GSM Cameraphone Comparison Q4 2008
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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.
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Pixon | ||
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INNOV8 | ||
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Renoir | ||
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C905 | ||
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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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34 Comments
1. (unregistered) posted on 20 Oct 2010, 01:55 0 0
LG renior is the best among them all except it has a weak flash.
2. (unregistered) posted on 03 Nov 2008, 10:52 0 0
right, if its only has the N82 flash it would be Perfect camera phone :)
4. Magiclink (unregistered) posted on 03 Nov 2008, 11:43 0 0
Sorry i'm french! But i'm not agree with you! Press the first icon in the upper right on Renoir, registration takes a second better than the Pixon try!
5. (unregistered) posted on 03 Nov 2008, 12:01 0 0
It would be nice if you rated the best of the bunch based on JUST the camera. I mean it is a cameraphone comparison after all.
6. (unregistered) posted on 03 Nov 2008, 12:58 0 0
It’s not a fair comparison, with C905 there is the old firmware, with Renoir you have posted the worst blurry night pic (look at the same pic in your Renoir’s review: http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/image.php?m=Reviews.Images&f=name&id=42120&caption=Outdoor Samples&title=LG Renoir Review - Camera, Multimedia and Software ) and flash pic with iso 100!!! Nobody will trust you, you must learn from gsmarena...
11. Igor Efremenko (unregistered) posted on 04 Nov 2008, 12:27 0 0
So what are you doing on this site? Go to gsmarena or try to be polite.
17. (unregistered) posted on 05 Nov 2008, 14:49 0 0
LG renoir is the best and your site is full of LG hater especially that Russian guy on youtube :P you should really learn from gsmarena
7. Ethan (unregistered) posted on 03 Nov 2008, 18:46 0 0
PA is so bias against LG... it's obvious Renoir is the best in this comparison! Pixon has much less detail and pictures are blurry in comparison.
9. (unregistered) posted on 04 Nov 2008, 01:37 0 0
This is what they say The Renoir’s image is the sharpest and to most people it seems to have a better detai
8. NightBlade (unregistered) posted on 04 Nov 2008, 01:11 0 0
Hello?? You're using C905 with an old firmware!
10. (unregistered) posted on 04 Nov 2008, 06:25 0 0
Audio and video in kc910 is out of sync.see video2 of Renoir.It's very bad.
12. Igor Efremenko (unregistered) posted on 04 Nov 2008, 12:28 0 0
I don't believe Renoir has such weak flash. I guess it's necessary to choose the right shooting mode. E.g. if you shoot with SE k810 in auto mode with flash almost all pictures are VERY dark. When you select Night Portrait everything is super!
13. A_J (unregistered) posted on 04 Nov 2008, 13:43 0 0
For me its between the innov8 and the C905, the innov8 is huge, but it has everything i want. The C905 looks better (is smaller) but lacks some essentials. I have an N95 now, and symbian os on it is not the greatest, I've been very bored with it and its not thorough enough. What should I get? No touch screens for me, don't like the whole sensativity factor. Bulky Symbian innov8 or sleek lacking function C905?
14. Vaan (unregistered) posted on 04 Nov 2008, 22:16 0 0
INNOV* isn't bulky if you compare it with the C905 it's just longer that's all and the build quality is better in the INNOV8.
15. (unregistered) posted on 04 Nov 2008, 23:36 0 0
Picture saving time will be greatly improved(shortened) if you use external memory.
16. (unregistered) posted on 05 Nov 2008, 13:38 0 0
The best is Renoir but phonearena.com just loves Samsung more!!!
18. (unregistered) posted on 05 Nov 2008, 23:12 0 0
See this:http://www.gsmarena.com/8_megapixel_grand_shootout-review-296.php The winner is: LG Renoir!
19. (unregistered) posted on 06 Nov 2008, 05:39 0 0
ohhh PA... u ar a big double tongued, u worked very good about LG (for make it bad). however whatever u do or say, evryone see REOIR is the best. i agree the friends, PA... u must learn from GSMARENA
21. (unregistered) posted on 06 Nov 2008, 13:05 0 0
well said.. thumbs up you must learn from GSMarena :P
