LG Renoir (KC910)

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In the camera-phone megapixel race, eight is the new favorite. And LG's new offering comes in the form of the Renoir KC910, successor to the Viewty KU990. While we witness what's evolving in camera-phones following the path of what has happened for point-and-shoot digital cameras, one has to bear in mind that a higher resolution (usually marketed as megapixel count) doesn't always make a better shooter. Which is why manufacturers are cramming in a bevy of other imaging features such as blink and face detection, geo-tagging, more sensitive image sensors to entice users. The Renoir happens to be one of them.

Design

The Renoir KC910 didn't look particularly exciting from the pictures and we felt the same when we first held the unit. To be fair, the Renoir isn't ugly. It merely follows a conservative monoblock design with a boring grey/silver chassis. In stark contrast is its predecessor, the Viewty KU990, which has a sleeker look.

The camera module juts out from the back.
(click for larger image)

The 3-inch 400 x 240-pixel touchscreen LCD takes up most of the estate on the front. Like all devices with a large glossy facade, you'll have to deal with the smudges. Right above the screen are a front-facing camera and an ambient light sensor. There are three buttons below the display. These are the regular Call and Hang up keys, while the third one allows you to access nine program shortcuts and the task manager. The buttons are easy to press and provide a decent level of tactility. We just didn't like how they looked, but that's really personal.

In the hands, the Renoir didn't feel very solid due to its weight, but that also means it is light in the pocket. The camera module sits at the back and juts out unceremoniously from the flush surface. Aside from looking like an alien protrusion, the mechanical ribbed ring on the shooter works in the same way as the one found on the Nokia N95. Sliding it clockwise reveals the lens and activates the camera. The shutter is found on the right edge, along with a dedicated button for the digital image stabilizer that doubles as a keylock for the screen.

Elsewhere, the usual controls and connectors which comprise the volume buttons, microSD expansion card slot and proprietary port for the charger and headset are littered on both sides of the Renoir.

Tags: Camera Module, Nokia Corp., Camera, headset, touch screen

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