LG commits to making 12MP cameraphone
updated 09:55 am EST, Fri February 20, 2009
LG 12MP Cameraphone Coming
LG at Mobile World Congress said it plans to release a phone with a 12-megapixel camera. While not detailing the device, UK marketing chief Jeremy Newing says LG is "very much" set to introduce a device and will likely have the phone available sometime this year. He portrays the effort as part of a larger race for sensor depth that LG has to pursue if it wants to remain competitive with rivals, even if it creates problems with uploading photos over the mobile network.
"it's the same [as] when you're buying a car," Newing says. "If you've got two equal cars then you'll obviously go for the one with the bigger engine."
The official also hints that LG is likely venturing into true optical zoom as well as improved lenses, saying that both of these are "important" without getting into the company's plans. More near-term improvements should include software-driven features like a "beauty enhancer" and smile detection.
Competition among phones with cameras greater than 8 megapixels is small and so far limited to the Sony Ericsson Idou, a touchscreen phone that won't ship until the second half of 2009.
