Sony Xperia i1 leaked photo tips 20-megapixel monster

Sony's readying its own monster-megapixel photoblower, according to a new leak -- a 20-megapixel camera phone called the Xperia i1.

Brazilian gadget gossip site TechTudo bagged the above snap, which shows the white Xperia i1 sandwiched between the 6.4-inch Xperia Ultra Z and the 5-inch Xperia ZL (called the ZQ in Brazil). That would likely make the i1 about 5.3 or 5.4 inches, and TechTudo claims the front of the device is all screen.

It's all about the back though -- or rather the camera on the back. If it's true that it packs a 20-megapixel sensor, it'll go up against the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom and rumoured Nokia Lumia 1020 as a top-of-the-range camera phone.

Previous rumours about the device reported by Android Beat, which referred to it by the codename Honami, reckoned it'll have a huge 1/1.6-inch sensor and a proper glass lens.

But with half the megapixel count of Nokia's bonkers gadget, and without the 10x optical zoom that makes the Zoom more camera than phone, it's hard to see how this purported blower will make much of an impression on shutterbugs.

It's far too early to be making any judgement, of course, and there's no doubting Sony's commitment to producing quality Android gadgets. The wonderfully waterproof Xperia Z and Xperia Tablet Z are two of our very favourite devices this year.

Would you go nuts for a 20-megapixel Xperia? Or are you waiting to see what Nokia will pull out of its camera bag? Give me a snapshot of your thoughts in the comments, or on our photo-friendly Facebook page.

Image credit: TechTudo