Video: The Nokia N86 has ‘real’/usable digital zoom!
July 13, 2009 at 8:26 pm | In 3rd edition, Nokia, Nseries, S60, Video | 2 CommentsTags: 3rd edition, n86, Nokia, Nokia n86, S60, Symbian, Video
Digital zoom – probably the first thing you ever hear when you first start using any sort of digital camera is NOT to use it. Take the photo/video and crop it when you get the file to your computer.
Now this is still true for photos. The only thing the digital zoom is good at is readjusting the light within your zoomed window, i.e. if you zoom in on a bright light, the camera adjusts so instead of being a wash of light, you can make out some detail.
Other than that though, especially in video, you shouldn’t really bother at all with digital zoom as you just loose out on detail. (If you just want to quickly upload/share something – then go ahead and use the digital zoom)
Steve Litchfield shares an interesting find from the Nokia N86 (stumbling upon this gem from here) – it has somewhat of a usable digital zoom. Instead of being limited to expanding VGA pixels, resulting in horrendously blurry videos, the N86 apparently uses the whole sensor which maintains more of the details within the VGA video when you use the digital zoom.
It’s no optical zoom – but it’s a really good start. I’d like to see comparisons with an N93 to see how well this new digital zoom compares to Nokia’s optical zoom. On the flip side of this exciting discovery, James Burland’s comment points out yet another Nokia flaw. Apple would have this feature in your face right about now.
This video makes me extremely depressed. If Nokia could not see a way to market this feature, or even just tell bloggers about it then there is something serious amiss with their marketing department.
What a wonderful feature! A killer feature in fact. Nokia you need to make some noise about this. Seriously.
Usable digital zoom aside, there’s something obscenely annoying about the video and that’s the jerkiness of the zoom.
Other rooms for improvement include autofocus during video perhaps? Anyone remember when the N93i was shown to have autofocus during video but then it got removed? The barcode reader app had somewhat of continuous autofocusing…
Video: The Phones Show – Episode 84 (Review of Nokia N86 and
July 2, 2009 at 10:32 pm | In 3rd edition, 5th Edition, Nokia, Nseries, Reviews, S60, Symbian, Video | 2 CommentsTags: n86, N97, Nokia, Nokia n86, Review, Samsung i8910
In episode 84 of The Phones Show, Steve:
- takes a quick look back at the E75
- reviews the Nokia N86, 8MP camera phone
- interviews Lee Williams, Executive Director of the Symbian Foundation
The interview of Lee Williams is slightly disheartening as there are various indications that Symbian will predominantly focus on hard key input, and not the growing trend in touch.
When asked about where he stood on Touch vs Hardware button control [at 08:04], Williams answers,
“Well I think when you look at the total size of the smartphone market and the types of products that are relevant for consumers in that market place, I speculate that no more than 30% of that overall market will actually end up being occupied by touch screen products and display only products. So I think you have at least 70% market place out there that will always be well represented by products of a different form factor where people really like their QWERTY, really like their hard inputs and really like the fous that shows up in the UI so that you can one handed and use it in many different aspects of your life”
I’m sure one handed use is not a virtue of hardware keys alone.
Right now, touch screen handsets are the ones bringing innovation to the mobile phone world in terms of changing how the masses perceive how we interact with phones. If Symbian is going to try and entice developers into producing apps, those apps MUST be optimized for touch. Maybe it shouldn’t be touch vs hardware input, but a combination of the two – but both being equally optimised forms of input, e.g. Palm Pre, G1 and perhaps even the N97.
The interview also covers the new branding of Symbian Foundation, with images that “look like something my four year old can draw”. Hopefully, it is meant to say that the future of Symbian is something so user friendly, that even a four year old can pick it up and use it.
Another interesting part at 10:40, Williams shows us his Samsung i8910 and Nokia N97, but doesn’t show us the prototype he’s carrying. Maybe the Sony Ericsson Satio? Or could it be a new Nokia? That’s not really the interesting bit – it’s that Williams favours the Samsung product over the Nokia handset – that’s right. Not Nokia….the manufacturer that SHOULD be the king of Symbian handsets.
via 3lib
Videos and Photos: Nokia N97 vs Nokia N82 in low light.
