Nokia today promised to improve the quality of its high-end cameraphones after sealing a deal with Carl Zeiss to incorporate the firm's high-quality optics into forthcoming devices.

Under the terms of the agreement, which the two companies described as "the beginning of a long-term relationship", the scientific expertise from Carl Zeiss will be incorporated into the design process for Nokia's future high-end cameraphones.

The first Nokia product to incorporate the improved optics and carry the Zeiss brand is the Nokia N90 Multimedia.

Juha Putkiranta, senior vice president of imaging at Nokia, said that the deal demonstrated its commitment to improving the quality of its cameraphones.

Dr Dieter Kurz, chief executive at Carl Zeiss, added that the collaboration is an important step in creating a high-end cameraphone market.