Okay, so I can't post any example shots at the moment, but I have here in front of me shots of exactly the same scene, shot on the iPhone 4S, Nokia N8 and Nokia 808 PureView (in both PV mode and full 38MP). I'll describe the main differences Keep in mind that this is a prototype 808. The photo is a daylight scene with plenty of light and shade:
N8 verses 808 (38MP)
Detail: The extra detail that the 808 resolves is very real, it's not soft or poorly defined, it's genuine and meaningful. Noise: At 38MP even the 808 contains small amounts of noise, but it looks more like a subtle film grain rather than sensor noise. The N8 does well, but the noise is more lumpy, and, as any N8 owner will know, the noise in dark areas can at times appear to form streaks which are quite unpleasant. Processing: You know how N8 photos look less processed than most other smartphone shots? Well the 808 steps that up another gear, they make N8 shots look quite heavily processed, to my eye at least. Colour and Dynamic Range: Both the 808 and the N8 have great range of luminance and colour reproduction, again, the 808 moves it all up into a higher orbit. Think N8, but better.
N8 verses 808 (PureView)
All the above hold true, which should come as no surprise and it's essential using the same sensor information. However, in addition to all the benefits already mentioned, you get astonishing clarity! It's actually quite breathtaking. Noise is almost completely eliminated. PureView is the perfect way to describe the end result. It's certainly true that it has a DLSR quality about it, and of course in PureView mode you get all the benefits of the lossless zoom and smaller file sizes too. It's going to be very difficult for me to pick which mode to use, but the more I look at the PureView shots the more I'm inclined to think that I'll be shooting in 8MP PureView for general photography, 5MP PureView for lowlight and nighttime and 38MP for creative shots and scenes where the beauty and interest is in the detail.
iPhone 4S verses 808 (General Thoughts from both PureView and 38MP mode)
Firstly, let me say that I belong to the iPhone4S-has-a-great-camera camp, I've been posting some blind comparisons over at Nokia Creative (more soon) and there is no doubt in my mind that Apple have done a sterling job with the iPhone 4S camera. So I was eager to see how it would compare to the 808. Firstly, the colour accuracy and dynamic range is far, far higher on the 808. The HDR mode of the iPhone 4S can help a lot is certain conditions, but it's still no match for the 808. As for detail, well, how can 8MP possibly match 38MP? There is literally 4 times the amount of detail from the 808 photos.
iPhone 4S verses N8 verses 808 (Video Capture)
Sound Quality: The sound capture on the 808 is simply exquisite! It's puts the N8 and iPhone 4S to shame. Video Quality: When shooting video without any zoom (or just some zoom) there is almost no noise and yet everything is sharp and clear, far more so than the N8. When at full zoom, there is some noise as you would expect, but video is a tad sharper. Lowlight and night capture is particularly impressive as the 808 maintains 30fps, unlike the iPhone 4S which steps down to about 25fps. My only critical observation at this point is stabilisation. When at full zoom, you'll need either a tripod or very steady hands to capture pleasing video. I must point out that Nokia know this is an issue and are continuing to pursue solutions.
Closing thoughts
I have no doubt that when the 808 is launched there will be a wide range in the quality of photos and videos produced using it. No tool can turn someone into a craftsmen, it can help, but effort is still needed to learn the trade. For those that are already adept at capturing smartphone photos and videos, the 808 will allow them to do things that they never thought possible. I'm expecting images taken using the 808 to be used in glossy magazines and billboards, and people will be truly amazed.
For me, the 808 marks the beginning of the end of dedicated pocket cameras and camcorders. I don't want to sound hyperbolic (though I know it will come across as such!), but it really feels to me like this is just the beginning of what Nokia can do with this technology. I saw and heard of some Nokia innovations that should keep Nokia ahead of the competition for many years to come. Is it possible that Apple, HTC or Samsung could catch up in the near term? I don't think so as they are mostly using off the shelf parts with some tweaks. Apple might surprise us with something clever but probably not for another couple of iPhone iterations, but by then Nokia could be implementing their next camera innovation.
Exciting times!
