GADGETS / GIZMO SPECIAL......More Camera Than Phone

More Camera Than Phone

The Nokia Lumia 1020's 41 megapixels are an enthusiast's delight

SPECIFICATIONS: 
Main camera sensor: 41 megapixel auto-focus, Camera resolution: 7712 x 5360 pixels, Camera features: Optical Image stabilisation, PureView, Backside-illuminated image sensor, 6-lens optics, Sensor size: 1/1.5 inch, f-number/aperture: f/2.2, Camera focal length: 26 mm, Flash Type: Xenon flash, Flash operating range: 4.0 m, 4.5" AMOLED screen with Clearblack tech (768 x 1280 pixels), Pixel density: 334 ppi, Battery capacity: 2000 mAh, Wireless charging: Yes, with accessory cover, Chipset: 1.5 GHz Dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB internal storage, Lacks microSD card slot

Let's agree to agree that the 41- megapixel Nokia Lumia 1020 is the very best camera phone there is. For now. For some people. For some situations.
 

The most effective way to tell the capabilities of the Lumia 1020 from other camera phones is to open up the camera app, stand quite still, and take a photograph of just anything around you — outdoors, in the daytime. Now just tap to zoom in, pinch to get in further, and just notice the details. A mole on a face, text on a signpost, a car number plate in the distance... If you haven’t seen the previous Pureview in action, you’ll gasp in surprise at the result of the lossless zoom. Nokia demonstrates this by zeroing in on a needle in some foliage. Of course it helps to know where the needle is, but it's still phenomenal.
 

The detail and sharpness happens because of the oversampling and a huge lump of a lens on the back. The sensor size is the trade-off because it does affect ergonomics and you end up with a device that’s heavier than others in its category. But then, for some people, mostly those obsessed with taking pictures, compromises of all kinds are just fine. This phone is all about the camera so much so that there’s even a camera grip for it — at an additional cost.
 

You can zoom in and crop a picture that’s more likely than not to be so clear, you’ll be amazed. But the device is by no means all perfection. It’s slow to shoot and process and it takes patience to work with. You need to get to know how to get the best out of the 1020. You can choose to go auto on everything, but that would be a waste as it has manual settings to adjust exposure, ISO and more. The colours are not always right but this is very situational.
 

Low-light photography without flash is a challenge for most cameras. For phone-based cameras it’s even more difficult as the sensors have to be small. The 1020’s is bigger than usual though and it does a better than ordinary job of capturing low-light images. The device has a special assembly of little floating components to enable optical image stabilisation for photographs that are less prone to being shaken up, and for video that is quite smooth and steady. The camera is rather good at video, overall.
 

The camera software on the 1020 is also unique and adds a great deal to the final quality of images. Nokia’s Smart Cam app lets users take quick shots and gives the best shot. Nokia’s ProCam is the advanced options mode where photo-savvy enthusiasts can tinker with multiple settings. There are other apps and ‘lenses’ for effects and tricks including Cinemagraph, Panorama, Camera360 and more recently, Nokia’s Refocus app which lets you focus on a portion of an image after the fact and also selectively have particular colours pop out while others remain black and white. All of this allows for some creative and artistic images, which is why the device is more suited to those who want a portable camera and excited about making much of photos. For quick and casual sharing, the camera takes a 5MP image apart from a 38MP one.
 

Aside from being a camera, the 1020 is a regular Windows phone, not with the highest specifications when compared with other flagship phones but perhaps not requiring them either. It could have had a better screen, and options to expand storage, but otherwise does fine with its resources.
 

The price, Rs 47,222, is right up there with the major flagship phones. It’s too much for those who believe a niche device can’t command such a high price. Nor does everyone agree that a Windows phone should cost as much as others that offer a larger, richer ecosystem of apps. However, for those who want to carry their favourite hobby in their pockets, it’s irresistible.

CHECKOUT

Micromax Canvas Turbo A250 

RS 20,000
Another week, another Micromax smartphone. But wait, this time it's the Turbo, the one that instantly brings to mind Hugh Jackman, Hollywood star and master at juggling various aspects of his exciting life — thanks to a Micromax Canvas Turbo or A250. With their new brand ambassador for the Canvas series, Micromax signals its intention to go after global markets.

In keeping with that thought, the Turbo looks a shade more upmarket than previous Canvas models, though it may be the midnight blue that made me feel that way, plus the material the back panel is made of — possibly aluminium. It's matte finish but maybe a little slippery. Other than that this 5-inch handset didn't feel bad to hold.

On board is a 1.5GHz quad core MediaTek processor with 2GB of RAM letting the 1080 x 1920 Full HD screen look good and works responsively enough. The ten point touchscreen is nice with no compromises on clarity from different angles.

The cameras are 13 and 5MP but perform averagely. The camera allows for animated photos, panoramas and object removal but some of these are slightly cumbersome.

The device is on Android 4.2.1 and lightly customised by Micromax. There are lots of software tricks such as a multi-tasking quick access button that fans out with options similar to what you'll find on Samsung's S4 and Note. The battery is a 2,000 mAh and performs well but is not removable. The Turbo is a dual SIM but these are not dual active. Overall though, the device still adds up to value for money at just under Rs 20,000. One crib is that there's no internal storage expansion. You get 16GB and that's how it stays.

Mala Bhargava

(This story was published in BW | Businessworld Issue Dated 30-12-2013)
 

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