After being exposed - to use a photography pun - to real DSL cameras this week in the form of Panasonic’s exquisite, new, GX7, I now am better qualified to give opinions on camera performance.
The Lumia 925 produced visibly better photographs than its predecessor and all current smartphones. Its specifications, apart from one extra lens, are almost the same as the 920.
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920 |
925 |
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Lenses |
Carl Zeiss Tessar 5 element |
6 element |
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Sensor |
8.7MP BSI CMOS 4.8x3.6mm |
Same (BSI = back side illumination) |
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Sensor size |
1/3.2” |
Same |
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Resolution |
3264x2488 pixels |
same |
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Max ISO |
100-800 |
100-3200 |
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Shutter speed |
Estimated 1/3,000 |
1/15,152 |
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F number |
f/2.0 |
Same |
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Focal length |
26.0 mm |
Same |
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Minimum focus |
8.0 cm |
Same |
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Flash |
Dual LED up to 3m |
Same |
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Zoom |
4x digital |
Same |
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Optical Image stabilisation |
Yes 3 Axis |
Same |
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Autofocus |
Yes with 2 stage capture |
Same |
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Video capture |
1080p 30 |
Same |
Nokia have concentrated on a major problem with smartphone cameras – low light. To solve this it uses a very ‘open’ aperture – f/2.0 to let in more light. The new PureView Amber software update makes the most of the faster shutter and ISO. The 920 will get the update soon but the extra lens element makes a real difference.
The Nokia PureView Camera software is very comprehensive – for a smartphone - and seems to meet or beat all other smartphones.
- Multi-frame combines several captures into a composite image (Samsung S4 Drama mode)
- Erase "unwanted" objects in the background or foreground (S4 Eraser Mode)
- Best Shot out of a series (ditto)
- Motion Focus creates motion blur on the background and makes the subject look as if it was moving rapidly (not seen elsewhere)
- Change Faces (similar to BlackBerry TimeShift)
Other reviewers have put the 925 up against the S4, HTC One and iPhone 5 and rate it the best for: low light capabilities; flash; optics; resolution; image stabilisation; camera app; vivid colours; and Bokeh (background blur).
In real world tests the 925 Carl Zeiss optics beat the S4 Largan optics and the photos are appreciably better despite the S4 having some impressive specifications (925 in brackets): 13MP (8.7); F2.2 (2.0); ISO 100-3200 (same); 31 mm lens (26mm); shutter speed 1/10,000 (15,152); digital image stabilisation (optical); and both use 1.3” BSI CMOS.
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Opinion
Why am I focusing – to use another photography pun – on smartphone cameras?
Smartphone camera performance has become one of the prime selection criteria. Nokia currently make the best smartphone camera by an appreciable margin.
It knows how important cameras are and soon we will see the 1020 – a 41MP beast with performance bettering most dedicated, point and shoot, compact cameras – and it is a phone as well.
The new 925 with its AMOLED screen and better camera is a nice package and a worthy successor to the big, garish, bright, polycarbonate 920. The 1020 however is the one to wait for if you want even better camera results.
Below are the same photo taken without flash with the 920 and 925 (note the detail in the 925 on the right)
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