Nokia launches Lumia 1020 smartphone with 41-megapixel camera

LONDON - Nokia has confirmed the Lumia 1020, a camera-phone that offers 41-megapixel photos on the Windows Phone operating system

Much leaked, Nokia’s newest handset places great emphasis on its photographic capabilities, boasting a second generation 41-megapixel sensor, and available in a choice of yellow, white or black.

It claims to “reinvent zoom, enabling people to discover more detail than the eye can see” due to its PureView technology. Deploying features such as optical image stabilisation, the device claims to be able to produce some of the sharpest images possible on any digital camera.

A similar device, the Pureview 404, launched last year, but ran on the now defunct Symbian operating system, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The Lumia 1020 includes a new application called Nokia Pro Camera, designed to make it easy for anyone to take professional quality images. Either before a picture is taken or after it has been shot, the user can see how the zoom capability and the chosen settings will affect the final photo or video.

Another new feature is dual capture, which simultaneously takes a high resolution 38-megapixel image to set aside for editing, and creates a 5-megapixel picture to share to social networks via Windows Phone 8.

The 41-megapixel sensor features Zeiss optics and a choice of six physical lenses, plus optical image stabilisation, claiming to deliver crystal clear pictures even in low light conditions. It also captures blur-free videos with stereo sound even at the loudest concerts due to Nokia Rich Recording, designed to handle sound pressure levels six times louder than conventional smartphone microphones.

Mr Stephen Elop, President and CEO of Nokia said: “We want to take people on a journey from capturing pictures to recording and sharing their lives. The Nokia Lumia 1020 will bring new meaning to pictures and continues to strengthen Nokia’s leadership in imaging.”

Analysts, however, claimed the Lumia alone cannot turn around Nokia’s fortunes.

Mr Daniel Gleeson, mobile analyst at IHS Electronics and Media said: “The issue for Nokia is that photography on smartphones is not just about having the best quality pictures. Sharing pictures to social networks is more important to most consumers than printing. High engagement levels means that convincing Instagram users to switch from iPhone or Android to Nokia’s platform will be difficult.

“The lack of an Instagram app for Windows Phone also reinforces the fact that the platform is lagging in choice and quality of applications compared to iPhone or Android. Furthermore, the popularity of Instagram’s filters again proves that absolute top rate picture quality is not actually important for the majority of users.”

Alongside the handset, Nokia also released a new imaging software development kit (SDK) that provides key image editing features of the Lumia 1020 to developers, and a camera grip allowing for hands-free photo taking, complete with built-in tripod mount.

Other features include increased battery life, the addition of popular apps Path and Flipboard being added to the Windows Phone app roster, and customers will be treated to an ad and subscription free Nokia Music streaming account.

The Nokia Lumia 1020 will arrive first on US shores on July 26, and will make its way across to China and key European markets this quarter. AGENCIES