Fujitsu announced the new docomo PRIME Series F-01B mobile phone. In addition to being water- and dust-resistant, the device includes a high-performance 12.2 megapixel camera, and a 3.4-inch touch-sensitive screen.

The Fujitsu has equipped their camera with image Milbeaut® Mobile image-processing engine that allows sensitivity to be raised up to ISO6400 with a high-sensitivity mode equivalent to ISO 25600 in 1920 x 1080 resolution images. .

The docomo PRIME Series F-01B phone manages to achieve unattainable levels of mobile photography with a number of features and functions one usually comes across with digital cameras.

For instance, its Face recognition makes it possible for the camera to recognize pre-registered facial images and gives priority in terms of autofocus. When coupled with Smile detection, the photo is automatically taken as soon as the subjects are smiling.

Focus Tracking (for keeping a moving subject in focus) and digital image stabilization (to eliminate blurring by boosting ISO level) are also available.

As a phone, the device is peculiar as well. It offers a wide range of advanced human-sensing technologies such as “ETGA Swing Lesson” golf-swing analyzer application, “Exercise Monitor” (the phone is clipped to the waist), “Location Radar” and Fingerprint sensor that recognizes his owner by the touch of his or her finger.

The price of the camera phone is yet to be confirmed but I guess it will make one rob the bank, still the phone really stands out of the crowd and brings higher technologies to mobile phone enthusiasts.

Fujitsu Docomo F-01B Camera Phone – Specifications:

• 12.2-megapixel Resolution
• CMOS Image Sensor
• 28mm Equivalent Wide-Angle Lens
• 3.4” TFT Color LCD Touch-Sensitive Display
• Sensitivity: up to ISO6400 (up to 25,600 for 1920 x 1080 images)
• Face Recognition
• Smile Detection
• Tracking Focus
• Waterproof down to of 1.5 m
• Dust Resistant
• Dimensions: 114 x 51 x 17.3 mm
• Weight: 141 g
• Available Color: Blue, White, and Black

According to PhotographyBLOG.

Joining the Samsung’s Pixon12 high-megapixel camera phone, the Casio EXILIM CA003 and CA004 were announced featuring 12 and 8 megapixels of resolution respectively.

The CA003 houses a 3x optical zoom lens with the focal length of 28-84mm in 35mm equivalent and autofocus. Besides, it incorporates a 3.3-inch WVGA OLED touchscreen display for composing and viewing your photos. It also offers a 20fps burst mode, though the buffer isn’t big enough to accommodate all the images shot in a single burst.

The camera phone saves pictures on a micro SD memory card of up to 16 GB size. It also boasts an integrated GPS and Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth and FM radio. It will come in four fashion colors including “champagne gold”.

The CA004 is a slightly pared back model almost identical to the CA003. It offers less megapixels but I suppose the sensor is the same that’s why smaller resolution is rather a benefit than a downside. It gas also a smaller design and not as large but also impressive WVGA OLED screen measuring 3.1 inches.

Unlike the CA003 camera phone this one supports cards of up to 2GB only.

Casio Exilim CA003 – Specifications:

• 12 Megapixels of Resolution
• 3x Optical Zoom
• Focal length Equivalent: 28-84mm
• Autofocus
• 3.3-inch WVGA OLED touch screen
• 20fps “burst mode”
• GPS and Wi-Fi support
• Compatible with microSD memory cards up to 16 GB

Casio Exilim CA004 – Specifications:

• 8 Megapixels of Resolution
• 3x optical Zoom
• Focal length Equivalent: 28-84mm
• 3.1” WVGA OLED screen
• Supports microSD cards of up to 2GB

Texas Instruments Incorporated announced two new members of its OMAP-DM5x family of their coprocessors for mobile phones. From now on mobile phones will get the opportunity to deliver performance equivalent to stand-alone consumer devices, for instance, digital cameras.

The OMAP-DM515 and OMAP-DM525 feature up to 20 MP still imaging capabilities, as well as 720p high-definition (HD) camcorder functionality and thus offer an easy way to upgrade present-day handset designs with cutting-edge technologies.

The processors allow the usage of all the modern digicam technologies. With the Perfect moment technology the camera can capture a series of shots, allowing you to select the best image in a series. Smart lighting compensates for backlit and low-light environment, video noise filter improves video quality

Face detection & Tracking that recognizes and focuses on faces as well as Auto scene detector that determines appropriate settings based on environment are also supported.

Some people say that no one will ever actually produce such high-resolution sensors for camera phones, and no one come up with a lens that can support these coprocessors. Anyway, the technology develops and if it happens, there will already be such devices to process the amount of data such a sensor would generate.

