Camera phones

[Margus]

How about reviewing some of the top end camera phones at DCRP? It seems to me that they can replace the low end P&S quite well nowadays.
Does it seem like a topic of interest for others also or is it just me?

[faisal]

It doesn't to me...in the money needed to buy a good 5mp camera..you could by a Canon S5 for the same price...
You can also get cameras for $150 that'll provide better quality snaps than a $450 camera phone...

[JPW2020]

How about reviewing some of the top end camera phones at DCRP? It seems to me that they can replace the low end P&S quite well nowadays.
Does it seem like a topic of interest for others also or is it just me?


This would be of interest to me.I carry a small second camera as a basic "snapper" and movie recorder and if I could replace this with a phone that would do the job it's one less thing to carry.Here a lot of the camera phones on contract are cheap or even free depending on tariff,so cost is not necessarily an issue.

There are a number of 5 mp phones including one from Samsung with a 3x optical zoom and I see both Samsung and I think Nokia are producing a 8mp phone.I supect the compromises required to combine phone ,camera MP3 player in one package are such that the camera element will remain inferior to even a basic camera but it would be interesting to see one of the more advanced camera phones subject to one of Jeff's reviews,perhaps as a one off ?

[Rhys]

I think phones with built-in cameras are gimmicks. Judging by my wife's they're complete rubbish anyway.

[Beowulff]

This sounds like an oxymoron to me:... the top end camera phones...

Sorry; not a worthwhile idea IMHO. After all, this is a camera review site, not a mobile phone review site.

Cheers :)

[S_p_i_d_e_r]

If you want a detailed mobile phone reviews with sample pictures from their built-in cameras look here -> http://www.mobile-review.com/review-en.shtml

And here -> http://www.mobile-review.com/review/samsung-innov8-camera-en.shtml you can compare Samsung latest 8Mpix camera phone i8510 vs Canon 7Mpix digital camera IXUS 70.

[Margus]

Thx Jacek, that comparison was exactly what I was looking for. Beowulff, I'd recommend you comparing the sample pictures from the Samsung mobile phone and Canon IXUS digital camera yourself ;)

Cheers,

[Jeff Keller]

Seeing how I can't keep up with "regular" digital cameras, I don't see I could ever expand to cover mobile phone cameras.

[tim11]

Even if Jeff does the reviews on camera phones I won't be reading it... too many 'real' cameras out there.

[Rooz]

I think phones with built-in cameras are gimmicks. Judging by my wife's they're complete rubbish anyway.

dont be too narrow minded rhys
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xalkida/2683906238/in/pool-k800icompetition

[cdifoto]

dont be too narrow minded rhys
That's like asking the Atlantic Ocean to not be so wet.

[Beowulff]

... Beowulff, I'd recommend you comparing the sample pictures from the Samsung mobile phone and Canon IXUS digital camera yourself ;)
I did just that, and must admit to being quite impressed with the Samsung's performance, although in a couple of the outdoor long shots the Canon left it behind — particularly in dynamic range. Then again, a couple of the Canon shots showed a lot more colour noise and processing artefacts than the Samsung. Almost the flip of a coin in choosing?

Bottom line, and here I agree with the reviewer: "While it can't replace a decent digital compact, the INNOV8 will hold its own against unsophisticated digital cameras in most shooting modes and lighting conditions".

And let's face it: No "serious" photographer uses an unsophisticated camera these days — they're all using the latest high-tech gear.

Cheers :)

[cdifoto]

And let's face it: No "serious" photographer uses an unsophisticated camera these days — they're all using the latest high-tech gear.

Cheers :)
My Fuji's rather unsophisticated and I rarely ever have a smile on my face when using it. I'm that damned serious.

[Turn]

the Nokia N95 has a surprisingly good camera :)

but thats all that I know of

[Margus]

I think phones with built-in cameras are gimmicks. Judging by my wife's they're complete rubbish anyway.
Be careful with judging your wife's accessories, there could be some unexpected and unpleasant consequences :D

But back to serious, I wouldn't expect anyone who wants to buy a new camera to include a mobile phone with a built-in camera in the short list. But it could be that more and more people will buy a high-end camera only and will not buy a simple p&s at all because the camera of their phone, which they have anyway, is good enough already. Just a thought.

[jekostas]

I think phones with built-in cameras are gimmicks. Judging by my wife's they're complete rubbish anyway.

I'd think you'd be surprised at how good some of these cameras can be, and how good some of the optics can be as well.