It is the mobile phone which could spell the end of the digital camera.

Next week Samsung will release the first phone with an eight-megapixel image sensor, producing images of identical quality to most digital cameras.

The i8510 also has a flash, and can detect when people in the picture are smiling.

Previous cameraphones have been criticised for their poor image quality. However, Paul Nuttall of What Digital Camera said the emergence of the Korean firm's new model - and others from rival manufacturers - could mean the average consumer simply won't buy a camera.

"The gap has closed between compact digital cameras and cameraphones in recent years, and I think the average consumer would struggle to see the difference between an eight-megapixel phone and dedicated camera image," said Mr Nuttall.

"The only issue is one of size - in a phone there just isn't room for a big zoom lens, and that is where traditional cameras do have an advantage."

Although the Samsung is the first camera to go on sale in Britain with an eight megapixel camera, other manufacturers such as Sony Ericsson are readying similar products for release.

The Samsung phone, available for free with a contract at Carphone Warehouse, also has built-in satnav, 8gb storage space for music and high speed wireless internet access.

Its slider design is slick, and the handset feels solid and well built. The menu system is simple to use. Taking pictures was quick and the camera seemed to cope with a range of conditions.

Image quality was very impressive - the best yet on a mobile phone. Colour was rich and well defined, and the automatic settings worked well for most conditions. The flash will be a welcome addition for late-night bar shots. Overall, the Samsung is a great combination of almost every feature you could want in a mobile.

Evening Standard photographer Alex Lentati, who tested the camera, said: "There are some problems, the screen is not very bright, and there is no zoom. But the image quality is very impressive, much better than I thought it would be."

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