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Nokia N8 – Sunset Camera Showdown

So you are out for an evening walk, watching the sunset and you think, wow that is pretty, I’ll get a photo.

This is the Nokia N8 camera shoot out for that situation. ( Please note, it wasn’t a spectacular sunset the evening I got the shots… )

First is shooting directly into the sun. This is one of those men from the boys tests.

Shooting into the Sun – Nokia N95-8gb Shooting into the Sun - Nokia N8 Comparison - Nokia N95-8gb Version

Camera Nokia N95 8GB
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/333)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 5.6 mm
ISO Speed 100
Flash Auto, Did not fire
Orientation Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution 300 dpi
Y-Resolution 300 dpi
YCbCr Positioning Centered
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:25:34
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:25:34
Light Source Unknown
Color Space sRGB
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control None
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Shooting into the Sun – Nikon D90Shooting into the Sun - Nokia N8 Comparison - Nikon D90 Version

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture f/16.0
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Auto, Did not fire
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Date and Time (Modified) 2010:10:24 21:24:20
Exposure Program Auto: No Flash
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:24:02.00+11:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:24:02
Max Aperture Value 3.5
Subject Distance 6.31 m
Metering Mode Multi-segment
Light Source Unknown
Sub Sec Time Original 00
Sub Sec Time Digitized 00
Sensing Method One-chip color area
CFAPattern [Green,Blue][Red,Green]
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Focal Length In35mm Format 27 mm
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control None
Contrast Normal
Saturation Normal
Sharpness Normal
Subject Distance Range Unknown
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type D50
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
Lens 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-6.3
Lens ID 38
Image Number 85557
Color Transform YCbCr
Flash Return No return detection
Flash Mode Auto

Shooting into the Sun – JVC GC-FM1Shooting into the Sun - Nokia N8 Comparison - JVC GC-FM1 Version

Camera JVC GC-FM1
Exposure 1/4029 sec
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 3.9 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No flash function
Orientation Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution 72 dpi
Y-Resolution 72 dpi
Date and Time (Modified) 2010:10:24 19:22:55
YCbCr Positioning Co-sited
Exposure Program Program AE
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:22:55
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:22:55
Max Aperture Value 2.8
Metering Mode Center-weighted average
Light Source Unknown
Color Space sRGB
Custom Rendered Normal
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Shooting into the Sun – HTC Desire Shooting into the Sun - Nokia N8 Comparison - HTC Desire Version

Camera HTC Desire
ISO Speed 100
X-Resolution 72 dpi
Y-Resolution 72 dpi
YCbCr Positioning Centered
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:22:31
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:22:31
Color Space sRGB
GPSVersion ID 2.2.0
GPS Latitude 37 deg 53′ 51.27″ S
GPS Longitude 144 deg 59′ 8.24″ E
GPSAltitude Ref Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude 12 m
GPSTime Stamp 19:22:31
GPSMap Datum WGS-84
GPSProcessing Method HYBRID-FIX
GPSDate Stamp 2010:10:24
Compression JPEG (old-style)

Shooting into the Sun – Nokia X6 Shooting into the Sun - Nokia N8 Comparison - Nokia X6 Version

Camera Nokia X6-00
Exposure 1/1000000 sec
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 5.2 mm
ISO Speed 123
Flash Auto, Did not fire
Orientation Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution 300 dpi
Y-Resolution 300 dpi
YCbCr Positioning Centered
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:21:27
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:21:27
Light Source Unknown
Color Space sRGB
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control Low gain up
GPSVersion ID 2.2.0.0
GPS Latitude 37 deg 53′ 51.58″ S
GPS Longitude 144 deg 59′ 7.84″ E
GPSAltitude Ref Below Sea Level
GPSAltitude 1.5 m
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Shooting into the Sun – Nokia N8 Shooting into the Sun - Nokia N8 Comparison - Nokia N8 Version

