LG Optimus L7 review

Can LG's top L-style handset produce substance and style?

LG Optimus L7 review
L-style, but should that just be a L on it's forehead?

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The LG Optimus L7 comes with a pretty middle of the road 5MP, which puts it on par with the HTC One V, although the Orange San Diego does rock an 8MP snapper.

There's a single LED flash round the back next to the 5MP sensor, plus a front facing VGA camera if you need to capture some cheeky self portraits, or just need a quick vanity check.

LG Optimus L7 review

The camera app can be accessed from the lock screen, if you've set it as one of the available apps in the settings menu, although there's no physical shutter key for instant access and easy snapping.

The camera app takes a good four to five seconds to load up, carrying on the trend of a slow operating handset, which means an instant snap is out of the question.

When you're in the camera app you'll find a relatively decent array of settings to play with, with five scene modes; portrait, landscape, sports, sunset and night as well as exposure, ISO and white balance options.

There are just three colour effects here, which will disappoint some who are used to a few more, with mono, sepia and negative on offer.

Auto focus is available and so too is tap to focus, in case the subject you're shooting isn't in the centre of your view finder.

A digital zoom is also included, but as with most phones, picture quality quickly deteriorates the more you zoom in.

As well as the on screen shutter button, you can also use the volume rocker switch (both up and down) to take pictures – making it a lot easier to snap.

If you want to get fancy then you can also choose to take panorama shots, however we found the Optimus L7 wasn't all the great at stitching together the images - leaving obvious joins in our photo.

There's also continuous shot mode which will snap six images in quick succession - handy if you want to capture moving targets - although the L7 can be a little slow to focus.

LG Optimus L7 review

Outside areas with good lighting allow for good images

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LG Optimus L7 review

Up closer, the Optimus L7 still does well, but images are grainy when enlarged

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LG Optimus L7 review

Inside, well lit areas also favour the Optimus L7

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LG Optimus L7 review

Images are slightly more grainy when lighting quality reduces

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LG Optimus L7 review

The L7 struggles with variable lighting conditions

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LG Optimus L7 review

Full zoom produces some very pixelated images

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LG Optimus L7 review

Grainy is the name of the game underground as well

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LG Optimus L7 review

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TOPICS
John McCann
Former Global Managing Editor

TechRadar's former Global Managing Editor, John has been a technology journalist for more than a decade, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He’s interviewed CEOs from some of the world’s biggest tech firms, visited their HQs, and appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC, and BBC Radio 4.

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