Sony Ericsson C903 Grange-over-Sands
Given the neverending quest for higher megapixel counts, the C903s headline figure of 5MP is unimpressive, but Sony Ericsson has thrown enough software at the C903 to make up for it. Features like face detection, image stabilisation, BestPic image selection, geo-tagging and one-touch photo fixing are all useful tools for the mobile photographer, and as a result the C903 can be relied on to deliver above-average images.
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Sony Ericsson C903
Sony Ericsson has been running its Cyber-shot (C) and Walkman (W) series for a long time now, but with mobile phone feature sets becoming larger with each new handset, differentiating the two ranges has become increasingly difficult.
And so it is with the C903, which were told could well be the last new Cyber-shot model we see from Sony Ericsson. Its focus on photography means it gets some premium features not found on other ranges, though not in the league of the range-topping C905.
On the slide
That means a physical cover for the lens in the form of a slide-back panel running the full length of the handset. Speaking of sliding, the familiar Sony Ericsson slider form factor keeps the front face of the C903 clean, with the 2.4in 240x320 LCD sitting above logically arranged clusters of buttons.
Down the right-hand edge are further buttons which come into their own when flipping the handset into horizontal camera mode.
Middle of the road
Given the neverending quest for higher megapixel counts, the C903s headline figure of 5MP is unimpressive, but Sony Ericsson has thrown enough software at the C903 to make up for it.
Features like face detection, image stabilisation, BestPic image selection, geo-tagging and one-touch photo fixing are all useful tools for the mobile photographer, and as a result the C903 can be relied on to deliver above-average images.
Such cautious praise is deliberate: despite the Cyber-shot branding, this is very much a mobile phone, and is no match for even an average dedicated digital camera.
On the other hand, the C903 doesnt stop at its camera features. Assisted GPS, accelerometer-controlled gaming, built-in Google Maps and YouTube, threaded messaging and 3G browsing are some of its other attractions, and the screen is clear and bright despite its moderate size and resolution.
Compromises
In the end we had to look quite hard for the compromises that Sony Ericsson has made to keep the C903s price down. Probably the biggest is the lack of Wi-Fi, though that depends on how you use your phone. The high-quality Xenon flash found on the flagship C905 has been bumped down to an ordinary LED flash, and the handset feels cheaper than its more upmarket sibling.
But for the most part using the C903 is a pleasant experience, and is a good example of the low-fuss competence so important in this price bracket.
And so it is with the C903, which were told could well be the last new Cyber-shot model we see from Sony Ericsson. Its focus on photography means it gets some premium features not found on other ranges, though not in the league of the range-topping C905.
On the slide
That means a physical cover for the lens in the form of a slide-back panel running the full length of the handset. Speaking of sliding, the familiar Sony Ericsson slider form factor keeps the front face of the C903 clean, with the 2.4in 240x320 LCD sitting above logically arranged clusters of buttons.
Down the right-hand edge are further buttons which come into their own when flipping the handset into horizontal camera mode.
Middle of the road
Given the neverending quest for higher megapixel counts, the C903s headline figure of 5MP is unimpressive, but Sony Ericsson has thrown enough software at the C903 to make up for it.
Features like face detection, image stabilisation, BestPic image selection, geo-tagging and one-touch photo fixing are all useful tools for the mobile photographer, and as a result the C903 can be relied on to deliver above-average images.
Such cautious praise is deliberate: despite the Cyber-shot branding, this is very much a mobile phone, and is no match for even an average dedicated digital camera.
On the other hand, the C903 doesnt stop at its camera features. Assisted GPS, accelerometer-controlled gaming, built-in Google Maps and YouTube, threaded messaging and 3G browsing are some of its other attractions, and the screen is clear and bright despite its moderate size and resolution.
Compromises
In the end we had to look quite hard for the compromises that Sony Ericsson has made to keep the C903s price down. Probably the biggest is the lack of Wi-Fi, though that depends on how you use your phone. The high-quality Xenon flash found on the flagship C905 has been bumped down to an ordinary LED flash, and the handset feels cheaper than its more upmarket sibling.
But for the most part using the C903 is a pleasant experience, and is a good example of the low-fuss competence so important in this price bracket.
Author:Martin James
Copyright 2009 Dennis Publishing All Rights Reserved.
