Cameraphone

Cameraphone - type of mobile phone which has a camera built in. The world's first camera phone was the J-SH04 made by Sharp Corporation and went on sale in Japan in November 2000. The cameras typically use CMOS image sensors. This is due largely to reduced power consumption compared to CCD type cameras, which are also used. The lower power consumption prevents the camera from quickly depleting the phone's battery. Major manufacturers include Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sharp Corporation, Siemens and Sony Ericsson. As of 2004, the resolution in Japan is typically in the megapixel range such as 2 megapixels, in Europe 0.3 megapixels is most common. In 2004, 60% percent of mobile phones in Japan have built-in cameras, and this is expected to rise to 100% in 2005.

As a network-connected device, megapixel camera phones are starting to play significant roles such as crime prevention, journalism and business applications as well as individual uses. On the other hand, they are prone to abuse such as voyeurism and invasion of privacy.