[cooperda]

I have a Nokia 6610i phone which I want to upgrade and I've also been looking for a digital camera for ages.

I'm now wondering for my basic needs of a simple phone and point as shoot camera I'd be better off buying just the one camera phone.

I'm with O2 Pay as you Go at the moment.

I don't use any of the fancy operations of a phone - don't need bluetooth, picture messaging, radio, video playback, G3 etc. - the phone is only so my kids can keep in touch and for emergencies. But since I have to carry it around it may as well do what I really want - to take picures.

Just basic calls, basic text - yet the best camera possible ie. 3 megapixels? and with not too much comression.

It would also need to take extra memory - at least up to 512mb - ie to hold at least 100 pictures.

So are there any phones now or coming that will do that?

If it has the extra features - ie bluetooth - thats fine it's just not something I's pay extra for.

Thanks in advance for any replies,

Dave C.

[ma1234]

I am assuming you wish to stay on PAYG. If that is the case then I would have a look at and for the SonyEricsson K750i. Probably still one of the best cameras on a phone around at the moment without spending a fortune. Expandable memory via MS Duo, it also has bluetooth, RDS radio etc... You don't say what your budget is but the K750i can be had from e.g. Carphone warehouse for circa £160 on O2 PAYG.

[dave1de]

Your not gonna get an excellent camera phone that does not have all the other fancy features you talk of.

K750i is probably the best one for you though.

The Sharp Vodaphone model 903 has a 3.2 megapixel camera and video with optical zoom. It is considered by many as the best camera phone at this time. You may want to check internet for info on this phone. I do not know if cost is within your budget. There is a forum where there are sample photos taken from a Sharp 903 so I can send you the website. Hope this helps.

[Weidass]

wait for SE k800. It makes all the others suck. even k750i. (which i used to own so i know its awesome)

[cooperda]

Originally Posted by dave1de

Your not gonna get an excellent camera phone that does not have all the other fancy features you talk of.

K750i is probably the best one for you though.

Thank - to all replies - I looked at this phone today - K750i - and it looks pretty good. A quick look in Asda and it's £175.

I'll look around for a better price - something under £150 would be OK.

That is unless any 3 megapixel ones are going to hit that price-point soon.

Cheers, Dave C.

[cooperda]

Originally Posted by Weidass

wait for SE k800. It makes all the others suck. even k750i. (which i used to own so i know its awesome)

Thanks I'll check out this and the Sharp 903 suggested by AntoPablo.

Cheers, Dave C.

[cooperda]

Originally Posted by AntonPablo

The Sharp Vodaphone model 903 has a 3.2 megapixel camera and video with optical zoom. It is considered by many as the best camera phone at this time. You may want to check internet for info on this phone. I do not know if cost is within your budget. There is a forum where there are sample photos taken from a Sharp 903 so I can send you the website. Hope this helps.

just found a pic of an apple taken on this Sharp 903 camera


http://img129.imageshack.us/my.php?i...82811481fv.jpg

That looks great from a phone.

I'll have to check it out more now.

Cheers, Dave C.

Hi Dave,
I have been researching on the Sharp 903 for the past week and the more I am convinced that this is the best camera phone at this time. Also, you get loads of other features from the phone. It is not available here in the Philippines as brand new so I asked my friend to see how much it is in HongKong. Otherwise I will buy a second hand unit here. I already saw one and it is in very good condition, selling for the equivalent of 308 US dollars.
Anton

[cooperda]

Originally Posted by AntonPablo

Hi Dave,
I have been researching on the Sharp 903 for the past week and the more I am convinced that this is the best camera phone at this time. Also, you get loads of other features from the phone. It is not available here in the Philippines as brand new so I asked my friend to see how much it is in HongKong. Otherwise I will buy a second hand unit here. I already saw one and it is in very good condition, selling for the equivalent of 308 US dollars.
Anton

Yes - thanks for pointing it out.

I now have to decide if I what to spend so much on a 'phone' that I don't use much (as a phone more for emergences)

I use 'Pay as up Go' and 10 UKPs lasts me about 3 months. But I don't want the fag of having to always carry a phone and a camera ( and a radio and an MP3 player) if the one item will take good pictures as well as keeping me in contact.

