Integrated Cameras?

[Janak Parekh]

<a href="http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article5.asp?datePublish=2003/02/13&pages=09&seq=51">This article</a> reports that Japan will soon have 1 megapixel cameras integrated into cell phones; presumably, the rest of the world will follow shortly after that. We also recently reported on the Clie NZ90, which has an integrated 2 megapixel camera with flash.<br /><br />This brings up an interesting poll idea. Do you want integrated cameras in your handheld (e.g., PDA or cell phone) devices? I recently bought a <a href="http://www.casio.com/exilim">Casio Exilim</a> and have been very happy with its diminuitive size, and I'm not sure if I would prefer a converged solution. How about you?<br /><br />(As always, if you don't want to vote but want to see the results, hit the Discuss link.)

[GoldKey]

I would like this feature, but not to replace my digital camera only as a suplement, so 1-2 megapixel would probably suffice. I carry my PDA more places than I do my digital camera, but often wish I had both. If only the man purse would come into style :wink:

[bdegroodt]

Yeah, maybe as an additional item for a quick shot of something (Car accident, candid shot of something interesting, etc.) but not as a replacement for the camera as a whole. I'm a bit of a pixel snob now that the technology has come along. I can't imagine settling for a 1MP camera as a primary camera.

[vincentsiaw]

I prefer to have an integrated digital camera build into my PDA, BUT with flash built in aswell, like the new clie, otherwise, it will be useless in the dark.

[Rok]

Most people keep forgetting that while technology indeed improved markedly in the digital imaging sector, one area remained as it has been for past several years (more like a decade or three): optics. So what good will a 5 MP sensor be in a handheld when it will be fed by a tiny low resolution lens?

I agree with above posters: yes, as a supplement. 1 MP will suffice, given the optical limitations, thank you... And a 12 MP full-size SLR with appropriate glass as the real thing (plus perhaps a 4 MP compact with a sufficiently bright lens).

Regards,

Rok

[SLUG]

I see it being used for video conferencing in situations where a laptop would be to bulky, I say bring it on!

[ploeg]

I concur with this author: just what we need, a phone that lets us see our drunk friends, not just hear them.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2078240/

[Tom W.M.]

I think that camera integration is a bad thing. Why?
<BLOCKQUOTE>It adds size.
It adds weight.
It's (yet) another fragile spot to worry about scratching/snapping/maiming.
It takes over space that could be used for an expansion slot, port, or battery.
PDAs are just not good ergonomically for taking photos. To fix the problem the camera would have to be on the back, where it wouldn't last long.</BLOCKQUOTE>Also, since all current PDA screens are 16-bit, some pictures may not display right.
That said, I believe that cameras could be useful for videoconferencing wirelessly, and for email. Certainly a megapixel is overkill for this sort of thing.

[jlhorng]

How is the built-in camera playing an important part in year of 2010?

Go to (view video on the bottom right corner)

http://www.nttDoCoMo.com

to see why built in carmera is important in the future.

or go to

http://www.ithard.com/info_detail.asp?infoid=8420

I think these are two different version video. I especially like the 2nd one. It is touched at the end of the video.

[PapaSmurfDan]

If I could get a 1 megapixel camera intergrated into my Axim with no extra cost, I would love it. 1MP is just enough to become useful. And to tell you the truth, for 1MP inergrated cameras, there is no reason why it should cost more becasue most of the cost of that camera is the LCD/CF slot/Memory, not the sensor/lens. However, the trend for charging up the ying-yang for intergrated cameras is a practice needs to die first.

-Dan

[JMountford]

I like the idea of integrated camera. The thing is that I want it to serve a greater purpose if it is there.

GIVE ME VIDEO CONFERENCING TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cameras need flash and better quality other wise what's the point?

[bbell98]

Yeah, maybe as an additional item for a quick shot of something (Car accident, candid shot of something interesting, etc.) but not as a replacement for the camera as a whole. I'm a bit of a pixel snob now that the technology has come along. I can't imagine settling for a 1MP camera as a primary camera.

I couldn't agree more. It'd be okay to have, but I wouldn't pay extra for one.

For photography as a hobby, I'll stick to my 3.1MP Kodak. Not only will it be better quality, but it also feels like a camera!

-Bob

[Skoobouy]

Portable video conferencing - meh. I dunno, I just always thought there was more freedom in _not_ being seen while talking on the phone. I want to pick my nose, darnit, and nobody's going to stop me! :P

Seriously, though, what we need are better CompactFlash and SD camera add-ons, not built-in stuff. That gives everyone more freedom to choose the device they want, and to take the camera with them when they need it. I'm a big believer in IO slot expansion, since I've often got my Jornada and its 56k modem and Ethernet cards in tow. I know SDIO is still rare, but let us remember that there is hope for everyone provided somebody writes an SDIO driver for XScale machines.

