Cameras
vs Camera
WITH so many smartphones being launched; running so many different operating systems and at so many different price points, it has become almost impossible to keep track of newer handsets. Manufacturers, it seems, realize this and have gone on an overdrive to create products with that little bit extra. Some of them have packed their phones with quad-core processors; some have built weather-proof bodies; some others have opted for that classy-looking unishell fabrication. And now, they’ve added these crazy cameras to these devices – shooters that are capable of outputs that even your digital camera can’t produce…
LG OPTIMUS 3D MAX P720
The P720 looks like any other smartphone till you turn it around and notice the two 5-megapixel shooters on its back that are capable of 3D photos and videos. But more on that later…
Indeed, this LG handset looks like any other premium device in its price range – and it is sturdily built using a mix of Gorilla glass, plastic and metal.
When it comes to day-to-day use, the Optimus leaves very little to be desired. Call quality is loud and clear, its touchscreen is receptive to taps and swipes, and its processors handle all computing tasks without a hiccup. Play a FullHD movie or even fire-up a 3D game and the P720 does it smoothly.The device also boasts of a playback mode that converts any standard movie into 3D on the fly – and it is admirable when you see that it does this smoothly even with 1080p videos.
The phone is quick to latch onto a Wi-Fi connection, and its hotspot option securely shares its data connection. On 2G networks, its battery lasts for little over a day; while on 3G, it allows for around 10 hours of usage.
Consider the fact that the device runs on Google Android, and you have a marketplace full of apps that can be used to customize the device. Now since this phone is marketed as a 3D gizmo, it comes preinstalled with a 3D application suite which provides you with a one-touch access to content on your phone as well as 3D YouTube videos.
It should be noted here that 3D is viewable on the P720’s screen without any special glasses; although the effect is only visible from a sweet spot. This means, at any time, only one person can view images and videos in three dimensions.
And this brings us to its cameras
The Optimus 3D Max P720 — capable of shooting 2D images and videos as well as 3D content — is equipped with features such as face detection, auto-focus, geotagging, as well as preset scenes and effects.
In standard mode, photos shot at 5MP appear clear and the colours look vibrant. Though, in low light the images suffer from considerable noise. Videos at 1080p, shot at 30fps, are decent and work well for playback on the phone, though they’re not the sort you’ll want to view on your Full HD TV – still, this is not a deal breaker.
What really differentiates this device from all the other smartphones is 3D. When in 3D mode, the cameras shoot 3MP images, while videos are recorded at 720p HD.
Albeit gimmicky in every sense of the word, the P720’s 3D images and videos are quite a treat to view, and are bound to be a hit at any social gathering — a big hit.
That said, we are not sure whether the 3D functionality — camera and all — is enough to justify this device’s pricing. True, it delivers on all its promises, but we have seen handsets at two-thirds its cost delivering on the same parameters. In the end, it all depends on how much are you really willing to spend on a mere gimmick; we guess it’s a question that everyone needs to answer for themselves.
The P720 looks like any other smartphone till you turn it around and notice the two 5-megapixel shooters on its back that are capable of 3D photos and videos. But more on that later…
Indeed, this LG handset looks like any other premium device in its price range – and it is sturdily built using a mix of Gorilla glass, plastic and metal.
When it comes to day-to-day use, the Optimus leaves very little to be desired. Call quality is loud and clear, its touchscreen is receptive to taps and swipes, and its processors handle all computing tasks without a hiccup. Play a FullHD movie or even fire-up a 3D game and the P720 does it smoothly.The device also boasts of a playback mode that converts any standard movie into 3D on the fly – and it is admirable when you see that it does this smoothly even with 1080p videos.
The phone is quick to latch onto a Wi-Fi connection, and its hotspot option securely shares its data connection. On 2G networks, its battery lasts for little over a day; while on 3G, it allows for around 10 hours of usage.
Consider the fact that the device runs on Google Android, and you have a marketplace full of apps that can be used to customize the device. Now since this phone is marketed as a 3D gizmo, it comes preinstalled with a 3D application suite which provides you with a one-touch access to content on your phone as well as 3D YouTube videos.
It should be noted here that 3D is viewable on the P720’s screen without any special glasses; although the effect is only visible from a sweet spot. This means, at any time, only one person can view images and videos in three dimensions.
And this brings us to its cameras
The Optimus 3D Max P720 — capable of shooting 2D images and videos as well as 3D content — is equipped with features such as face detection, auto-focus, geotagging, as well as preset scenes and effects.
In standard mode, photos shot at 5MP appear clear and the colours look vibrant. Though, in low light the images suffer from considerable noise. Videos at 1080p, shot at 30fps, are decent and work well for playback on the phone, though they’re not the sort you’ll want to view on your Full HD TV – still, this is not a deal breaker.
What really differentiates this device from all the other smartphones is 3D. When in 3D mode, the cameras shoot 3MP images, while videos are recorded at 720p HD.
Albeit gimmicky in every sense of the word, the P720’s 3D images and videos are quite a treat to view, and are bound to be a hit at any social gathering — a big hit.
That said, we are not sure whether the 3D functionality — camera and all — is enough to justify this device’s pricing. True, it delivers on all its promises, but we have seen handsets at two-thirds its cost delivering on the same parameters. In the end, it all depends on how much are you really willing to spend on a mere gimmick; we guess it’s a question that everyone needs to answer for themselves.
Pros: Stereo cameras, sturdy build, decent battery life, dual-core
processor capable of handling all tasks.
Cons:Display not the best in class, User interface could do with
some polish; a bit pricey.
