Camera phones now satisfy 95% of camera user's needs

MWC 2009: Will they soon replace cameras for good?

18 February 2009 16:01 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Camera phones are on the tipping point of replacing the digital camera for good according to lens maker Carl Zeiss.

The claim is likely to scare companies like Canon and Nikon, as Mobile World Congress in Barcelona saw a bevy of new camera phones launched by Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG and Nokia.

Talking at the launch of the new 8-megapixel N86, a spokesman told Pocket-lint that its latest lens would satisfy a whopping 95% of the average consumer's needs when it comes to digital photography.

However while the resolution and imaging technology as improved vastly over the last 10 years, the company acknowledges the fight isn't over yet.

"As phones catch up with the image quality camera makers are having to introduce more features like face detection and anti blink features", the company man told us before acknowledging that the biggest challenge was "zoom".

It's not all bad news for camera companies however, HTC is happy for them to co-exist, with the company's CEO Peter Chou defending the lack of flash on the new HTC Magic with the line: "We aren't trying to replace your professional camera".

Full tags

Cameras, Phones, Carl Zeiss, MWC2009