Yes, just found that the only way to get the original resolution was to use iPhoto (on Mac). Even iTunes can't get the photos out of the iPhone.
About the email resize : I agree with everyone to say it's completely stupid, we're in 2008, come on, stop this lame behavior on an Apple product!
Espescially when it is stated nowhere in the manual nor in the official support site : I should not had to come here to find this out.