Mobiles challenge digital cameras

Technofile: Technology companies are not very considerate to us downtrodden, gadget-laden technology journalists, writes Mike Butcher

One minute you think you are writing the definitive piece on the latest trends. The next, you are eating your words and scrambling to catch up.

Last week I was writing about some of the latest digital cameras on the market. The next thing I know, a mobile phone maker brings out some camera phones that could replace the old snappers in our pockets. It appears that Sony Ericsson, along with South Korea's Samsung and Finland's Nokia, is intent on virtually replacing the digital camera industry.

In fact, the clue here lies in the brand names. Sony and Ericsson long ago abandoned the idea that they could compete in the white-hot mobile handset market alone. So they joined forces to pool their knowledge.

Prior to this Sony made well-designed but odd little phones, while Ericsson made high-end expensive phones no one knew they needed. Their joint venture has created a range of cool, consumer-friendly phones and well-designed business handsets.

So it seemed logical to start using Sony's strength in cameras. Two new mobiles from Sony Ericsson will incorporate the same lens technology that Sony puts into its Cyber-shot range of digital cameras.

The K800 and K790 will carry the Cyber-shot brand, in a continuation of the strategy which has seen Sony Ericsson associate its successful W800 music phone with its iconic Walkman range of music players.

Both the K800 and K790 pack a 3.2 megapixel digital camera with autofocus, Xenon flash and Sony's BestPic technology.

They have a proper lens cover, shutter button, auto red-eye reduction and image stabilisation.

The phones also have video recording and playback, a music player supporting MP3/AAC, RDS FM radio, 16x digital zoom, memory stick micro slot and 3D gaming.

PictBridge technology means you can transfer pictures directly to a printer by using a USB cable.

All this is wrapped in a "black velvet" casing and, like the Model T Ford, it comes in any colour you like, as long as it's black.

BestPic is a new feature on a mobile phone. A user presses the shutter and the phone will take nine full-quality photographs - four pictures before and four pictures after the actual image you decided to capture. You then simply scroll through the images and save the one you like best. Not bad for those of us always seem to take pictures when people have their eyes shut.

The phones also have web browsing, news feeds, Google, e-mail, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

The K800 will work on both existing mobile networks and third-generation networks, where photo messaging is easier and faster.

It also features a second, front-mounted camera for video conferencing.

The K800 and K790 start shipping globally in April. Prices have not been announced yet but it is likely that they will cost about €400.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about these phones is the ability to post pictures to your Blogger.com account directly from the phone.

As digital cameras start to incorporate wireless access and mobile phones morph into full-blown cameras, viewing photographs on a website almost in real time will become more and more common.

Smile, you're on an online candid camera.