The Nokia Lumia 1020 was unveiled today at the Finnish company’s New York event. The much-rumored device was officially confirmed today and is set to have much of the features seen prior to the announcement. The most notable of those features is a 41-megapixel camera, making it one of highest resolution cameras in a phone camera. Nokia, the once- dominant mobile company that is now struggling to stay afloat among rivals like Samsung and Apple, is hoping the Lumia will be a shot in the arm.
And of course Microsoft also has interest in the Lumia 1020 was well, as it will be the flagship device for its Windows Mobile Platform.
As reported by verge.com:
“The 41-megapixel Pureview sensor includes optical image stabilization, 6-lens Zeiss optics, and a xenon flash, making it the centerpiece for the rear of the phone. It can shoot still images at 38-megapixel in 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. At the same time as it captures the high-resolution images, it also takes an oversampled 5-megapixel image using the sensor that can then be easily shared thanks to its smaller file size. The Lumia 1020 supports 1080p video capture, complete with 4x zoom and up to 6x at 720p.”
Nokia has always been known for its great cameras. As a matter of fact, Nokia was the reason I disliked the very first iPhone. Nokia’s N-series camera was so far ahead of anything else on the market. But the questions now are: is a 41-megapixel phone really necessary? And how does that number truly translate into great photos? Not everyone is impressed. As John Biggs from techcrunch.com states:
“High-megapixel phones are too cute and clever by half. They are a manufacturer’s attempt to add flair to an other wise drab line-up and I guess they serve to make the R&D guys happy and give the marketing guys a new number to put in newspaper circulars. But no one buys them. Samsung recently launched the S4 Zoom with 16MP and optical zoom and I doubt they will sell more than a few thousand at best. Barring the odd consumer who simply must have a good sensor when taking pictures of their pasta, the camera on most phones is acceptable at worst and just dandy at best.”
Ouch!
But Nokia has always been a leader when it comes to innovation in the smartphone space. Way before Apple and Samsung were making great phones, Nokia phones had features that are just now becoming available on other “leading” devices.
I’ve always wondered why such an innovative company could fall so far behind in a few years. Unlike companies like Microsoft and Blackberry, Nokia was constantly staying ahead of the mobile game. But a lack of marketing prowess, and an unwillingness to subscribe to the subsidized device model with American telephone carriers left them behind in the newest market.
All in all though, the Nokia Lumia 1020 will be a great device. And while it won’t catapult the company back to its once dominant status, it will help make a strong case for them and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile Platform to win the No.3 spot behind Apple and Samsung.
Check out this first look at the phone below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fxa6Q8SAydw#at=44