I'm still a wireless luddite, so my next Pocket PC will excell in areas like expansion, display, speed, memory, and formfactor - and it definitely WON'T have a built-in camera, especially not when that same space would be better opened up as an expansion slot to which I could add one if need be.

[daS]

One thing people seem to be forgetting is security: A lot of businesses (not to mention Government facilities) do not allow cameras, but often do allow cell phones or PDAs. Having everything in one device can be problematic. Sure it would be nice for an occasional snapshot, but then a sub-megapixel camera would do. That’s especially true since, as others here have pointed out, the tiny plastic lenses are the limiting factor anyway. Still, the small Casio or Minolta cameras are great.

What’s missing is of course: Bluetooth! :D

[Janak Parekh]

What’s missing is of course: Bluetooth! :D
How about http://www.dynamism.com/fx77/, David?

Oh, and I was expecting you to comment in the Briefcase thread...

--janak

[daS]

What’s missing is of course: Bluetooth! :D
How about http://www.dynamism.com/fx77/, David?

Oh, and I was expecting you to comment in the Briefcase thread...

--janak

A sony??? :pukeface: Memory Stick?? :wink:

Sorry, I missed the "Briefcase thread" I guess I should search the boards.

[Janak Parekh]

A sony??? :pukeface: Memory Stick?? :wink:
Well, since you can transfer the pics via BT, the MS requirement is mitigated somewhat.

Sorry, I missed the "Briefcase thread" I guess I should search the boards.
It was pretty entertaining - I think I called it "Bluetooth-enabled Luggage". Talks about the Samsonites.

--janak

[daS]

A sony??? :pukeface: Memory Stick?? :wink:
Well, since you can transfer the pics via BT, the MS requirement is mitigated somewhat.
That's somewhat true, but I will still do my best to never buy anything with a memory stick or XD card! I refuse to support such efforts.
Sorry, I missed the "Briefcase thread" I guess I should search the boards.
It was pretty entertaining - I think I called it "Bluetooth-enabled Luggage". Talks about the Samsonites.
--janak
Now I saw it. Thanks for the heads up! I talked to Samsonite at CES, but they didn't tell me about the new cases. Of course, since it's only going to be released in Europe for now, perhaps that's why.

I will be going to CeBIT in Hannover next month (and then to CTIA/MS Mobility DevCon in New Orleans on the way back) so perhaps they will be there. Of course, I'll be keeping watch for anything Bluetooth. :wink:

[Timothy Rapson]

I have known that I wanted a camera with my PDA since I saw them added to the original Casio Windows CE models. I always thought I would need to have two slots, one for the camera and one for memory expansion/storage.

With my Clie NR, I have both. It is really nice. Far better than I ever expected to get last Summer. You can't imagine the convenience. For example, here in Decatur we had an odd snowfall/wind condition that resulted in natural snowballs all over the place. Formed all by themselves by the wind, some of them were bigger than baskteballs. Hundreds of them in a one block school playground.

I have a shot of them. I have it with me from the minute I saw them, along with shots I took the day I got the Clie, and 600 shots in between.

I would never get another PDA for myself without a camera. Wouldn't buy a cell phone without one. Try it. You'll like it like you never imagined.

[jimski]

Sure, go ahead and throw in a 1 MP camera on my next PPC. It's a nice feature to have with you all the time. But as I will probably only use it 8-10 times in the practical life (3 -6 months) of my next device just don't make me pay more than $10-$20 for the feature. That's all it's worth.

[ChuckyRose]

I can tell you that here in Japan, integrated cell phone cameras are Very popular and useful. Obviously some things are different - everyone's phone has a nice big color screen so it's very painless to send a picture instantly to some of your friends. You'll see people walking down the street holding up their cell-phones taking pictures of everything. It's so 'normal' here that the big thing is integrated video. Forget just a small picture, send them a 10-15 second video. If you're on anything other than the basic networks, go with the video conferencing. Right there, in the park. Or the subway. I have to admit, having a camera on your cell-phone is Very, very, very slick. Very, very, very nice to have. It's pretty much a fact of life here in Japan.

[RobertCF]

As miniaturization gets better and more things get integrated into a single hand held device, isn't amazing how once again Star Trek gadgets are becoming reality? I mean, we're fast approaching what would be analogous to a tricorder....