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 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 D90 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-FM1 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 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 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 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 – Nokia95-8gb 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 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-FM1 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 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 X6 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 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.

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.

( This shot is also available for purchase on Redbubble )

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 N95-8gb	Macro Shots – 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 X6	Macro Shots – 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 D90	Macro Shots – 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.

(See the funny red square of to the side… that is what I am talking about)

Watch the video to see how to do it

more here… Nokia Beta Labs

and now there is a downloadable version of the QR code reader as well…. http://mobilecodes.nokia.com/scan.htm if you don’t already have it..

In case you are wondering if you do… Nokia N82, N93, N93i, N95, N95 8GB, E66, E71, E90 or 6220 Classic should all have it preinstalled.. but you can get the Nokia version for the Nokia N78, 6210 Navigator, N96by clicking on this installer file  Nokia_Barcode_Reader_S60_32.sis

Plus you can find readers for other phones here… http://mobilecodes.nokia.com/scan.htm

with 99% of my photos geotagged on Flickr and a tendency to send out geotweets (is that even a word, guess it is now)  I am always trying to show people how to set up their phones to do it….

Well Kevin Anderson has written a great blog post based around an n82, flickr and geotagging.  And with him being a much more bettera writer than I am…. I figure I will just give you the link to his post and you can read it all over there.  It works for the N95 and N78 roughly the same as well.
Howto: Geo-tagging photos for an easy map mashup

P.S

I may have finally found the raw nema writing for the n95-8gb that I have wanted for a long time, but I didn’t read the manual for the software so I have yet to get it working properly (will get back to you on this shortly)

Both of these were done on default settings and because I am ambidextrous I took the photos simultaneously as well.

Note to self: Must stop doing that in public makes me look even more of a tosser than I actually am.

Oh and click on images for bigger versions as well

This photo is looking at the N78 having just taken a photo of the n95…. Notice the Finger prints on the black plastic already.

Long View – N95

Long View – N78

Plant – N78

Plant – N95-8gb

The only other thing to note is that the only two photos that was nativelly geotagged was the N95 Plant and the N78 window, the rest of the Tags I have added in Flickr.

With the N78 it geotagged the window shot, even with out the Assisted GPS turned off using the new Auto Geotagging built into the firmware.  I do think it is a bit faster at getting a fix that the N95 but it was using Location Tagger which is still the only way to do it on the N95.  Evidently it will be coming in the next firmware update.

The N95 Plant shot was tagged as I had the GPS already running using Sports Tracker for logging my driving in the car.

I will try some geotagging tests soon.

Candybar Bar verses Slider. I actually prefer the candy bar design. Sure it may be in most cases slightly bigger in your pocket, but one it is open the N95 is longer and thicker and heavier than the n78. And after 7 months my slider is not as tight at is used to be and the whole phone has a bit of a wobble, something that is not going to happen with the n78.

TV Out or FM transmitter… tough call, I have used and would use both. TV out is great in that you can make a presentation and take just your phone to a location and show clients something, or just review your holiday snaps on a big screen at the hotel. The FM transmitter means that you can listen to your music in the car straight from your phone. I’m still deciding which would be the more useful… work or pleasure.

The Camera is a big thing and so the N95-8gb camera wins hands down just on megapixel count and both phones have the same LED type flashes anyway so there is nothing in that.

The GPS is better located sitting at the top of the device as is the headphone socket (some thing that I really wish the N95 did) And it is good if not better at getting a fix as well. Also the Australian version came with a 3 month trial of the navigation.

I don’t see the problem that a lot of people seem to have that navigation costs more. I have paid for it and did so over buying TraveRoute for the R2H for the simple reason that I have my phone on me more than the R2H 9oh yeah and it is cheaper. Plus you are only paying for Navigation not the maps. You can see where you are and how to get somewhere for free anyway.

I have updated the Firmware straight away (came with 11.043 out of the box, going to 12.046),.  There was an issue with the updater saying it didn’t work, but it had The Maps version has not been updated to Maps 2, as from a quick series of google looks there are issues with FP2 and the latest maps. (Pity)

The other great pity is there no Games or N-Gage on the phone. Games are great for one thing killing time on your phone. There is not even a version of snake for example. Power users will have no problems finding and installing free games, but Joe Average might end up paying for things that he didn’t need to.

The heart beat thing is also not upsetting me… I thought it would but given that the phone looks off when it is resting it is reassuring to know that it hasn’t died

Conclusion… If you want to get into the smart phone game the N78 is a winner. Sure the case will be used by CSI at some point in time to lift your finger prints.. but the geotagged photos will prove you were not at the location anyway. It may not have the screen and grunt of the N95 8gb, but it is a worthy device never the less.

I will put together some photos over the weekend to compare the devices and also the cameras as well.

Anyway quick swap and check of the paper work and a fire up off the new phone and I was done. Turns out on further inspection, it wasn’t just the camera, it was also the volume controls as well that were borked… Just a dud off the factory floor.

Anyway back to updating firmware.

One thing I have noticed that is bugging me already… and this one is really going to bug me.. The USB plug is different to my N95. WHY NOKIA WHY…. what it means is that when my wife and I go on the road, we will still need to USB plugs one for her phone and one for mine.

And one thing that is not bugging me… the battery for the n78 is the same 3.7v BL-6F as for the N95 8gb. So purchasing one spare battery will mean either phone can work (try and do that on your Iphone!)

They have some (but will not say how many, and will not put one on hold for even 24 hours as ours is technically DOA!)

We are heading to a big fail, unless they just swap the phone out tomorrow I will not be happy.   I think part of the issue comes from the fact I know more than the sales people about the phones

The catch is they were doing very well up until this point.  We walked past the shop on Saturday saw they had the advertising and asked about the phone.  The guy went out the back, unboxed a phone and brought it out with a battery and it fired up.  All in 5 min, very slick. Thus why we brought it then and ther.  We had tried to see the phone a month earlier at Organiser World in the city.  They brought out the box and said see this is the phone…  thus they missed ou on the sale that vodafone got:-)

Will keep you updated

The camera button doesn’t work on it ..  So off to vodafone tomorrow and try and get it sorted.

Couple of quick observations.

Observations on the device. I like my N95′s screen, and the n78 is much smaller, and the keypad does some getting use to. The GPS in side by side driving tests was fine, the FM transmitter is a great feature, the head phone jack at the top is also very nice.

Seriously turning a phone on, then setting up the software, then getting the software to update, then getting that software to update, then installing newer firmware.  To complicated.  Apple and Nokia are both the same in this.  It is a phone, but the underlying structures have a long way to go before it is all seamless.

If you want an entry level device to the N-series range do consider it…(pending how long it takes to get the camera button sorted that is)