I think all that is required if for moderate success.. Enough to give them enough resources to attempt an Android phone. Otherwise as I’ve stated in the latter part of my post, Nokia supports an Android compatible JVM. This could be done by Nokia or by a third party App developer.. That is unless Nokia/MS ban emulators like Apple does.

Using Apple as reference point because we are an Apple-centric site, and intentionally skewing things in their favor are two VERY different things. To answer another question, no, I am interested in being a journalist. I have a chosen career and do this because I enjoy it. However, again, that doesn’t mean that I am in the business of shilling for Apple. If another phone, tablet, or computer is better, I’ll say it. I definitely thought the camera on 1020 was better, and I said it.

I would agree on switching platforms for the most part. However, there are users who own smartphones that aren’t really plugged into their ecosystems, and barely use them for anything more than calls, texts, emails, and pictures. For those people, especially ones who would like to ditch their point and shoot camera and carry one device, the 1020 has appeal. Not everyone can afford or wants to carry a DSLR or system camera.

This level of camera in a smartphone is different, and it’s worth talking about. There is also a broader market of people who are still switching from standard cell phones to smartphones. The 1020 deserves consideration there, as well.

Nokia’s mid-term success is determined by three money makers: Their feature and basic phones, which sell in 70 million units a quarter, their networks business, and their patent portfolio. For the next years still at least, these finance WP development. If they fail, so will WP.

MS wants to buy Nokia, sure. But that is a difficult proposition, since Nokia and NSN are now a 150 000 employee strong company. Integrating that much non-Anglo-Saxon telecom equipment and services stuff into very-American MS is an endeavour of scale not attempted before.

See, that’s exactly why I find it funny. Okay… it’s an apple-centric blog (I always thought iSource was striving to be more than just a blog), but the statement is written in a way that makes it sound like the whole world revolves around Apple’s release cycles. It’s the same thing that drove me crazy reading all of the reviews of the new Nexus 7 and how it trumps the iPad Mini. The statement comes off as slightly fan-boyish and leaves the reader questioning just how even-handed or prejudicial your review of the Lumia 1020 is going to be.

Besides, I really have to wonder how many people base their purchasing just on whatever device may have the technical edge of the moment? I know I don’t. And I don’t think serious photographers are going to be lining up to buy the monstrosity that is the Lumia 1020. Far better to spend the cash toward a DSLR and pick a smartphone that does a good job of being a smartphone.

Nobody is going to switch to a Windows phone from iPhone or Android just because it has a better camera. Why? It’s the apps. I can justify buying a new handset every year or two but purchasing and installing all new apps for a new platform is what really makes switching unpalatable. It was the biggest barrier for me to cross when I moved from iPhone to Android and it remains the biggest barrier keeping me from moving back. If you are on a platform that works well and you’ve paid for all these apps, why switch?

As far as fans of other platforms resenting your not skewing things in the complete opposite direction of Apple, I can understand you finding that odd. Not your job. My question is whether you consider yourself a blogger or a serious journalist? If iSource is just a blog… well fine. If iSource is trying to be a legitimate source for tech news… then reporting the facts without skewing them for or against Apple would be a good place to start. Are you trying to post legitimate commentary or just stoking the fires fan-boyism?

Fair point. However, did you check the sign on the door here? Last I looked, it was an Apple-centric blog. So, I personally don’t find it all funny, odd, stupid, unprofessional, or anything else. We are going to look at things from an Apple viewpoint. So yes, I am looking at the fact that the current major phone cycles don’t line up, and doing it on the basis of when the iPhone is released. The only thing I find odd is the resentment that fans of other platforms have when we don’t skew things in the complete opposite direction of Apple just to make them happy.

LMAO. You could just as easily say that Apple releases it’s flagship hardware in the middle of Samsung and HTC’s release cycle only to be topped when the next Samsung or HTC flagship product is released. Why is it that release cycles are defined by Apple and not it’s competitors?

Lack of Google services on WP is not a problem if one invests in the MS ecosystem instead. Everything is there, from Skydrive to OneNote, from Outlook to Nokia Maps and navigation and other location services, which are, by the way, superior to Google’s. Apple’s are not even worth mentioning. With the benfit that one is getting the apps and services from real companies making real old-fashioned hard cold money, not using the services as advertisement and personal information harvesting platforms, as Google does. I am always surprised that parents let their kids, for instance, to use Google services in the first place, thus selling their entire identity to a giga corporation and making them targets for highly-targeted (kids) advertisement.

