How good is the iPhone 5's camera?

Sometimes they are just the thing for when you want everything in focus from close distance to the horizon or casual snaps of things you come across at the shops or the usual touristy stuff.

Because I enjoy photography, I like to have a camera on me at all times whenever I leave the house. (No point in being a photographer - amateur or otherwise - unless a camera of some kind is always within reach.) Even waiting for a train you sometimes see a photo.

I've been thinking about it a bit more since posting this thread and trying out the camera on my iPhone 4 (for the first time) and - to be honest - I don't think a phone cam works the way I like. Too much waiting around.

Actually it's EDITED!  (I even prefer the way my old K750i worked.)

Sorry for not trying my iPhone 4 before posting this thread!  I am sure a good pic can be wrung out of it (or an iPhone 5) given optimal conditions but it's just all wrong. (I almost flipped the thing into the air twice because it can't be held properly.)

Are you on the latest iOS? Amongst other things the shutter button is much bigger. Sounds like a small point, but makes holding the phone and framing the shot easier. 

Yes I am on iOS6 but that can't make the shutter release button bigger.

EDIT. Did you meant the shutter release button on the iPhone 5 is bigger?

Ah ok, I thought it was with the new iOS rather than the phone. There you go then, good reason to upgrade to the 5. 

Don't forget in ios6 you can use the volume plus button as shutter release, as well as open camera from the lock screen.

I think that's what I am using. Top rightmost button if camera is held in landscape orientation. (Didn't realise it was a volume button. I have always used the volume on my Marantz M-CR603 or the volume 'slider' on screen. They both do the same job and control each other in AirPlay mode.)

Apples response to the "purple haze" sums it up - you're holding it wrong".

Its poor, the same as the aluminium finish which scratches easily, and the wifi which struggles to get a signal.

Sorry, but the arrogance of Apple's answers on these matters beggers belief. 

The upcoming Lumia 920 is winning praises for being the best camera phone around.

http://www.nokia.com/global/products/pureview/

That sounds like, if I remember correctly, your HTC One X! 

Taken some more, I quite like this picture taking lark: 

Thanks, I'd like to see the kitchen now please.

It's being replaced soon, it's old and not good, but I can give it go.