We’ve just caught-wind that the Nokia boffins are working on a 12-megapixel monster-snapper handet with optical, rather than digital, zoom.

If the report at RegHardware.co.uk is correct then the Finnish giant will be getting world renowned optics firm Carl Zeiss on board to ensure a high quality end product.

Other specs are currently non-existent, but if the rumour is to be believed we could be seeing this sure-fire king of the cameraphones before the year is over, failing this, at the start of next year.

We’re certainly excited by the prospect of such a highly-specified cameraphone. Do we need it? No, but boy do we want it.

We think the handset will hit the market in the midst of the 12-megapixel showdown with handsets from Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson due to hit the market in the next 9 months.