WWDC 2010: iPhone 4 gains 5 megapixel camera with LED flash

The fourth generation of the Apple iPhone has been released at today’s WWDC keynote. One of the main features of the hardware is the upgrade of the main camera and the inclusion of a front facing camera, most likely for video chat purposes. The main camera has been upgraded from 3 to 5 megapixels, and it now uses a backside illuminated sensor for the highest possible quality.

When using the main camera through the usual Camera application, many things will stay the same—you’ll still tap to focus, for example. Now though, you’ll have extra megapixels, a 5x digital zoom and an LED flash to improve your photography. That’s not it though. The main camera on the new iPhone 4, can also record video at high definition (up to 720p). For a smartphone device, that’s incredible. The LED flash will still be available for video recording, and the usual tap to focus will still apply while recording 720p and 30 frames-per-second on your iPhone 4. The footage can also be edited straight on the device, thanks to an all-new application for the mobile device from Apple – iMovie for iPhone 4 (a separate $4.99 app).

During the keynote, several photographs and video clips are being shown (an example of which is above) taken with the iPhone 4, and they look incredible. You’ll be able to see for yourselves in better detail once the official video is released later today.

Be sure to check out our full coverage of the WWDC 2010 Keynote announcements.