The Best Camera Phones

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When digital camera functions were added to our ever-present cell phones, the photographer in all of us came out. Suddenly it was easy and affordable to snap pictures of nearly anything at anytime and once an image was captured we could share it almost instantaneously with anyone.

The first camera phones were acceptable for sharing photos online but lacked flash, autofocus, adequate megapixels, good lenses, any manual controls, or a decent sensor to produce a reasonable printed image. Even experienced photographers had a hard time creating any photos worth saving using these camera enabled cell phones.

Things have improved however and there are now camera phones on the market which can be used to create smaller prints (4x6 or 5x7) which are photo album and Flickr worthy. On this page we help you find the best camera phones out there today.

Use the expandable Table of Contents below to find things quickly on this page.

How to Choose a Good Camera Phone 

Here are some tips on what to look for when shopping for the best camera phones:

  • Look for a 5 megapixel, or better, camera phone with CCD sensor. A 3 megapixel camera phone is the absolute minimum for printing even small images.

  • Look for a quality lens. Some camera phones now offer top name lenses such as Carl Zeiss. Once you have a good lens you also need to be sure to protect it. If it doesn't have a retracting cover be sure to keep the camera phone in a case so that it doesn't get dirty or scratched.

  • Look for optical image stabilization (versus digital) to reduce blurriness.

  • Zoom is a good function but choose optical zoom over digital zoom when possible. (digital zoom reduces image quality)

  • A camera phone with flash and autofocus is good but manual controls allowing you to turn off the flash and to adjust exposure, white balance, and focus will allow you to get better images.

  • Look for an LCD screen that is easily viewable, inside and outdoors. This screen is critical when framing shots.

  • Choose a camera phone that you are comfortable holding, grasping. For a good shot, you need to have a firm hold on the equipment.
  • Camera Phone Tips for Better Pictures 

    Even the best camera phones won't produce good images if you don't use good technique. Here are some tips:

  • Don't use lower resolution settings. Quality printed images require higher resolution.

  • For clear, sharp images the camera must be held firmly. Using both hands and standing still for a second or two after the shot is recommended. There are even mini tripods that are made for cell phone cameras to get the best shots.

  • Fill the frame. Just as with any type of photography it is best to get close to your subject to keep the focus on them. Camera phones especially tend to be designed to get the best results in shots of nearby people and objects.

  • To avoid smudges and unwanted spots on your images, clean the lens with a lens pen if debris appears on it.

  • A flash is useful only within a several feet of your subject. Turn it off if the subject is out of flash range. However, there must be sufficient lighting, so open the blinds, turn on the lights, and so forth. It is best if the lighting comes from the side versus behind the subject.

  • Use night mode when in a low light situation to capture more of the available light.

    Many of the rules for photography are the same with camera phones; find Beginning Photography Tips here.
  • Camera Phone Tripods 

    Samsung Memoir 

    Samsung Memoir 8 MP Camera Phone, Black (T-Mobile)

    Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

    The Samsung Memoir is a notable camera phone. It can capture 8 megapixel still images and has an auto focus lens as well as a Xenon flash to improve low light performance. It also gives you easy access to popular photo sharing sites.

    This phone is compatible with the T-Mobile services and also features GPS navigation tools, Bluetooth stereo music streaming, multimedia messaging, a digital audio player, and FM radio. It has a 3" screen and full touch virtual QWERTY keypad. It has a microSD expansion slot that provides up to 16GB of storage. It comes with the handset, battery, charger, USB cable, wired stereo handsfree headset and a quick start guide.

    Review of the Samsung Memoir 

    Samsung Memoir T929 8MP Cameraphone (T-Mobile) - Full Review

    In a nutshell, Memoir is the best cameraphone currently available in America, but it's neither as good as a stand-alone camera or a high-end smartphone. WIN PHONES! Play now @ http://www.phonedog.com/sweepstakes/default.aspx

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    Nokia N95 Camera Phone 

    Nokia N95-4 8GB Unlocked Cell Phone with 5 MP Camera, 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, Media Player--U.S. Version with Warranty (Black)

    Amazon Price: $389.99 (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

    Nokia produces one of the best camera phones out there.This unlocked quad band Nokia N95 comes without a plan/service. It features:

  • a GPS receiver
  • 5 megapixel digital camera/camcorder with Carl Zeiss optics
  • digital audio player
  • PDA functions as a Symbian smart phone
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
  • 8GB internal memory

    It offers a 2-way slide design giving users great work, communication, and entertainment functions. This GSM/EDGE phone is also ready to run on 3G networks here in the US (850/1900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA) and offers fast downloads and streaming multimedia. .

