W810i or S710a?

I created an account here solely for an answer to my plight. You see, I went overboard the other night and ordered an unlocked w600i, not knowing that its camera quality was merely average for a luscious 1.3 megapixel cameraphone. I will now make it a b-day gift for my sister...

Anywho, I read deeper into the S710a, the predecessor to the w600i which clearly had a superior camera (I really like the sample pics it took). Also, the w800i has a nifty 2 megapixel camera and the quality is good on it as well. Hell, both cameras have great quality compared to the blue-tinted photos from the w600i.

Question from me to you is, which one would suffice in picture quality? The advantage of the S710a is clearly its picture sharpness and color saturation, but the thing seems bulky (or what I hear from people). The W810i is capable of taking higher resolution snapshots, but I hear of a wash out effect in particularly sunny areas. Plus, the W810i is a sleek little gadget.

So, which cameraphone would you guys think has better QUALITY, leaving megapixels aside. I'd love to see some comparison pictures, etc. as it will aid me in my endeavor to decide which phone to buy. Oh, I also heard the S710a's interface is really slow...

P.S. the Nokia 6682 looks really nice too and would like an opinion of that if possible (I doubt many people here have tried it).

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I don't know, I've been more privy to the picture quality of the S710a camera over newer SE models...even the 2.0MP Walkman phones. I've had the K750/W800, and they pretty much have the same camera used on the W810i. In my opinion, the S710a isn't that bulky...slightly bigger than the W600. If you're used to holding a pda- or smart phone, you don't really notice it. But it depends on the person.

Like you pointed out, the UI on the S710a lags a bit. There is a 1.5s - 2s delay at times when cross navigating through menus. UI on the W810i, however, is quick. Plus it is a Walkman phone.

If you are seriously looking for picture quality, I'd push for the S710a. However, I'd go for the W810i because of its many features (more max memory, Walkman, and pretty much everything else it has to offer) in my opinion.

The 6682 actually takes good pictures. Most times better than that of the S710a. I was able to use 1 for over a month and really liked its features. I just didn't like the look of it because it looked a little feminine to me. In deciding a phone for right now between the SE's and the 6682, I'd push for the 6682 just because it uses Symbian technology and you can do so much with it.

If you'd wait a little longer, SE is coming out with the K790a. Based on it's Cyber-Shot line, it's 3.2MP. Also Nokia has the N80.

I only have pics from the S710, so it'd be pointless for comparison...don't really need them when you have a 7MP camera anyway. However, you can check out GSMArena. They did comparisons of picture quality between the phones that you asked for.

Hope that helps you.

I greatly value your response, Peryus. However, I won't go over $350 for an unlocked phone. Your response made me even more unsure of what I should go for. You said that you'd push for the s710a for picture quality, then say that 6682 takes better pictures than the s710a most of the time. I really don't think I'll be using a camera phone for more than its basic functions and to have a nice photo-taker handy.

Furthermore, I would really appreciate side by side pictures of objects taken with the s710a and 6682 along with user commentary (which phone had more realistic color, etc.) I would also like links to comparison pics from GSMArena as it is sorta tough to navigate the site.

Since you said that $350 is your max to spend for an unlocked phone, the W810i is scratched out then. Like you pointed out, the pictures on the 2MP SE are a bit washed out. So, in my opinion, for picture quality...

between the W810 & the S710 -> S710
between the S710 & the 6682 -> 6682

And here's a link for picture comparisons between the phones...

Sony Ericsson K750 camera review: Compared to the best - GSMArena.com

Anything else, check on the reviews.

Damn, the K750i is enticing, but research into it shows it doesn't support the 850Mhz band! Bah...the S700i has an odd kind of color scheme that stands out in half those examples while the K750i seems very modest.

K750i unlocked is $240 new as opposed to the same price for used S710As, so maybe if I switch provider here in the U.S. (away from Cingular), I can grab that phone. Which providers in U.S. support the tri-band frequencies?

900/1800 is used for overseas, not in the US.

In all honesty, if you're going to use the K750i here in the US, your reception is going to be spotty at best in most areas. The US mainly uses 850/1900Mhz. Even though T-Mobile uses 1900Mhz, it has roaming agreements with Cingular to use 850Mhz. So switching providers doesn't really help. Places like New York, you can get away with just 1900. But in other areas like in the North West, people are going to keep asking you to repeat yourself because you keep breaking up.

I had the K750 (flashed it to W800) before. It was a great phone that had so many features. But after all the luster, it wasn't helping when using it for its main function, being used as a phone. It became frustrating when I had to repeat myself, walking in different directions just trying to get a better signal. I traded it for the W600 when it 1st came out. I know, the picture quality isn't the same as that of the S710...but hey, it does its job as a phone (and other things). If you can squeeze a bit more money out of your budget, you can probably find a W810i for around $400 in eBay...if that's what you want to do.

Other than that, Cingular will be carrying the W810 in Q3. By that time, if you are eliglible for upgrade or in the process of renewing, you can get this phone at a discounted price.

