Sony Ericsson's camera-phone range has revolutionised the market and consistently pushed the boundaries between mobile phones and standalone digital cameras. From the K750i's auto-focus capabilities to the K800i's xenon flash, Sony Ericsson has hit the nail on the head when it comes to giving users what they want.
Given its pedigree, it's no wonder that we had high expectations for the K800i's successor, the Sony Ericsson K810i. What would Sony Ericsson bring to the table this time round? And would this handset get closer to giving us the best of both camera and mobile worlds, or would it leave us yearning for more?
Design
The main differences between the K810i and its predecessor are aesthetic. It seems that Sony Ericsson has been affected by the new wave of shiny phones that line the shelves of high-street mobile phone stores and given the K810i a glossy front section. It's also added a rather interesting keypad that features small circular silver keys.
We were rather underwhelmed by the keys, which feel too small and too far apart, making texting less enjoyable than it could be. The navigation joystick also left us a little deflated, as it's rather awkward to press -- it doesn't stick out enough and in contrast to the keys on the keypad doesn't have enough space around it.
Other than that, it's still a candybar phone with a large colour screen, a keypad and a camera on the back. The new one is 5mm slimmer, though, due to a new and improved camera cover. This is set in between two ridges to stop it opening in your pocket, a problem many K800i users will be familiar with.
Features
There's no doubt that the camera on the K810i is good, as it has the same spec camera as the K800i. There's a 3.2-megapixel sensor, auto-focus and a xenon flash, which left us puzzled since we frankly expected a little bit more from the K800i's successor.
In terms of the camera's software, it's the same story -- you can shoot still pictures and video, adjust the white balance and picture quality and send your pictures to friends via MMS, email or blog them to a Blogger blog, which the K810i will automatically set up. All of which you can do on a K800i, too.
You can also shoot photos using BestPic mode, which lets you take nine photos in quick succession when you press the shutter button and then choose the one you want to keep. The only real difference in terms of camera software options is something called Photo Fix that automatically adjusts light balance, brightness and contrast.
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alvis_90 4 April 2010
Good: The design and the camera!
Bad: There is nothing i don't like about this phone!!
Comment: I fell in love with this phone the minute I saw it. I love the design and the fact that it looks a bit like a digital camera. For the past 3 years I haven't gone anywhere without this phone. The built in 3.2 mega-pixel camera has replaced my digital camera and has served its purpose well! I recommend this phone to anyone who loves taking photos and playing around with different photo options such as panorama or using frames etc. The video camera is also great however in comparison to the photo-quality not as great. Over the years I must admit that the video-quality has decreased but this is not so surprising as i have used it almost everyday.
cupcake87 4 August 2009
Good: texting, camera, layout
Bad: the buttons and the faults
Comment: Having had a SE walkman phone and loving it. . . fantastic phone! when it came time to upgrade i was reluctant to say the least but thought might as well. . . my bf had the SE K800i and while unwilling to copy his phone choice. . . was sold by the fact it was such an awesome phone . . good camera, good enough music player for me (camera is more important for me i rarely listen to my music on my phone) really really comfy buttons to use combine that with SE brilliant menu layout, your option to be able to change pretty much anything with regards to look layout and sound and i was convinced. . . however when i went too upgrade i got informed there was an upgrade to the K800i out . . . . thats all that needed to be said i was on it. .
Unfortunately somehow SE screwed up royally. . . they took an amazing phone . . did next to nothing other than change the outaide and add one minute feature and completly messed the phone up. . . .
The lack of new feaures didnt bother me too much it was free had all the essentials i wanted and didnt look identical to my bf's so no risk of muddling up. . the problems came when it started to go wrong. . .shocking as its predecessor is describe as indestructable by many people.
First the joy stick (not a huge suprise and not one i minded too much, as a phone used plenty during the day i accepted minor mechanical fault)
However, the freezing of the screen, the inablility to turn it back on when it had run out of charge until you had put a good 45 mins charge into it was annoying to say the least.
The time when it would receive no sinal at all only "emergency calls" grr repaired bt still highly inconvenent for a good two and a half weeks, the joystick then going repeatedly every few month. . (my bf uses his phone as much as me. . to and from texts etc and NEVER had to have his K800i repaired once! and he had it a good deal longer as well)
Combine all these faults with the sheer uncomfortableness of the buttons which is a total turnaround from the ultra confy buttons of its predecssor . . . . they took an awesome phone and made it suck. . . .a talent yes. . . but not a good one. . . . if your looking at this and liking the features go for a K800i . . . identical apart from look and "best pic" which i might add i NEVER used. . . identical expect for one thing. . . . the K800i is 10x less likely to ever give you a problem!
achilles_ds 11 July 2008
Good: clean looks
Bad: camera is unsharp compared to the older K7501i
Comment: phone looks very well finished but its a poor performerin many ways.sluggish...many keys are too small...
i bought it specially after my fantastic experience with the camera on the K750i. i think i just wasted my money on this piece of junk. even the software update form the service centre didnt help.thoroughly dissapointed!trying to get rid of it asap. SE wake up!!
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