WP is a much safer choice for a young person who does not understand that all they do with their Android or iP is recorded by Google.

Us international iP users never got Siri or dictation and probably never will, so it won’t be “missing” from WP since it never was. The same goes for Passbook etc. Apple only makes stuff for Americans; Nokia and MS also for others.

WP is a first-party-heavy, integrated ecosystem coming with built-in high quality, localized apps and services from Nokia and MS. iOS is an app launcher for English-only apps bought from third party developers. No wonder WP is growing so fast in Europe — when one’s user experience is limited to (the only localized) iOS 6 Mail and Calendar and Notes and Maps, any other platform looks better in comparison.

For those more into design and less into photography, there is the Lumia 925, which comes with optical image stabilization, takes better pics than iP5 under typical conditions, and has very nice Aluminium-boosted design with a working antenna and 4G bands even for non-Americans. Now figure that!

Speaking of cameras. The 2010-launched, and sold in millions, Nokia N8 with its fantastic 12MPx sensor took and still takes better pics than iP5 or even Lumia 925. Compared to N8, iP5 lacks detail, produces geometrical problems and over-saturates colours in day light. Plus N8’s aluminium body never scratched. Anyway, that is how far ahead Nokia has been in this camera game. N8 was a huge success in Europe, though I do not know if it was ever sold in the US. Before that, Nokia N95 with its custom-built 5MPx sensorproduced almost or exactly the quality iP4 did in 2010 already in 2007-2008. Today, low-end Nokias such as the Lumia 720 outperform in camera many high-end Androids, and in geenral hardware and software quality any similarly-priced Android.

I’m glad it’s working out for you. From an iOS user perspective, while the Lumia obviously fits very well in the Microsoft ecosystem, the iPhone is good enough that I don’t feel a massive difference. If I were an Android user, that would be more of an issue, but iOS works great with Exchange and has several Office-compatible apps that work well.

I’m sure that Windows Phone has tighter integration, but because the iPhone is solid in this respect, Microsoft needs to come up with more compelling features to get users like me to consider switching.

The problem is that Nokia has a limited amount of resources at this point, and their future pretty much rides on the success of their Lumia Windows Phones. They have a CEO who is a Microsoft guy through and through, so he is NOT going to make that call. It is doubtful that Nokia can afford to make a switch at this point, and if they get weak enough, Microsoft will just buy them. In fact, they’ve already tried.

If Nokia had more of a cash reserve, or a different CEO, I would agree with you. But, in their current condition, that just isn’t a realistic possibility.

There really are no absolutes when it comes to humans.. If there is a possibility I’m sure someday it will be considered. (e.g. MS phone really becomes a niche product that doesn’t help Nokia grow) The situation Nokia faces presently with having MS help them out seems to me mirrors Apple’s situation a while ago. Give it a few years, it may just change so Nokia has a mix of OSes and phones. It’s more likely Android than iOS if it ever happens though. Now that I’ve written that, it occurs to me that since Android Apps run on a (specialized) JVM it would also be possible that Nokia go the Blackberry route and support Android Apps on Windows Phones via a JVM.

I bought one and like you was blown away with the camera–and in fact that was the main reason bought it as already had a 920. I understand the ecosystem thing, but as an Office 365 user for my small business, the calendar problem is pretty much solved as seamlessly syncs with my calendars as well as Office and I like the email integration better than Apple or Android. Also Lync13 is a killer app that works well on a Windows phone. It can also hook into lots of nice stuff with SharePoint that comes with 365. So I really do not need 3rd party apps. And can of course read excel spreadsheets and word docs easily. Hopefully with Windows Phone 8.1 the voice stuff will work better although I have only occasional hiccups. What I am saying is that if you are indeed in the Office Ecosystem, this thing works very good. Also one other thing the 1020 blows away Apple on is the the Nokia mapping program, which I have found I like even better than Google Maps. Windows is of course lacking some apps than many want or need, but not many for me.

Thanks. Same here.

That’s fair enough! I appreciate the clarification and enjoyed the discussion.

I should have qualified my comment on the iPhone being seen as junk. I know you didn’t say it. The other poster above did, and I’ve heard it before from the Nokia crowd.

I agree with your low light statements. Smartphone camera have only made significant strides there this year, but Apple definitely needs to follow suit. Their backside illuminated sensor was a good first step in the right direction, but they need to keep going.

