channel. Mike

[matteogazzolo]

I own a D-100 and in years I've been so grateful for its low noise ratio.

[gigolomuller]

I also use it as a music player. The sound quality is very good and its volume output is powerful enough for demanding hi end headphones. Something else to add is the possibility to record or play music using the digital out/input. Connected to a dac with digital out you can also record from your pc without loosing any information.

[TVperson]

It's also good if you want to record or play via optical SP/DIF ports, which is good for people coming out of a digital mixer. It's also one of the very few devices that offers DSD recording. So it's for a very specialised market

[civildissension]

Hey, thank you very much. Lots of incredibly useful data in a short bit of time. Well done. And thanks again

[gregmoore]

Superb review Christian; your production quality is just over-the-top great! Based on your assessments I purchased the D-100 primarily for my wife to use on piano (though I use it for ambients and drums), and it's just fabulous. The low noise floor, dynamic range, quality microphones and preamps make it a no-fuss "set and forget" tool. What really sets it apart, however, is the wireless remote control that makes recording multiple takes an absolute breeze, and simultaneous dual recording to mp3 for sharing rehearsal tracks in this "post-pandemic" world; most highly recommended (still) in 2020!

[cloverHarry]

Excellent review! Its very well made too (both the video and the recorder haha) :)

[MDMASMR]

Hi, currently I’m using h1n to record asmr eating sound. But the noise floor is terrible. I’m thinking of upgrading the mic with the lowest noice floor. Do you think this is the best mic+recorder? Or would you suggest something else? Thanks in advance!

[stefanxbremer]

thanks for the great video and all the related articles.