Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 17 June 2008 16:25
Opinion and Analysis
Page 2 of 3
Well, it’s another dreaded “optional accessory”, rather than being standard in-the-box, but the optional “Camera Phone Kit IPK-100” gives you a “protective case, tripod and belt clip”.
What caught my eye here most of all is the tripod, something very useful when you’re talking about a camera and/or video camera. So thumbs up for that.
There’s Wi-Fi, which can only presume is at least 802.11 b/g compatible, for once again the specs don’t specify which standards it works to, and its DLNA compatible, which means it can wireless network to other DLNA compatible devices in your home, like suitably equipped Sony TVs.
The GPS (and AGPS) means you can geo-tag your photos or do navigation, although there’s no word on whether any mapping ‘turn-by-turn’ nagivation software is included.
The Cyber-shot camera does have some standout features, however. There’s face detect – so the camera focuses on faces and makes sure they come out bright and clear, as well as “smart contrast” and an image stabiliser.
SE also has bundled its “BestPic” technology once more – a fabulous addition that starts taking photos as you are pressing down upon the camera shutter, then letting you choose from four photos as you pressed the button, the photo itself, and four photos as the shutter button is lifted.
This way you’re practically guaranteed to find at least one great photo. Choose one, choose several or keep them all – why don’t all cameras offer this feature, or at least give you the choice of using it if you want to?
In addition, the Cyber-Shot camera software feels like it does on real Sony Cyber-shot cameras, as it has on SE Cyber-shot camera phones for a while now.
The C905 comes with a 2GB Memory Stick Micro M2 card in-the-box, but there’s no word on whether larger M2 cards are supported.
Only 160MB of memory is on-board, vastly eclipsed by the 16GB the Nokia N96 will offer as standard, and SE really does need to lift its game here, offering far more on-board memory as standard.
Due in Q4 2008, the C905 will come in three colours: Night Black, Ice Silver and Copper Gold. There will be three configurations, the best of which is the C905a.
This particular model offers GSM/GPRS/EDGE at 850/900/1800/1900MHz frequencies, and UMTS/HSDPA at 850/1900/2100 frequencies.
The C905 omits UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900, while the C905c omits UMTS/HSDPA altogether.
And while some blogs have mentioned the C905 will feature HSUPA for fast uploads, the specs so far make no mention of that at all.
Please read on to page 3!