I keep forgetting how sensitive some are to the M$ thing. Trust me, it’s completely in jest. Even though I use iOS for mobile and tablets, I have never owned a Mac in my life. I have been a Windows user for 20 years, and my office is a Microsoft shop from the servers to software. Just not phones. But, I use it the same way that I may poke fun of things that Apple does. Who knows a company’s weaknesses more than it’s loyal users, right?

So, I’m not biased against Microsoft. In fact, I actually like most of their products. I am typing this message on my Lenovo Yoga 13″, which I love. Windows 8 isn’t my favorite thing in the world, but I don’t get the hate that many have for it. It works fine for me. And, in spite of its flaws and lacking ecosystem, I do like Windows Phone. If I had to choose between WP and Android, well, it wouldn’t feel like much of a choice for me. So, sorry if I ruffled your feathers there.

As far as tech companies go, that’s just how I view them- as companies. Neither Apple, or Microsoft, or Google for that matter, care at all about me personally. They have CEOs who report to boards of directors, who report to shareholders. They exist to make things that make money. Just because I’ve chosen to use Apple’s iOS products doesn’t make me a raving fanboy who buys everything that they sell. Why should I be if they’re just a company? I just tried the Lumia 1020, and even though it didn’t work out, I may just pick one up when the price comes down. And I just bought a Nexus 7 to kick the tires on. I also own a Samsung Note 8 that I am in the process of selling. Anyway, I’m always looking at new things to play around with. And, like I switched away from Windows Mobile several years ago, one day I may leave iOS behind. That isn’t the modus operandi of the typical fanboy.

I never said that iPhone was junk – it clearly isn’t. In fact, many smartphone cameras do very well in ideal lighting conditions and, as you say, in ideal conditions there is very little which separates them.

Low light photography is one of the areas I do consider important for general purpose smartphone photography, because these are the conditions you will find in many “social” situations such as concerts, bars, clubs, restaurants, house parties etc where you still want a decent picture.

I also think that most existing platform users wouldn’t switch to another platform. For example, I wouldn’t switch from the Windows Phone platform to iOS because for me there would be no benefit in doing so and I prefer the Windows Phone operating system.

BTW, your use of the $ symbol in “M$” speaks volumes about your bias. I find that a little disappointing and would expect that from fanboys or Microsoft haters, but not from reviewers.

I would agree on the button and as far as low light photography goes. In ideal conditions, I don’t think the earlier Lumias have a real advantage. At least not one that would offset the massive amount of higher-end camera and photographic and video editing apps available to iOS users.

As I wrote in my previous comment, I would like to see Apple unlock direct access to all of the camera’s adjustments. However, even without that, the iPhone 5 is still very capable in ideal conditions. And a novice user looking to spread their wings a bit can pick up ProCamera or Camera+ and get access to several helpful manual adjustments. Low Light is a problem, but that really isn’t what I was driving at when I was talking about general purpose smartphone photography. Until this generation of devices, no smartphone was truly capable of taking quality low light photographs. Maybe the old N8, but even that is probably a stretch.

Like I said before, I acknowledge that the 1020 is hands down better than any smartphone camera as far as quality of photos and videos and the power of the software. However, that doesn’t make the iPhone 5 junk, which seems to be the implication with most Nokia fans. That just isn’t the case. It also won’t be enough to draw large numbers of iOS or Android users away from their previously chosen platforms. I wish Nokia all the best, but they will need a lot more help from M$ on Windows Phone itself before the Lumia line will really have a chance to sway more then hardcore Windows and Nokia fans, and new smartphone adopters.

I would argue that any high-end Nokia Lumia (925/928/1020) is better than any iPhone as a general purpose smartphone camera for two reasons –

1. It has a dedicated shutter button that works just like a real camera. You can’t get simpler than that. It’s also a two-step button where a half-press locks the focus, just like a real camera, for those who want more control.

2. The Nokia PureView camera (even in the 925) is better under a wider range of conditions, especially low light and when you need a steady video recording, due to the optical image stabilisation.

These are just two examples of real world benefits for recommending a PureView Nokia Lumia over any iPhone, even for a novice.

Trust me. I know all about Nokia’s history of great camera phones. I owned several Nokias from 2003-2007, and I’m well aware that they have been a leader in this space since cameras first appeared on phones. Unfortunately, as I think it is obvious in my article, as well as from their continuing struggles to sell in volume, a great camera will only take a smartphone so far.

