Sony Ericsson's C905 set for an upgrade

Posted: 25 March 2009

With a revised version on the way and a range of downloadable options, the Sony Ericsson C905 could be a solid option for those looking for a photography-focused mobile phone.

This week, the manufacturer announced the device would be relaunched with pre-loaded access to a new service named Fun Text, which integrates animation and video content with SMS messages.

It added that the Sony Ericsson C905 Plus, which is launched on the 3 Mobile network during the second quarter of 2009, would feature the kind of "rich emotional content" it has been known for since it arrived as the first eight-megapixel cameraphone on the UK market.

On its release, Phones 4U was one of the retailers that heralded the model as "the death of the digital camera", adding its high megapixel count was also backed by a number of other camera features like auto focus, image stabilisation and a 2.4-inch TFT screen that made it "immense" as a package.

"Additional none standard functions include picture blogging capabilities to Facebook, MySpace, etc, whilst the RSS reader is great for keeping up to date with whatever you want," the company said on its site.

Eight-megapixel competitors such as the LG KC910 Renoir and Samsung Pixon may be more attractive to some, but as another entry into the company's Cyber-shot range, those who have enjoyed using handsets such as the 3.2-megapixel K800i may be tempted into an upgrade.

A recent article for Electricpig billed the phone as one of the top ten gadgets of 2008, alongside laptops from Asus, flat-screen TVs from Philips, Bluetooth printers from Polaroid and the Apple iPhone 3G - which topped the list. It was concluded that for mobile shoppers looking for the latest features, the Sony Ericsson C905 is "undoubtedly the pick of the lot".

In another review from MobileBurn, the device was noted as a good solution for those who want a "decent camera" to keep with them "at all times", concluding the C905's design and functionality were both "classy and cohesive".

"We at MobileBurn are happy to give this handset our highly recommended rating." the online resource concluded.

More recently, Mobile Today looked at the C905 and said that Sony Ericsson had a lot to prove with the model due to some recent software issues. It added the inclusion of GPS, Google Maps, an mp3 player and an FM radio would appeal to some - but it was clearly the photographic qualities that would be of most interest. Reviewing the handset with a panel of experts that included representatives of both Vodafone and the Carphonewarehouse, the conclusion was positive. "The camera quality is amazing," the Vodafone spokeswoman said.

One of the new features onboard the C905 is Sony Ericsson's Smile Shutter feature, which has been incorporated into a number of its recent Cyber-shot products - including the T2, T70 and T200 digital cameras. The firm states on its website the system is ideal for rectifying the problem of delays that fail to catch the best possible portrait images.

"Simply press the shutter button when the subjects' faces are in frame and the moment they start smiling the shutter fires. It's automatic and best of all it's great fun," it claims. "You can even capture a sequence of up to six smiling shots without needing to keep pressing the shutter."

Following the phone's launch in 2008, the company decided that when it came to marketing the device, a good idea would be to put it in the hands of a professional photographer and see what the results were. The help of Matt Stuart was sought and the expert admitted that he was sceptical about the ability of a mobile phone to act as a fully-functional camera, but concluded the C905 Cyber-shot soon won him over. "I was amazed," he said. "[It] felt like a camera and handled like one too. I was very impressed with the quality."

Other extras that could convince those still unsure about the phone include a Xenon flash, face detection, auto-focus, smart contrast and an image stabiliser, as well as a 2GB Memory Stick Micro unit. A USB adaptor and Wi-Fi connectivity offers other transfer options and the images can also be viewed by using the C905's 2.4-inch scratch-resistant mineral glass display. More new features are also said to be on the way with direct YouTube uploading, Wayfinder satellite navigation and the introduction of threaded text messages.

Sven Totte, head of imaging marketing at Sony Ericsson, comments: "We really wanted to show consumers what is possible with the camera phone and showcase the outstanding picture quality it can deliver."

Following its launch, CNet looked at the various aspects of the phone and concluded that the handset performed so well it could virtually replace your digital camera. It said Sony Ericsson had become synonymous with high performance cameraphones with the Cyber-shot range - and the C905 built on this reputation.

It said the design of the device bucked the trend of looking like a mobile phone and instead went for the look of a "full-on stand-alone snapper", adding it offered a "proper lens cover" - unlike its K800i sibling - and provided great photography options.

"The Sony Ericsson C905 is one of the best cameraphones we have ever used," it concluded. "We highly recommend it."

Vodafone unveiled the C905 as part of its pre-Christmas offerings in December, alongside the BlackBerry Storm, and Nokia's 6210, N96 16GB and 6124 Classic models. Ian Shepherd, consumer director for Vodafone UK, said: "This year's Christmas range features a great mix of phones at a price that will please everyone. Many of our exclusive mobiles will make ideal gifts."

