Help: Best all round camera phone

[wattoh]

My main requirement is a good competent camera on my phone (and good internet browsing). The LG Renoir has rave reviews EXCEPT the camera flash appears to be poor.

Can you recommend another good Orange phone which might not be the best at outdoor shots but is not bad at indoor shots - a good all-rounder, in other words.

I have a Sony Ericsson P990i and its 2MP camera produces some great photos even blown up on a computer monitor, so I do not need 'maximum MPs'!

I also use my phone for internet browsing, so any thoughts on that in conjunction with the camera facility will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[mo]

Hi wattoh,

the Sony Ericsson C905 seems to be the handset to beat in terms of Camera... I hear it's the first camera phone to really give you a reason to leave your compact camera at home on holiday.

You can read our review of all the 8MP camera's here
and the best 8MP Camera phone is… - Mobile Fun

also their is a quick guide between the 8MP camera phones here:

8 Megapixel Comparison - Mobile Fun


Let us know how you get on.

[wattoh]

Thanks Mo.

Can you also tell me what in your view is the best Orange phone for internet browsing? My SE P990i had Symbian OS and Opera browser, and the internet connection was really good (and I live in the Cotswolds where one is lucky to get any mobile receoption at all). Should I try and ensure my new phone has Symbian/Opera? Can I download either Opera Mini or Opera Mobile on to the KC910 Renoir? Thanks!

[andys_mf]

Hi wattoh,

As far as I know the renoir is a flash based user interface, so that means you can't install additional programs. If you're looking to use Opera, then you're going to need to look for a phone with a UI that you can play around with -

Symbian 60 found on most Nokia N-Series devices and some Samsung,
Symbian UIQ - this is what you've got now on your P990, but its going the same way as the dinosaur, so support will be limited in the future and apps will stop being developed for it. Sony dropped it last month in favour of windows.
Windows Mobile 6.1 - this is on all HTC devices, Sony Ericsson X1, Samsung Omnia and a few others. If you're a windows fan you'll get on fine with it, most phones have a touch interface that sits on top of it to make it simpler to use.

Personally, If you're looking for a good phone for internet and Camera - I'd probably lean towards the samsung Omnia, especially if the Renoir is one you've looked at. The omnia is a more solid phone, more memory 5mp camera and has thousands of applications you can install to it.

My sister lives in the cotswolds and shes finding her work phone (vodafone) finds a stronger signal than her personal one on orange, so if you're due to upgrade, it might pay to shop around and change network?

Vodafone Coverage Viewer

[wattoh]

Many thanks for that advice, andy. I think I will try my first Windows Mobile phone.

Orange told me a couple of weeks ago that they had had software problems with the Samsung Omnia and that when their supply ran out they were going to drop it. Sure enough, this morning I see it does not feature in the Orange Shop on the web.

I think I might try the HD Touch, though I will be compromising on the camera. A 5MP camera with no flash!?!?!?

[andys_mf]

i have a feeling that who ever told you that at orange might have been feeding you a line!

The omnia is one of the most popular phones in the UK at the moment, so I doubt very much orange would drop it, they might just be having a moment while they sort out software bugs?

Touch HD looks good, screen is awesome, but like you say the camera's not as good. HTC aren't really chasing the camera market which is why its not as strong as others.

Might be worth having a word with carphone warehouse about your upgrade - they normally sell generic versions of handsets on orange - these won't have the buggy orange software, or be branded orange so should work absolutely fine.

[wattoh]

Many thanks for more sound advice, Andy!