Camera phones to break the 6 megapixel barrier

Camera phone is showing no signs of slowing down with an LG Electronics' spokesman confirming to Telecoms Korea that "LG is considering the development of 6 or 7 megapixel camera phone with Japanese companies including Canon."

The acceleration of camera imaging in smart phones has rapidly outpaced digital cameras. While it has taken almost six years to achieve a 6 megapixel digital camera, the 5 megapixel barrier was breached on phones in Oct 2004 by the Samsung SCH-S250. LG expect the 6 to 7 megapixel camera phone to launch in the first half of 2005.

While the resolution of these hi-megapixel camera phones will be comparable to pocket sized or SLR style digital, the overall features and image quality will most likely not stack-up due to size and memory requirements. Indeed, professional quality 7 megapixel resolution could see rapid consumer take up of camera phones and the subsequent deflation of the digital camera market.

Telecoms Korea also reports that the sale of 3-megapixel phones have gone up to 41,900 units in Korea between August to October, 2004.