Cameras on cell phones are standard on almost all models now.
But according to the latest edition of Consumer Reports magazine and an array of Web sites that address camera phone use, there are things you need to know about how these cameras work to ensure you get the best pictures possible.
Even though newer camera phones offer 1- to 5-megapixel resolution, they’re still not as good as the point-and-shoot cameras. They still have slower shutter speeds (meaning greater delays), and their flashes have a much shorter range than stand-alone digital c ameras.
For these cameras, photo quality is best when taking stationary subjects in well-lit areas against uncluttered backgrounds.
But if you can’t pass up a photo moment in a dark restaurant, for instance, steady the camera using both hands or a tabletop for support. Keep subjects within two to three feet (but not too close or you get a fish-eye effect or blurriness). Because of the slow shutter speeds, your subjects must remain still.
Among other suggestions from digital-photography-school.com:
* Wait to edit your photos on your computer rather than using the camera phone’s built-in editing buttons. You’ll get better quality images.
* Don’t throw away mistakes. If they don’t look good on your phone, you may be able to save them while editing them on your computer.
* Avoid using the digital zoom. The zoom lenses on phone cameras still fall short of the quality of standard digital cameras. However, the new “optical zooms” are better – as long as they don’t enlarge your subject by enlarging pixels.
* Experiment with white balance. An increasing number of camera phones come with adjustable white balance that allows you to modify color balance based on shooting conditions.
* Practice, practice, practice. That’s the beauty of digital photography.
* Keep your lens clean. This includes fingerprints, which are a common problem on phones. Regularly clean the lens using a soft cloth, such as sunglass-cleaning cloths.
Fortunately, improvements in phone camera technology are on the way.
Three new phones that Consumer Reports just tested expand the camera’s range: the 3.2-megapixel Samsung SCH-A990 ($270 with two-year Verizon contract); the 3.2-megapixel Sony Ericsson K790 ($400) and 5-megapixel Nokia N95 ($750).
These models have better lenses, autofocus and color balance settings for fluorescent lighting and overcast days.
Preliminary image-quality tests by Consumer Reports showed that they yield better pictures under a wide range of conditions than other cell phones tested. But they still fall short in sharpness and other features when compared with a regular digital camera.
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