Products & Services

Being flash isn’t always the answer

By JBC on 27 July 2009

GLOBAL – There are some problems that can’t be fixed through the usual route and need to be resolved a different way. Capturing good images in low light has always been a challenge for mobile devices, for a variety of reasons, and one which the newly launched N86 8MP was tasked with tackling head on. The team responsible for conceiving the N86 is lead by Damian Dinning, who has a long history in photography (his first job was in a camera shop, before working for a variety of global camera brands). Damian had an ambition about 20 years ago where photography would become part of everyone’s daily lives, be accessible and easily usable and form part of our daily communication. Since joining Nokia he’s been heavily involved in the Imaging Business Unit, and is now responsible for developing a raft of Nseries devices (he was also involved in the N82). Fitting then, that one of the guys responsible for us being able to take better images with our mobile devices is also the guy who coincidentally, even by his own admission, had that vision all those years ago.

Capturing images in low light is something the N86 8MP does with some skill (check out our direct comparison between N86 8MP and N82). The imaging setup in the N86 sports two fundamental improvements over other devices. The first is the size of the aperture, which is much larger than normal and also variable, changing size depending on the amount of light available. Photographers will know that the bigger the aperture, the more light is allowed into the sensor and so the easier it is to capture low light images. Equally, variable aperture size means the camera is just as effective when light is in abundance.

The second key difference lies in the sensor. Much more sensitive than any previous sensors in mobile devices it is capable of handling more detailed, and defined, image capture. Again, this is a huge benefit in low light where flash-assisted images can suffer with an increase in noise (those speckles you see in some images shot indoors).

Ultimately, what the team ended up creating was a device that in many low light situations doesn’t require a flash (though the sensor and aperture both work well with the fully optimised LED unit on the N86).

The obvious question to ask, particularly when comparing the N86 with the N82 is why it doesn’t have a Xenon flash. Despite the fact it doesn’t really need one in most situations, the team tried hard to get one in but found the added bulk would have a significant impact on the whole look and feel of the device. Like other Nseries devices, design plays a key part in the N86 and much focus (sorry, couldn’t help myself) was put on ensuring the device looks as good as it performs.

By tackling low light head on, the N86 manages to create crisp, noise-free images, even when the environment would normally ensure the opposite would happen. Of course the camera’s imaging prowess also benefits from improved algorithms and better shutter speed control. It also sports a smart technology which runs in the background, helping to eliminate blurry images. Automatic Motion Blur Reduction (AMBR) monitors pixel movement, frame by frame, and makes allowances for when either the camera or the subject moves. Simply by spotting if all the pixels in the frame move simultaneously, the sensor instantly suspects camera shake and makes the appropriate corrections. If smaller groups of moving pixels are detected then the camera assumes the subject is moving and once again makes the appropriate corrections. Smart stuff indeed, and no, I don’t know how it works either.

With the number of people using camera phones increasing all the time, and users of low end compact cameras migrating to their mobile device for imaging, it’s looking like the camera phone is really starting to come of age. Charlie here on Conversations is a huge fan of the N86 (he’s just upgraded from the N82) and it’s not surprising to see why. In time, like many others, I’m sure this technology will filter down to other devices. For now though it remains the privilege of N86 8MP owners. Lucky them.

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Carl - NokiApp.com Says:
July 27th, 2009 at 4:33 pm

Picked up my Nokia N86 today and this phone is brilliant. I’m impressed with the camera and looking forward to things to come.

Nuno Pereira Says:
July 27th, 2009 at 6:19 pm

Well, i’m not a pro on this subject, but i like to take my pictures just like any other power user..

I’ve heard (and seen) wonders from the mighty N82, and despite everything i’ve read until now, i just can’t belieave that the N86 can beat it.
I’ve even read an article from Philips regarding the 3rd gen led’s, but it’s not enough for me.

If 3rd Gen led’s allied to bigger apperture and improoved algorithms can beat xenon flash on low light conditions, then why don’t the REAL cameras (pro’s cameras) use that technology?

Ok, it does the job…But if you want to place the N86 as the “Best photo device” (just like the N82), i think you shouldn’t give that much importance to design..

