In a return to an original In my original article, I looked at the practical differences in photos taken by some auto-focussing camera-toting smartphones (the Nokia N93 and N95) and those from the typical fixed-focus 2 megapixel shooter, in this case in the E70. I concluded that at least some of the time, less was definitely more.
My thoughts had returned to this theme because I spotted comments in a user review of the N95 that complained about the camera, saying it was just too slow to launch and focus and that he kept 'missing the moment'. Now, don't get me wrong, I've taken some fabulous photos on the N93 and N95, in full 3 and 5 megapixel glory respectively, but they're almost exclusively of static or unaware subjects: sunsets, objets d'arte, buildings, pets, etc.
But every time I want to grab snaps from a happy moment, I've only really had success in the past when using one of the many smartphones with Nokia's 2mp fixed-focus camera, the latest being the E61i, but the hardware's much the same. Let's look at the times involved for each smartphone camera type (all with latest firmware, by the way):
| Time to launch Camera | Time to focus and take photo | Time to display captured image | Shot to shot time with default settings | |
| Nokia N95 | 3 seconds | 2.5 seconds | 5 seconds | 7.5 seconds |
| Nokia E61i | 2 seconds | instant | 2 seconds | 2 seconds |
There are two issues here. Firstly there's the focussing time. Your child is doing something special, for example, so you point the N95. Leaving aside the launch time, it'll be at least 2.5 seconds before the shot is taken. And, if you're a parent, you know that 2.5 seconds is a long time for a child and they'll have moved on to a different position, expression or even activity by then.
Secondly, the time needed to encode a 5 megapixel JPG and then save it to card means that if you don't quite get the shot you want, you have to wait another 5 seconds before you can try again, adding another 2.5 seconds, of course, before the next shot is actually taken.
The situation's very much analagous to that between SLR cameras vs point-and-shoot cameras in the 1990s. When it comes to capturing emotion and spur of the moment action, you can't beat something unobtrusive and lightning quick.
But, and it's a big but, what about all those times on holiday when you're standing on the cliff top or beach and trying to capture a panorama for posterity? The 2mp camera in the E61i (or N70 or N76 or 6120 etc.) will do an adequate job but you'll ultimately be disappointed. Whereas the N95's camera will stun. Ultimately it all comes down to the sort of photos you like taking. People or things. And, if you're like me and like to shoot both (not to mention some video), then you've got a problem!
The workaround on the N95 if you're waving it around at a party, for example, is to:
- leave it in 'landscape' mode (in 'Scene')
- turn off display of the captured image (in 'Settings')
- set the image quality to 2 or 3 megapixels (in 'Settings')
In this mode, photo taking is almost instant and you're returned to the viewfinder in around 3 seconds. And then, later on, watching the sun go down over the Mediterranean, you can return the N95 to full resolution and capture the poster-resolution image of your dreams.
Adjusting the three settings above takes a few seconds, but it might be worth it in order to capture those social and family moments that would otherwise be missed in frustration.
Steve Litchfield, AllAboutSymbian, 24th July 2007