Camera

The Rapture's 2.0-megapixel camera captures good-quality photos and video for sharing with friends. Compared to high-end phones, the Rapture's camera isn't the biggest or brightest. Recently-released smartphones such as the LG Dare sport a 3.2-megapixel lens. And without a flash, photos taken on the handset in low-light situations look grainy at best.

Another point against the Rapture's camera is that it's located the back of the phone with no mirror, making self-portraits difficult. Right-handed people, take note: Because the lens and the option key are on the same corner of the phone, it's easy to block the lens while setting up the shot. For quick, decent shots to send to friends, the Rapture's camera is sufficient.

The camera is activated by pressing the icon on the bottom right of the outside screen. It will vibrate as it turns on. Now, a new camera icon on the top left corner of the screen toggles the camera between portrait and landscape view. Magnification icons in the bottom corners zoom the lens in or out. Once the shot is framed, just click the shutter button on the right side of the phone. The VU30 saves your photo automatically.

For more studied photos that require size options or photo effects, or to activate the video camera, you'll need to open the clamshell. To get into camera mode, just click the dedicated camera key on the phone's right spine. For video, hold the camera key down for a few seconds.

In camera mode, icons in the viewfinder indicate the camera's zoom, resolution, and landscape or portrait mode. Soft keys on the top of the keyboard provide quick access to saved photos, the shutter and the options menu. To change from portrait to landscape, hit the top of the top of the directional wheel on the keypad. Likewise, the keys on the right or left side of the wheel zoom in or out. There are two options for snapping a photo: either click the center of the directional key or the camera key on the side of the phone. The photo shows up on the viewer and the soft keys give you the option of sending, saving or erasing the photo.

The camera takes pictures in five different resolutions: 1200 x 1600 px, 960 x 1280 px, 480 x 640 px, 240 x 320 px, and Picture ID. Other options include a Self-Timer with three choices up to 10 seconds; Brightness, White Balance, four different Shutter Sounds (including Silent), Color Effects, and an array of goofy Fun Frames.

The camcorder also offers Landscape or Portrait modes. When in either mode, a quick way to switch between them is to hit the top of the directional key. Icons at the bottom of the video screen indicate recording time, zoom and resolution size. Video options include Brightness, Color Effects, and "Normal" (phone upright) or "Full Screen" (phone sideways). The Rapture shoots video in two resolutions: 176 x 144 px or 320 x 240 px. High-resolution video limits the video duration options to "Short" (10 seconds) and "Medium" (15 seconds). In low-resolution mode, videos can be shot to fit to a multimedia message (approximately 40 seconds) or as long as memory permits.

< Prev Next >

This article is Copyright 2002-2009 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.