Cameraphone
Camera phones are a type of cellphone which has a camera built in. The world's first camera phone was the J-SH04 made by Sharp Corporation and went on sale in Japan in November 2000. The cameras typically use CCD sensors. There are also CMOS type cameras. Major manufacturers include Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sharp Corporation, Siemens and Sony Ericsson. As of 2004, the resolution in Japan is typically in the megapixel range such as 2 megapixels, in Europe 0.3 megapixels is most common. In 2004, 60% percent of mobile phones in Japan have built-in cameras, and this is expected to rise to 100% in 2005.
As a network-connected device, megapixel camera phones are starting to play significant roles such as crime prevention, journalism and business applications as well as individual uses. On the other hand, they are prone to abuse such as voyeurism and invasion of privacy.
Some organizations and places have started to ban camera phones because of the privacy issues they raise. Such places would include The Pentagon or local fitness clubs.
The best cameraphones are videophones, this is, can transmit videocalls.
See also
