Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 Digital Still Camera - Silver [7MP, 3 x Optical Zoom]

Positives: it's cheap, fast and easy to use, well built, and generally gives great picture. Some useful manual adjustments for intermediate users. Colours are very accurate in daylight. Excellent detail. Moonlight or candle program modes are v good for sunsets or night shots. Mpeg movies are surprisingly good for a still camera, but you'll need a big "Pro" memory stick for the highest quality. Pictures downloads fast with supplied USB lead.

Negatives: Camera body feels very slippery to hold. The lens stays sticking out when the battery runs out of juice!! (I'd have given 5 stars if it wasn't for these 2 minor niggles!) Also: no case provided, and it seems more prone to camera shake than my other 3 cameras -a shutter priority mode would have sorted this. Still, you can't expect everything for this price -it's still very good value.

The camera comes with rechargeable batteries and adapter (which is a huge benefit cost wise). When charged the batteries lasts a few days so you would not have to annoyingly carry around any spares and or the adapter itself.

If you wanted to purchase this item, novices: you will definitely need to purchase two accessories for maximum satisfaction. This cost should be accounted for if you are working on a value for money budget.

1. Additional memory: The camera has an internal memory 32 whatever chip which stores about 16 super quality photos. I purchase additional memory and the 512 whatever card itself it pretty easy to slot into the camera for instant use.

2. Camera case: This product does not come with a leather case but a dust bag to protect the camera, so you would definitely need to purchase a case to secure the camera and the LCD screen.

The camera is quite sturdy. Opening the package and seeing the camera for the first time, I think my first words were holey moley!!!…It literally takes your breath away! It comes in either silver (modern chromed look) or the traditional black colour.

The screen, as promised, is an excellent bonus of this camera measuring in at 2.5 inches. The screen is obviously a bonus when reviewing videos and images.

The Zoom feature comes in handy and the images maintain quality when reviewing. The quality of the imagines is FABulous. I don’t think anyone who purchases this camera would be disappointed!

The different settings on the camera allow you to adjust depending on the time of the day or the lighting available. For instance, you could create candle-lit scenery even if you are stuck in some dark grubby pub somewhere playing pleasantries!

The auto focus is automatic so all you do is press the ‘say cheese’ button and the camera does the rest!

Computers are my thing BUT the software that came together with the package, I found, to be very un-user friendly. It is not compulsory that you use this software provided as your images can be viewed using other Microsoft packages.

Accessories: loads available but I am not that way technically inclined as yet. However, the package comes with suggested accessories offered by Sony.

For the latest deals, I suggest viewers check out www.dealtime.co.uk which is a price comparison website as I have notice the price fluctuating on Amazon. In conclusion, this product would not disappoint and I recommend it to novices as well as those in the know about digital cameras and accessories!