Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7

The Sony Cyber-shot DSCW7 has a 7.2 megapixel CCD, which is plenty for a point-and-shoot camera. It sports a 3X optical zoom and a big, 2.5" LCD, and forgoes extensive scene modes in favour of some manual controls. The DSCW7 has just seven scene modes; some point-and-shoot cameras come with upwards of 20. This would disappoint newbies who want a mode for every conceivable setting (backlit subject and panorama modes, for example, are absent); also, you can't store customised camera settings. But I achieved good results using the automatic mode in difficult conditions for which other cameras have a dedicated setting, such as shooting objects behind glass and backlit subjects.

In lieu of numerous modes, the DSCW7 offers more manually adjustable settings than many point-and-shoot cameras. Though it doesn't offer a fully manual mode (where you could set the shutter speed and aperture independently), it allows you to adjust the shutter speed and gives you two options for the aperture setting. This semi-manual mode compares your exposure settings with what the camera judges to be optimal to give you a bit more guidance. Also, you also can evaluate your exposures with a histogram, a helpful feature for advanced photographers.

As in earlier W models, the mode dial appears briefly on the LCD screen as you change it. The DSCW7 doesn't have manual focus, but you can choose from five distance options and either centre or multi-point autofocus. Unlike with many point-and-shoot cameras, you can also add wide-angle and telephoto conversion lenses, as well as filters.

A two-second startup will get you going quickly, and using the controls on the Cyber-shot DSCW7 is easy. The well-positioned thumbpad gives you quick access to the last picture you took, and to flash, macro and self-timer settings. One little quirk is that to set image size--ranging from low-end VGA to high-quality 3072 by 2304--you have to use a quick-launch button that doubles as the delete button when reviewing stored images.

You'll be well satisfied with picture quality--this Cyber-shot earned a very good rating in our tests. Its shots were sharp enough to rival those of advanced cameras, with accurate colour in both indoor and outdoor images.

The unit comes with two rechargeable batteries and a charger, but you can use standard AA disposable batteries if you need to. With its included batteries, the unit took an impressive 406 shots in our tests.

You don't get separate media with the camera, but it comes with 32MB of memory built in, so you can still start shooting right away. To augment that, you'll need a Memory Stick or Memory Stick Pro, as you'd expect from a Sony camera.

The silver case feels sturdy, though at about 197g, the Cyber-shot DSCW7 is a touch heavier than other cameras in its class. It's also a bit thicker, roughly the size of two packs of playing cards.