Feature: Camera Phone Buyers Guide

Seems like just about everyone--except perhaps Britney Spears--has gone mad over camera/mobile phone combos.

Camera phones have become the gimme-now gadget du jour. Some 25 million units were shipped worldwide in the first half of this year, beating digital cameras for the first time (20 million units shipped), according to American Technology Research. The firm predicts that camera phones will continue to outsell digital cameras "permanently." For more details, read "Camera Phones Snap Up Sales."

The devices, from makers such as Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson, and available from major cellular phone service providers, feature an embedded digital camera. The cool factor here is extremely high: In addition to letting you yak, your phone can take and instantly transmit snapshots to your friends or to a Web site--which is precisely why celebs like Britney don't care for the gadgets. (At a recent Rolling Stones bash for Spears, partygoers were required to leave their cell phones at the door, The Wall Street Journal reports.)

But before you dash out the door and make a snap decision, read on. Here are some key questions to consider before you buy a camera phone:

What's the image resolution? The majority of camera phones today capture only low-resolution images, typically 640 by 480 pixels. While that's fine for viewing on a phone, computer, or other display, images at that resolution look crummy when printed or enlarged. Bottom line: If you're looking for decent pictures, stick with a digital or film camera.

However, image resolution is on the rise. For example, Casio recently announced the first cellular handset capable of capturing still images of up to 1600 by 1200 pixels. The camera will go on sale in Japan in December; as of this writing, there was no word regarding availability elsewhere.

How do photos get to your PC? You may want to transfer at least some images onto your computer for editing. If that's important to you, look for phones that can upload photos to a computer via infrared, Bluetooth, USB, or flash memory cards such as MultiMediaCard or Secure Digital. This last option lets you store images on tiny cards rather than depending on the camera phone's internal memory (which can be meager, often 2MB or less).

Ideally, choose a model that provides multiple options for image transfer. The Nokia 3650, for instance, transfers images wirelessly via Bluetooth and infrared, and it has an MMC slot.

How do you send photos to your buddies? Most wireless service providers offer Multimedia Message Service capabilities. MMS is a method of transmitting digital snapshots, video clips, audio files, and brief text messages over existing cellular networks. With MMS, you can transmit a picture taken on your camera phone to friends who have MMS on their cell phone plans. Typically, your friends receive a short text message on their data-capable cell phone, saying that a picture or other multimedia element has been sent to them. At this point, they can elect to download your photo to their phone.

Does the camera have a flash? A built-in flash is mandatory if you want to take reasonably acceptable pictures in low-light situations. Some models, such as the Sanyo SCP-5300, include them, while others don't.

Does the camera lens swivel? A few camera phones, such as the Hitachi G1000, feature cameras with a swivel lens that lets you take pictures from extreme angles--or of yourself. And the flip-style Samsung SPH-A600, with its rotating display, allows you to take pictures even when the phone is closed.

Does the phone have photo caller ID? These days, many camera phones (among them the Hitachi G1000, Nokia 3650, and Sanyo SCP-5300) allow you to associate a photo with a name in your address book. With photo caller ID, your tedious Cousin Elmer's mug will appear on your phone screen whenever he calls, a feature that's as helpful as a stop sign at an intersection.

How good is battery life? Taking pictures, particularly with a flash, will drain your phone's batteries. Manufacturers and mobile phone service providers are notoriously inaccurate in their battery claims, so check third-party sources (such as editorial reviews) closely before you buy. Ideally, look for camera phones with talk time of at least 3 hours.

How visible is the screen? Standard color LCDs on digital cameras, camcorders, notebooks, and other devices lose much of their contrast in bright sunlight. That can be a problem because the phone's LCD acts as the camera viewfinder. For example, the Sony Ericsson T610 and T616 models have a gorgeously rich color LCD capable of displaying 65,000 colors. In the bright sunlight, though, I had trouble discerning what the heck was on the screen.

When comparing models, make sure you can view images reasonably well in sunlight. Ask if you can take the phone you're considering outside of the store, or view the screen next to a large window.

How big is it? Camera phones range in size from sleek and slim to fat and bulky. At one end of the range, there's the Sony Ericsson T610 and T616, measuring 4 by 1.7 by 0.7 inches and weighing 3.4 ounces. On the opposite end, consider the Hitachi G1000 (a Pocket PC/cell phone hybrid), at 5.8 by 3.3 by 0.9 inches and 8.4 ounces.

Other Considerations

Make a list of the camera features you want. You won't get them all--this is a phone we're talking about, remember--but you may find a lot of what you want. For instance, the Sony Ericsson T610 and T616 models let you add color effects to pictures, such as black-and-white and sepia, and a Night Mode increases exposure in dark lighting situations. Some camera phones, such as the Nokia 3650, can capture short, silent video clips. And keep in mind that some camera phones, such as the LG VX6000, have a self-timer that lets you get into the picture, too.

Shop around. Don't like what your service provider offers? Then look elsewhere. Number portability--in which you can take your cell phone number along when switching providers--becomes standard practice on November 24 in the nation's top 100 markets. But if you switch before your current contract is up, you may have to cough up $150 to $200.

Check return policies. As always, before buying a new mobile phone, make sure you can return it (usually within 30 days) if you're not satisfied.

Got the Picture?

Are you using a camera phone? If so, I'd like to hear about your experiences: What you're using it for; the model you have; if you'd recommend it, and why. Send me an e-mail and let me know.