Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 Digital Camera Review

Model Design / Appearance (8.0)
The Sony W7 is formed into a rectangular shaped, metal alloy body and is a bit boxier than most compact digital cameras in its class. Sony kept this boxy shape from the W1, but modified it with a few cosmetic details such as fewer holes for the microphone and a rectangular flash rather than the rounder, slightly oval shape flash that adorned its predecessor. When you turn on the W7, it makes a reassuring sound that is somehow reminiscent of a mechanical bug. It lets you know that the lens has extended or retracted and sounds like a strange cross between a hiss and whir. Although the zoom mechanism is audible, it does not seem feeble; so as long as the sound doesn’t get to you, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Size / Portability (7.0)
With a strong rectangular design and slightly rounded edges, the W7 is a bit on the thick side, but might be able to squeeze into the pocket of loose fitting jeans. The camera spans 1.5 x 3.6 x 2.4 inches (12.96 inches³) and weighs 8.9 oz. when fitted with two AA batteries and wrist strap.

No lightweight, the W7 feels like it has substance without being overly burdensome. Even with no major protrusions to speak of (other than the slight crescent-shaped finger grip on the camera’s front face), the W7 is not a camera for the ultra slim crowd, but does offer a bit more in the way of durability and stability than many of its point-and-shoot foes. The W7 feels dense in the user’s hand and will appease those looking for a camera that’s both portable and rugged.

Handling Ability (8.5)
Handling on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 feels pretty good for a compact camera. The camera is wide enough to provide a natural and comfortable grip position for the right fingers, with enough real estate for the left hand to stabilize the shot without obstructing the lens. The moon-shaped finger support on the front of the camera offers additional support and a nice rest for the fingertips. Navigating the camera’s functions is simple, with all essential control features within reach of the right thumb. The W7 definitely has an edge over most point-and-shot cameras on the market in terms of handling, largely attributed to the camera's substantial weight and thick frame. Although this is a knock in the portability department, in terms of control and usage, the chunky W7 will feel much more like a traditional 35mm point-and-shoot than a diminutive digital camera.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (7.0)
All of the control buttons are located on the right side of the back of the camera, all within easy reach of the user’s right thumb. This makes quick changes convenient and one-handed shooting possible.

The W7’s control buttons are a bit on the small side, especially considering the amount of space available. The zoom toggle is a single rectangular button that rocks toward the wide and telephoto edges. This can at time present a problem, particularly as the control wears with age. However, the camera’s four-way navigational dial is separated into an organized cluster of five buttons, which makes it easier to operate by feel.

With the camera in one hand and the thumb placed on the release button, a slight push forward makes the bottom battery cover smoothly open on its spring-loaded hinge. This is exactly what is needed for quick reloads of fresh batteries. But one problem is that the button that makes it easy to open could also be depressed when put in a pocket or in a bag, causing it to open and the batteries to fall out.

Menu (6.5)
The menus on the Sony W7 are simple and easy to navigate. A display bar running across the bottom of the screen projects a series of icons. The icons are not all that intuitive; luckily, the title of each function appears when the icon is selected. Once selected, the available options appear in a pop-up gray box on the left side of the LCD screen. The setting currently in use is highlighted by a yellow box and designated with a check mark next to it.

The menu changes as the mode dial is turned. The most complete menu is, of course, in the manual mode. In manual mode, the menu offers the following lengthy list of options: Focus, Metering, White Balance, ISO, Picture Quality, Burst Mode, Flash Level, Picture Effect, Saturation, Contrast, Sharpness, and Setup. The shortest menu is the Auto mode, with only Burst and Setup options for alteration. The scene modes hover somewhere in between, with most offering exposure compensation, metering, white balance, ISO, picture quality, burst, picture effects, and setup options.

The setup menu differs from the shooting menu in that it is on a completely opaque background. There are five tabs on the left side of the screen, each with its own icon. When the icon is highlighted, the title appears at the top of the screen. In the Camera 1 menu, the following setup options are available: AF Mode, Digital Zoom, Date/Time, Red Eye Reduction, AF Illuminator, and Auto Review. The Camera 2 menu consists only of one option: Enlarged Icon. This is for nitpicky consumers who wish to have the flash, macro, and self-timer icons temporarily enlarged when the proper button is pressed. The third tab down the side is the Internal Memory Tool menu and also consists of a single option: Format. The Setup 1 menu offers LCD Backlight, Beep, Language, and Initialize settings. The Initialize setting is Sony's title for Reset, and restores the factory default settings to the digital camera. For multi-lingual or international consumers, the W7 speaks the following languages: Italian, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and English. The Setup 2 menu offers File Number, USB Connect, Video Out, and Clock Set options.

All of the menus are easy to navigate with the four-way control. I was impressed with the number of live views available in the recording menu. Every function that would benefit from a live view had it. Way to go, Sony.

Ease of Use (7.0)
The Sony W7 can be used intuitively and with ease by starters and most digital camera users. There are no real surprises or confusing elements to its layout, as it remains true to the traditional digital camera form and function. Functions respond rapidly; zoom provides quick, fluid feedback via the 2.5-inch LCD. When the camera is powered up, it makes a reassuring whir and buzz. The placement of the shutter button atop the mode dial is distinct and slightly higher than the rest of the camera body. With simple menu choices and intuitive navigation, the W7 is quite easy to use. The only difficulty users should have with usage is the moderately temperamental automatic focusing mechanism.