Camera phones aren't generally exciting. After all, their performance has remained noticeably inferior compared to lower-resolution point-and-shoot devices. Not that handset manufacturers aren't trying hard enough.
The just-announced Samsung SCH-W880 (Anycall AMOLED 12M in Korea) is the next device looking to bridge that gap, with enough features to get even the most jaded handset user excited. Why all the fuss? It's simple, really, as the unit packs the most souped-up camera module ever to hit a mobile phone.
Details of the hefty camera package includes a full 12 megapixels of resolution, 3x optical zoom, variable aperture, dual LED flash, 6x digital zoom, image stabilization, one-touch auto focus, face detection and 720p video recording at 30fps. Whether this equates to photo quality rivalling those from dedicated compacts is something we'll have to wait and see, though.
The feature set doesn't stop there, of course. The W880 also boasts a 3.3-inch AMOLED capacitive touch display with WVGA resolution, stereo Bluetooth, 3G connectivity, 4GB of internal storage, microSDHC expansion and an 1100mAh battery unit. Since it's destined for Korea, the phone will come with a T-DMB TV tuner, which you can expect to be traded off for a GPS or Wi-Fi module for the European and US versions (suffice to say, I'll be surprised if this doesn't hit either of those two markets soon). Do note that this is a feature phone and not a smartphone.
The Samsung SCH-W880 will be available for South Korean consumers sometime this coming October. No pricing details has been announced, but expect it to be on the high-end of the scale.
[via GSM Arena]
Samsung SCH-W880 Announced For South Korea, 12 Megapixels With 3X Optical Zoomunratednoel2009-09-30 09:14:54
NewsSamsung SCH-W880 Announced For South Korea, 12 Megapixels With 3X Optical Zoom
The Sony Ericsson C905a represents the cream-of-the-crop of the company's Cyber-shot line (at least, until Satio comes around). With a high-resolution 8.1 megapixel camera, a stylish modern design and the latest features you can expect from higher-end models, it's among the most attractive camera phones available with carrier subsidy in North America.
Like all Cyber-shot phones, there's really no place to start dissecting the C905a other than its souped-up optics module. Among the camera's offerings include four different picture resolutions, numerous photo settings (five color effects, five white balance choices and two quality types), macro mode, an image stabilizer, an infinite focus mode (for long-distance photos), phototagging and various shutter sound options. Suffice to say, there's plenty to play around with when using the camera's very good UI.
Photo quality is among the best we've seen in today's range of 8 megapixel camera phones. It's personally my favorite out of every one I've tried (e.g. LG KC780, Nokia N86), capably producing images with bright colors, rich tones and plenty of detail. A built-in camcorder is also on-board, although it pales in comparison to the still shooter, only able to come up with very average-quality images.
From the back, the C905a looks more like a camera than a phone, largely because of the sliding lens cover. It's a bit bulky than most newer phones we're used to, but it's a moderate sacrifice for a very capable camera handset. It sports a slider form factor with standard T9-style keys. Overall build, including the sliding mechanism, feels solid.
Sony has always been good with display panels and the 2.4-inch LCD on the C905a is quite stunning to look at. Interface should be quite familiar to users of many of AT&T's feature phones - it's good, but nothing particular noteworthy.
As a phone, it offers excellent voice performance both on the handset and the speakerphone, with a standard set of call and messaging features. Users can expect SMS, MMS, IM and mobile e-email (with a good set of supported providers, although no Exchange support).
Most notable of the C905a's other features are the 3G connectivity (which allows for decent web browsing, as well as support for AT&T's wide range of broadband services), an excellent music player (almost as good as some of their Walkman phones), and a slew of built-in apps and games. One glaring sore thumb, though, is the lack of a 3.5mm headset jack.
The Sony Ericsson C905a is an excellent phone, especially if you're in the market for the best camera handset you can get your hands on. Available from AT&T for $179.99 with a two-year contract, it's also pretty competitively priced.
Sony Ericsson C905a Cyber-shot Offers Great Stills, Good Music Playback, Camera-Like Aestheticsunratednoel2009-07-20 23:18:01
Phone ReviewsSony Ericsson C905a Cyber-shot Offers Great Stills, Good Music Playback, Camera-Like Aesthetics
The Samsung M8910 Pixon12 is a high-end feature phone that, along with the Sony Ericsson Satio, is reputed to pack the best camera module among the current crop of handsets in the market. Of course, high-resolution doesn't necessarily mean the best quality stills - I think we've seen enough badly-done camera phones to prove that. How does the Pixon12 fare?
Samsung's high-end camera handset can take snaps with 4000 x 3000 resolution, along with both Xenon and LED flash. While the company promised 28mm lens in their marketing material, the camera actually sports 30mm lens, which can be easily verified by the EXIF data recorded on the phone itself. Way to go, Samsung.
Additionally, the Pixon12 packs dual apertures, though they don't provide any sort of manual control. That means users can choose to take their photos between the two values, but don't get any sort of leeway with them. Essentially, it blots out one feature that photography enthusiasts would have loved to see on their camera phone.
