OK, stay with me.

Pros:

1) The sock keeps small bits of dirt and such from working their way into the camera's lens and also provides some padding.

2) I can use the sock to clean off the LCD screen or lens on the camera. Soft, soft bamboo is great for that.

3) Who would steal a sock out of my purse?

4) There's room for the camera, cable and extra batteries, all together and cozy.

Cons:

1) I may look slightly batty when I pull a sock out of my purse to take a picture.

It feels like a small trade-off to me.