A guide to the Best camera phones available so far in 2012

Camera functionality is a strong selling point when it comes to choosing a new handset, but many camera phones in the past have been a little basic – victims of poor shutter speed, low resolution, and the lack of a flash. In 2012, however, there’s no need to expect anything less than a speedy snap, megapixels coming out of your ears, and a flash beam so bright you could use it to signal for Batman.

The other advantage of a top camera phone over the humble camera is the ability to instantly edit and share your images. Run them through your favourite app before pinging them off to space and back via text message, or uploading them online. No wonder poor old Mr Kodak has been having a tough time of late.

If you’re spoilt for choice, or bamboozled by technical jargon, then allow us to walk you through our pick of the five best camera phones that 2012 has to offer.

1 – iPhone 4S

Is there anything the mighty Apple can’t do? If there is, failing to make a top camera phone isn’t one of them. If it wasn’t enough that the iPod leads the mp3 market and the iPad is the flagship of the tablet market, the 4S has also managed to offer one of the best camera phones available in 2012. The resolution is top notch, with a 1080p video function for recording your home movies in HD, and an 8.0 megapixel camera.

However, it’s not all about how mega your pixels are. Unless you want to blow your pictures up to the size of a cow, you’ll also want to consider a few other things. When you look at this example snap, you’ll notice the vivid colours the 4S manages to capture. Also, the fast shutter speed offers good sharp images that are so crisp you could put them in your ham sandwich.
Image source: Gizmodo

2 –Samsung Galaxy S2

Hot on the heels of the iPhone 4S in our rundown of top camera phones is the Galaxy S2. Similar to the 4S, Samsung’s best camera phone offers 8.0 megapixels and 1080p HD video. Also, as with the 4S, you have a front facing camera for all your video-phoning needs. Once again, there’s lots of nice detail and colour, with additional fun and practical features such as the Smile Shutter Mode. This function is available on a few Samsung and Sony handsets but it’s certainly worth mentioning.

Simply strike a cheesy grin, and the face recognition software takes the pic as soon as it notices a smile. This is great news for anyone who’s used to standing there like a numpty with aching cheeks waiting for someone to take the photo.
Image source: Techradar

3 –Nokia Lumia 800

Our next top camera phone is the Nokia Lumia 800, which comes with the standard 8.0 pixels of meganess, and a slightly-lower-but-still-awesome 720p video function. What elevates the Lumia to number 3 in our list of best camera phones is the incredible sharpness of the photos on offer. The Lumia may be slightly behind in the HD video stakes, but it really shines when it comes to stills. While the colours may not be as vivid as the previous two, the definition is certainly noticeable.

The other great thing about the Lumia is Nokia’s commitment to providing a straightforward user experience. The Windows Phone 7 OS makes taking and viewing snaps an unfussy and uncomplicated procedure. It’s perfect for someone new to smartphones, who wants a simple to use handset, as well as a top camera phone.
Image source: Geeky Gadgets

4 – Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S

Another top camera phone is the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S. It may be slightly behind in terms of image quality, but like the Nokia is noticeable for great usability. That’s not to say this top camera phone is without merit – the 8.0 megapixel camera is super quick when focusing on its subject, and also has a good shutter speed which captures images quickly without too much blur. Android handsets such as the Xperia really shine when it comes to the wealth of apps available in the Android Market, in particular we recommend the Retro Camera app which is so good it was featured in our recent New Year’s blog.
Image source: GSM Arena

5- HTC Incredible S

Here is the final handset in our rundown of the best handsets of 2012, complete with 8.0 megapixel camera and 720P video resolution. The Incredible S has a great selection of settings within the camera function, with a number of sliding dials allowing you to instantly alter the exposure, contrast, and saturation of the shot.

The Incredible S also offers tap autofocus which allows you to make any point on the screen the focus of the photo. The quality of the snaps show a solid effort in the face of its tough competition, making this the camera phone also worthy of entrance in our list.
Image source: Cellsea

So, if you’re shopping for the best camera phones e2save has to offer, these are our pick of the crop. Happy snapping.