Camera

For all the phone's swanky looks, it rises only to mediocrity in the camera department. Not only is the 1.3-megapixel camera hardly cutting-edge, but it also lacks a flash. Needless to say, serious digital photographers will have to look elsewhere for their photography needs, but those who use their phone camera for fun (or not at all) shouldn't have a problem.

The camera offers four standard resolutions: 160 x 120 px, 320 x 240 px, 640 x 480 px, and 1280 x 1024 px. Brightness and White Balance may be adjusted to optimize each shot. A zoom and self-timer also add to the phone's efficiency. Photos may also be shot using the external screen for self-portraits.

While the lack of a flash and a more advanced lens detract from photo quality, the phone still manages to succeed where it comes to fun. For those who often bemoan the lack of a phone that can quack like a duck upon snapping a photo, the KRZR's camera steps up to the plate with four shutter sounds: the practical Silent and Shutter, as well as Quack and Boing. The Color Effects, while few, hit up the standards of Antique, Black & White, and Negative. Multishot takes five quick-fire rapid-shot photos in a row, allowing users to play photojournalist or paparazzi. And, for that finishing touch, users may choose one of ten frames to superimpose over the images unsuspecting friends. Although the KRZR's camera is hardly state-of-the-art, it does offer most of the standard features when it comes to fun times.

For all the drawbacks of KRZR's camera, it does offer video recording, a staple of all high-end phones. Offering similar Brightness, White Balance, and Color Effects to the still camera, the video camera shoots in four durations: Short, Medium, and Long, in addition to an option that automatically shoots a video that will fit in a video message. Users may also edit videos with a Trim tool.

With a 1.3-megapixel lens and no flash, the KRZR K1m's camera only manages to slip it at the average mark. It offers the standard tools to allow for a fun photography experience, but lacks the means to impress serious photographers. The standard tools combined with the video recording capabilities are sufficient to prop the camera up as one suitable for a high-end phone, but only just barely.

< Prev Next >

This article is Copyright 2002-2008 Mobiledia Corp. and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from Mobiledia. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact us.