[Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE] Wolfdragon:
couple of details...

ok, you had a lot of questions and most related to camera. so i will try to get you up to speed. before i start i'm in the same boat and need to choose between the iphone 5 (currently have) the galaxy S3 (just traded away from my S2), and the HTC evo 4g lte ( always been an htc fan boy ).

on #1, you're right the camera button does require the phone to be unlocked before use (for now).

#2, yes they all do some sort of pic in video mode. however the aperture on the HTC is the best of the three and the pics taken while doing vids will be better on the HTC...this should help cover #4 as well. as far as finding pics to match i could load a few but most aren't of the same theme.

#3, the switching between rear and front camera...lets be serious. how often do you need instant switching back and forth? but to explain, the camera of the htc is extremely powerful and so just as if you use a high end camera changin a few features may seem slow. trade off comrade, trade off...would you rather a slow focus and quick switch or quick focus and slow switch? also it really isn't that slow. as compared to the S3 it's on par, the iphone is faster but the front facing camera is a joke compared to those of the android counterparts. they all have a panoramic shot mode so dont fret on that, #5 dismissed.

While on the topic of cameras i will say the iphone 5 has an awesome camera compared to the iphone 4/4s but the focus and detail is failing when placed beside the S3 and evo LTE.

now to the fun stuff and why i got the iphone...

first #6, yes the "..." is the menu. no haptic button for the htc. no idea on the rooting yet, i like to test stock before i go tamperin...just seems fair to have a really good device before i make it the perfect one.^_^. . the iphone 5 is a spectacular device specially seeing any device i get right now (i'm a sprint user, *sigh* hopefully loyalty has it's advantages). IOS is a very stable OS and gives a ease of use unchallenged by many. if you've ever had an iphone more so the last three setting up your new iphone should be as easy as syncing to itunes or loading from cloud to have damned near everything loaded for you. . . .BUT it's old, and lame, and too stupid friendly. i make no jabs @ apple, i have both mac and PC and as i said got the iphone 5 and have had every other dating back to the original iphone (SN: anyone else notice how much the latest iphone looks more like the first more so than any other...victim of fashion i guess).

Samsung, oh samasung....i had the S2 and i have to admit, it became one of my favs. i didn't even want the damned thing, but my gurl made me do the "matching" thing. don't laugh, there are far worse options. -,-... back to focus, the S2 was large, beautiful, responsive and gave a so-so battery performance. the new version has all that and then some. it is loaded, wait let me clarify.....LOADED with goodies and features. all eye catching, all empowering, all really cool. and the way they have been presented on tv and web is about to make the next thing i say a shocker to some.... the HTC can do these things to. HTC started the trend of phone gestures on smart phones...back before android on this little known part of history called windows mobile 6. and they've kept it going all along. never really got the front face it deserved but it's had it and the evo is no different. no before i get blasted there are a few features unique to samsung and again why i emphasized on how many there are.

last but definately not least is HTC. they've been my fav for a loooo...insert coffee break here...oong time, since since my 8125 (see cingular). the htc is a thign of beauty in modest form. the power, the look, the camer, the kickstand....is just an awesome picture of what a phone should be. it works awesome as it's predecessor did, without the hellaciously horrendous battery life. it's that nerdy chic in class all grown up. but there inlies her problem...her focus has shifted. she's just as smart as before, smarter even. but she's gotten so shallow that like your "..." problem in #6 things that used to make her intelligence known are now hidden behind a pretty smile.

i've ranted long enough and hopefully helped fix some of your questions. i think i just solved mine. getting the htc tomorrow. glad i could help and thanks for yours.