The carrier later referred to the offering as representative of its ability to offer "the best phones on the market".
With a revised version on the way and a range of downloadable options, the Sony Ericsson C905 could be a solid option for those looking for a photography-focused mobile phone.

This week, the manufacturer announced the device would be relaunched with pre-loaded access to a new service named Fun Text, which integrates animation and video content with SMS messages.

It added that the Sony Ericsson C905 Plus, which is launched on the 3 Mobile network during the second quarter of 2009, would feature the kind of "rich emotional content" it has been known for since it arrived as the first eight-megapixel cameraphone on the UK market.

On its release, Phones 4U was one of the retailers that heralded the model as "the death of the digital camera", adding its high megapixel count was also backed by a number of other camera features like auto focus, image stabilisation and a 2.4-inch TFT screen that made it "immense" as a package.

"Additional none standard functions include picture blogging capabilities to Facebook, MySpace, etc, whilst the RSS reader is great for keeping up to date with whatever you want," the company said on its site.

Eight-megapixel competitors such as the LG KC910 Renoir and Samsung Pixon may be more attractive to some, but as another entry into the company's Cyber-shot range, those who have enjoyed using handsets such as the 3.2-megapixel K800i may be tempted into an upgrade.

A recent article for Electricpig billed the phone as one of the top ten gadgets of 2008, alongside laptops from Asus, flat-screen TVs from Philips, Bluetooth printers from Polaroid and the Apple iPhone 3G - which topped the list. It was concluded that for mobile shoppers looking for the latest features, the Sony Ericsson C905 is "undoubtedly the pick of the lot".

In another review from MobileBurn, the device was noted as a good solution for those who want a "decent camera" to keep with them "at all times", concluding the C905's design and functionality were both "classy and cohesive".

"We at MobileBurn are happy to give this handset our highly recommended rating." the online resource concluded.

More recently, Mobile Today looked at the C905 and said that Sony Ericsson had a lot to prove with the model due to some recent software issues. It added the inclusion of GPS, Google Maps, an mp3 player and an FM radio would appeal to some - but it was clearly the photographic qualities that would be of most interest. Reviewing the handset with a panel of experts that included representatives of both Vodafone and the Carphonewarehouse, the conclusion was positive. "The camera quality is amazing," the Vodafone spokeswoman said.

One of the new features onboard the C905 is Sony Ericsson's Smile Shutter feature, which has been incorporated into a number of its recent Cyber-shot products - including the T2, T70 and T200 digital cameras. The firm states on its website the system is ideal for rectifying the problem of delays that fail to catch the best possible portrait images.

"Simply press the shutter button when the subjects' faces are in frame and the moment they start smiling the shutter fires. It's automatic and best of all it's great fun," it claims. "You can even capture a sequence of up to six smiling shots without needing to keep pressing the shutter."

Following the phone's launch in 2008, the company decided that when it came to marketing the device, a good idea would be to put it in the hands of a professional photographer and see what the results were. The help of Matt Stuart was sought and the expert admitted that he was sceptical about the ability of a mobile phone to act as a fully-functional camera, but concluded the C905 Cyber-shot soon won him over. "I was amazed," he said. "[It] felt like a camera and handled like one too. I was very impressed with the quality."

Other extras that could convince those still unsure about the phone include a Xenon flash, face detection, auto-focus, smart contrast and an image stabiliser, as well as a 2GB Memory Stick Micro unit. A USB adaptor and Wi-Fi connectivity offers other transfer options and the images can also be viewed by using the C905's 2.4-inch scratch-resistant mineral glass display. More new features are also said to be on the way with direct YouTube uploading, Wayfinder satellite navigation and the introduction of threaded text messages.

Sven Totte, head of imaging marketing at Sony Ericsson, comments: "We really wanted to show consumers what is possible with the camera phone and showcase the outstanding picture quality it can deliver."

Following its launch, CNet looked at the various aspects of the phone and concluded that the handset performed so well it could virtually replace your digital camera. It said Sony Ericsson had become synonymous with high performance cameraphones with the Cyber-shot range - and the C905 built on this reputation.

It said the design of the device bucked the trend of looking like a mobile phone and instead went for the look of a "full-on stand-alone snapper", adding it offered a "proper lens cover" - unlike its K800i sibling - and provided great photography options.

"The Sony Ericsson C905 is one of the best cameraphones we have ever used," it concluded. "We highly recommend it."

Vodafone unveiled the C905 as part of its pre-Christmas offerings in December, alongside the BlackBerry Storm, and Nokia's 6210, N96 16GB and 6124 Classic models. Ian Shepherd, consumer director for Vodafone UK, said: "This year's Christmas range features a great mix of phones at a price that will please everyone. Many of our exclusive mobiles will make ideal gifts."

The carrier later referred to the offering as representative of its ability to offer "the best phones on the market".

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