You see them just about everywhere. You can find them at sporting events, graduations, parties, church socials, school events and just about anything deserving of a picture. It’s the person with their camera phone in action. Years ago it was the video camera popping up everywhere but they seem to be well out numbered by camera phones these days.

But are these tiny digital cameras worthy of such excitement? Are they more of a novelty than a legitimate camera? Many are VGA quality (about .3 megapixels) and have plastic lenses that are scratched or smudged with a greasy thumb print that enter the photography arena handicapped by design. Advancements in technology have pushed these tiny cameras along the evolutionary path but can they go beyond their novelty and become a convenient alternative to a stand-alone camera?

Read on for a history of your Camera Phone, how it works, and pointers for taking better shots!

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