It was only about eight years ago that J-phone wowed the world with the world’s first camera phone, but it didn’t take long for the technology to spread. These days, even the least expensive mobile phones may have a camera and some of the high end models feature lens that take unexpectedly high quality digital snaps. If one of your criteria when buying a new mobile is that it must be a camera phone, there are a few things you might want to consider to help you make your choice.
- What will you do with your camera phone?
A camera phone isn’t a substitute for a digital camera – yet. The quality is getting better and better, and with some of the high end camera phones hitting the 3MP resolution (and probably better), you can often take better pictures with your mobile than you can with an inexpensive digital camera.
You’ll find that you use your camera phone far more than you expected. Because you have your mobile with you, it’s far easier to snap a quick picture of something you just have to show someone, or of something you want to remember. With the ability to MMS the photo to another mobile, email it to any email address or upload it to your account or your computer, you can share vacation photos while you’re still on vacation, send out photos of the new baby within moments of birth or let your friends help you decide between those two sweet dresses when you can only buy one.
- How good a picture do you want to take?
Resolution for picture phones is measured in megapixels (MPs). Generally, a 1MP camera will take a decent quality photo for printing out a standard 4x6 photo at regular focus, but if you want to take good close range photos or plan to use your zoom lens often, you’ll want a camera phone with a higher MP rating.
The less expensive camera phones use VGA resolution, which doesn’t take as good quality pictures, but is decent if you plan to view the photos on a computer screen.
- What features are important to you?
Many of the new camera phones include features that you’re used to getting on a digital camera, including zoom mode, automatic focus with face-finder and fancy frames and ‘modes’ for snapping pictures. Figure out which features are must-haves for you – for instance, is an optical zoom lens vital? – and use your list to shop for the camera phone you want.
- Do you want video?
Many camera phones allow you to capture up to several minutes of video footage as well as still frames. You can expect this capability on a 3G mobile, but check to be sure with other phones.
- How many pictures can you store?
The way that your camera stores pictures will define how many pictures you can store before you have to start deleting snaps to make room for more. If you intend to store a lot of photos – or take a lot of snaps – with your mobile, look for a model with a memory card slot for additional storage.
- How will you share your photos?
Nearly all camera phones can send photos via MMS, but if you want to upload the photos directly to your computer for sharing, you’ll need a mobile that can connect to your computer. The main ways to share photos between devices are:
- MMS (multimedia messaging) allows you to send photos, sounds and mixed messages to other mobile phones. MMS will usually cost you per message sent.
- Memory cards allow you to upload your photos through a memory card reader on your computer or a card reader device. You can even swap memory cards into another camera phone that accepts the same type of card.
- Bluetooth allows you to wirelessly transfer photos to another Bluetooth enabled device for free.
- USB cable and a USB connector will allow you to transfer photos to a personal computer without paying a charge.
- 3G camera phones often include web storage online so you can upload your photos and store them in your account online for sharing or keeping.
