Nokia 808 PureView review: Photo Finnish

22 June 2012
The Nokia 808 PureView is the best cameraphone ever made. End of story. Now, how do you proceed from there? And why is this particular phone so hard to write about? How about because a picture is worth a thousand words and we just had a...

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • L4x
  • 24 Jun 2012

Anonymous, 24 Jun 2012its not a replacement. but a reliable camera phone whenever... moreUse direct flash is always dumb if you want a beautiful photo and not only a memory. Everyone with a bit of photography aknowledge knows that you cannot use direct flash on dark enviromments if you want a beautiful light, since the light so is hard and create horrible shadows.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • fwV
    • 24 Jun 2012

    Alui, 24 Jun 2012Nokia is a dead horse, don't put your money in it. This pho... moreits not a replacement. but a reliable camera phone whenever you don't have a DSLR. not all people have this expensive gadget. & most people don't need to carry heavy equipment around. Its more of a convenience, portability, affordability, plus added functionality. nowadays, who would bring a camera instead of a phone.LOL. of course, one would have a camera phone instead. That's why 808PV comes into the scene. to be in that gap. bringing you a phone with high quality imaging capabilities.

    moreover, N808PV is a stylish camera phone. who needs to bring DSLR to parties just to look like hired photographers carrying heavy camera strapped around their necks(no offense). also, its easy to use & lighter. you can ask anyone to use it so that you will be included in the photo. anyone who has this phone will stand out for sure. & everybody will ask for a copy since the pics' quality are superb. bluetooth & some social sharing apps will do the job . i think a DSLR can't do that.

    -zoom/replacement lenses/field of view, = 41 MP sensor will do the job. PV uses looseless zoom so you won't loose image quality. other accessories are not needed since portability & convenience will be compromised. after all this is a phone.

    -ISO( you can take pictures with a DSLR even in pitch dark without using the Flash) = people are not dumb not to use the flash in dark envt. this is only true for special situation like spying...LOL...if you don't want to disturb someone or something.

    -pictures in sequence for fast moving scenes(808 need 3 secs between photos at max res). Nokia was very careful not to show any picture made with the 808 of fast moving subjects at max res. = this is true, but its the pureV mode that matters. 8 MP Pureview mode is more than enough. no need for a full resolution since it doesn't use oversampling.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • 0Cb
      • 24 Jun 2012

      Alui, 24 Jun 2012Nokia is a dead horse, don't put your money in it. This pho... moreand than what did you recommend better for me if: i want the best photo and video performance alltogether in my pocket any time, a solid battery and gsm signal,perfect acoustics and i am not using ANY application because i am a 40 years doctor and i am not intersted anymore in apps and internet?

        • D
        • AnonD-60450
        • 3xi
        • 24 Jun 2012

        Alui, 24 Jun 2012Nokia is a dead horse, don't put your money in it. This pho... morelol, i waited for same comment ;)
        I have DSLR, also i have about 10-15 lens. I love it, but... i don't want to take 5-6 kg backpack with lens while i ride a bicycle. N8 good is replacement for compact camera, 808 for DSLR.
        Also N8 has great DR, much better than on my Canon 400D.

        DSLR needs only for small DOF, good bokeh. You can say about noise and ISO but when you downscale most of noise will be removed.

        some my photos
        http://cs5535.userapi.com/u851702/148275874/w_bd5caaf4.jpg
        http://cs317621.userapi.com/v317621702/70/zwMaSHD7G-I.jpg
        http://cs317621.userapi.com/v317621702/66/6uD0jYYPA-A.jpg
        http://cs11462.userapi.com/u851702/148275874/w_44987461.jpg

          • T
          • Tom
          • pda
          • 24 Jun 2012

          The pure sound that 808 can record is just phenomenal! Listen this clip of how Finnish Air Force F18 Hornet taking off:

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y2A-_wSxOM&feature=player_embedded

          Thats pure power recorded with purewiew :)

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • fwV
            • 24 Jun 2012

            AnonD-60450, 24 Jun 2012Hello all! Thanks for this great disscussion. I very glad ... moreNice facts...true indeed...

            In my opinion, android will reach its limit in the near future. since these phones are now using multiple cores, the efficiency of the OS will be in question. what more can be done next, 5 to ten cores. all phones will become equally faster and that's it.

            The future will need an efficient and energy friendly OS. I think Belle OS is one of them. Its promising performance exhibited in N808PV is an evidence that is has more capabilities than the rest. the phone's 1.3ghz CPU performance as some video hands-on have shown is fluid enough to make one's overall experience a splendid one. Transitions and animations are smooth. one may think that it may run on multiple cores. but its not.

