Test of the touch cameraphone Samsung SGH-M8800 : Player Pixon

Without wishing to make a comprehensive test of the new Samsung touch phone, the SGH-M8800 Player Pixon, it seemed interesting to share my first impressions on this small cameraphone after two weeks of use as a camera or video of booster.

The Samsung SGH-M8800 Player Pixon

For two years I used the Sony Ericsson K800i, a leading cameraphones equipped with an autofocus sensor photo of a resolution of 3 megapixels, and and that provided quite correct photographs. A phone also pleasant to use, self comfortable (thanks to its lithium polymer battery), but fishing in the resolution of videos (a ridiculous and unworkable format postage stamp), a navigation wap not really functional, and a “joystick” central somewhat fragile.

Why did I choose this cameraphone ?

I love to take photographs with my digital SLR, but its size does not allow me to win all the time with me. In the same way, I can not always m’encombrer a camcorder, and yet at times when I am with the children by example, I wish I could make small movies, and if possible quality.

So if I am seduced by the latest touch phone Samsung, the Player Pixon is precisely due to its photo features (autofocus sensor with 8 megapixels), and also its video resolution of 720×480 pixels, actually the higher resolution for a phone or a smartphone.

It was an opportunity to use my reward points, and after adding a small complement monetary and a renewal of subscription of 24 months (!), The command of Player Pixon was passed. In the aftermath and as usual, my mobile operator, Bouygues Telecom for the quote, propose to recycle my old phone. Telephone operators that offer to recover and recycle old phones is a very good initiative, as most of time these devices are too weak. Of course, there is always the possibility of retaining his old mobile or give it to a relative (or even to sell if the unit is in good condition). Continue to “make live” his old devices is probably the best recycling

Unpacking the box:

A nice box, which opens like a jewel box, leaving an impression of quality. The camera uh sorry… the phone, was supplied with three hulls black, blue or red (camera side only). Aesthetics, this phone has a good grip. Its width, due to the large size of the screen, could I suggest it would be awkward in the pocket of a pair of jeans that my previous Sony Ericsson K800i, a more traditional format yet. In fact, not at all! Samsung Player Pixon is rather thin, and goes very well in the pocket of trousers.

It is also located in the pedestrian box kit (kit of two parts, on which it is possible to connect a standard audio headset, because of a classic mini-jack), a travel charger space, a USB cable (for transferring content, save his repertoire, or even charge the phone), and a retractable pen, supposed to be hung by a cord at the base of the phone. This pen has proved impractical to use, and for me especially likely to strike quickly touch the screen when the phone is trimballé at the bottom of a trouser pocket or a bag. A small housing to insert the stylus in the body of the phone would have been much better. I prefer to keep it in my bag or my jacket a real stylus (Palm stylus or even an old Psion stylus will perfectly suit).

The touch screen:

The image itself is well mixed and of good quality. This is not a surprise given Samsung experience in terms of LCD. The touch screen also left me a good impression, and as long as you do not have too big fingers, you can even do without the stylus. The touch screen is obviously not as sensitive (also “sensual” some would say) than an iPhone, but the handling remains pleasant, thanks to a small vibration when back pressure on the screen. To enter text, an accelerometer can switch from a virtual keyboard like “phone” (upright) to a keyboard “qwerty” as soon as you tilt the phone horizontally. The qwerty keyboard is quite good, even without a stylus, and I found the text entry very comfortable.

However scrolling images or list of contacts through pressure on the touch screen is not very accurate and even at times slightly jerky. On this point we are far from the fluidity of an iPhone, although it is still acceptable. One feature lets you scroll through photos with the accelerometer: in addressing the phone to the right or left, on scrolls in one direction or the other photos. If the idea sounds good on paper (or the Flash demo of the website of Samsung), this function is simply not practical at all, it lacks fluidity and precision, and I much prefer the standard browsing…

Note that as the unit has just been put on the market, and I have not yet found a shell or protective screen adapted to the SGH-M8800 Player Pixon. However, the protection sheets touch screen that I actually use for my Palm T | X agree very well.

The Player Pixon, on camera side :

The manufacturers of these cameraphones are probably trying to approach the level of compact cameras, and even want to think in their advertisements that these devices will replace, among others a real camera. Besides the design of the Player Pixon, very successful, is very similar to that of a compact digital camera : it may even make believe that there is an optical zoom, but it is there only a decorative artifice. The autofocus lens itself seems similar to those we see on the other cameraphones. However, the lens of the SGH-M8800 is recovered with automatic cache, which protects the front lens when the camera is not used. A phone with generally destined for a jeans pocket or a purse, its camera lens is often subject to dirt or scratches. This automatic protection is therefore welcome.

Regarding the picture quality, however, be clear from the outset, despite its 8 mega pixels, so do not expect the quality of a bridge or a digital SLR. It’s a little logic, after all, the lens of a cameraphone is tiny: a few small diameter milimeters for the lens of cameraphones against typically  5 to 7 centimerters in diameter in the funnel of light that compared the lens of a DSLR. Ditto for the sensor, which must focus its 8 million pixels on a tiny sensor compared to that of a bridge or a reflex.

Once said, the camera of the Player Pixon SGH-M8800 is very good for a cameraphone (and probably one of the best currently available), especially for shooting outdoors. The screen is readable outdoors as long as we do not directed in full sun, and the picture setting functions are easily accessible, whether the manual white balance, exposure compensation, scene modes, or a few small gadgets that are fun enough for some (mosaic, frame, picture …). The resolution of 8 mega pixels has the advantage of facilitating the digital zoom by cropping. Autofocus gives good results, including macro, for example, to copy documents like I did with my old Sony Ericsson K800i, and I can “photocopy” effectively and without risk blurring a poster, a document or label of a product in a store.