June 26, 2009 at 12:29 am | In 3rd edition, 5th Edition, MNB, Nokia, Nseries, Photos, S60, Symbian, Test, Versus, Video | 8 CommentsTags: Nokia, Nseries, Xenon, Flash, Dual LED, Xenon Flash, N82, N97 White, Sample, Nokia N82, Low light, Sample Images, Camera tests
[Sidenote: This test was done with pre-release early edition firmware V10.0.009, and not the "final" firmware V10.0.012]
Just before we went to see “The Hangover”, we went to the pub for a quick drink. Here were three shots I took with the N97 and the N82 in your average moderate/low lighting pub.
Preferably, for a comparison, I would have actually tested it on a proper night out in a club (like the collection here with the N82)- with much less light and a little more thought into certain making the tests fair.
Nevertheless, here’s what I managed with 5 minutes to spare – some “real world” testing of the N97 and the N82 in low lighting conditions (with flash).
N97 (and dual LED Flash)
N82 (And Xenon Flash)
N97
N82
N97
N82
For me – I prefer what the N82 produces. Crisp, non blurry, well lit images as opposed to the N97 under low lighting appears to be taking pictures through a murky muddy bottle.
Video
Supposedly – the LED light is meant to help, but as you can see – the N82 manages fine without it (seen in first few seconds of N82 video, thereafter “assisted” by N97). But the focus is blurry, the video is grainy and overall poor. I guess if it was pitch black then the N97 may have won slightly by having the LED light to give your face a slight gray halloween tint.
Sample from a Nokia N97
Sample from a Nokia N82
I really want to get the N97, but it kills me that for something so important to me (people photos – nights out – I am a student :p) there’s a lot I’ll have to sacrifice in terms of no longer being able to carry just one device again. Unless that is, I go and wait for the Satio. Hmm. It’s early days yet. I’ve not even had the N97 for half a day.
(Note though, it’s not all bad, the N97 performs well in optimum conditions – i.e. bright sunlight – something of a rarity in Wales)
Camera Tests: Nokia N82 vs Samsung Innov8 vs Nokia N97 vs Nokia N86
June 25, 2009 at 9:51 am | In 3rd edition, Nokia, Nseries, Photos, S60 | 1 CommentTags: Dual LED, Flash, innov8, Low light, N82, n86, N97, Nokia, Nokia N82, Nokia n86, Nokia N97, Nseries, Photo Samples, Photos, Picture, S60, Samsung, Samsung Innov8, Symbian, Test, Xenon
Nokia and Carl Zeiss have bestowed upon the N86 imaging enhancements beyond just upping the resolution from 5MP to 8MP; wide angle, improved latency, large aperture, better sensor in general all resulting (at least on paper) in improved image quality.
Check out full size photos from AAS
As you can see from Rafe’s test, the N86 is superior in all conditions, except low light, where the N82 and its Xenon flash show exactly how to freeze time in .jpeg format.
Check out full size photos from AAS
When there’s a low light scene however, and no flash is used, the N86 is leaps and bounds beyond the other three in the tests. That’s great for:
- low light situations where xenon flash would not help because the subject is too far away
- Situations where you’re not allowed to use flash (although it would really help) – e.g. in an art gallery or music/sport event.
- when flash would produce too much gastly reflections (e.g. trying to take a photo through glass)
- when you want to take quick successive shots in low light (xenon flash takes a second or two to charge up)
- taking pictures of your pets/other animals [in low light] – they may not enjoy the sudden bright flash, of either xenon or dual led.
- [insert other reason for not using flash]
As you can see when the scene was pitch black – the N82 was able to light it up and produce vivid reds of the car, the Innov8 and N97 poorly just bouncing off reflections, but the N86 – although only dual LED, with the combination of improved sensor, illuminates the scene, though not to the standard of the N82.
However, as pointed out in the AAS podcast by Steve Litchfield, though it can light up the scene a bit more than usual dual LED, it doesn’t freeze it like Xenon, so expect some blurs if you’re taking pictures of say…erm…people…in low light situations.
…..:( Without a Xenon flash it´s not possible to have a great all situation camera.
!Nokia N86 Review by Rafe Blandford
June 22, 2009 at 12:08 pm | In 3rd edition, Nokia, Nseries, Reviews, S60 | Leave a CommentTags: 3rd edition, All about Symbian, Camera, Feature pack 2, Live Pics, n86, Nokia, Nseries, Rafe Blandford, Review, S60, Test
If there was one person in this world I would trust on having an overwhelming understanding of Nokia and Symbian, it would be Rafe blandford. What Rafe doesn’t know about Symbian isn’t really worth knowing.
You may have read his review of the Nokia N86 already, but if you haven’t, please check it out >>click<<
There’s a brilliant introduction to the history behind the N86 and Nseries as well as the climate of competition the N86 is entering.