Camera Nokia N8-00
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/1400)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 5.9 mm
ISO Speed 100
Flash Auto, Did not fire
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Date and Time (Modified) 2010:10:24 21:11:30
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:21:18.153+11:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:21:18
Light Source Unknown
Sub Sec Time Original 153
Sub Sec Time Digitized 153
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 0
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control None
GPSVersion ID 2.2.0.0
GPSAltitude Ref Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude 5 m
GPSMeasure Mode 3-Dimensional Measurement
GPSDOP 0.9
GPSMap Datum WGS-84
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type D50
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
Color Transform YCbCr
GPSVersion ID 2.2.0.0
GPS Latitude 37 deg 53′ 51.34″ S
GPS Longitude 144 deg 59′ 7.91″ E
GPSAltitude Ref Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude 5 m
GPSMeasure Mode 3-Dimensional
GPSDOP 0.9
GPSMap Datum WGS-84

Looking towards Melbourne CBD from Brighton.

Skyline – Nokia95-8gbSkyline Comparison Series  - Nokia95-8gb - 5mp Camera

Camera Nokia N95 8GB
Exposure 0.009 sec (1/110)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 5.6 mm
ISO Speed 160
Flash Auto, Did not fire
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:27:26+11:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:27:26
Light Source Unknown
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control Low gain up
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type D50
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
Color Transform YCbCr
Flash Return No return detection
Flash Mode Auto
Flash Function False
Flash Red Eye Mode False
Skyline – Nikon D90 Skyline Comparison Series - Nikon D90 - 12mp Camera

Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/7.1
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Auto, Did not fire
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Software Ver.1.00
Exposure Program Auto: No Flash
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:26:33.00+11:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:26:33
Max Aperture Value 3.5
Subject Distance 21.1 m
Metering Mode Multi-segment
Light Source Unknown
Sub Sec Time Original 00
Sub Sec Time Digitized 00
Sensing Method One-chip color area
CFAPattern [Green,Blue][Red,Green]
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Focal Length In35mm Format 27 mm
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control None
Contrast Normal
Saturation Normal
Sharpness Normal
Subject Distance Range Unknown
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type D50
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
Lens 18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-6.3
Lens ID 38
Image Number 85559
Color Transform YCbCr

Skyline – JVC GC-FM1Skyline Comparison Series  - JVC GC-FM1 - 8mp Camera

Camera JVC GC-FM1
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/340)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 3.9 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No flash function
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Date and Time (Modified) 2010:10:24 21:15:02
Exposure Program Program AE
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:26:52+11:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:26:52
Max Aperture Value 2.8
Metering Mode Center-weighted average
Light Source Unknown
Custom Rendered Normal
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
Color Transform YCbCr
Flash Return No return detection
Flash Mode Unknown
Flash Function True
Flash Red Eye Mode False
Skyline – HTC Desire Skyline Comparison Series - HTC Desire - 5mp Camera

Camera HTC Desire
ISO Speed 100
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:25:39+11:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:25:39
GPSVersion ID 2.2.0.0
GPSAltitude Ref Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude 9 m
GPSTime Stamp 19:25:39
GPSMap Datum WGS-84
GPSProcessing Method HYBRID-FIX
GPSDate Stamp 2010:10:24
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
Color Transform YCbCr
GPSVersion ID 2.2.0.0
GPS Latitude 37 deg 53′ 51.37″ S
GPS Longitude 144 deg 59′ 8.08″ E
GPSAltitude Ref Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude 9 m
GPSDate Time 2010:10:24 19:25:39Z
GPSMap Datum WGS-84
GPSProcessing Method HYBRID-FIX

