http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 8:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
Apple never had expertise in making cameras.]]>Sep 28th 2008 10:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 10:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 10:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 10:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Say what?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_QuickTake

Although, seriously:
Apple will come up with a high megapixel iphone sooner rather than later.
I mean ... They are a lifestyle brand! Not microsoft!
They definitely know lg and samsung will release android phones with 8 megapixel cameras next year.
The current 2 mp iphone will probably stay as the entry level model and they will probably introduce a higher end iphone.. the iphone photo! that will do video and have a better camera.
Then they could reduce costs by using the same module for a high end ipod touch. The ipod touch photo!!!]]>Sep 28th 2008 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 11:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/quicktake/

Early digital camera. Didn't sell because it was all film at the time.]]>Sep 28th 2008 12:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 2:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
What we need is a lens race (for those who actually care about the camera in their phone). Seriously, 1600x1200 is pretty damn high resolution, it'll meet most needs short of trying to enlarge sections. It's being held back by the sensor, as is the case on most cameraphones.

If picture quality is a priority, you're going to have to get a camera phone with a more unweildy body, not just look for the highest MP sensor in the specs. ]]>Sep 28th 2008 4:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 4:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 6:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 8:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/One would think that camera phones will eventually catch up to the point and shoot camera. This would make my life easier instead of carrying both every day.

To all of the comments about it replacing a DSLR, I suggest you purchase a DSLR in the first place and take it off of the 'Auto' mode. Get yourself a few lenses and definitely, take a class, or two.

Camera phones will always be just that. A convenience.
(Mine embeds the GPS lat/long in the EXIF information)]]>Sep 28th 2008 10:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 12:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/

]]>Sep 28th 2008 2:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/I think it would be damn hard to make a universal quality indicator, you'll just have to go by reviews or hearsay I fear.
]]>Sep 29th 2008 11:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 8:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/A camera is more than just the number of pixels.

It's like saying that a P'n'S camera can become a D-SLR just from shoving a 20MP sensor into it, it's a ridiculous statement.]]>Sep 28th 2008 10:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/and out in Asia samsung got phones will crazy cameras]]>Sep 28th 2008 9:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
So if you capture it at 10 megapixels .. but with lots of noise you may get say .. 60 points.

But a 2 megapixel capture of the same scene with the correct range and without noise may get say 75 points.

Then .. camera makers can compete and sell their cameras on how well their cameras .. sort of like how cpu's compete with each other based on spec bench or 3D mark.

Ok, why wont the guys at DPreview take a lead on this one? ..They have the equipment and expertise.
]]>Sep 28th 2008 8:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 10:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
The scene capture analysis and assigning of points won't be up to a human .. there is no subjectivity involved. For example if the scene has certain colors and luminance these can be measured accurately with a photometer or even a spectrophotometer. And image analysis can be used in a non subjective manner for stuff like determining if the resolving power can separate out lines on a grid pattern.

The only part that is subjective is what weightings to give (is the color reproduction more importation that resolving power?) .. That will have to be determined way in advance by a group of experts (that's how spec and 3D Mark work anyway).
]]>Sep 28th 2008 2:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/please- just for this once

]]>Sep 28th 2008 9:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/before Engadget born.]]>Sep 28th 2008 9:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
How about upping the lens and sensor quality first?]]>Sep 28th 2008 9:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 10:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Yeah, sometimes they increase picture quality together, while increasing the pixel count, but that's not the most common.
Actually, many updates within a single line, increasing pixel count, increase also the number of pixels per centimeter, what makes the sensor receive even less light and creates more and more noise in higher resolutions.]]>Sep 28th 2008 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
What we want now is optical (real) zoom, and Xenon (real) flashes to be standard on devices that tout themselves as 'camera phones'. A lot of us even avoid mobile phones with setups that don't feature Xenon flashes. Which culls an extraordinary amount of the market.]]>Sep 28th 2008 9:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/But I have to agree - we have to stick to 10-mp and increase quality, add optical zoom ect. I hope phone makers will follow this way in 2009.]]>Sep 28th 2008 9:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 10:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/I don't think MP3 players will be replaced by phones until DRM goes away completely or Apple liscences FairPlay to the phone companies. GPS will simply require better hardware for phones and software from Garmin. ]]>Sep 28th 2008 10:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 10:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
And to those who think camera phones can't be serious... just look at that beast on the picture for this post. It's quite old already, but the image quality is on par with regular point and shoot cameras, probably because it has the lens and the sensor of a regular point and shoot. You can even add tele- and wide angle converters as well as filters (probably). But it was horribly expensive and isn't exactly compact. But imagine one of those Sony T series cameras, with phone functionality (and touchscreen?).]]>Sep 28th 2008 7:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
Fact is, if you want to take proper photos you'll need a proper ordinary camera, and it will remain that why for a while.]]>Sep 28th 2008 9:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 11:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/Sep 28th 2008 9:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
Phone memory is supposed to hold programs, not media. If you want to store media you go and buy a memory card, which is soooo expensive, like the $30 I paid for a 8 gb MicroSD.]]>Sep 28th 2008 10:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/28/megapixel-race-hits-the-mobile-realm/
Included memory is always welcome... And next time you reply, lay off the personal attacks.]]>Sep 28th 2008 10:39AM