Sony's T series is known for its dedication to slender frames and slide-open simplicity.

The DSC-T20 continues this tradition with a streamline aesthetic.

However, it doesn't come close to the clean lines of the older DSC-T9's zen-like simplicity.

Not just that, the T20's sleekness is accompanied by a design sin loathed by fastidious users wary of fingerprints - or those suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder: its ample use of easily-smudged glossy surfaces, like a mirror that sits on the camera's front.

The T20 is powered by an 8.1-megapixel sensor. As usual, this Cyber-shot features a Carl Zeiss lens featuring 3x optical zoom, Super SteadyShot and what Sony calls a Stamina battery for up to 380 shots per charge.

Although the T20 is not the heaviest ultra-compact at about 159g with battery and memory card, the camera is now fairly thick at 23mm. The T9 was a mere 19mm.

Other features included are a face detection tool that ensures sharp, better focused faces in photos and high ISO sensitivity of up to ISO 3200.

But, don't believe the hype, since any photo resulting from this looks more like impressionistic efforts a la Van Gogh than the pristine shots of Ansel Adams.

Sony has also redesigned its menus to make them look cool.

Sad to say, it doesn't work better than the older system found on the T9, nor is it better than the competition's.

Instead of having just one Menu option for different modes, users now have to deal with a Home option as well.

The latter houses all the menu options available on the camera whereas Menu is specific to the current shooting or playback mode.

The flash range has improved slightly from past models, but is still weaker than I care for.

Take a party shot any greater than 2m from your subject, and it's going to look like you took the shot in a cave.

Also, one of my complaints about the T9 that I own is the amount of red-eye that shows up.

Even with red-eye reduction turned on in the T20, there were still many instances of this problem. Images outdoors were excellent, as is usual for a Cyber-shot.

- By Alvin Lai, a freelance writer

FINAL SAY

The T20 is a simple-to-use digital camera that is pretty both inside and outside, and captures good shots. But it is a tad overweight for its target audience. If you want a fashionable camera, put this on your list.