Skyline – Nokia X6Skyline Comparison Series - Nokia X6 - 5mp Camera

Camera Nokia X6-00
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 5.2 mm
ISO Speed 100
Flash Auto, Did not fire
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:24:11+11:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:24:11
Light Source Unknown
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control None
GPSVersion ID 2.2.0.0
GPSAltitude Ref Below Sea Level
GPSAltitude 7 m
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
Color Transform YCbCr
GPSVersion ID 2.2.0.0
GPS Latitude 37 deg 53′ 51.83″ S
GPS Longitude 144 deg 59′ 7.72″ E
GPSAltitude Ref Below Sea Level
GPSAltitude 7 m
Flash Return No return detection
Flash Mode Auto
Flash Function False
Flash Red Eye Mode False
Skyline – Nokia N8Skyline Comparison Series - Nokia N8

Camera Nokia N8-00
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/310)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 5.9 mm
ISO Speed 103
Flash Auto, Did not fire
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Date and Time (Original) 2010:10:24 19:24:21.534+11:00
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:10:24 19:24:21
Light Source Unknown
Sub Sec Time Original 534
Sub Sec Time Digitized 534
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control Low gain up
GPSVersion ID 2.2.0.0
GPSAltitude Ref Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude 19.5 m
GPSMeasure Mode 3-Dimensional Measurement
GPSDOP 1.1
GPSMap Datum WGS-84
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type D50
Measurement Observer CIE 1931
Measurement Flare 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant D65
Color Transform YCbCr
GPSVersion ID 2.2.0.0
GPS Latitude 37 deg 53′ 51.03″ S
GPS Longitude 144 deg 59′ 7.94″ E
GPSAltitude Ref Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude 19.5 m
GPSMeasure Mode 3-Dimensional
GPSDOP 1.1
GPSMap Datum WGS-84
Flash Return No return detection
Flash Mode Auto
Flash Function False
Flash Red Eye Mode False

Headline numbers on the Cameras are.

Nokia X6- 5megapixel
Nokia N95-8gb- 5megapixel
HTC Desire – 5megapixel
JVC FM1 – 8megapixel
Nikon D90 – 12megapixel
Nokia N8 – 12megapixel

Whilst I know that sensor size, aperture, glass etc are what makes a great camera, megapixels is what Joe Public know when they are after a camera.

One of the more interesting things that came out of the second test, was that 3 of the cameras that had GPS built into them had time to get a GPS fix. Compare the locations.

Camera Nokia X6-00 Nokia N8-00 HTC Desire
GPS Latitude 37° 53′ 51.83″ S 37° 53′ 51.03″ S 37° 53′ 51.37″ S
GPS Longitude 144° 59′ 7.72″ E 144° 59′ 7.94″ E 144° 59′ 8.08″ E
GPSAltitude Ref Below Sea Level Above Sea Level Above Sea Level
GPSAltitude 7 m 19.5 m 9 m
GPSDate Time 2010:10:24 19:25:39Z
GPSMap Datum WGS-84 WGS-84
GPSProcessing Method HYBRID-FIX

KML Google Map Showing, location of the Above Cameras. The HTC was the closest.

View Larger Map

All the EXIF data, is pulled from Flickr’s view EXIF info mode, more data would be available through other tools.

Once again, the Nokia N8 wins in the above tests. ( Well apart from the D90 ). I kept the D90 in the tests for showing what a DSLR can shoot compared to a mobile phone when on auto mode.

I can not believe just how bad the camera on the HTC Desire is, it fails on every comparison test I do. And fails by a long way.

To be fair to my Nikon D90…. this is what you can get, with a DSLR, Manual Mode and a 70-300mm Lens. This is the cheap old 70-300mm lens which costs less cost less than $200AUD.

The end of 10

( This shot is also available for purchase on Redbubble )

Nokia N8 – Macro Camera Shoot Out

The following are Macro Shots from all the devices I could find lying around my house. I did set a minimum bench mark of  5 MegaPixels for the device that I would shot from.

All devices were on Automode, and the scene was in hard light at 5:40pm, of flowers in my front garden.

The shots were just lined up quickly by hand but all taken within a few min of each other.

