Nokia Lumia 1020 phone
Hands up who still uses a digital camera? No, your phone doesn't count.
The argument is over. The phone has won. And only the photographic enthusiasts care.
Phones aspire to the quality and versatility of a mid-range digital camera, but are hampered by size considerations related to the lens. Nokia hasn't let that get in the way with the Lumia 1020, an interesting hybrid distinguished by its photographic prowess but also the jutting lump on the rear.
Fundamentally the same as other Lumias based on Windows Phone 8 (robust construction, solid performance, short on apps), the 1020 exists because Nokia wanted to stuff a 41-megapixel sensor, powerful Xenon flash and optical stabilisation into a phone.
This they achieved by having the lens bulge from the back, somewhat messing up the phone's smooth lines.
Aesthetic considerations aside, the results can be remarkable, with the 1020 capable of great photos in a range of conditions. Keen snappers will enjoy the unprecedented range of manual controls (including ISO and shutter speed) but will be less enamoured of its slow shot-to-shot speed and white-balance issues.
The lack of a true zoom chafes - but the 41MP resolution helps when cropping in on details.
In the end, the 1020 stands as a decent phone wedded to an impressive camera, but com-promises such as chunkiness and so-so battery life will limit its appeal.
With an O2 contract, it costs, for example, €480 on a €45pm year-long contract or €640 on pre-pay.
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Irish Independent
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