Camera
Pressing either the front or side Camera Key activates the built-in VGA
(0.3-megapixel) camera. Able to take photos at 640 x 480 px in size, users
can store approximately 50 images in JPG file format (each about 40 KB).
Users can lower resolution to 320 x 240 px or 160 x 120 px. Additionally
consumers can adjust Quality Settings for Fine, Normal, or Economy.
The directional keypad adjust the Digital Zoom (8 step) as well as the
Brightness Level (-2 to +2) when in Manual Mode (as opposed to Automatic
Mode). Zoom is unavailable during VGA resolution, only accessible when stepped
down.
The Katana comes bundled with a great complete set of image correction
features and filters including Picture Mode (Normal, Beach / Snow, Scenery,
Night / Dark, and Soft Focus), Self-Timer (Off, 5 Sec, and 10 Sec), Color
Tones (Normal, Orange, Blue, Green, Purple, Sepia, Black and White, and
Aqua Blue), Fun Frames (10 Frames), Brightness (Auto, and Manual), White
Balance (Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, and Manual), and Shutter
Sound (Default, Say "Cheese," and Off). Unfortunately Flash is missing, so
users will need to take special care during low light conditions.
Additionally Fun Tools such as Multiple Shots and Stitch Shot allow consumers
to take 3 photos sequentially and "stitch" together several images for a
larger panoramic view. Consumers can do simple photo editing directly on
the Katana as well, such as overlaying Color Tone, adding Fun Stamps, or
Rotating.
While the filters and functions are impressive, in the mobile industry,
the Katana's VGA camera is outdated. With many high-end devices breaking
the 3.0-megapixel barrier, camera phones are beginning to look less like
communication devices and more like digital cameras of yesteryear. Lacking
the ability to store high resolution photos or recording video clips, the
Katana's images are too low in resolution to make accurate prints, instead
best used for cell phone wallpapers or multimedia attachments.
Basic Features
The Sanyo Katana runs on Sprint's AMPS (800 MHz) and CDMA (800 / 1900
MHz) network, allowing users to connect with both analog and digital towers
nearby. Digital networks offer superior clarity, but lacks the range of
analog technology. By supporting both standards, the Katana gets the best
of both for outstanding reception in urban and rural locations alike.
Basic features on the Katana include Airplane Mode for operation where
radio frequency may be a disruption, TTY support for the hearing impaired,
and English and Spanish language support. Also convenient phone numbers
to Customer Service, Directory Assistance, Account Information, and Sprint
Operator are stored in the Phone Book.
Rating the 820 mAh Li-Ion battery at 3.6 hours and 7.0 days (168 hours)
of talk and standby times, actual times will be slightly less. However,
these times are under optimal conditions. Handset manufacturers and carriers
often list talk and standby time ratings with disclaimers about variable
performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times.
Actual times will vary.
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