The main contenders
There are only 4 or 5 contenders for that are serious camera phones. The Sony Ericsson K850i, LG Viewty, Nokia N95 8GB and Samsung G800.
The K850i recently came top for in a test of cameraphones for image quality and SonyEricsson's or usually excellent all round phones for usability and quality.
The Samsung G800 is the first with optical zoom but it's massive!
The Nokia N95 8GB is well worth considering as it does all manner of great things - Sat Nav, good MP3 player and you can download apps. The lenses are Carl Zeiss, the same as Sony's proper digitla cameras. Again it's not very pocket friendly due to it's size and the N95 original product has been around for a while.
The LG Viewty is, in my view, the best looker. It talks the talk with Schneider lenses, image stabiliser software and can capture video at 120fps, meaning you can playback your happy slapping in slow motion. I've no idea how good the UI other reading that the touchscreen is easy to use. My friend just bought one and loves it.
In the end it depends on what matters most to you:
- If you want a reasonably sized phone that also has a great camera then the K850i may be the best choice.
- If you want to impress your mates the Viewty would be perfect.
- If you want a big bulge in your trousers get the G800 or N95 8GB!