    It does not come with a SIM card, and it requires that you provide a SIM card for usage with your selected service provider.

    This Nokia N95 has a high resolution camera on the back of and a lower resolution camera on the front; both cameras allow you to take still pictures and record videos. Images are saved as JPEG files while videos are recorded in the MPEG-4 file format with the .mp4 file extension, or in the 3GPP file format with the .3gp file extension (sharing quality). Photos and video clips can be enjoyed on a compatible television thanks to the device's TV out feature and support for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) technology.

    The N95 includes software for uploading images directly to the Flickr.com website.

    The Nokia N95 includes an integrated photo and video editor to allow music and tags to be added before sending images to friends or uploading them to the web.

    The Nokia N95 also offers a large 2.8-inch QVGA 16 million color display, impressive 3D graphics, built-in stereo speakers offering a 3D stereo effect, standard 3.5 mm audio jack, and mini USB for convenient data transfer.
  • Nokia N95 Camera Phone Review 

    Nokia N95 Review

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    Nokia N95 Camera Phone (international version) 

    Nokia N95 Unlocked Cell Phone with 5 MP Camera, International 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, MP3/Video Player, MicroSD Slot--International Version with Warranty (Silver/Plum)

    Amazon Price: $482.04 (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

    This is the international version of this camera phone. This unlocked Nokia N95 is for use with quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz service providers. It offers European 3G compatibility (2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA) and gives users 160 MB of memory expandable via MicroSD cards up to 4 GB.

    This model offers the same 5-megapixel digital camera with Carl Zeiss Optics as the phone highlighted above. It features autofocus, digital zoom and Flickr support; DVD-quality video capture (640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) , 2.6-inch LCD with 16 million colors, GPS mapping and directions, Web browser, and up to 4 hours of GSM talk time (2.7 hours using 3G) and 225 hours of standby time.

    Sony Ericsson Cybershot K850i Camera Phone 

    Sony Ericsson K850i Cyber-shot Unlocked Cell Phone with 5 MP Camera, U.S./International 3G, Media Player, M2 Memory Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Velvet Blue)

    Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

    Also among the best camera phones is this Sony Ericsson K850i which is an outstanding 5 megapixel camera phone. It offers:

  • auto-focus
  • a real xenon flash
  • an automatic retractible lens cover
  • 16x digital zoom
  • image and video stabilization
  • red eye reduction
  • Best Pic Feature
  • QVGA resolution
  • 30 frame per second video clip recording capability
  • Photo Fix system to adjust brightness with a single click
  • Pocket album application to quickly find photos based on when they were shot and browse via thumbnails or full screen images

    This Sony Ericsson phone supports not only quad-band GSM/EDGE, but it also can connect to UMTS and HSDPA data networks on all three bands used throughout the world: 850MHz, 1900MHz, and 2100MHz. It also includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync over the air synchronization of data and stereo music playback. It comes complete with a wired stereo headset.

    MP3 and other formats of music files can be stored in the 40MB of internal memory or in an external memory card. This phone supports both Memory Stick Micro (M2) cards as well as the industry standard microSD memory cards
  • Sony Ericsson Cybershot 850i Camera Phone Review 

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    What Do You Say? 

    Could a Camera Phone Be Your Only Camera?

    Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

    Sure, Why Have 2 Gadgets!

    merjoem32 says:

    Camera phone technology has really evolved. There are new camera phones with 12 megapixel shooters! The SE Satio and the Samsung Pixon12 are awesome camera phones with 12 MP cameras and loads of features.

    RentMyGarden says:

    I have a 2006 Cingular LG Camera Phone. The photo quality is excellent! People are amazed when they view our photos taken with it. Especially, when they find out the photos were taken with a camera phone.

    Nope, Camera Phones Still Don't Cut It With Photo Quality.

