[berwick85]

Here's my take on the 8100 vs. 5300 debate. I once owned the 5300 for about a month but decided to take it back after the 'gee wiz' effect wore off and I just couldn't justify the $400.00 price tag.

I just purchased the 8100 for half the cost of the 5300 and for what you can reasonably expect from a camera phone...it definately has a better price to value ratio than the 5300.

Now...clearly the 8100 has given up quite a bit of ground vs. the 5300 when it comes to the camera...both in picture quality and overall functionality like the different picture quality settings and zoom options. The 5300 is clearly better than the 8100 in the picture taking department.

However...why exactly did I purchase this phone in the first place...? Well, to communicate with friends, family, etc. using the cell phone for it's primary function...making and taking calls. I was absolutely blown away by how clear the 8100 sounded when I made my first call on it. By far...the best reception and sound I have heard from all the phones I have owned up to this point. It even sounds better than my land line phone!

Next...size does matter...and for me...the 5300 was a bit large.
Sure...that equates to a larger screen which was quite impressive but I spend more time carrying the phone around than looking at the screen. The 8100 is definately more compact and lighter than the 5300 (although the thickness is the same) and that is another big plus for me. Besides...the 8100's screen is still larger than most phones of this size.

Back to the camera and picture quality debate. The 8100 is still quite capable of taking pictures sufficient enough to view and send to friends, etc. via e-mail without them having to squint and wonder what the object in the picture is. Anything that has any level of importance to me as far as taking a 'real' picture will be taken by my Sony digital camera....not a camera phone. Sure, it would have been nice to have the same picture taking qualities of the 5300 in the 8100...but at what price? Not for another $200.00 and that is what I think the folks at Sanyo have concluded as well with the launch of the 8100.

Both 8100 and 5300 owners should be very happy with their phones...they are both among the best when it comes to camera phones IMHO.

Later,
Drew