Can I buy an iPhone just to use the camera and listen to music without activating any phone service?

yes you could use an iphone wihtout buying service, but an new unlocked phone is not worth it. I use an old iPhone for an internet browser and iPod. Turn on Airplane mode to not waste battery. The only problem is finding one that someone doesnt want for cheaper than iPod price.

My information could be out of date, but I don't believe that an iPhone can be used for anything other than emergency calls until it's activated with some phone service. Someone else here may have more current information, but I believe that the answer is no, you cannot use the iPhone without purchasing service from a cell carrier.

If the camera is important to you, I'd suggest either an iPod touch and a separate camera, a used, already-activated iPhone as suggested above, or some other product.

Regards.

For $650US for an unlocked 16GB iPhone, I'd think you could get yourself a pretty decent small camera and an iPod Touch easily.

You can do what you're asking for, but it seems like a horrible waste of money to me.

The answer is yes, and this link from apple addresses your question.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3406

Would an iPod touch not be more suitable in this case?

Stedman

You can buy an unlocked iphone 4s (in the US Apple store) for something close to the cost of a laptop, why? The suggestion above is better.

OK. But keep in mind that even with the improved iPhone camera, it is nowhere near the quality of even the lowest priced digital cameras available.

Stedman

for that buy an ipod touch

i agree just but the ipod touch 4th generation