Sony Ericsson C702 review

Joining Sony Ericsson's Cyber-shot camera-centric handset range, the C702 has been designed to be a bit tougher than your average cameraphone. Geared up for an active, outdoorsy kind of user, this 3.2-megapixel camphone has a splash- and dust-resistant casing, and comes equipped with GPS technology and location finding software onboard.

The C702 is the beefier brother to Sony Ericsson's slimline C902. While some sturdier rubberised bodywork and chunky camera cover add a touch more bulk, the design goes easy on the rugged look, appearing less like a JCB Toughphone and more like a regular mid-ranger.

Its spec sheet isn't pared down though; it has a 3.2-megapixel camera onboard rather than the C902's 5-megapxel touch control-assisted shooter, but its otherwise similarly well specified HSDPA high-speed 3G multimedia handset, with a secondary front-facing camera for video calling too.

Design and handling
It may be built for added durability, but the C702 isn't designed to be taken for a swim. It's built to IP54 standards, meaning its casing will hold out against dust, and offers protection against water splashing - but it's not fully waterproof. The outer casing has a bit of rubber feel material, and a screw-lockable back panel, but doesn't have an excessively padded or heavyweight feel - it measures 106(h) x 48(w) x 16(d)mm and weighs a reasonable 105g.

You might expect an outdoors phone to have large buttonry for wet or frozen finger-friendliness, but no. The C702's numberpad keys are curvy, thin, smooth and quite close together, while the control buttons around the prominent navigation control pad are small and tightly packed. It's not ideal, as it's possible to mis-press certain keys if you're not precise. The navigation D-pad, however, is nicely raised, making it easy to negotiate the menus and scroll speedily.

The screen is slightly larger than the C902's - it's a 2.2-inch 262K-colour QVGA (320x240 pixels) display, rather than the C902's 2-incher. But the C702 doesn't have the touch-panel camera control around the display that reduced the C902's screen real estate. Instead, the C702 follows another Cyber-shot standard, using illuminated icon buttons when the camera is switched on, marking the 3, 5, 9 and # buttons as camera function shortcut keys.

Camera action
A camera button on the side starts up the shooter, though naturally the lens cover has to be opened for snapping to begin. The C702 uses a less elegant lens cover solution that the C902's minimalist 'spy-camera'-style slide open mechanism; the C702 has a chunky slide-down panel protecting the lens, reminiscent of the K810i.

The 3.2-megapixel camera on this phone isn't the same rather disappointing type used on the W890i and W760i Walkman phones. It's a Cyber-shot one, more akin to that used on the K810i, and has plenty of shooting features to improve imaging. It has an autofocus system,with additional face detection and macro close-up options giving control over how you compose and capture images. There's a two-light LED flash (which doubles up as a torch), which provides some illumination for low light shooting - though not as effectlvely as higher-end xenon flashes.

Most of Sony Ericsson's standard Cyber-shot controls are present, for adjusting white balance and exposure for various shooting environments, plus the usual sort of colour tints, picture size, frames, and timer options. Higher spec Cyber-shot features missing on the C702 though include an image stabiliser and the useful BestPics multshot selection option; instead more run-of-the-mill multi-burst and panorama settings are included.

Image quality from the camera is reasonable rather than exceptional. Macro shooting quality is good with lots of sharp detail, but we found some regular mid-range shots in decent lighting conditions weren't as crisp and detailed as we'd expected. Although colour was unusually vibrant, we did notice some oversaturated tones on some close-in subjects. Indoors shots could be soft too. The LED flash is strong but not particularly subtle in low light.

The C702 does have the regular PhotoFix software to automatically tweak shots after capture, and also has some photo editing software inside. In addition, the usual links to upload pics or video clips directly to a Blogger account are present and correct. Video capture on the C702 is typically average mobile fare though, with the phone shooting at maximum QVGA quality.

The A-GPS (Assisted Global Positioning) technology built into the C702 also means you can 'geotag' your photos - with information stored in the image file about the precise geographical location of the snap.

