It's certainly true that the N900 isn't the snappiest; I'd also like if it were faster. The hardware seems to be excellent, but it's the software which isn't always so good. You mentioned BlessN900, and I find that it sometimes (but not always) produces much better images.

That said, the camera on the N900 isn't bad. In comparison with the iPhone, the N900's camera is a first-class citizen. Slide open the lens and you have a camera, rather than unlocking the device and backing out of apps to get there.