The portion that interests me the most is the camera stills section, afterall, being the “imaging flagship”, camera stills is in essence, the purpose of being of the N86.
Although slow in joining the megapixel race to 8MP (very 2008), Nokia hasn’t done it mindlessly, just to attract and blind consumers into the ever increasing numbers game. There appears to be (at least on paper) many attempts at improving the image quality, making more efficient use of each frame and each pixel.
Side Note. This video interview, back in February, accounts Nokia’s vision for the N86.
You’d expect that the N86 should be the best 8MP camera phone on the market. In fact, as you’ll remember, it won the TIPA 09 Best Mobile Imaging Device.
In early preproduction review of the N86 by Mobile Review however, the result was inconclusive, with Samsung’s INNOV8 sometimes having the upper hand in picture quality. The N86 is available now so there should be a lot of reviews out there of the actual production version to see if the N86 has really risen the bar for still images.
Please check out the rest of the review at AAS.
________________________
AAS will be doing a test of the “third generation” Dual LED flash. According to Rafe, “Nokia continue to persevere with dual LED technology rather than Xenon for their flash units, quoting size and power efficiencies”.
Perhaps with the improvements to the sensor, the N86 doesn’t need Xenon?
For me, a camera phone is for memories – taking snaps of friends and families. i.e. people. Yeah, there are occasional scenic images, random attempts of being artsy, but most of my gallery is filled with people. I don’t know about you, but in most of those cases, where they’re within 1-3 metres, half the time in not the most ideal lighting situations, Xenon flash really does help – pushing the colours from slightly washed out to something more vibrant and changing possibly a blurry mess to a crisp, clear moment frozen in time.
Maybe, like the N85, N96, the N86 is another interim solution to a true successor for ground breaking N95, therefore for the expectations of the N86, Dual LED was the best choice.
HD Video: Nokia N86 Review and Unboxing (In Italian)
June 19, 2009 at 3:17 pm | In 3rd edition, Nokia, Nseries, Reviews, S60, Symbian, Video | Leave a CommentTags: 3rd Editino, Camera Test, n86, Nokia, Nokia n86, Nseries, Review, S60, Sample, Symbian, unboxing, Video, Video Test
The N86 is available today, but has been and will be overshadowed by the N97 for quite some time. Telefonio.tv has an unboxing and video review of the Nokia N86, and although it’s in Italian is still an interesting watch.
Pretty much same old contents in your standard Nseries package, except that decent looking silicone in-earphones and remote control combination [Nokia Wired Headset (AD-54+HS-83]. Much better than standard earphones with foam buds.
It’s accompanied by an 8 Page review, which can be translated via babelfish or google translator.
Here’s a video sample from the N86:
Adverts: Nokia E71x exclusively at AT&T
June 18, 2009 at 10:40 am | In 3rd edition, Advert, Nokia, S60, Video | Leave a CommentTags: 3rd edition, Advert, E71, Nokia, Nokia E71x, Review, S60, Symbian, Video
A rarity to see a Nokia handset being picked up by an American carrier – here’s the advert for the Nokia E71x, exclusive to AT&T.
And while you’re at it, here’s Michael Oryl’s review of the AT&T’s branded (and slightly crippled) E71x.
Nokia N86 Review by Mobile-Review
June 4, 2009 at 11:02 am | In 3rd edition, Nokia, Nseries, Reviews, S60 | 2 CommentsTags: Nokia, n86, Nokia n86, Review, Test Shots, Live Pics, Sample Pics, Test Photos
Eldar of Mobile-Review has published his review on the Nokia N86. This is currently in Russian so a few things may have been lost in (google) translation.
Some key points from the review of Nokia’s flagship camera phone:
- Identical form factor to the N85, but subjectively looks nicer due to the similar N97-esque styling.
- Also comes in white, which I think suits the N86 more (partly due to the fact that I hate the orange keys on the charcoal version)
- N86’s screen is better and brighter than the N85 which similarly sports an AMOLED display
- Despite being AMOLED, the protective glass gives it visibility under sunlight.
- Redesigned keys (individual buttons as opposed to flat sheet of keys on N85) are much more convenient and easier to work on.
- Navigation/D-pad easy to press
- Battery life is about 3 days on Russian networks, with 1.5h talk time, taking a dozen photos, recording a couple of minutes of video and listening to music/radio for about an hour.
