Along with superior resolution, the DSC-W7 mirrors the trend in cameras with huge, 2.5-inch LCD screens to frame and review your shots. We love the bigger screens; they make reading menus much easier, and you have a larger palette on which to compose your photographs. That said, the DSC-W7 is not without its flaws, especially when it comes to focusing in certain available light situations. And that Picture Package software is just plain awful.
This camera is as easy to operate as a light switch. Once you charge and load the two AA NiMH batteries and the flash memory, it’s time to start taking photos. Here’s where the large LCD comes into play: The screen is so big that you can easily read the clear onscreen menus and set the camera as you’d like—or simply start shooting in Auto or one of the scene modes. Even though the menu is very understandable, I’d like Sony to follow the lead of HP and Casio by using in-depth descriptions of what each scene mode does. Again, it would be a nice plus for the point-and-shoot photographer, but it doesn’t really detract from the camera.