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
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
Considered a mid-range mobile device, the Sony Ericsson C510 is an odd camera phone. On one hand, it's a part of Sony's optics-centric and highly-reputed Cyber-Shot line. On the other, the camera module doesn't live up to its branding.
In terms of form, the C510 looks like a standard candybar unit, with the front panel largely dominated by the 2.2 inch LCD panel. The T9 keypad is solid and responsive (great for messaging) while the unit's overall build feels sturdy. Simply put, I don't think I need to handle it like a delicate piece of ceramic, the way some of today's handsets seem to feel like. Call quality, by the way, is topnotch.
The camera module rests around the back, protected by a metal cover that slides down when you're ready to shoot images.Hardware features are decent - 3.2 optics, dual LED flash, dedicated camera button and physical zoom controls (which double as the volume buttons when not in camera mode).
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As with other Cyber-Shot devices, camera interface is good, with a wealth of options and controls. Image captures look really crisp and clear - if you can get a decent shot in, that is. I've used other Cyber-Shot handsets before but the C510 seems to have the worst camera module I've seen. The shutter has a very noticeable lag, which requires your subjects to hold poses much longer than is comfortable. Compared to other camera phone models in the same range, that performance could be acceptable. With the Cyber-Shot branding, though, you tend to expect more.
The C510 doesn't have Wi-Fi but offers pretty good 3G. Combined with the 2.2 inch screen and 320 x 240 resolution, it's quite a capable device for internet use. The usual suspects - Skype, Facebook and YouTube - work well enough for the handset, which could make it an alternative text-and-social-networking phone for a lot of the younger crowd.
Other features of the Sony Ericsson C510 include a good media experience (with Sony Ericsson's typical XMB-style menus plus TrackID and DJ options), M2 expansion (it only comes with 100MB of storage onboard) and Bluetooth. Apart from the less-than-spectacular Cyber-Shot optics, the most glaring drawback is the lack of a 3.5 mm jack.
Despite those faults, the Sony Ericsson Cyber-Shot C510 is quite powerful for a mid-range handset, with enough features to satisfy most modest requirements.
Photo Credit: Engadget
Sony Ericsson Cyber-Shot C510 Review: Mid-Range Phone, Low-Range Opticsunratednoel2009-05-07 21:38:08
Phone ReviewsSony Ericsson Cyber-Shot C510 Review: Mid-Range Phone, Low-Range Optics
