Gizmondo does about turn - Nokia 808 Pureview

[ClintX]

Some of us are fully aware that the tech blogs do not always get it right but some on here might need reminding as they often reference them as if they are the bible.

At launch we had Gizmondo Australia telling all who would listen that the Nokia’s 808 PureView was "Redefining The Stupidphone" (to quote the headline used) and went on to rant:

Nokia’s 808 PureView phone grabbed headlines with its 41MP sensor. Big ‘ol whoopty doo — this is still a remarkably stupid phone

There’s at least one at every trade show: lame duck products. It could be a speaker dock shaped like a toilet. It could be the Shenzhen knock-off of a well-known brand at a fraction of the price. It could be small mechanical ducks that sprays boiling hot coffee into the eyes of anyone who doesn’t know the precise PIN code to stop them waddling towards them.

I think we can add Nokia’s 808 PureView to the list of daft products announced at trade shows, with one important caveat, which I’ll cover off shortly.

If you’ve not followed the news, overnight Nokia announced the 808 PureView, a ‘smartphone’ with a 41MP sensor. No, that’s not a typo; this thing packs in more megapixels than any consumer DSLR right now into a camera body.

WOW! AMAZING!

Oh, that’s right. Sarcasm doesn’t play well on the screen, does it? Anyway, as a cold, hard reminder, the number of megapixels in a camera sensor doesn’t mean you’ll end up with superb images; if it did, professional photographers everywhere would be dropping their expensive Canons and Nikons on the concrete floor and rushing out to buy 808 PureViews.

Well it seem that their smarter brothers across the seas in the UK and the US have now got it! And they are raving about the 808 Pureview and what the Pureview technology promises.

… but it's not all about massive amounts of megapixels…

http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2012/05/wha...ew-technology/

The camera really is as impressive as Nokia's claimed. It produces incredibly crisp and true-to-life 5MP shots, with digital zoom that rivals optical zooms. When you open up the full sensor size, you get incredibly-detailed images that are surprisingly crisp and rich all the way down to actual pixel size.

Nokia's really set the next benchmark for camera phone imaging, and has pretty much made compact cameras and maybe even bridge cameras obsolete. Like I said before (but you may've missed, if you skipped down to the concluding paragraphs), it's almost as if the 808 PureView is a camera with a phone strapped to the back.

http://gizmodo.com/5912940/nokia-808...phone-attached

Funny how some are so quick so slam something without really understanding it.

[ClintX]

And it seems Engadget is also impressed even having the cheek to compare the interface to the almighty iOS and Android ones :

While this phone is certainly geared at cameraphone fans that lapped up the N8, we found the interface on the 808 PureView was far more accessible and quick -- especially compared to its iOS and Android rivals. One-touch zoom on 5-megapixel images, by simply swiping across the display, is an addictive and welcome addition, allowing you to still use the physical button to capture high-speed images. The ability to hold your finger on the screen and change focus modes was also a boon, while browsing gallery previews and transitioning to the full images were swift. Now, we're just waiting for a review unit to truly put the phone through its paces and try all those options in plenty more situations.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/n...mera-showdown/

[Nduimiso]

Doesn't change the point that symbian is on its way out, the reason to buy this phone is the camera, the reason not to is symbian and the other specs, 41MP on a low res screen? at least make it 800x480

[Elimentals]

Who cares....even if the phone can take clear photos of the galaxy in mid day its still running Symbian.

Don't want to buy something that ties me to a dead OS.

[satanboy]

Nokia...blah blah blah...

[teraside]

Who cares....even if the phone can take clear photos of the galaxy in mid day its still running Symbian.

Don't want to buy something that ties me to a dead OS.

What dead OS? People upgrade every year or two in any case, so what's the difference?

And I know that Symbian is not going forward anymore, still a great device.

[ClintX]

Doesn't change the point that symbian is on its way out, the reason to buy this phone is the camera, the reason not to is symbian and the other specs, 41MP on a low res screen? at least make it 800x480

You're right, it doesn't change that and I can't find where I said that either.... I have heard this screen argument repeatedly and I suppose for the chaps who only own phones it is a valid one. I rarely use my phone to consume media, I use it to create media. My PC and flat screen TV are for the consumption part.

Who cares....even if the phone can take clear photos of the galaxy in mid day its still running Symbian.

Don't want to buy something that ties me to a dead OS.

Well then don't. But I'm buying one and will continue to share stories that interest me for the sake of others who may be interested.

Nokia...blah blah blah...

That makes for an interesting discussion. Thanks.

What's this Nokia...?

Genuine question or attempted sarcasm?

What dead OS? People upgrade every year or two in any case, so what's the difference?

And I know that Symbian is not going forward anymore, still a great device.

My point precisely. You'll also note the part where Engadget mention how much better than iOS and Android the Symbian camera interface is! Can you believe they had the cheek to say that!

[satanboy]

That makes for an interesting discussion. Thanks.

blah blah blah

can't hear ya

[ClintX]

blah blah blah

can't hear ya

...but you'll see my photos once I get my 808 Pureview! And I won't need to disguise how crap they are by using Instagram and the like!

[Tsepz_011]

You're making a pretty big deal of the fact that they said it has a better camera interface than Android and iOS, lol, but thats EXACTLY how it should be, after all its focussed on Imaging/"media creation".

Personally NEVER read Gizmodo, its a site run by Apple zealots, ive seen one of the guys from there a few times on Bloomberg West, every time praising the iPhone, exaggerating features etc... Its just sickening.

Im glad both Engadget and Gizmodo gave the 808 credit, the engineering behind its Camera is just mind blowing, i always read/watch when ever a new interview with Damian Dining is posted, but nothing beats the fact that it is a Symbian phone, and that just kills it for me, so does the ridiculously low res display. As great as its camera is you have phones like the GS2, GS3, Xperia S, One X, iPhone4, 4S and the next iPhone, which have great cameras, not as great as 808, but are more than enough for even some cameraphone enthusiasts, which despite having great cameras also have amazing UI, great apps for Productivity, Social Networking, Finance/Banking, powerful Office tools, games etc etc... Just too much to give up for a damn camera.

Anyway, enjoy your 808PV.