They're the first two mobile phones to be announced in the UK, that have 8 megapixel cameras. But which one is the better: the Sony Ericsson C905 or the Samsung i8510 INNOV8? These two big hitters amongst mobile phones are going to war!



Prelude to war - the history of Sony Ericsson and Samsung camera phones

Both Sony Ericsson and Samsung have made some really nice camera-equipped mobile phones in the past. From the Sony Ericsson camp, we've had heavyweights like the K750, the K800 and the K850, or, in other words, some truly innovative camera phones, particularly those that come under the heading of Sony Ericsson's Cyber-Shot range of mobile phones. But even before the Cyber-Shot name appeared on mobile phones, Sony Ericsson were already innovating. Heck, they were even the first people to bring a camera phone to the UK marketplace in the first place, with the P800. They certainly have a history of gluing cameras onto mobile phones. Samsung, meanwhile, started their history of camera phones after Sony Ericsson, but despite that, they've produced some rather nice examples of their own, with mobile phones like the G600 and G800 springing immediately to mind. In the past, though, you could reasonably argue that Sony Ericsson are better at camera-equipped mobile phones than Samsung.

However, with the unveiling of two new mobile phones, is that about to change?

Sony Ericsson C905 - are Sony Ericsson still king of the mountain?

The latest entry in the Cyber-Shot portfolio is the awesomely powerful Sony Ericsson C905, their first 8 megapixel camera phone, and the first Cyber-Shot phone with a slider design. From early test shots and prototypes, it's clear that even with the prototype software and hardware, the camera on this Sony Ericsson beastie is stunning. It produces photos of such stunning clarity, that it really beggars belief. Of course, on the production model, the quality will be even better, thanks to the Cyber-Shot innovations we can expect, like flash, autofocus, image stabiliser and so on. Out side of the camera, you also get the patented Sony Ericsson media suite, WiFi, GPS and HSDPA. Put simply, the Sony Ericsson C905 is a stunning mobile phone.

Samsung i8510 INNOV8 - pretender to the throne

However, the new Sony Ericsson C905 doesn't have things all its own way, as the Samsung i8510 INNOV8 is here to challenge it! And what a challenger it is, because as well as having 8 megapixels in its camera, and as well as packing all the features the Sony Ericsson handset has, this has the added advantage of falling to that distinct group of mobile phones known as 'smartphones'. So, it's powered by Symbian Series 60, which means it's substantially more powerful than the Sony Ericsson offering, and you'll be able to add on loads of software over and above what comes with the phone. Bear in mind I'm a Sony Ericsson addict, so saying this breaks my heart, but... well... the Samsung i8510 INNOV8 looks as though it's going to win this battle!