Toshiba PDR-M71

The Image Expert software was a pleasant surprise, being both useful and also not as daunting to use as some, and will do nicely if you don't already have an image editor. It's compatible with Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4 and 2000.

With so many good features, it's a shame Toshiba couldn't have put more effort into the styling. The PDR-M71 is the typical box shape, and the painted finish - similar to some Olympus models - looks unfinished and a little rough in places. The size is a bonus though - the PDR-M71 is really good to hold and the 240g weight is hardly a burden. Buttons and controls seem straightforward too, and the general design is well thought out and logical.

If I were to criticise, it would be aimed at the small 1.5in LCD. This simply isn't big enough for more than a general reproduction of what's captured, even though at standard settings it has good contrast and brightness, which can be adjusted. Looking through the optical finder, you see a basic view of the scene in front of you, with only a central cross-hair to align the desired focus position. The bad news is that there's no dioptre adjustment, which doesn't compare well with some competing cameras.

The Toshiba PDR-M71 is a commendable little camera that delivers good image quality and has an admirable spread of features to suit both amateur and more advanced users. The 3.2 megapixel CCD size also offers notable improvements over 2.1 megapixel CCDs. And at only £349, it's money well spent.

Author: John Clements