(Click on each Image to link through for the full size shots)

Macro Shots – Nokia N95-8gbMacro Shots - N8 Compare - Nokia N95-8gb Macro Shots – JVC FM1Macro Shots - N8 Compare - JVC FM1
Camera Nokia N95 8GB
Exposure 0.009 sec (1/111)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 5.6 mm
ISO Speed 100
Flash Auto, Did not fire
Orientation Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution 300 dpi
Y-Resolution 300 dpi
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1.04
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control None
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Camera JVC GC-FM1
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/599)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 3.9 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No flash function
Orientation Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution 72 dpi
Y-Resolution 72 dpi
Date and Time (Modified) 2010:10:24 17:41:23
YCbCr Positioning Co-sited
Exposure Program Program AE
Metering Mode Center-weighted average
Light Source Unknown
Custom Rendered Normal
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Compression JPEG (old-style)

Macro Shots – Nokia X6Macro Shots - N8 Compare - Nokia X6 Macro Shots – Nokia N8Macro Shots - N8 Compare - Nokia N8
Camera Nokia X6-00
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/333)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 5.2 mm
ISO Speed 100
Flash Auto, Did not fire
Orientation Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution 300 dpi
Y-Resolution 300 dpi
YCbCr Positioning Centered
Light Source Unknown
Color Space sRGB
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control None
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Camera Nokia N8-00
Exposure 0.012 sec (1/85)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 5.9 mm
ISO Speed 102
Flash Auto, Did not fire
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 0
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control Low gain up

Macro Shots – Nikon D90Macro Shots - N8 Compare - Nikon D90 Macro Shots – HTC DesireMacro Shots - N8 Compare - HTC Desire
Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture f/10.0
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Auto, Did not fire
X-Resolution 240 dpi
Y-Resolution 240 dpi
Max Aperture Value 3.5
Subject Distance 0.45 m
Metering Mode Multi-segment
Light Source Unknown
CFAPattern [Green,Blue][Red,Green]
Custom Rendered Normal
Exposure Mode Auto
White Balance Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Focal Length In35mm Format 27 mm
Scene Capture Type Standard
Compression JPEG (old-style)
Color Transform YCbCr
Flash Return No return detection
Flash Mode Auto
Camera HTC Desire
ISO Speed 100
X-Resolution 72 dpi
Y-Resolution 72 dpi
YCbCr Positioning Centered
Compression JPEG (old-style)

The worst performer was the HTC Desire. Colour rendering is terrible, it is washed out and insipid. ( I’d like to see if the new HTC Desire HD camera is any better, but the current Desire’s camera is pathetic )

The N8, did a wonderful job. Colour rendition is very close, for what is a tricky shot, the depth of field is bang on as well.

The 3 year old Nokia N95-8gb, still stands up as a great camera, but it showing its age when compared to the Nokia N8

The D90, shot to dark in Automode. (But I don’t shot in Automode that often, and still have the RAW version to process)

I’ve yet to see a cameraphone that comes close to the Nokia N8. The new sensor, coupled with the Carl Zeiss F2.8 lens is simply stunning. 4000×3000 shots with real print DPI, give you a lot of wiggle room for cropping as well.

I have yet however to find a way to move the focus point on the N8. This makes playing with the depth of field very tricky. It comes down to lining up the focus point then moving the camera to get the out of focus elements you want. Which on the above camera phones is the only thing that the HTC Desire had going in its favour.  I’d like to see Nokia open up the camera app, to allow some real control over the image as well. Why, cause they could.  Sre I lug my Nikon D90 with me, but giving people some more fine control over the camera would help people get the most out of this device.

Whilst, in my big review, I pointed out there was a lot wrong with the N8, some of which I am sure will get ironed out with firmware updates and third party applications, Overall the camera is simply stunning. If you are a Nokia user, who likes to get photos on the run with their phone and not lug around a separate camera, get the N8.

For me, the USB as Host feature and its amazing Macro lens, means I will still be carrying around the N8 with me, because it does add to my overall set of tools.