Camera

Resembling more like a Sony CyberShot digital camera, the Sony Ericsson S710 redefines the term "camera phone." While most camera phones focus on speaking with the novel feature of snapping photos, the S710a integrates the camera so extensively that it's difficult to determine if it's a handset with imaging features, or a camera with communications capabilities.

With the S710a's 1.3-megapixel CCD camera, users can capture images at up to 1280 x 960 px; high enough in resolution to reproduce decent prints. Other resolutions include Small - QQVGA (160 x 120 px), Medium - QVGA (320 x 240 px), and Large - VGA (640 x 480 px).

The Camera Mode is automatically activated by unlocking the lens cover, turning the screen into the viewfinder. The directional keypad switches between Camera and Video Recorder Modes (Left / Right), and 8x Digital Zoom (Up / Down). As opposed to the "vertical" viewfinder most camera phones utilize, the S710a goes with the conventional horizontal interface more familiar with digital cameras.

Additionally, a robust set of camera features allow users to control spot photometry, choose between white modes (Auto, Bulb, Fluorescent, Fine, and Cloudy modes), filter effects (Negative, Solarization, Sepia, and Black and White modes), and various shooting modes (Night, Burst 4, and Frames). Automatic Exposure Control even allows users to take pictures effortlessly, while the S710a selects the optimal exposure time needed to capture excellent pictures.

Encoded in 3GPP codec (H.263 and AMR) format, over a minute of video can also be captured with the same lens at either QCIF (176 x 144 px) or Sub-QCIF (128 x 96 px). Bundled with Sony Ericsson's QuickShare software, the S710a allows users to easily share and send pictures with just a few simple clicks.

Basic Features

Released for Cingular, the Sony Ericsson S710a is tri-band 850 / 1800 / 1900 GSM; making it compatible with GSM networks in North America, Europe, and Asia. Projecting the S710a's 780 mAh Li-Ion battery at 7 and 300 hours for talk and standby times respectively, these ratings are under optimal conditions.

When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Actual talk and standby times are lower.

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