8-megapixel camera phone prizefight
When Australia's first three 8-megapixel camera phones came skittering across our desks at CNET recently, we tossed them straight in the ring for a camera phone prizefight!
When Australia's first three 8-megapixel camera phones came skittering across our desks at CNET Australia, we tossed them straight in the ring for a camera phone prizefight!
Rules of the game
Early this year when we conducted the 5-megapixel showdown we took all the test images indoors. This time around we decided to take this epic struggle to the streets.
Each of the phones was set to the highest image quality, with all other settings (white balance, scene mode, etc) set to automatic modes. The camera's flashes were likewise set to either auto or on, depending on what options were available.
Studio lighting, wide shot
Mouse over the name of the phone to display its images
Taken from the same distance, this image shows how much wider the INNOV8's lens is to the others. Each reproduces colour differently; the INNOV8 is darker with a reddish tint and the Renoir's green is almost fluoro.
Studio lighting, close-up
Mouse over the name of the phone to display its images
The Renoir looks great here, even with a slight green tint through its shot. The C905 also looks good with warm colour, though slightly soft focus.
Outdoors, wide shot
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On this overcast day, the INNOV8 represents this scene best with the most natural colour reproduction and good focus. The C905 really struggles with this scene, flaring in several sections of the image.
8x digital zoom
Mouse over the name of the phone to display its images
The digital zoom showed off both the INNOV8's wider lens and its ability to keep images sharper when using the zoom. The Renoir did OK here, but the INNOV8 is a clear winner.
And the winner is ...
Judging the quality of camera phone images is difficult because each camera gives an inconsistent performance. Indoors the C905 did well, but the outdoor shots, particularly in the third image, show a major weakness. Likewise, the Renoir was better inside under the studio lights, but the flaring outside was far less prominent than with the C905.
Overall we like the INNOV8 best across the variety of shooting situations. Inside the images appear darker, but the colours are more accurate and the INNOV8 captured a greater level of detail both indoors and out. We award this prizefight to the INNOV, though the Renoir is a very close second.
When you're finished scrutinising the photos be sure to check out the full reviews for LG's Renoir, Samsung's INNOV8, and the Sony Ericsson C905.