Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2009/06/30/nokia_12mp/

Nokia prepping 12Mp cameraphone with optical zoom?

Super-snapper handset could be out this year

By James Sherwood

Posted in Personal Tech, 30th June 2009 11:23 GMT

Nokia is secretly working on a device that could propel it to the forefront of cameraphone technology: 12Mp phones with an optical zoom.

Sources inside both Nokia and optics firm Carl Zeiss revealed the Finnish phone giant’s plans for the high-end cameraphone, according to a story by website Phone Report, and hinted that the devices will appear late this year or early in 2010.

Several mobile phone firms have already unveiled – but not yet launched - 12Mp cameraphones, including Samsung with its Pixon 12 and Sony Ericsson with the Idou – which the firm recently renamed Satio.

LG recently promised to launch a 12Mp cameraphone offering before the end of this year, which could see the Korean manufacturer’s device launch alongside Nokia’s rumoured offering.

Nokia won’t be the first firm to launch a phone with optical zoom, either, although the feature is rare on handsets. Samsung’s SCH-B500 includes an optical zoom. ®