"Compare camera phones in a snap with these sites"

Evan Haning, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - In the market for a new cell phone?

Before you commit to a new phone, you may want to consider the quality of the phone camera.

Digital cameras still have the advantage in image quality -- and that may not change in the foreseeable future. U.S. cellular providers are reluctant to clog their overtaxed networks with even more data.

But megapixels aren't the only element that goes into taking good photos with a cell phone. Lens quality and placement, the ability to zoom, and ease in uploading all contribute to the decision to buy.

A convenient way to judge camera quality is to compare pictures taken by different cell phones, side-by-side. CNET's camera phone image gallery includes dozens of brands from Nokia to iPhone to BlackBerry.

This month's Popular Mechanics' Cellphone Camera Comparison Test only includes six cameras, but the six identical shots taken by each may help you reach a verdict on the virtues of, say, a Motorola Droid X as compared to a Sprint EVO 4G.

And your vote may influence manufacturer's future quality standards.

Although digital camera sales are expected to slump this year, the Wall Street Journal reports manufacturers are fighting back. Eastman Kodak is among those camera-makers working to allow easier uploading to computers and social networking websites.

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