     
     
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    LG Viewty Camera Phone 

    LG KU990 Viewty Unlocked Cell Phone with 5 MP Camera, International 3G, MP3/Video Player, MicroSD Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Black)

    Amazon Price: $261.32 (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

    Many reviewers place the Viewty among the best camera phones on the market. This unlocked LG Viewty is for use with tri-band GSM 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, or 1900 MHz service providers. (It does not come with SIM card)

    It features:

  • a 240x400 pixel touch-sensitive display
  • 5 megapixel camera with high-end Schneider-Kreuznach optics, manual focus option, and image stabilizer function. It even allows adjustment of ISO and brightness to capture better low light images.
  • video recording capability; up to 120 frames per second to capture greater detail!
  • large 3-inch LCD display for superior visibility
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • 100 MB internal memory and MicroSD memory expansion (up to 2 GB)
  • multi-format digital audio player
  • up to 4 hours of talk time
  • tri-band connectivity (900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz)
  • wireless services with speeds up to 384 Kbps
  • editing function allows users to edit and enhance images as well as write or draw on them with their fingertips or a stylus.

    The Bluetooth version 1.2 wireless connectivity includes profiles for communication headset, data transfer and the A2DP Bluetooth advanced audio profile, which enables you to stream audio to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. It also provides support for PictBridge technology so you can print your photos without the need of a PC (either using USB or Bluetooth).

    The integrated digital audio player offers support for MP3, AAC, AAC+, WM formats and the video player supports MPEG4, H.263, and H.264. The full screen enables users to enjoy high quality DivX video files in wide screen format. A built-in FM radio rounds out it's entertainment functions.

    Other features include:

  • Up to 500 contact entries
  • Displays the most recent 40 dialed/received/missed calls
  • Messaging: SMS, MMS (picture and video), email
  • Document viewer (TXT, PDF, DOC, PPT, XLS)
  • T9 predictive text entry
  • Speakerphone, voice memo
  • 40-chord polyphonic and MP3 ringtones
  • Fast USB 2.0 wired connectivity
  • Java MIDP 2.0 engine for downloadable games and applications
  • WAP 2.0 web browser

    This phone comes with full one year warranty.
  • LG Viewty Camera Phone Review 

    LG KU990 Viewty Review from www.AddictedToPhones.com

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    Samsung G800 Camera Phone 

    Samsung SGH G800 - Cellular phone with two digital cameras / digital player / FM radio - WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM

    Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

    This Samsung G800 is also on the list of best camera phones. It offers a 5 megapixel camera that features:

  • xenon flash
  • autofocus
  • LED focus-assist light
  • 3x optical zoom
  • digital image stabilisation
  • red-eye reduction
  • a photo editing suite to crop photos and add effects
  • a video editing suite to combine audio tracks, videos and pictures.

    The Samsung G800 is also a respectable music phone which supports MP3, AAC and WMA files, and features an FM radio.

    This Samsung is an EDGE and 3G (with HSDPA) phone with Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP support . It offers a 2.4" QVGA, 262K color display and an easy to use keyboard.
  • Samsung G800 Camera Phone Review 

    Shiny Review: Samsung G800 mobile with optical zoom

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    Amazon Error: Could not open remote connection

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    The Best Camera Phones: Was this page helpful? Let us know! 

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    chefkeem wrote...

    When Squid Angels research camera phones they prefer to land on mulberry's lenses... :-)

    ReplyPosted May 14, 2009

    Lensmaster

    Great Lens on the camera phones - 5*. Jas Nokia N73 For Sale cheapest unlocked n95 nokia cell phone

    ReplyPosted July 29, 2008

    RentMyGarden wrote...

    Thanks for the Great Tips on How to Choose a Good Camera Phone. I will be more prepared when choosing my next one. I really enjoy the convenience of having a camera and a phone in my travels when I am out and about in the city.

    ReplyPosted June 17, 2008

    bbug wrote...

    Who needs a camera? Just buy a camera phone like these and save yourself the trouble.

    ReplyPosted June 16, 2008

     

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    Photo Credits
    Introduction: Khedara.
    How to Choose a Good Camera Phone: rodrigo senna.
    Camera Phone Tips for Better Pictures: jurvetson.

    This site is listed at LensMasterWorld.com.

    by mulberry

    You want to find the best camera phones if your cell phone is your only camera. Find out what you need to know and find the right one here. (more)
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