NOKIA PUREVIEW 808
Nokia’s PureView 808 is built solidly – and at 169 gms, it has a nice heft to it too. This is partly due to the fact that its body is designed to incorporate a big camera lens module and a monster sensor within. So if you’re looking for something light and sleek, this phone is not it.
But aside from its ‘weight issues’, the 808 is a typical Symbian ‘Belle’ phone. This means it boasts of good call quality, very good battery life—easily lasting a day if you’re not shooting many photos —and support for Nokia’s fantastic Drive (access to navigation maps) and Music (huge collection of songs) service.
Add to the mix a set of ‘fantastic speakers’ that are capable of rich sound, and its easy to discount its paltry 360x640-pixel screen resolution. In short, the overall multimedia experience is about decent.
On the downside, the phone is not as smart as Nokia would like you to believe. Compared to the latest Android and Windows Phone devices, the software in Belle lacks visual flourish. The user interface and apps look like they’re from a generation ago (which they are) and every task — including something as simple as setting up your email—seems to take just little bit extra out of you.
Internet browsing is another area where the PureView fails: It feels slow and clearly suffers when it comes to rendering dynamic web pages. Still, the problem with PureView 808 does not seem to be that of performance. Navigating around the phone is largely smooth. The issue is with the quality of apps and what they can do.
The best camera in a phone. Ever!
Straight off, there’s no denying that the PureView 808 is all camera; complete with its Carl Zeiss lens and Xenon flash assisted by an LED. And then, it’s equipped with a sensor that’s capable of capturing detailed photographs made up of over 35 million pixels. In standard mode, however, the PureView provides you with super-clear 5-megapixel photos. To do this, Nokia uses a technology called pixel oversampling, which means it captures details amounting to 41MP, but then uses the captured information to create 5MP images that are made up of the best pixels.
No denying, the PureView 808 is the best camera phone we have ever tested. Pictures, whether taken in low light or in sunlight, boast of an astounding amount of details. The device captures natural colours and doesn’t saturate them to make photographs look sharper than they are. It even performs admirably in low light conditions. The device is equally good with video, which it captures crisply and clearly in 1080p resolution.
That said, there are two minor flaws in PureView’s camera. The macro mode on PureView 808 is not as fast as we would have liked. This means slightly out of focus macro shots if you are not careful. The second problem with the 808’s camera is the physical shutter- release button. It is too stiff and ruins photographs because pressing it results in shaking that affects focus. But in the grand scheme of things, these are minor flaws.
Nokia says that PureView 808 is not for everyone. After using it for weeks I agree. This is a device for people who only care about clicking good—and by good I mean ridiculously good—photographs with their phones.
Pros: Best camera ever in a phone, good speakers, great audio & video recording.
Nokia’s PureView 808 is built solidly – and at 169 gms, it has a nice heft to it too. This is partly due to the fact that its body is designed to incorporate a big camera lens module and a monster sensor within. So if you’re looking for something light and sleek, this phone is not it.
But aside from its ‘weight issues’, the 808 is a typical Symbian ‘Belle’ phone. This means it boasts of good call quality, very good battery life—easily lasting a day if you’re not shooting many photos —and support for Nokia’s fantastic Drive (access to navigation maps) and Music (huge collection of songs) service.
Add to the mix a set of ‘fantastic speakers’ that are capable of rich sound, and its easy to discount its paltry 360x640-pixel screen resolution. In short, the overall multimedia experience is about decent.
On the downside, the phone is not as smart as Nokia would like you to believe. Compared to the latest Android and Windows Phone devices, the software in Belle lacks visual flourish. The user interface and apps look like they’re from a generation ago (which they are) and every task — including something as simple as setting up your email—seems to take just little bit extra out of you.
Internet browsing is another area where the PureView fails: It feels slow and clearly suffers when it comes to rendering dynamic web pages. Still, the problem with PureView 808 does not seem to be that of performance. Navigating around the phone is largely smooth. The issue is with the quality of apps and what they can do.
The best camera in a phone. Ever!
Straight off, there’s no denying that the PureView 808 is all camera; complete with its Carl Zeiss lens and Xenon flash assisted by an LED. And then, it’s equipped with a sensor that’s capable of capturing detailed photographs made up of over 35 million pixels. In standard mode, however, the PureView provides you with super-clear 5-megapixel photos. To do this, Nokia uses a technology called pixel oversampling, which means it captures details amounting to 41MP, but then uses the captured information to create 5MP images that are made up of the best pixels.
No denying, the PureView 808 is the best camera phone we have ever tested. Pictures, whether taken in low light or in sunlight, boast of an astounding amount of details. The device captures natural colours and doesn’t saturate them to make photographs look sharper than they are. It even performs admirably in low light conditions. The device is equally good with video, which it captures crisply and clearly in 1080p resolution.
That said, there are two minor flaws in PureView’s camera. The macro mode on PureView 808 is not as fast as we would have liked. This means slightly out of focus macro shots if you are not careful. The second problem with the 808’s camera is the physical shutter- release button. It is too stiff and ruins photographs because pressing it results in shaking that affects focus. But in the grand scheme of things, these are minor flaws.
Nokia says that PureView 808 is not for everyone. After using it for weeks I agree. This is a device for people who only care about clicking good—and by good I mean ridiculously good—photographs with their phones.
Pros: Best camera ever in a phone, good speakers, great audio & video recording.
Cons: Low-resolution display, bulky design, Symbian Belle OS. 
Savio
D’Souza & Javed Anwer TL120729
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