            Multiple cores would mean more power consumption. plus, it may heat up the device. it's not an option for those who wanted to conserve power & resources & protect the env't from global warming. Nowadays, there's a great call for efficient & power friendly technologies. I think nokia Belle OS is responding to this call. A power efficient OS while giving you satisfactory performance.



              • A
              • Alui
              • mSu
              • 24 Jun 2012

              Nokia is a dead horse, don't put your money in it. This phone is presented as a replacement of a DSLR. Here is why is NOT a replacement:
              -zoom/replacement lenses/field of view,
              -ISO( you can take pictures with a DSLR even in pitch dark without using the Flash)
              -pictures in sequence for fast moving scenes(808 need 3 secs between photos at max res). Nokia was very careful not to show any picture made with the 808 of fast moving subjects at max res.

                • D
                • AnonD-60377
                • BPp
                • 24 Jun 2012

                AnonD-52738, 24 Jun 2012S3 hardware part is well known, what the point I repeat her... morei believe i'm also speaking on others behalf when i tell you that this is a nokia forum and not a samsung one. . .so if you are so inloved with your sgs3 please go and praise it on the samsung forum. . .we all know here what kind of specs and perf. has the sgs3 so we do not need you or some other samboys to enlight us. . .if you don't like the PV is your choice but ours is to Love It!!!we Nokians are not idiots!we really know our tech!!!so stop bashing and please stop praising a utterly expensive piece of "hiperglazed" plastic that failed in the most shamefull way in a drop test being light years behind the formidable htc one x and iphone 4s!!!!!i do not even mention the 808 because there is no point of comparing it with sammy. . .i had the sgs 2 and i loved it so much that i sold it in 3 weeks.why?!same cheap plastic,poor battery life,poor camera from my point of view not from others though and yes nothing new. . .really nothing. . .i like htc products because when you pick one up,just like nokia,you feel something else. . you feel quality especially in the materials. . .so please leave us alone because we DO NOT CARE ABOUT SGS 3 WE CARE ABOUT A "CRAPPY,SHITTY,OLD,DEAD,BAD,FAILED. . . ." NOKIA 808 PV!!!by the way i am actually waiting to see when sgs3 or other android flagships will offer TRUE MULTITASKING!!! JUST SAYIN'. . .

                  • l
                  • loren
                  • 0@d
                  • 24 Jun 2012

                  AnonD-52738, 24 Jun 2012Which part I had said 808PV not perform well? 808PV is o... moreThe problem is that you look too much on the numbers themselves rather than the true result.

                  For example look at the screen of the iPhone 4, HTC DESIRE, and Nokia X7 (I have this device).
                  Nokia's screen is the lowest resolution but he also looks the best of the two.

                  HTC DESIRE has a 1 GHz processor, Nokia X7 has a 670 GHz processor but the nokia X7 faster (fastest is the iPhone 4).

                  htc titan 2 has a camera with 16 mega pixels, iPhone 4 has 8 megapixel camera, The camera of the iPhone 4 is better.

                  People here think you're a kid because only children compare numbers, they do not understand the true, 4 is more than 2 then 4 core is better, 16 is more than 8 then 16 megapixel camera is better and so on ...

                  Do not let manufacturers fool you with numbers!!

                  That's why everyone was skeptical about the 41 megapixel Nokia 808 PureView camera, but after they saw the pictures they were no longer skeptical.

                  Nokia 808 PureView manages to inspire people and this Samsung s3 can not do.

                    • j
                    • jibzz
                    • uvv
                    • 24 Jun 2012

                    808 is what 808 does irreplaceable..41mpx @ months since announcement but still @_#

                      • D
                      • AnonD-60450
                      • 3xi
                      • 24 Jun 2012

                      AnonD-52738, 24 Jun 2012Android UI lagging? If you compare low end Android with N8,... moreheh, i don't need to use phone for calls, email and photos which faster than my pc only for smooth UI, this is unexpectedly for me

                        • D
                        • AnonD-52738
                        • tu6
                        • 24 Jun 2012

                        AnonD-60450, 24 Jun 2012Hello all! Thanks for this great disscussion. I very glad ... moreAndroid UI lagging? If you compare low end Android with N8, then nothing much to said.

                        Android UI is second smooth for the moment, iPhone still the most smoother actually.

                          • D
                          • AnonD-52738
                          • tu6
                          • 24 Jun 2012

                          AnonD-3575, 24 Jun 2012youre like a broken record symbian is a bad os for you? ok... moreI not from USA, american media who didnt wanted to see the improvement of symbian or not, is not my business.

                          I use and see from my eyes. No media will ever affecting me.

                          If media affecting me, I long long ago join iPhone, but until now I never buy iPhone as I know iPhone not meet my requirement.

