Noise is likely a problem here, you are correct. However, the more serious issue is that of the lens. Crap glass = crap pictures, and these cell phones have some of the worst lenses known to mankind. The distortion on these lenses is obscene.
For comparison: my 10 Mpxl Nikon D200 only reveals its true sharpness when it is in perfect focus and there is no leftover jitter from my hands (or the shutter speed is high enough). Even at shutter speeds of 1/250th of a second, in a multiple-shot series there are clear differences between photos. Now, this is with some of the best glass Nikon has ever produced, on an DX size sensor. Put a sensor close to that resolution into the environment of a cameraphone? With those "lenses," after 2 Mpxl or so there is no resolution left. Pointless. People are paying for a number, not performance.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Noise is likely a problem here, you are correct. However, the more serious issue is that of the lens. Crap glass = crap pictures, and these cell phones have some of the worst lenses known to mankind. The distortion on these lenses is obscene.
For comparison: my 10 Mpxl Nikon D200 only reveals its true sharpness when it is in perfect focus and there is no leftover jitter from my hands (or the shutter speed is high enough). Even at shutter speeds of 1/250th of a second, in a multiple-shot series there are clear differences between photos. Now, this is with some of the best glass Nikon has ever produced, on an DX size sensor. Put a sensor close to that resolution into the environment of a cameraphone? With those "lenses," after 2 Mpxl or so there is no resolution left. Pointless. People are paying for a number, not performance.