I understand that your’re a Nokia fan, but let’s get some facts straight. You may not be impressed by Apple’s recent iPhone cameras, but there are many, including myself, who are. While the lenses may not be ZEISS, they are definitely not “extremely cheap,” as you claim. Before the 1020, Apple’s 5 lens setup in both the 4S and 5 was the most you could find in a smartphone camera. Not cheap.

Also, on the subject of megapixel wars, are you aware that Apple actually put 8 megapixel camera modules in both the iPhone 4S and 5? Your comment about ratcheting up megapixel counts may apply to Samsung and others, but is factually incorrect when applied to Apple. In fact, there is only 3 megapixels difference between the iPhone 4 and the 5. That’s over a period of 3 years. So, when it comes to megapixel count, I would love to see a smartphone manufacturer who’s been more conservative in this respect? Nokia and Apple are the only ones holding the line over time, with HTC jumping in this year. Rumor has it that the 5S will move to a 12 megapixel sensor. So, only 4 megapixels higher. Only 7 over a period of 4 years, then. Care to revise your statement regarding Apple’s regard for megapixels over quality? Look where the rest of the Android world is right now. Case closed.

As for the purple halo effect on the iPhone 5, again, you need to check your facts. This has been WELL documented, and it has absolutely nothing to do with cheap components. Considering that the image sensors and lens arrangements of the iPhone 4S and 5 are the same, and the 4S doesn’t suffer from this issue, it’s pretty clear where the problem comes from. The two differences between these cameras are that the 5 is a thinner phone, putting the lenses closer together, and that Apple added a sapphire outer lens for scratch protection. Most photo experts who have analysed this issue believe that, while the sapphire outer lens is a useful feature, the different coating on it contributed to the halos, and that the thinner design of the phone made it harder to overcome. It was an oversight that was missed in testing. I’ll give you that. But due to cheap components? Sapphire compared to glass or plastic? Nope. Facts and research, my friend.

Would I personally rank the Lumia 1020 camera above the iPhone 5? I clearly answered this with a yes in the article. Yet I am headed back to the 5 because of the many other shortcomings of the Windows Phone platform. How about the earlier Lumia phones? No. Not even the more recent 925 and 928. I’ve demoed them both, and I wouldn’t rank either of them categorically higher than the iPhone 5, for all their optics and features. And I’m not alone in this opinion. Neither of them tempted me in the slightest. Only the big step up in the 1020’s true PureView camera could do that.

While you and other Nokia fanboys out there may not give it any credit, the iPhone 5 is hard to beat as an easy to use, general purpose smartphone camera. In fact, for a novice user who wants to take good pictures, but isn’t interested in any manual settings, I would have a hard time recommending the 1020 over the iPhone 5, and probably the coming 5S, as well. The auto mode of the 1020 doesn’t always get the best picture, and if you don’t turn off the high-res capability (where all of the power lies), then the camera is very slow to save images. It requires time and effort to get the most out of it. While it may be worth it for someone who knows what they are doing, for an average user who isn’t interested in such things- not so much. Nokia still has a lot of work to do to make their awesome camera technology accessible to wide audience than a camera nerd like me.

All that said, I do still hold the opinion that Apple needs to step up their game. Not in megapixels, but in back-end photo technology. They have implemented industry leading features in the past, such as a 5 lens element, backside illuminated sensors, and the sapphire outer lens. However, they need to address zoom (which Nokia and Samsung already have), do a better job with low-light (HtC and Nokia), and add a better flash (Several others). Opening up their camera APIs to let third party developers access all of the camera’s settings (shutter speed, focus, ISO, etc) would also be a big step in the right direction.

While I’ve said the same thing regarding the iPhone (say, if Nokia went belly up and Apple bought up their camera patents), there is almost as much chance of that as there is of a Nokia Android phone. And that’s to say there almost 0 chance of either happening.

Nokia has set its course on Windows Phone, and they have given every indication that there is no going back. I think it would take a huge management shakeup for that to change, and I don’t think they have the resources to take that path again so soon after their jump from Elop’s “Burning Platform.”

It comes down to this. Nokia made a deal with the devil, so to speak. They have been taking cash payments from Microsoft, and I’m sure those come with big, invasive strings attached. Since Nokia is now the top maker of Windows Phone products, there is absolutely no chance that Microsoft will let Nokia go off in other directions. If Nokia gets into deep trouble, M$ will just buy them, and that will be then end of that.