5-megapixel camera-phones roundup

Could it be only four years back that we ogled like cavemen at phones sporting VGA camera sensors? Thanks to miniaturization and improving lenses, it no longer surprises us when yet another vendor unveils a 5-megapixel handset, complete with autofocus and an onboard Xenon flash. They may not be ready to replace point-and-shoot digicams yet, but that time could be closer than you think. From the Sony Ericsson K850i with its dedicated camera buttons to Samsung's 5-megapixel SGH-G800's built-in optical zoom, to Nokia's N95 with Carl Zeiss optics, these high-res shooters up the ante considerably.

	1.	Nokia N95 (8GB)          CNET Asia rating: 8.2 out of 10 The good: Sleeker shade of black; better build quality; 128MB of RAM which is twice the amount compared with the earlier N95; 8GB built-in memory; larger capacity battery. The bad: No expansion card slot; no lens cover on camera. The bottom line: The N95 (8GB) is a great successor to the original N95 with most of the earlier issues addressed, making it one of the best and feature-packed smart phones available now. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	LG Viewty KU990   CNET Asia rating: 8.2 out of 10 The good: Touchscreen interface; 5-megapixel camera; HSDPA (3.5G); ability to upload videos straight to YouTube. The bad: Lack of cover for the camera; lack of Wi-Fi; camera mode switch is a little tough to move. The bottom line: This is one of LG's best phones yet. If you're looking for a good camera-phone, the LG Viewty is definitely worth checking out. From the vibrating touchscreen interface to the YouTube video capabilities and photo-editing app, we liked what it has to offer and think you will, too. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	Samsung SGH-G800   CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: 5-megapixel camera with autofocus; 3x optical zoom and face detection; HSDPA. The bad: Lack of Wi-Fi; Xenon flash isn't as bright as we expected. The bottom line: This chunky mobile snapper is an attractive slider phone that, although large, is easy to hold and use. The G800's camera comes with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a standalone digital camera, but it's not a complete replacement just yet. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	Samsung SGH-G600   CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: 5-megapixel camera; slim design. The bad: Lack of 3G; lack of Xenon flash on the camera. The bottom line: Samsung is consistently pushing the boundaries when it comes to cramming the features into a slim device and the G600 is a testament to its engineering capabilities. It's definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a good camera-phone. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	Samsung Soul   CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: Classy design with solid build quality; excellent keypad; decent set of camera features; 3G with HSDPA; Bluetooth with A2DP; FM radio; microSD expansion card slot. The bad: Uses LED instead of Xenon flash; screen legibility suffers under direct sunlight; character limit in subject field when creating calendar appointments; below average battery life; sluggish picture browsing on the phone. The bottom line: The Samsung Soul doesn't do everything; there's no Wi-Fi or GPS for starters. But for everything else, there's plenty enough to enjoy. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	6.	Sony Ericsson K850i Cyber-shot       CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: Dedicated camera controls; microSD and Memory Stick Micro compatibility; Xenon flash and LED light; Bluetooth stereo; HSDPA connectivity. The bad: Glossy surface attracts fingerprints; tiny buttons may not appeal to some. The bottom line: The K850i Cyber-shot is one of the best camera-phones available in the market right now, thanks to its dedicated controls, good performance and natural-looking images. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	7.	Nokia N95       CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: HSDPA; Wi-Fi; onboard GPS; 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens; 3.5mm audio jack; mini-USB connector. The bad: Build quality doesn't justify the premium price; poor battery life; sluggish performance when multiple applications are running; premium price. The bottom line: There's no doubt that the Nokia N95 is one of the most full-featured smart phones available right now, but its poor battery life could very well be its Achilles' heel. Review | See full specs | Rate this