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GSM Cameraphone Comparison Q4 2008
GSM Cameraphone Comparison Q4 2008
8-megapixel phones attack8-megapixel phones attack
Published on: 03 November, 2008 by PhoneArena Team
MISC:
If you go through the sample pictures in our many reviews, you’ll notice that the quality of the cameras has improved significantly in the past few years. At first, the images were good only for MMS or to add to a contact. Later, we were happy to have pictures with decent web quality, and today the cameraphones are trying to replace the regular pocket cameras. The video quality follows a similar arc through the years: from MMS to YouTube, and now we are on the verge of big screen quality videos. Here are some examples of the highest possible quality at present:
Samsung Pixon: Video 1 | Video 2
Samsung INNOV8: Video 1 | Video 2
LG Renoir: Video 1 | Video 2
Sony Ericsson C905 Video 1 | Video 2
Nokia N82 Video 1 | Video 2
*note: Video 1 is taken outdoors and represent the real image quality; Video 2 is capturing a screen, and should be used only for reference about the sound quality.
*Due to codecs support, you may not be able to play the files.
With the exception of the QVGA shooting C905, video quality was good on all of the phones. Unfortunately, none of the models records quality sound and if you are “filming” a conversation it is likely that it will not be audible upon playback.
Although the most important element of the camera is the image quality, the options and the ease of control matter as well. As we’ve previously mentioned, the phones have similar camera options and the ways those are activated is what interests us.
Despite its ugliness, the Pixon’s interface is the best; it is very well optimized, and thanks to the touchscreen the various features are activated easily. The C905 comes in second, which we think offers one of the best camera interfaces for a phone with no touch screen. It allows easy selection of the options and the color images in the scenes give it a fresh look. The INNOV8 has monochrome icons, but the shortcut lane also provides a relatively fast access to the options, so we like it too. Nokia’s N82 is equipped with the standard N-series camera software, which doesn’t wow us but isn’t that bad either. The Renoir’s interface is a disappointment due not only to its unattractiveness, but it is not user-friendly either.
Camera speed is also an important factor to consider. If the phone is going to replace your pocket camera then it must be able to not only start up quickly, but also focus and save quickly so that you can capture spontaneous moments.
The Pixon was the most impressive in this test; even though it didn’t start or focus the fastest, its save time was so far ahead of everyone else that you can snap three shots in ten seconds when some of the other models wouldn’t even be able to get off two.
Conclusion:
More doesn’t always mean better. Like we saw on the point and shoot front, the new generation of cameraphones have entered into the megapixels war phase. They are equipped with more options than before, but the image quality isn't better. None of them is able to make quality pictures in all situations. The ones that are good outdoors have poor flashes and vice versa, the one that has a powerful flash (the C905) has mediocre quality during the day. We can’t recommend any of these 8MP shooters based on their camera alone, and the 5MP N82, our winner nine months ago, can still hang with the best of them.
However, all phones in this comparison are decent devices as a whole. We like all of them and suggest you to check their specifications and read their in-depth reviews and decide if they are good for you. In this comparison, we’ve included plenty of photos in lots of situations, so they should help you to decide if these phones meet your criteria for quality photos.
Samsung Pixon Specifications | Review
Samsung INNOV8 Specifications | Review
LG Renoir Specifications | Review
Sony Ericsson C905 Specification | Review
Nokia N82 Specifications | Review
Samsung Pixon: Video 1 | Video 2
Samsung INNOV8: Video 1 | Video 2
LG Renoir: Video 1 | Video 2
Sony Ericsson C905 Video 1 | Video 2
Nokia N82 Video 1 | Video 2
*note: Video 1 is taken outdoors and represent the real image quality; Video 2 is capturing a screen, and should be used only for reference about the sound quality.
*Due to codecs support, you may not be able to play the files.
With the exception of the QVGA shooting C905, video quality was good on all of the phones. Unfortunately, none of the models records quality sound and if you are “filming” a conversation it is likely that it will not be audible upon playback.
Although the most important element of the camera is the image quality, the options and the ease of control matter as well. As we’ve previously mentioned, the phones have similar camera options and the ways those are activated is what interests us.
Despite its ugliness, the Pixon’s interface is the best; it is very well optimized, and thanks to the touchscreen the various features are activated easily. The C905 comes in second, which we think offers one of the best camera interfaces for a phone with no touch screen. It allows easy selection of the options and the color images in the scenes give it a fresh look. The INNOV8 has monochrome icons, but the shortcut lane also provides a relatively fast access to the options, so we like it too. Nokia’s N82 is equipped with the standard N-series camera software, which doesn’t wow us but isn’t that bad either. The Renoir’s interface is a disappointment due not only to its unattractiveness, but it is not user-friendly either.
| Pixon | ||
| INNOV8 | ||
| Renoir | ||
| C905 | ||
| N82 | ||
| Camera Interface | ||
Camera speed is also an important factor to consider. If the phone is going to replace your pocket camera then it must be able to not only start up quickly, but also focus and save quickly so that you can capture spontaneous moments.
| Phone | Starting | Focusing | Saving |
| Samsung Pixon | 2.5 sec | 2 sec | 1 sec |
| Samsung INNOV8 | 2.5 sec | 2 sec | 4 sec |
| LG Renoir | 2 sec | 1 sec | 5 sec |
| Sony Ericsson C905 | 2 sec | 2 sec | 5.5 sec |
| Nokia N82 | 3 sec | 2 sec | 4 sec |
The Pixon was the most impressive in this test; even though it didn’t start or focus the fastest, its save time was so far ahead of everyone else that you can snap three shots in ten seconds when some of the other models wouldn’t even be able to get off two.
More doesn’t always mean better. Like we saw on the point and shoot front, the new generation of cameraphones have entered into the megapixels war phase. They are equipped with more options than before, but the image quality isn't better. None of them is able to make quality pictures in all situations. The ones that are good outdoors have poor flashes and vice versa, the one that has a powerful flash (the C905) has mediocre quality during the day. We can’t recommend any of these 8MP shooters based on their camera alone, and the 5MP N82, our winner nine months ago, can still hang with the best of them.
However, all phones in this comparison are decent devices as a whole. We like all of them and suggest you to check their specifications and read their in-depth reviews and decide if they are good for you. In this comparison, we’ve included plenty of photos in lots of situations, so they should help you to decide if these phones meet your criteria for quality photos.
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