Cheers, Dave C.

[ma1234]

How often do you need to carry a camera, MP3, Radio etc. etc. You would probably IMO be better off keeping the phone and putting the money towards a half decent camera. It doesn't matter how good these camera phones claim to be but without impeccable and very good light they soon show their shortcomings.

It's gotta be a k750i or any SE 2megapixel phone! i've seen them on ebay for around 100 quid these days. They have autofocus which trust me makes a huge difference! I just upgraded from a k750i to a samsung d600 and altho the D600 is a great phone the SE camera knocks spots off it!

[cooperda]

Originally Posted by ma1234

How often do you need to carry a camera, MP3, Radio etc. etc. You would probably IMO be better off keeping the phone and putting the money towards a half decent camera. It doesn't matter how good these camera phones claim to be but without impeccable and very good light they soon show their shortcomings.

I know what you're saying - but what I meant was I only want to carry one thing about - and if I just stick to phone and a camera - that's two. I can manage without the other functions.

Since my kids have left home - younger at University - I'm not going to be taking 'protraits' but just snaps - and stuff to perhaps display on the computer. A resonable 3 megapixels will do even cropping down to 1600x1200.

ie. on Saturday morning I went to a special computer show (for Risc OS - Acorn of old) and would have liked to have taken snaps of some of the new equipment etc. - and a 'good' camera phone would have been fine for that.

Cheers for all the input, Dave C.

[Weidass]

Originally Posted by ma1234

It doesn't matter how good these camera phones claim to be but without impeccable and very good light they soon show their shortcomings.

Thats why the k800 has a proper flash built in. it practically is a camera.

[ma1234]

Originally Posted by cooperda

I know what you're saying - but what I meant was I only want to carry one thing about - and if I just stick to phone and a camera - that's two. I can manage without the other functions.

Since my kids have left home - younger at University - I'm not going to be taking 'protraits' but just snaps - and stuff to perhaps display on the computer. A resonable 3 megapixels will do even cropping down to 1600x1200.

ie. on Saturday morning I went to a special computer show (for Risc OS - Acorn of old) and would have liked to have taken snaps of some of the new equipment etc. - and a 'good' camera phone would have been fine for that.

Cheers for all the input, Dave C.

No problem, I guess for its intended use then a camera phone may be a solution, snaps is all they are really much good for, in my experience up to now they are too slow to capture anything other than stationary objects in very good light. The next wave of phones with a camera may change that. Good luck.

[ma1234]

Originally Posted by Weidass

Thats why the k800 has a proper flash built in. it practically is a camera.

Its not just the flash though, the lens etc. has a lot to do with the final result. Hopefully SE using the 'Cybershot' branding will improve this.

[cooperda]

Originally Posted by ma1234

Its not just the flash though, the lens etc. has a lot to do with the final result. Hopefully SE using the 'Cybershot' branding will improve this.

Yes - thing I was worried about was the amount of compression used. ie. a 2 Mp image at 95% jpeg will be better, I'd thought than a 3Mp image compressed down to 60% to save on card memory.

I take it there is no RAW option with any camera phone.

Cheers, Dave C.

[ma1234]

Originally Posted by cooperda

Yes - thing I was worried about was the amount of compression used. ie. a 2 Mp image at 95% jpeg will be better, I'd thought than a 3Mp image compressed down to 60% to save on card memory.

I take it there is no RAW option with any camera phone.

Cheers, Dave C.

No RAW that I am aware of, the SE K800 appears to be going some way to becoming a bit more than a phone camera. Examples can be found here:
http://www.gsmarena.com/3mp_test_nok...-review-79.php

[cooperda]

Originally Posted by ma1234

No RAW that I am aware of, the SE K800 appears to be going some way to becoming a bit more than a phone camera. Examples can be found here:
http://www.gsmarena.com/3mp_test_nok...-review-79.php

The Nokia N80 pictures look good as well.

Thanks for the link.

Cheers, Dave C.

[Tigerblade]

K800 most definate. The example review shown earlier shows exactly why.

Sharp's top end handsets are too big and bulky.