Sleek-look gadget small and versatile

Product: Sony Ericsson S700C Price: Not available Pros: Attractive design and features; outstanding camera feature Cons: Availability in Hong Kong not known; Memory Stick Duo format expensive

Eager to gain a foothold in the mainland, Sony Ericsson has chosen China for the first launch of its latest round of mobile phones.

The launch is more a public relations campaign than an indication that its pricey, multimedia, advanced handsets will sell better in the mainland than in other parts of the world.

One offering in the line-up stood out because of its unusual design and features.

The S700c is a 1.3-megapixel digital camera and mobile phone in a sleek-looking package.

Held horizontally, the camera has a 4X digital zoom. The back of the camera (which holds the lens) looks a lot like the Sony CyberShot P series of compact digital cameras. The lens has an automatic cover, unlike most camera phones, so you need not worry about scratching the lens.