Popular opinion would suggest Nokia is a has-been, Microsoft can’t do mobile and smartphone cameras are a joke. The Lumia 1020 begs you to reconsider.
Good: Superb camera, user friendly design
Bad: Can’t compete on apps
Price:£599.99 sim free
To the hypemobile – the 1020 has 41-ruddy-big-megapixles of camera on its back. No, the sensor and lens can’t compete with a proper DSLR, but point-and-shoot compact cameras should be running scared. Whether you’re zooming in on distant details, capturing in low-light or looking to edit images on the hoof, the 1020 is the most capable smartphone camera ever made. Nokia’s impressive Pro Cam app allows you to control white balance, shutter speed, focus – proper ‘camera things’ not usually found in smartphone territory.
The downside of this photo powerhouse is the physical burden the 1020 has to carry. The Carl Zeiss lens sits 3mm proud of the phone’s case, causing it to sit in a propped-up fashion on flat surfaces. The smooth, feather-light polycarbonate case has a sturdy, unfamiliar feel in a world of shiny, brushed steel. It feels practical, if somewhat chunky.
Apps are where the Nokia Lumia 1020 fails to be practical. The Windows mobile OS is refreshingly simple and Nokia’s software (HERE, Drive, Transit) is brilliantly executed, but if you want a mobile for games, productivity tools, the Windows app store will severely disappoint.
For those nutty about photos, videos, galleries and Instagram, the Nokia Lumia 1020 is streets ahead of the competition. If you want an HD screen, the latest apps and gorgeous design, the 1020 is out of the picture.
