The CyberShot DSC-W70 is a 7.2-mega pixel camera with a 3x optical zoom and a large 2.5-inch LCD screen. Trusted Reviews has reviewed the DSC-W70 and write: “About half way up the field you’ll find the DSC-W70, a mid-priced, mid-spec pocket compact with a 3x zoom lens and a 7.2-megapixel CCD. It was launched last year and currently has a list price of £248.99, but unsurprisingly it is available for considerably less.

The best current online price is £152.70. Comparable cameras include the Casio Exilim EX-Z70 (£136), Fuji FinePix F30 (£154), HP Photosmart M627 (£159), Olympus mju 700 (£132), Pentax Optio S7 (£130) and Samsung L70 (£165.50), so the W70 sits pretty much in the middle of its price band as well.”

“As befits its mid-range status, the W70 is a fairly unremarkable looking camera. It has a functional but not unattractive aluminium body with nice brushed finish and chrome trim, and the usual selection of external controls. Measuring 88.9 x 57.1 x 22.9mm it is slim and compact, and weighing in at 127g empty or 157g ready to shoot it is nice and light, but in neither case exceptionally so. Build quality is excellent, and although the aluminium body doesn’t feel as solid as the steel shell of a Canon IXUS or Casio Exilim, it is still sturdy enough to be carried around in a coat pocket.

Handling is good, with plenty of room on the back of the camera and a small raised feature on the front to give a nice secure grip. The zoom control around the shutter button is quick and responsive.”

“The main features include a flush-retracting f/2.8 – f/5.2, 3x zoom lens bearing the imposing Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar name, a 2.5in LCD monitor with a fairly low-res 115,000 pixels, and an optical viewfinder, although to be honest this is so small and dark that it’s pretty much useless.

The shooting modes are selected via a rotary dial on the upper right of the back panel, and include full Auto, Program, High-ISO Program and six scene modes; Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Snow, Beach, Landscape and Soft Snap, which is a flattering portrait mode.”