Which Smartphone has the Best Camera

The first few things one considers when buying a cell phone is the price, followed by the camera megapixel rating. People probably reason that it is better to carry one gadget instead of two-a mobile phone, not a phone and camera. Moreover, when you need to take a picture, you don't always have a camera with you.

But a phone? It's ubiquitous, the always-there device. Due to the increasing demand for camera phones, the megapixel war is growing sharper. Once the regular phone costing around Rs 5,000 used to sport a 3.2 MP camera. That has long since been replaced by the 5MP lens of current vintage. Now, dominating the high-end smartphone domain is the 8 MP camera with features like LEDflash, auto focus, various scenes and image capturing mode. With Nokia's N8 (12 MP shooter) acclaimed by many around the world as the best camera phone around, the benchmark has been further raised. All the major players, including Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson and HTC, are trying to offer the best they can, in the process befuddling the consumers. To make things simpler for them, G&G has this quick comparison of the latest smartphones boasting 8 MP sensors. In the ring are the HTC Incredible S, Nokia C7, Sony Ericsson Arc, LG Optimus 2x and Samsung Galaxy SII.

TEST 1:  BRIGHT DAYLIGHT

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Nokia C7 produced the results that looked natural and crisp. LG Optimus 2x rated second. The images produced by Samsung Galaxy S II and Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc were good but over saturated. The HTC Incredible S pictures appeared washed out.

TEST 2: DECENTLY LIT AMBIENCE AT NIGHT, WITHOUT FLASH

Sony Ericsson Arc managed the best photo, followed by Samsung Galaxy S II. The result of the HTC Incredible S wasn't as dark as that of the Optimus 2x, but had a slightly red tinge. Image captured by the Nokia C7 was the worst Tip: Always keep ISO level at 100-200 maximum.

TEST 3: COLOUR

Here, Samsung Galaxy S II topped the charts. Sony Ericsson Arc and HTC Incredible S did a good job too. Optimux 2x wasn't disappointing either. But the Nokia C7 completely flattened the colours and the image looked washed out.

TEST 4: PORTRAIT - INDOOR

Nokia C7 retained the skin shade in combination with the surroundings and similar is our opinion for the Samsung Galaxy S II. The HTC Incredible S had clarity but was relatively dark. Sony Ericsson Arc and LG Optimus 2x images gave an unnatrual bluish tinge to white.

TEST 5: OBJECTS - INDOOR WITH FLASH

Sony Ericsson Arc performed the best. Even Nokia C7 did a good job. Little noise was visible in the images captured by HTC Incredible S. The background wasn't lit up well in pictures captured by the Samsung Galaxy SII. LG Optimus 2x added a yellowish tinge.

TEST 6: EVENING OUTDOOR

Once again Nokia C7 did the best job. The Sony Ericsson Arc also produced good results, though the HTC Incredible S's were better. The image captured by the Galaxy S II had a greenish and reddish hues at two different spots. The Optimus 2x returned an overall green tinge.

TEST 7: CLOSE SHOT, AT NIGHT WITH FLASH

HTC Incredible S captured lifelike image. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and LG Optimus 2x produced good images but the one from the Samsung Galaxy S 2 was over saturated, giving it an artificial feel. The image captured by the Nokia C7 was disappointing.

TEST 8: PORTRAIT IN DAYLIGHT

HTC Incredible S produced the most lifelike image with sharp edges, followed by the Nokia C7. Samsung Galaxy S II did an equally good job. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc ranked four whereas the results of the Optimus 2x had a green tinge and the image wasn't sharp at all.

VERDICT

No one camera was outstanding in all scenarios. But the Samsung GalaxySII overall managed the best and we rated it the winner as the best cameraphone. The Nokia C7 and Sony Ericsson scored equal points, but Nokia edged ahead due to price advantage. HTC Incredible S also fared well, but the LGOptimus2x was disappointing.

Warriors SAMSUNG GALAXY SII (Price: Rs 30,000) 8MP; LED Flash: on, off, auto. Focus: Auto, macro, face detection; Scene mode: None, portrait, landscape, sports, sunset, night, party/indoor, beach/snow, dawn, fall colour, firework, text, candle light, backlight. Shot mode: single, smile, beauty, panorama, action, cartoon. Image Stabilisation; No dedicated camera key, 4.3-inch display. SAMSUNG GALAXY SII (Price: Rs 30,000) 8MP; LED Flash: on, off, auto. Focus: Auto, macro, face detection; Scene mode: None, portrait, landscape, sports, sunset, night, party/indoor, beach/snow, dawn, fall colour, firework, text, candle light, backlight. Shot mode: single, smile, beauty, panorama, action, cartoon. Image Stabilisation; No dedicated camera key, 4.3-inch display. LG OPTIMUS 2X (Price: Rs 25,499) 8MP; LED flash: on, off, auto, red eye reduction; Focus: auto, macro, face tracking, manual. Scene mode: auto, portrait, landscape, sports, sunset, night. Shot mode: continuous, out focusing, smile, art, beauty, panorama stitch. Image stabilisation; no dedicated camera key; 4-inch display. NOKIA C7 (Rs 17,999 ) 8MP; LED flash: on, off, auto, red eye reduction. Fixed focus; Scene mode: auto, manual, portrait, landscape, night; night portrait. Dedicated camera key; 3.5-inch display. HTC INCREDIBLE S (Rs 26,399) 8MP; Dual LED flash: on, off, auto. Focus: auto, face detection, touch; Auto enhance; No dedicated camera key; 4-inch display.