Satellite navigation
The C702's satellite based location gadgetry is, in fact, a step-up feature that the C902 doesn't have, and it certainly enhances the C702 package, beefing up the Google Maps location services software with exact location finding rather than cellsite-based area approximations.

Like the A-GPS-equipped W760i, the C702 not only has Google Maps - which allows you to search for addresses, businesses and services, get detailed route planning over the air and check out satellite images - there's also a trial version of Wayfinder Navigator software pre-loaded. This three-month trial freebie introduces step-by-step voice guidance, with an in-car-style Sat Nav interface to help you along with routes and 2D and 3D views as you're moving along.

This location finding software is a welcome extra to have in a phone; you can find your way around in unfamiliar places, get details of local businesses and, of course, plan car journies It's all quite easy and straightforward to use. However, the system isn't quite as sensitive and responsive as a standalone Sat Nav kit, and the phone has to get updates for maps over the air (with, potentially, extra data costs incurred). Wayfinder is a real bonus, but isn't a replacement for an in-car kit, and doesn't match the slick ease of use found in Sat Nav software packages for smartphones.

In addition to the A-GPS mapping features, Sony Ericsson has included its Tracker sports performance monitoring software, which hits the mark for more active users. This is a clever app that can keep track and record routes you've run, and work out in detail your speed, distance, and even energy consumption as you pound the streets.

Mobile internet
High-speed HSDPA 3G connectivity delivers more than just quick over the air mapping updates. The standard Sony Ericsson NetFront web browser can zip around websites speedily, offering a decent user interface to help you search and browse sites. The start page is set up neatly for users, with Google search and an address bar on top of the page, plus a slot for RSS web feeds and history to make browsing relatively intuitive. Screen views are adjustable, so you can pan and zoom, plus get full landscape screen views or Smart-Fit mobile optimised pages.

Similarly speedy, you can download music tracks and video clips over the air to the phone. Naturally, Sony Ericsson has included its usual media player facilities. These are presented in the regular slick user interface, with the music player offering a familiar of categories to browse through. You can use supplied Sony Ericsson Media Manager software and USB capable to transfer tracks from a PC, or simply drag and drop tracks in mass storage mode.

Some 150MB of user storage is included, but this can be expanded by popping a Memory Stick Micro (M2) card in the side slot (cards up to 4GB capacity are supported). As well as the tune player, you get an FM radio in the package, plus Sony Ericsson's TrackID music-idnetification software.

The music performance can be very good through decent quality headphones. However, the supplied ones are average quality, and while fine for casual listening don't get the maximum out of the player. There's no 3.5mm standard headhone jack socket on the phone and unlike Walkman phones, there's no 3.5mm adapter on the in-box headset. To get a really top-class performance you may have to find yourself a spare set of Walkman earphones.

Sony Ericsson covers all the bases when it comes to its customary lineup of organiser features and tools, including calendar, tasks, notes, calculator, voice recorder, and various timer and clock functions. An AccuWeather.com weather service app is included too, plus you get a couple of games thrown in.

Conclusion
The Sony Ericsson C702 has some obvious attractions, particularly if you're looking for a phone that can take some light water and dirt punishment but still has a decent set of up to date features.

Its A-GPS capability is a real plus point that users will find genuinely useful - though you should be wary about the energy-sapping effects of A-GPS usage on battery life. Sony Ericsson reckons this phone will get you between 5-12 hours of talktime. or up tp 318 hours standby, but regular A-GPS use will reduce power much quicker.

The camera isn't one of Sony Ericsson's most exceptional shooters, but its Cyber-shot features are better than average for a 3.2-megapixel cameraphone. Outdoors types with hefty fingers might be put off by its closely arranged keyboard set-up, but Its really the sort of the phone that's more urban adventurer than hard-as-nails roughneck. Elsewhere
it puts in a solid performance, and packs in a decent spread of functionality.

Sony Ericsson C702 technical specifications