Nokia launching 12-megapixel camera phone

Recently I wrote about a study that still finds camera phones sorely lacking behind regular digital camera technology. Well, Nokia is stepping up its game with the launch of a 12-megapixel camera phone later this year, according to PhoneReport. This follows up 12 MP model announcements from Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson. The best Nokia has to offer right now is the Nokia N86, which only an 8 megapixel camera.

While the series the model will belong to hasn't been revealed yet (possibly the Nseries, but that's just speculation), it will feature the much hyped Carl Zeiss technology. While an official annoucement date hasn't been determined, PhoneReport is leaning more towards the Mobile World Congress 2010 in February, rather than Nokia World 2009 this September.

Would you be interested in picking up one of these? Will these 12 megapixel models finally rival regular digital cameras? What do you need in a camera phone to make it worth purchasing these days?

[Photo via UberGizmo]