                            • D
                            • AnonD-60450
                            • 3xi
                            • 24 Jun 2012

                            Hello all!
                            Thanks for this great disscussion. I very glad to read this debate.

                            So, what i can say...
                            Yes, android has much software, also it mostly free, in nokia store all good software is costs money.

                            I used android tablets, i can't say that it not good. Many free software, games, etc. But it working with lag with some 3d games.
                            But stability far and far from ideal.
                            And android uses java. Java never been responsable for fast using.

                            When i buying my present phone at autumn 2011 i'd choose 3 platforms: andriod, ios and symbian.
                            Android i rejected due to laggy UI, java and weak battery and very very stupid course to add cores instead optimizing software.
                            Ios due to itunes and stupid apple inability to modify phone. Also my ipod touch 3g burned after 8 mounts of use, apple recognized it as non-warranty . I use linux, i don't want to change my system to install itunes which also lags in windows.

                            So, i choose symbian phone - N8 with Anna. And i'm still happy. Now i'm updated it to Belle.

                            The main thing which i see in Belle FP1 is that Nokia turns UI to Qt, this is amaizing. Now it will works faster and much responsible, no more double touch - this mainly removed in Belle.

                            So, i'll wait for FP2 with most of Qt interface.
                            Also, someone in this tread said about apps which written in C/С++ for a certain screen resolution, Qt-QML apps is rubber like, just change config ;)

                            I also think that with N9 nokia just test Qt. And on N900 linux with GTK.

                            This is only my thoughts, but hope it correct.

                              • D
                              • AnonD-3575
                              • 3LU
                              • 24 Jun 2012

                              AnonD-52738, 24 Jun 2012If you think S3 is small update from S2, then it is wrong, ... moreyoure like a broken record
                              symbian is a bad os for you? ok, why? you gave no solid arguments. its well optimized, has a whole load of functionality out of the box and there are sufficient apps for 99% of people.

                              i can agree s60v5 was not so good, but with anna/belle its improved a lot. you dont seem to know anything about symbian from anna. the only reason for downfall of symbian was the ignorence of american media who didnt wanted to see the improvement of symbian over the last couple of years. and sadly, people like you believe them and go on an ignorant rampage about an os you know about only from those same media.

                              either explain why symbian belle is bad or get lost

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • fwV
                                • 24 Jun 2012

                                Sausage, 24 Jun 2012You sure like writing :) Have you ever used Belle phone?... moreactually, both phones have no problem...both can do basic features. but one is better than the other for some extent...not a big difference...for me, loading times & speed, doesn't matter as long as it will perform its task.......

                                however, nokia 808PV outperforms them in imaging department...& that what this thread is all about...

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-52738
                                  • tu6
                                  • 24 Jun 2012

                                  Anonymous, 24 Jun 2012its not brand that we are after..its the technology.... so ... moreIf you think S3 is small update from S2, then it is wrong, paper can't tell much. You need to experience yourself.

                                  As for 808PV, it is unique and innovation, I never said not.. just it fall in wrong OS and wrong screen resolution.

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-52738
                                    • tu6
                                    • 24 Jun 2012

                                    Sausage, 24 Jun 2012You sure like writing :) Have you ever used Belle phone?... moreI try belle before in N8, I purposely update for my colleague to belle in N8, but still disappointing.

                                      • S
                                      • Sausage
                                      • pd6
                                      • 24 Jun 2012

                                      AnonD-52738, 24 Jun 2012Your point just give a great point - Symbian is outdate, wh... moreYou sure like writing :)

                                      Have you ever used Belle phone? It's really nothing like Symbian has recently been, it actually is good. And it really performs well with single core. SGS3 sure is faster but it is also 3 times more expensive than most Belle devices. Browsing has been Achilles heel of Symbian but it's also catching up in that section.

                                      And as you said you won't be using your current phone in 2016, so won't many Belle user. That means it's not dead OS yet since it will get support that long(at least). There is coming Carla and Donna, maybe also Eve or Emily or something like that to Symbian line.

                                      Belle also looks good to me at least and it has some advantages also that so many here has listed so I won't list them now. And is disadvantages are getting fewer.

                                      Symbians problem is now that it's thought to be crap because it was crap before and Mr Elop says it is crap

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • fwV
                                        • 24 Jun 2012

                                        AnonD-52738, 24 Jun 2012:) I just write out true, I won't simply shoot for nothing ... moreits not brand that we are after..its the technology.... so what's the point of buying SGS3, if you have SGS2 anyway...no such big difference....because all they can do is to put extra cores & increase the DPI...& make it thinner.. actually there are many phones or brands to choose from..& they offer the same thing.

                                        But not Nokia PV..if you read the review carefully, nokia PV is very commendable...very unique...is there any other phone you could suggest as an alternative...?