Plemix

Troubled by your gadget update? Should I get a new phone or a new camera? If you are tight on budget (like anyone else, actually), there is a way to satisfy both needs *cheaply*. The new Sony Ericsson C510 packs a great camera into a miniature, yet functional phone. Let’s see how good it is!

The package includes the phone, a battery, charger, a handsfree, and a data cable.

The new installment to the Cybershot family is not like any of its “big” brother at 12.5mm thick only. I can’t imagine how difficult it was to fit so many things inside this miniature body.

Texters beware: the keys are small and are very tightly packed, so big-thumb people (like me!) will have some troubles in adapting to this keyboard. I was able to type with one hand, but the phone doesn’t feel secure in my hand due to its small body.

On the side of the phone you can find the M2 slot. You can swap the card without turning off the phone - a handy feature if you have bought more than 1 (unreasonably expensive) M2 cards.

The lens cover is a bit tricky. To open it, you have to push it from the side (i.e. the side that is pointing to the top of the phone). Dragging the big arrow with your thumb won’t work. The backcover is softer than I thought, perhaps due to the fact that lens cover has to curl (a bit) in order to jump onto the battery cover.

Here is where the Sony Ericsson C510 truly shines - a Cybershot camera. Forget about all other 3.2MP auto-focus cameras out there, the one inside the Sony Ericsson C510 is here to rule. Featuring Smile Shutter and a host of camera settings, you will immediately feel “at home” with this phone if you are using/have owned a Cybershot camera.

Ah, Face Detection, who can live without that? Being a common feature on almost all digital cameras today, Face Detection finds its place on the Sony Ericsson C510 to provide a true camera-like experience.

The sample picture below is taken with the Sony Ericsson C510 under indoor fluorescent lightning. While it is still no match to the 8MP camera phones, the superb quality is one of the best I have seen for a 3.2MP sensor. Excellent work, Sony Ericsson!

It’s auto or closed flash - strangely there is no way you can force the powerful flash to provide the much needed illumination. Here is another sample without flash.

Nice, Nice, Nice! I am glad that Sony Ericsson has finally come up with a cheap camera phone. The Sony Ericsson C510 excels in both phone and camera features with 3.5G, web browser, web feeds, YouTube and an excellent camera. Struggle no more with your phone/camera upgrade dilemma - you can have a new phone, a new camera, and unharmed financial position with the Sony Ericsson C510.

Sony Ericsson C510 Video Reviews