Let us enumerate all the events that happen during a photo in this phone (applies to all other phones and digital cameras):
1. Screen has to be on.
2. Camera's CCD has to be powered up and engaged.
3. Data from the camera's CCD is processed by the CPU, transferred to the display controller, processed by the display controller, and output to the display. This occurs continuously while you the camera mode is engaged.
4. After you press the shutter button, the focusing motor engages. The CPU must now process a sequence of images acquired during the focusing algorithm and produce one with the highest edge definitions. The camera lens is moving during this time.
5. After focus has been achieved and confirmed, the flash is engaged (assuming low light conditions). The CPU processed light information to determine when to cut off flash power (this happens when the correct exposure has been achieved).
6. CPU processes the CCD data set using the preset file size, color profile, etc. It packages the finalized data set in a .jpeg file, and sends it to the flash memory controller. RAM is also actuvely engaged during this step to handle the intermediate data storage duties.
7. The flash memory controller sequentially writes the data into the flash memory card.
ALL of these events require power way beyond standby levels. If one of the devices involved does not receive sufficient current and/or voltage to complete the task, it shuts down immediately. A memory controller cannot resume a write operation if it has been interrupted, it is a fairly simple device. Thus, any interruption in the sequence due to low power levels will cause the image to be incomplete. The .jpeg file header specifies the image size corresponding to the camera resolution setting; the software that displays the image processes the missing spatial data as black pixels (pixels with no color/intensity information). This happens everywhere. If I am ever stupid enough to pull memory card out of my DSLR or suddenly interrupt the power connection, the same exact thing happens (file with part data, part black area).
The operating system may include algorithms that reserve power for crucial low-level hardware tasks such as processing radio signals or handling system tasks (thus, your radio works). Taking a photo requires a lot more power than launching and running a program, so the camera application is ver understandable left out in the cold when the power levels are low.
This is not an OMFG GIGANTURISTILICIOUS BUG, it's a natural occurrence in the camera-processor-storage chain under insufficient power conditions. Your obsession with being able to produce an image under low power and low light conditions is downright silly. You wouldn't expect your car to be able to reliably play radio at full volume, engage the windshield wipers, power the high beams, AND start when the battery is almost dead. I do not understand why you would expect your cell phone to do the equivalent. So stop snooping around night clubs with a dead phone, bring a charger along, and cheer up
We are not here to insult or demean your concern. You are simply blowing it out of proportion to the point of being silly.