Overall, photos taken with the Pixon12 are better than anything we've seen on a camera phone, handily edging out the best 8 megapixel snappers from Nokia and Sony Ericsson. While more skilled hands might be able to tune out their lower-resolution devices into taking better scenes on occasion (especially those with wider angles), it's fair to assume that the 12-megapixel hardware will outdo them most of the time. It also comes with a very impressive shot-to-shot time along with 30fps video.
In this day and age of smartphones, it's a bit disappointing to get a high-end unit that doesn't come with smart features. Unfortunately, the Pixon12 happens to be that kind of handset. To make up for it, though, it fits in a wide array of hardware talents that's pretty souped-up to go with the best phone camera module around.
Display is a 3.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen with 800 x 480 resolution. Details and brightness are decidedly gorgeous, although quality swiftly degrades under direct sunlight - it remains usable, but isn't very good. It uses Samsung's TouchWiz UI 2.0, which the handset runs in a pretty speedy manner.
Other details peg it as a truly high-end feature phone, including HTML browsing (on 7.2Mbps HSDPA speeds), full Flash support, aGPS (with preinstalled software), playback capability for a wide variety of media content (including office documents, DivX and Xvid), stereo Bluetooth and an FM tuner. On the downside, its media talents are limited somewhat with the lack of a 3.5mm headset jack and onboard stereo speakers.
If you want a camera phone with output that can match up to a moderately decent camera, the Samsung M8910 Pixon12 is easily your best bet - at least, until we see what Sony Ericsson's 12 megapixel Satio has to offer. Coupled with a good feature bundle and a nifty UI, it's a good purchase for those willing to pay the decidedly more expensive price.
Samsung M8910 Pixon12: Arguably The Best Phone Camera Module Aroundunratednoel2009-07-08 14:06:17
Phone ReviewsSamsung M8910 Pixon12: Arguably The Best Phone Camera Module Around
As a Cyber-Shot phone, the Sony Ericsson C903 is expected to fit in a considerably good camera module. Surprisingly, though, the onboard optics set is average at best. In actual use, the handset shines most as a do-it-all device, touting a variety of hardware features that put it in a competitive position against other phones in the same range.
While the 5.0 megapixel sensor manages to wrangle up a good amount of resolution, image quality doesn't raise the bar enough in comparison with Sony Ericsson's more high-profile camera phones. Colors are good, but details tend to fizzle out in close-range shots with plenty of clarity issues on images from high-contrast scenes. Overall, photos fall in the average range with other 5.0 megapixel phones.
It uses the same souped-up camera interface as most other Cyber-Shot models, which offers a good deal of options in settings, scenes, focus and controls. There's also video support for up to 320 x 240 resolution at 30 fps with decent quality.
Physically, the phone sports an attractive slider form factor, with the slide-out back panel doubling up as a protective cover for the lens. Overall body construction is made of plastic, though build looks sturdy enough. The glossy finish does make it sort of a magnet for finger marks and dirt, though.
Display is a bright and crisp 2.5-inch panel with a 320 x 240 resolution. It fits in a 12-unit T9 keypad that's about standard fare from regular Sony Ericsson devices. The rest of the control array works well enough.
Despite the Cyber-Shot branding, the C903 comes with a bevy of features that peg it as more than just a camera phone. It supports HSDPA speeds, allowing for fast page loads on the proprietary XMB browser, along with full support for a wide range of broadband services. There's also an onboard GPS (with a few preloaded apps), stereo Bluetooth, an FM radio and full media playback (above-average quality). The lack of Wi-Fi and a 3.5 mm headset jack might prove an issue, however.
Call quality is topnotch, with good, natural-sounding voices coming through on both ends of the conversation. Overall, the Sony Ericsson C903 is a high-quality all-in-one phone, with a decent camera module and fast internet connectivity. It's not the Cyber-Shot to go for if you're hoping for the best set of optics possible, but it fits the bill for those in the market for more versatile talents.
Sony Ericsson C903 Review: Average Cyber-Shot, Good All-In-One Featuresunratednoel2009-07-06 12:03:32
Phone ReviewsSony Ericsson C903 Review: Average Cyber-Shot, Good All-In-One Features
When you sit in total darkness, do you ever wish you can pick up your phone and videoconference with someone? You probably don't (unless you're allergic to illumination), but some folks in Korea, apparently, might.
Samsung recently announced the first camera phone that boasts support for night-vision video conferencing as its main selling point. Called the Samsung SCH-W760, it comes equipped with a front-mounted infrared camera module that allows motion capture in low-light environments.
Sporting a traditional slider form factor, the phone includes a rear-facing 3.0 megapixel set of optics, which we assume can also handle night mode, along with a 2.8-inch AMOLED display (240 x 400 resolution), 8GB of onboard storage, Bluetooth and a microSD expansion slot (no flashlight, oddly enough). None of these, of course, provide any reason why anyone would want to videoconference in the dark, but I digress.
Intended for release in the Korean market, the phone comes with a tuner for S-DMB TV programming and support for up to 7.2Mbps HSDPA on local 3G networks. The Samsung SCH-W760 is now available in the country and is priced at the equivalent of $445 (KRW580,000) without a contract. There's no word of (and I don't imagine there being) pricing or release anywhere else.
Via Electronista
Samsung Launches SCH-W760, A Night Vision Camera Phoneunratednoel2009-07-04 10:19:51
NewsSamsung Launches SCH-W760, A Night Vision Camera Phone
