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While the filters and functions are impressive, in the mobile industry, the Katana's VGA camera is outdated.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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