These new products are intended for high-volume wireless OEMs and ODMs. The OMAP-DM515 coprocessor is available now and the OMAP- DM525 coprocessor is expected in 2010.

Texas Instruments OMAP-DM5x Coprocessors – Specifications:

• 720p HD Video
• Up to 20 Megapixels
• Continuous Shooting: 1.4 Frames per Second
• Perfect Moment Technology
• Backlight Compensation
• Face Detection and Tracking
• Red-Eye Removal Auto Scene Detector
• Smile Detection
• Blink Detection
• Advanced Image and Video Stabilization
• Video Noise Filter
• Tv-Out Capabilities
• No Need for External Memory
• Photo and Video Editing Capabilities

According to http://www.ti.com/omapdmpr.

Samsung launched world’s first 12-megapixel camera phone with a 3X optical zoom, the Samsung AMOLED 12M also known as the SCH-W880 that could be as well called a digital camera with a phone inside it.

The AMOLED 12M looks like a compact camera with its zoom rocker, shutter button and mode dial and hosts a lot of advanced features that modern digcams do. It comes equipped with the bright 3.3-inch toushscreen enabling you to easily capture, browse and share your images on the move.

The camera is a point-and-shoot and offers you the Smart Auto feature for perfectly captured images as the camera automatically adjusts its settings according to the object shot, background, and lighting. Shake Reduction and Face Recognition further enhance your images.

Its Touch Auto-Focus (AF) function allows you to select a focus point with the touch of a finger, after which the lens will automatically track the object, keeping it in focus even as it moves across the screen.

The AMOLED 12M also features rapid image saving that makes it possible to move to the next shot within just 2 seconds. High speed is also essential to movie capture – the phone (the camera?) provides high-quality video recording (1280 x 720) at 30 frames per second.

Other worthy features include a Xenon flash and 4GB of built-in memory.

“The Samsung AMOLED 12M is another landmark and proof of our continuing commitment to providing the most advanced technology to enrich users’ mobile experience,” said JK Shin, Executive Vice President and Head of the Mobile Communication Division, Samsung Electronics.

The phone will be available in the Korean market from early October.

Samsung SCH-W880 aka AMOLED 12M – Specifications:

• 12-megapixel
• 3x optical zoom
• 3.3” AMOLED Touch Screen with 1,152,000 dots
• Display Resolution: 800×480 pixels
• Touch-Sensitive Autofocus
• Image Stabilization
• Smart Auto Mode
• AF Tracking
• Face Recognition
• Movie Mode: 1280*720 pixels at 30fps
• 4GB Internal Memory,
• Compatible with Micro SD Cards

According to dpreview.com.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., announced its newest 5-megapixel system-on-chip (SoC) image sensor, the S5K4EA, that being just ¼ inch in size will give mobile phones the opportunity to function just like digital cameras! The chip will be an important addition to smart phones and advanced handsets.

The S5K4EA SoC imager features CMOS image sensor with an image signal processor, which is a cost effective and size saving innovation in mobile handset market. Samsung managed to make a tiny, ultra-sensitive 1.4um pixel size.

Tiny as it may be, it integrates more light into an optimized pixel structure to present clear, high resolution images with the help of the Enhanced Energy Steering (SEES) technology. Advanced noise reduction is also used to further improve image quality.

Samsung S5K4EA imager incorporates a dynamic range expansion function to brighten dark areas of a picture and intensify the clarity of brighter regions. The anti-shaking control feature is used to help the cameraphone make sharp pictures by reducing blur caused by handshake.

It is also useful for high-speed shooting; it can process 1080p resolution images at 30 frames-per-second thus delivering high quality video capture on advanced mobile phones.

Samsung’s S5K4EA also features auto focus, Xenon flash, mechanical or electronic rolling shutter. Samples are currently available with mass production sceduled for the first quarter of 2010.

Dr. Lee Yun Tae, senior vice president, image development team, System LSI Division, Samsung Electronics, says: “Mobile phones today allow us to stay in contact with friends and family not only by voice and text but also with high resolution images. To meet the current demand for slimmer, sleeker mobile phones with digital still camera capabilities, Samsung brings 1.4-micron (um) pixel technology to this state-of-the-art imager solution.”

Samsung S5K4EA system-on-chip (SoC) Image Sensor – Features:

• SMOS Image Sensor
• 5 Megapixels of Resolution
• 1.4um Pixel Size
• Energy Steering Technology
• Advanced Noise Reduction
• Dynamic Range Expansion
• Anti-Shake Function
• High Speed Shooting/Movies: 1080p at 30 fps
• Mechanical/Electronic Rolling Shutter
• Auto Focus
• Xenon Flash

According to Imaging-resource.com.