The Sony Cyber-shot W810 is an entry-level compact camera and apart from a 6x optical Sony zoom lens and a 'Party' mode, it shares similar specs as the Cyber-shot W830 available from around £95. 

At £82, the Sony Cyber-shot W810 could prove itself to be quite a steal so even though it's been available for a while, we thought it was worth a look to see if this pocket-sized camera can still stand out in a world where compact sales, and releases, have decreased to make way for budget-friendly smartphones.

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Sony Cyber-shot W810 Features

The Sony Cyber-shot W810 features a Sony branded 6x optical zoom lens, with electronic image stabilisation, and the lens is equivalent to 26-156mm in 35mm terms. The camera has a 20.1 megapixel CCD sensor, 720p (1280x720 pixels) video recording, face-detection autofocus, 360 panoramic shooting and flash is built-in. Intelligent Auto makes it easy for beginners and there are a number of scene modes to assist you should you want to use them. For those wanting more control, you can adjust settings such as ISO speed, white balance, shutter speeds and the focus mode. 

Various shooting modes are available, along with picture effects, 0.52fps continuous shooting for up to 100 shots, EV options, red-eye correction and electronic image stabilisation. 

On the back is a 2.7inch screen with 230K dots and as the camera weighs just 120g (with battery and memory card) it's very lightweight. Plus, its dimensions are small (93.1 x 52.5 x 22.5mm), too, so it will easily fit in a pocket. 

Key Features

• 20.1mp Super HAD CCD sensor
• 6x optical zoom lens, f/3.5-6.5
• 2.7inch screen, 230K dots
• Intelligent Auto
• ISO100 to ISO800 (if not using auto, will extend to ISO3200)
• 720p HD video recording
• 360 sweep panoramic

Sony Cyber-shot W810 Handling

The Sony Cyber-shot W810 has a plastic camera body with a metal-effect finish which, actually, looks quite smart. Plastic bodies can look a bit cheap but Sony's done a good job at making the Sony Cyber-shot W810 look quite modern with its rounded corners and minimal design.

There's a small grip which makes your hold feel more secure but the overall size of the compact means you shouldn't have any trouble gripping the Cyber-shot W810 any way. For extra security, there's a hole for a wrist strap to be secured to, too. Next to this is the USB/AV out port and if you flip the camera over, you find the slot for an SD memory card and the battery compartment under a very secure flap. Next to this is a tripod thread should you want to mount the Cyber-shot W810 onto a tripod but it's off-centre which is a bit annoying.

On the top is a power button and a raised up shutter button which is very responsive so you don't have to press too hard to focus and capture a photo. From off to on is only around 1-second but there is a bit of a whirring noise when you switch the camera on. The camera also focuses quickly when you half-press the shutter button and it takes less than 2-seconds for the photo to be captured and appear on the screen. The image preview does stay on screen for a little longer than needed, though. 

Talking of the screen, it measures 2.7inch and even though the resolution is low, it's enough to see a clear image of what you're capturing and the brightness can be adjusted. It's not a touch screen which, for the price point, isn't too surprising but it does make it lose a point against a modern smartphone which, of course, has a touchscreen. 

To the right of the screen is a mode circle for setting the self-timer, flash options, previewing and deleting photos. Below this is the button to access the menu and above is a dedicated movie button. There's also a zoom rocker which ergonomically positioned to make it easy to use with your thumb. 

Finally, on the front, is the flash, focus light and the lens which takes up much of the space available on the front of the camera. 

The menu system gives you access to various modes/settings/functions including the option to switch to 'Intelligent Auto' which does all of the hard work for you. A party mode is designed to take the best shots in low light indoor conditions automatically and you can get creative with picture effects (Toy camera, Pop Color, Partial Color, Soft High-key). Scene modes optimise settings for what's in front of the lens - for example, choose 'landscape' when out in the countryside, while those wanting a little more control can use Program Auto to adjust some settings (ISO, white balance and metering mode) but exposure is left to the camera. EV goes to +/- 2 and you can choose from multi or centre AF. 

Flash options include Auto/On/Off/Red-Eye Correction, a self-timer is built-in and the ISO sensitivity ranges from 100-800 (if not using auto, will extend to ISO3200). 

Continuous shooting is rated at 0.52fps for 100 shots, you can capture panoramas and battery life is rated at up to 200 shots which is plenty for a day out at the coast with your family.  Charging the camera is easy, as you can simply use the provided USB cable and plug it in anywhere there is a USB socket. 

The Sony Cyber-shot W810 weighs just 120g with battery and memory card, and thanks to its compact size it will fit into small pockets, making it easy to take with you anywhere you go. 

It doesn't really matter how good your camera gear is if you haven't brought it with you because it's too big/heavy. That's why I like that the Cyber-shot cameras are small/portable as it means you can take them anywhere without noticing extra weight," Ben Waller. 

There's no WI-Fi built into the Cyber-shot W810 which means you can't quickly share your images online, something you can do instantly with images you've captured on a smartphone and some other compacts at a similar price point.