Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700

Focus
Auto Focus (8.00)
The auto focus mode is robust in the T700. The Multi AF finds focal points quickly, and in all modes auto focus works at an impressive speed. There are three auto focus modes, Multi, Center and Spot. Additionally, you can tap on the touch screen to focus on a specific area of your frame, an interesting and potentially valuable use of touch screen technology. As with many new cameras, the Face Detection system is able to handle ever-increasing functions. It can now tell the difference between children and adults, and prioritize one or the other. Alternatively, when using Face Detection, you can tap on the face you want to be highest priority.

Rather than offering a true manual focus mode, the T700 can be set to one of four different fixed focal lengths: 1m, 3m, 7m or infinity. These don't offer the flexibility or control of proper manual focus, and are of limited utility.

ISO (8.00)
The ISO range for the T700 is generous, and runs from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. However, when shooting in burst mode, using the auto bracketing function or dynamic range optimization, you can only shoot up to ISO 400. Having a limited ISO with burst mode is problematic, as often when you're using burst, you're shooting something that's moving at high speed. Having the ISO capped at 400 makes it difficult to capture your subject without any blur.

White Balance (6.00)
The white balance settings for the T700 are quite capable in some ways, less so in others. It offers Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, three types of Fluorescent lighting, Incandescent and Flash. While we appreciate the three levels of fluorescent to help compensate for the differing light temperatures produced by different bulbs, the lack of a Shade setting is sadly missed. Even more than that, the decision to skip a manual white balance setting procedure, a feature found even in discount cameras, is frustrating. Manual white balancing allows you to take a reading from a white piece of paper under any hue of light, and the camera will then recognize that as the appropriate balance for your scene. It's utterly invaluable when shooting under more than one type of light, or under altering conditions.

Metering (8.50)
The metering controls are only available in program mode, and can be set to spot, center-weighted or multi, and shoots in the latter in Auto Mode. These are the standard settings that you will find in most cameras.

Shutter Speed (0.00)
Unfortunately, the T700 offers no way to directly control shutter speed. It has a stated range of 1 to 1/1000 second, which is mediocre. Shutter speeds for even basic point-and-shoot cameras generally go from 4 seconds to 1/2000 or better.