May 17, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Race for higher specification camera phones focuses on picture quality
By Mark Rutter

LONDON, May 17, Graphic News:  Samsung has stolen a lead on its rivals in the pursuit of high quality pictures from a camera phone. With an integrated seven-megapixel camera, the SCH-V770 not only allows you to record photographic images of the quality found in top of the range dedicated digital cameras, but also incorporates a range of other functions not found on any other camera phones.

The days of the typically poor quality ÒpixelatedÓ camera phone snaps look like becoming a relic of the past. Six months after revealing its five-megapixel camera phone, Samsung has now put on show its seven-megapixel V770 -- making it possible, at least in theory, to get an image enlarged up to A3 size without any noticeable loss of resolution. The word pixel is derived from Òpicture elementsÓ and refers to the smallest dot that makes up a picture. The greater the number of pixels, the higher the resolution or sharpness. There are other factors that will influence picture quality -- the quality of the lens for example -- but the current technology race, not to mention the marketing drive, seems focused on increasing the number of pixels. SamsungÕs quest for megapixel dominance is being driven partly by LG, SamsungÕs Korean rival, which recently announced it was developing a six-megapixel camera phone.

Other features incorporated into SamsungÕs latest camera phone include an auto focus 3x optical or actual zoom, allowing enlargement without a loss of resolution, as well as a 5x digital zoom. The flash unit enables images to be recorded in low light and is designed to support seven-megapixel high resolution photography. Perhaps even more impressive, it can also accommodate interchangeable lenses so that it is possible to attach telephoto or wide angle lenses to extend the focal length. Images can be stored on the 32-megabyte internal memory, which can be increased by using the memory slot. Other functions such as manual control over shutter speed, ranging from 1/2000th of a second to 15 seconds, and automatic exposure modes would not be out of place on a professional camera. Another big plus is the advanced display screen. The TFD-LCD (thin film diode-liquid crystal display) QVGA quality display, measuring approximately 2.5 by 4.5cm, can replicate up to 16 million colour shades.

As well as its photographic capability, the V770 has video and audio on demand with a Òdigital power ampÓ providing high quality sound output. Moreover, while looking like the archetypal mobile phone from one side, flip it over and it looks just like a dedicated digital camera. It should be available first in Asia, possibly within months, while it could be up to two years before going on sale in Europe. However, at present there is no indication of the retail price.
/ENDS