Compacts, start worrying: it's the first optical-zoom mobile
Five megapixels is the current industry standard for serious camera-phones, and that’s exactly what’s been stuffed into the G800. Better yet, it’s also got autofocus and a proper flash. Then, not so much providing icing on top as tipping caviare and large-denomination banknotes over the gateau, is the first ever 3x optical zoom on a cam-phone.


Lights, camera, action
The G800 has the feel of a compact camera. Features easily rival a basic compact, with exposure tweaks, face detection and scene modes. You hold it horizontally, using your index finger to hit the shutter, and, at 19mm deep, it’s closer in size to a snapper than a mobile. It’s heavy, too, but it’s more of a reassuring weightiness than a burden.

Less reassuring is the position of the zoom control, which you have to stretch for, and the fact that the shutter’s slow, and jumps around like Gabby Logan on acid. That means that while pictures have good colors and heaps of detail, they’re also prone to blur. The xenon flash, like the ones on Sony Ericsson’s cam-phones, is excellent for close-ups, but struggles with wide open spaces.

With a radio, decent music player, picture blogging, HSDPA, a document viewer and secondary camera for video calling, this is packed with tings, and generally a pleasure to use. A faster shutter would be a huge improvement,  but that aside, it’s a tasty splicing of camera and mobile DNA.


Samsung G800

LOVE 3x optical zoom. Excellent screen.
Hate Bad shutter lag. A chunky fella, too.

4 stars
WE say A big leap forward for cam-phones, but don’t chuck your camera out just yet…
Screen 2.4 inches, 320x240
Connectivity HSDPA. Bluetooth
Camera Five-megapixel
Storage Mini SD
3G battery 3.4hrs talk/220hrs standby
Size/weight 102x52x19mm/129g