Indoor or lower light shooting is lower quality: the first LED that acts as a flash is not powerful enough, and then when the brightness decreases, the image is noisy quickly. This is the problem that we find I think with all cameraphones finding is one of their limits, at least for now …
GPS and geolocation of images:

Mentioned on advertising, on the CD and packaging, cameraphone that is equipped with a GPS receiver. If GPS reception is good (outside of a building for example), the Player Pixon records the coordinates in the metadata (EXIF) photographs for geo. This information may be retrieved from your computer with software to view or edit the information exif of a photo (ACD See pro for example), here’s an example for example géolocalisée this photograph:

Reference north latitude GPS Latitude
GPS Latitude 48 49 ’41.61 ”
Reference east longitude GPS Longitude
GPS longitude 2, 21 ’39.01 ”
GPS reference altitude Sea Level
GPS altitude 132 m
GPS timestamp 15:43:11
Reference speed GPS Kilometers per hour
GPS Speed 0
Reference GPS direction of movement north
Direction of movement GPS 0

But now, with the GSE photos, do not use GPS Player Pixon to get your current position, for example using Google Maps or equivalent. The only way I found to get my GPS, is to take a picture and then go into the properties of photography ( “i” button) to retrieve the latitude and longitude that the photo was taken.

The GPS function is incomplete. First on the geolocation of photos, from entering the properties of each photo, it is not possible to know whether the photos are géolocalisées (an icon on the browser miniature image would have been useful). And I find it rather unfortunate that the GPS function is so under-exploited and does not even lie on a map Google Maps.

I can only hope that Samsung quickly rectify the wrongs, whether by an update applications or firmware update to make GPS available … and useful!

The Player Pixon, video side :

It is the function for which I chose this phone. The resolution is simply impressive for a phone, it can go up to 720×480 pixels, 30 frames per second. Outdoors if the scene is well lit, the video is fluid including the maximum resolution. If the video is taken indoors, I prefer the slightly lower resolution (640×480 pixels), allowing it to maintain a smooth flow despite the low light. The videos are saved in mp4 format. On my PC, although I have not been able to read from Quicktime, Windows Media Player was able to open them, even if I posted a warning message-non-blocking as the codec used. The Pixon Player allows others to set the exposure compensation before starting the capture, or change the zoom level (digital) during video capture.

Here is a short video test in the rough. To read the record on your computer (right click – save as), and open it with Windows Media Player:

test_video_player_pixon

Phone features :

We forget sometimes, but these devices are expected to also serve as a phone, even though one might wonder if this does not become more and more incidental. To summarize the quality of listening and reception are very good. A well thought out function: to avoid “clicks” involuntary disappearances, the touch screen is automatically locked during phone call.

The management of SMS is similar to what I saw on other Samsung classics, except the possibility to have the QWERTY keyboard when the phone horizontally positioned. This adds a real comfort to the text entry.

There are still some minor flaws that I had already found on other Samsung phones: SMS received are by default saved on the SIM card (including memory limited to 20 sms is quickly saturated), a record default on the memory of phone would be preferable. Furthermore, if one adds an acknowledgment SMS, they are managed as a standard SMS (and therefore clog the inbox unnecessarily).

As for MMS, nothing wrong except that it is very easy to send a picture quality to a correspondent. Of course the unit automatically resizes the photo before sending it to suit the limitations of MMS.

The phone has a WAP browser owner, sufficient to reach some sites suitable for browsing WAP or iMode (such info, weather, traffic or auto ratp, etc …) or read RSS feeds. Obviously, this WAP browser less suitable for navigation on the Internet standards (though you can read without problem most blogs). WAP sites or iMode are very legible on the big screen, which automatically switches to portrait or landscape orientation of the phone. You can also choose the level of zoom and a full-screen navigation.

Battery life:

With standard telephone conversation or in standby mode, autonomy is quite correct, and similar to that found on many recent phones. However, once we use gprs or 3G +, or photo or video features, the battery is weakening rapidly. The manufacturer is apparently well aware of this problem, common to many cameraphone , as the battery level remains visible while shooting photos or video. Though seen as a means to manage their self-important if you intend to use the Player Pixon for anything other than take pictures (eg call …).

The screen is equipped with a light sensor that allows you to adjust the backlighting to ambient light, interesting that we begin to find on many mobile devices, precisely in order to save the battery. But it is insufficient in this case, as for example in navigation 3G + (TV reception) the battery fell flat in less than 1heure30. It has also emptied in one morning after a few videos (about 30 minutes of videos in total). On this type of material, a battery a little tougher would have been preferable.

Memory:

The Player Pixon about 180 Mb free in its internal memory. And myne came with a micro-sd card of 1GB. But it is a bit limited if you want to add mp3, and save photos and videos. Depending on your needs, the acquisition of a bigger micro-sd card  may be useful.

Conclusion:

A good cameraphone, aesthetic, pleasant to use, and which is very well as an additional digital camera or video source. But if you go on vacation, it will not replace a real digital camera or camcorder, because you do not always provide an electrical outlet to charge it.

The Player Pixon is a good photophone, but not perfect: a few small flaws ergonomic features that are not very successful (ie : photo browser), no true GPS functionality, and especially a battery too limited when you use the functions photo / video or browsing 3G +.

nb : this post is partially an automatic translation of this original post . If you find any translation error, your comment will be welcome.