What irks me is that Sony Ericsson is gonna blow over a K750i equivalent for America and focus on their 3.2 megapixel monster instead. Don't get me wrong; it's a great cameraphone. However, even though I'll have the money, I will absolutely not go over $350 for a phone. It's probably justified if I ditch this "gotta get a new phone now!" mentality and hold out till something like the k790i is within range.

Hopefully there's some good news soon.

P.S. I thought the "thumbs down" icon was actually a question mark at first.

EDIT: Excuse me, Peryus, did you mention that you had a K750i? I looked back at an earlier post of yours and you mentioned your K750/W800 and you still preferred the S710a to it (I presume). Plus, the comparison pointed out that all the images taken by a S700 were done using the auto filter. So, by tweaking the S710's image settings, can it actually look as good as the K750i's default pictures? Also, I'm sure that contrast and such can be retouched with software. The focus for me is to have high quality pictures.

Originally Posted by Sabin17

What irks me is that Sony Ericsson is gonna blow over a K750i equivalent for America and focus on their 3.2 megapixel monster instead. Don't get me wrong; it's a great cameraphone. However, even though I'll have the money, I will absolutely not go over $350 for a phone. It's probably justified if I ditch this "gotta get a new phone now!" mentality and hold out till something like the k790i is within range.

Hopefully there's some good news soon.

P.S. I thought the "thumbs down" icon was actually a question mark at first.

My sentiments exactly. I used to get a new phone every 2-3 weeks. Now I'm going to be patient and get either the K790 or the N80 a year after their launch dates.

Actually, the W810 is just like the K750...it has everything on it like the K750. It just also offers EDGE, 850Mhz, and a sleeker UI. But if you mean for looks like the K750, yeah currently there is no other SE phone that supports the 850Mhz which has thelooks of the K series. They came out with the K610 (nice phone), but still...

Have you ever considered the Samsung D807?

Can you point me to some sample pictures taken from it? I'm stoked that the W810i is $330 on eBay. Cutting it close, but a good offer nonetheless.

EDIT:

Picture of still life taken with S170a: http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewe...0&po=34,00.asp

Picture of still life taken with W800i: Camera Phone Test Image Gallery -

The W800i seemed to do fairly well in Nokia N90 vs. Sony Ericsson W800: Camera test - GSMArena.com

The LG VX9800 seems to have a good 1.3 megapixel camera, probably upping what a S710a can?

Try this...

Review: Sony Ericsson W810 (Phone Scoop)

Phonescoop & CNET also give excellent in-depth reviews on this phone.

It comes down to this: Sharpness. A Mobiledia review states that pictures on w810i came out blurry when some motion was used with the camera. I know I'm not the calmest person in the world when holding a camera, but if the s710a can take a decent shot with some movement as opposed to the w810i taking a sloppy shot with movement, then the s710a might get the nod.

For $100 more than the S710a, the W810i looks like it may be worth it (sleeker design, 512mb memory, other features, etc). Furthermore, if its camera is EXACTLY like the one used in the K750 comparison, I might as well get it. This is high noon for my decision so I need your say :P.

P.S. I'm very thankful for your comments, Peryus (as you're the only one doing so on a page with supposedly 150 people [AFK?] people viewing). Thanks.

I like the swivel form...it sets itself apart from all the slider and clamshell phones out there. Also, the look of the S710 is just awesome. The camera on it is great. But as pointed out earlier, it has a relatively slow UI when compared to other phones nowadays. I also forgot to mention that it takes a while for pictures to load that have high resolution while trying to view them on the phone...and I mean like 8-12s long when viewing each of them. Plus, its max memory is set at only 128MB. If you're going to use the player for MP3 playback, it becomes a pain when you have to switch from one card to another. The reception is good, but not as strong as you'd think. My SE T637 (which the S710 replaced) had a slightly stronger signal and had better reception. But if you can overlook these limitations, then definately go for the S710.

Here's my 2 cents on the W810i, though...I have a little experience with the phone because 3 of my friends have it, and I got to use it for a few days. It may be a bar phone, which some people think is boring, but it has so much stuff to offer. Currently the max storage for the phone is 1GB. The UI looks sick...black & sexy. You also have the Walkman quality. The picture quality isn't the best, but what other camera phone can compete with a digital...unless it might be the Sharp 10MP. It's best recommended that you use the camera for still pictures. The LED flash can also double up as a flashlight with a shortcut. Outside of the Walkman, it has a radio (I don't care if people think it's not important, it really helps when you are bored and you don't want to listen to MP3's or play games). Also, it has bluetooth 2.0, and you could be able to connect your phone to other BT-enabled devices at the same time (piconet connection). Anyway, there is just too much to list. I think that you would be pleased with the W810.

I'm guessing the 6682 is not an option anymore...

Picture quality...S710
Everything else...W810

With everything considered...overall, I'd go for the W810i instead of the S710a. That's my opinion, but the decision rests with you (sounds a bit Obi Wan corny-ish, but oh well LOL)

Anyway, if you are buying it from an authorized dealer in eBay, it will also include warranty. And if you don't like the W810i, you can always sell it because a lot of people want one, and then get the S710a.

vB Easy Archive - 1.3 mega pixel camera ratings

There's an interesting W600i/N6682/S710a camera quality topic.