What type of camera phone we need?

The cell phone is now entering a new arena, taking photos. It is certain that we shall see a lot of new designs.

As we have mentioned, it began as a gimmick. Perhaps where there are excess supplies of CMOS sensors, especially those with lower resolution, manufacturers were forced to find a way to consume. At a very low cost and a new function to entice buyers, cell phone was the great candidate.

With fierce competition, anything that is accepted by consumers will be a necessity for coming models. So we have a few thousands pixels jetting up to megabyte pixels.

Is this the wrong turn?

Some new designs even simulate the look of camera. They might believe the expectation that cell phone with camera or camera phone would take over digital camera in the future. Of course, we need time to see if such would happen.

I have mentioned that users knew the difference between camera phone and digital camera. What they need in the first place is mobile phone, not camera. As this handy device becomes the next thing to carry other than the bodies, it would be good to have image taking function so that they will not miss some great images.

If they prefer digital camera, then why manufacturers not to add mobile function to the cameras? There are many cameras small enough to slip into pockets and nice looking too. Will it be the costing problem? Or digital camera users will not prefer such combination? We may guess whatever reasons, but until now, there is no such move yet.

What cell phone users need?

Besides camera, some expected that cell phone would have everything, video player, TV, even online functions like a PC. We have used to these fallacies ever since the electronic era. It is kind of competition by saying something unusual or tries to be the first one to propose something new.

In writing the Camphone Photo Guide, I have found that it is the challenge to take a successful image without the proper device that gives joy to users. If this is also shared among most users, then it is wrong to make the cell phone too close to camera.

Also the application of such images is mostly moblog or just a 4R print. Resolution up to megabyte is good enough. Any higher resolution may, as some said, enlarging the mistakes. I do not agree on this and I believe the readers of my book will have much less mistakes. However, there may not be needed for any prints bigger than 4R.

Among the camera phones that I have tested, there is one that I do not like. Brand and model cannot be announced to avoid any legal problem. The images had very high contrast and there was a color edge on bright objects. It might be a tactic so that the images look great on the LCD display. This is a great marketing technique but a nightmare for anyone who trusts it.

In summary, I think that most users will prefer a camera phone that can be printed for 4R photos, with truly better image quality not just on the display and more automatic functions like focusing and dealing with color balance.

Of course, it is expected to have better battery and for photographing, automatic lens shield too.

I cannot guess if users would prefer to have video or TV etc. on the cell phone, but I have confidence that they would not prefer to have a camera instead of a phone.