- 70/74MB free RAM after start up
- 8GB on board memory – recognizes additional 32GB by micro SD.
- Same processor as the Nokia N97; Arm 11 at 434MHz
- Saving images takes approximately 3-4 seconds but says you can take shots at 1-2 second intervals
- Camera comparison with the Samsung Innov8 – sometimes the N86 does better, sometimes the Innov8. Quite a few images were unimpressive. Not really what I expected after all that hype on “focusing on imaging and quality, not the megapixel race”. Or is that just another spin by Nokia? Given that it has got some credentials in winning the 2009 TIPA best mobile imaging, maybe it just didn’t do well in this review? Better, consistent shots of the N86 have been provided from other N86 camera reviews.
- Lack of Xenon flash in the flagship camera phone astonishes me. N82 in my eyes will still be the flagship camera phone until Nokia gets back on track and returns Xenon to Nseries. Dual flash, was once justified for video taking. This phone is for STILL IMAGES!!!
Click >here < and scroll down to the very bottom of the review to see the sample shots (in comparison with Innov8/n85/Viewty
- N86 was a wider viewing angle, and also has inbuilt panoramic photo option
- Has an FM Transmitter like the N97
- Has an active kickstand that upon opening to rest the N86 at an angle on a flat surface, an application opens.
- One of the best non touchscreen smartphones today.
New: Nokia E52 announced! Extreme battery life!
May 6, 2009 at 11:22 pm | In 3rd edition, Eseries, Nokia, S60 | Leave a CommentTags: 5th Edition, E52, Eseries, Nokia, Nokia E52, S60, specification, Symbian
You most likely have heard by now that Nokia have announced the E52. It’s like the normal keypad version of the E55 aesthetically. I’m not much of a fan of the Eseries, except that is for their build quality. I mean, check out this video where build quality is emphised, “High quality Eseries build and finish”. Finnish: was that a pun?
The E52 also has packs some stamina enduring 8 hours talk time and 23 days of stand by, and should be coming in the second half of 2009, priced at 245 Euros (£215).
For the technical specifications, check it out from the Nokia Website.
Review: Nokia E75 review by IT PRO
May 2, 2009 at 9:43 am | In 3rd edition, 5th Edition, Nokia, Reviews | 1 CommentTags: E75, Nokia, Nokia E75, Review
The E75 review from MobileBurn gave the E75 a “highly recommended” rating, but this review from IT PRO gives the E75 only 3 stars (out of 5). The main feature of the E75 is the keypad, although great for text, IT PRO finds it a major grievance that you have to hold down shift to input numbers, a problem also in the upcoming N97. In conclusion, Richard Goodwin says,
“Nokia hasn’t really come to the table with anything new that is going to change the way people think about mobile phones. That doesn’t necessarily make it a bad phone, it’s just not that good when compared to what’s already out there.”
Now, with that, Richard could have been talking about any Nokia phone out now. The E75 is a good phone, but with many other good phones from other manufacturers, it needs a lot of things to set it apart from the competition. That’s the problem currently with Nokia. We’re not seeing anything new from them.
In evolutionary science, there’s a theory called “Red Queen Hypothesis”, where animals need to develop continually just to keep up with the systems they are co-evolving with. The essence of this theory is from the book, “Through the looking glass” where the Red Queen states,
“…it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!”
It feels like Nokia is just evolving in response to other manufacturers when instead, they should be pushing revolutionary changes of their own, to make everyone else try to keep up with them instead of the other way around.
Via IT PRO
My Nokia Blog- Video: Behind the new Nokia homescreen – multiple homescreens coming soon? July 14, 2009
- Video: The Nokia N86 has ‘real’/usable digital zoom! July 13, 2009
- Video Advert: Introduction to the Nokia N97 July 13, 2009
- How to: Calibrating the Nokia N97’s compass in 3 seconds. July 12, 2009
- Freeware: UK Rail – Train Timetables for your Nokia N97, 5800, Samsung i8910 and other S60 5th Edition Phone July 12, 2009
- Two thumb typing on the Nokia N97 (or lack of) July 12, 2009
- Free Game: Match’em for Nokia N97, 5800, and Samsung i8910 July 11, 2009
- Photos: Nights out with the Nokia N97 (with Nokia N82 comparison samples) July 10, 2009
- Video: The Phones Show – Episode 85 – James Burland on the iPhone 3GS (and Nokia Rant) July 9, 2009
- WordPress mobile blogging on the Nokia N97. Bad for Nokia blogging, great for diary blogging. July 8, 2009
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