Packing in a class-topping 8.1-megapixel camera, the Sony Ericsson C905 is the new flagship model in its Cyber-shot cameraphone range.
Lined up against recent 8-megapixel sharp-shooting cameraphones from Samsung (the Pixon and i8510) and LG (the Renoir and KC780), the Sony Ericsson C905 comes out fighting with HSDPA 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity, A-GPS positioning technology and Sat Nav software onboard.
In addition, the user-friendly Cyber-shot camera set-up includes a high quality xenon flash to go with the gadgetry inside.
What it doesn't have is the smartphone functionality of the i8510 or touchscreen control capability of the Renoir and Pixon. Nonetheless, the C905 does have a solid line-up of familiar Sony Ericsson feature-phone applications, including music and video players, Google Maps software, a full web browser and an FM radio.
Chunky design
The Sony Ericsson C905 is the first Cyber-shot sliderphone, and it's a solid, substantial design. Weighing 136g, it's on the heavyweight side, and with a profile that goes from 18mm to 19.5mm where the camera bulges, it's certainly no slimline model like the 5-megapixel C902.
With a rubber feel and metal casing, plus scratch resistant glass covering the screen, it feels reassuringly well built, and the numberpad slider mechanism is smoothly sprung and sturdy. Another well-crafted brushed metal slider on the back protects the camera from dust and scratches. It slips down to activate the camera too.
Despite the chunkiness, it's an attractive design, with a definite camera look and feel to the device when held sideways in camera shooting mode. Its solidity also gives it a nicely balanced feel when shooting.
Large controls
The display is a decently-sized 2.4-inch QVGA, 262K-colour screen, which provides ample viewfinder space. It's not as large as the displays of its 8-megapixel rivals, but it is bright and clear. An in-built accelerometer automatically switches screen orientation in certain media functions to match how you're looking at the display.
The control set-up is based around a square navigation D-pad, with columns of buttons on either side, for a conventional Sony Ericsson navigation experience. The buttons are close and smooth, so don't feel quite roomy enough for the heavier-fingered user. Controls are generally responsive though.
The numberpad buttons on the slider are large enough, though they do feel a tad spongey for really speedy texting. They're also not the best defined numbers we've seen; although rows are adequately separated by chrome trim, only light bumps under the surface identify individual number buttons on the rows.
There's no secondary front-facing video call camera on this phone for face-to-face calling (though you can make video calls using the main camera on the back if you want to).
Simple camera operation
Around the top of the screen are two buttons that double up as gaming keys, but come into play as camera control buttons when the shooter's activated. Blue glowing camera control icons on these, and also on the D-pad, represent hotkey options for camera functions.
The Cyber-shot camera user interface is easy to use, with the dedicated control keys offering fast access to certain functions, plus additional layers of settings to refine your shooting settings.
The C905's autofocus system is a no-fuss, 2-step shutter button operated set-up that works efficiently. There are additional macro options for close-up shots, which can come out great, plus a face detection option that can lock onto up to three faces in a shot to help get sharp images of people. This works quite smartly too.