Either way, this is just my humble opinion, and i have no intention to buy this device, not because it’s good or bad, but i’m more like an e-series guy..

Btw, i’m waiting for your compairson..

josh Reply:
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:27 am

@Nuno Pereira, cause they only need quick light…..

josh Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 5:09 am

because they only need quick light 1/2 a second….. but these 3rd generation led flash is just as afective, and of coarse the nokia n86 will win it has varible apreture too help in low light as well as just the flash…

Al Says:
July 27th, 2009 at 6:42 pm

I’d rather have had an N86 that was more bulky to accommodate a xenon flash.

John Says:
July 27th, 2009 at 7:08 pm

I am using the N97 for more than a month now! It is the worst Nokia device I have ever used in my life! I wish I bought N86!
Has anyone checked how much free RAM and C: drive you have right after the boot?

Jon Prichard Says:
July 28th, 2009 at 1:08 am

You should be congratulated on the N86 for it’s impeccable design (beating I think the N85). However the absence of a Xenon flash cannot be made up. I took a picture in pitch black the other day using my N82 and it was illuminated fully… that’s amazing, no other camera-phone can do that.

Users still want that Xenon flash, I still want it.

gregg003 Says:
July 28th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

If Nokia wants to have the best cameraphone, then they must not settle for an alternative to what is currently the best, Xenon is undoubtedly the best flash for still images at the moment, while LED for videos. They must brought up this two together into one.

Regarding the design, I don’t think a bulky device matters to majority of the camera enthusiasts.

Niels Bak Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 9:17 am

I have to say N86 takes good pictures but it still needs a Xenon flash and the team behind the device kind of admits that in above article but choose phone size above taking good pictures in low light conditions.

Anyway it is a nice device and I like that my compact camera has a nice mailclient. I would like to see a more smooth applelike browser though.

Damian Reply:
July 30th, 2009 at 6:07 pm

@Niels Bak,

I’m sorry you see it that way.

The camera in the N86 8MP was designed with low light in mind long before any decisions were taken on artifical light source. So at the end I would say we tried to find the best balance of multiple aspects which relate to the overall appeal of the product. In our view N86 8MP is one of if not the best mobile device for recording in low light, so from that perspective I am proud of what the team created.

John Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:10 am

@Damian,

Great that you think that, but it’s no use being ignorant of other people’s comments.

Refer to this for more information http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_claims_n86_8mp_doesnt_need_any_xenon_world_chuckles-news-1048.php

Kln Says:
July 31st, 2009 at 11:05 am

Regarding the size issue : is it not true that candybars can accomodate more intricate mechanisms (like the apparently bulky xenon one) better than sliders? Why did the team choose slider form factor then, if a xenon flash could’ve been accomodated within a candybar? If the main goal of the team was to create a device that can capture good images in low light, how is it that xenon flash is ignored during the planning (see Damian’s reply above) despite having proven track record and a stellar example in the form of N82?
Just for the record, I am not criticizing, I’m only curious.

Nokia Says:
July 31st, 2009 at 4:59 pm

Zenon flash is better than LED flash for brightness!
Digital cameras used Zenon but… we’re talking about camera phones here as in phones with camera!

If you want a camera, but a digital camera, and carry a phone!
Who cares about the weight?

Sure, it’ll be easier if the camera phone actually does as well as as a regular camera…

but SERIOUSLY….
What camera phone can ACTUALLY beat a (digital) camera???!!

This goes for BOTH Nokia and Sony Ericsson…

If you make camera phones, have the decency to make GOOD cameras that take GOOD pictures instead of Insulting the buyers with so-so camera phones priced at a high price!
Then have the Balls to tell the consumers that we do NOT know what we are talking about!!

You, the companies, SHOULD listen to customers since WE buy your products and keep your companies in business!

BTW… SE isn’t doing so well financially!
Maybe it’s Nokia’s turn!!

N82 user Says:
August 2nd, 2009 at 4:03 am

Alright, let’s just say that the LED flash (accompanied by the larger aperture and wider angle of lens) of the N86 is obviously getting closer to the performance of the Xenon flash of the N82. Alright. But still, it is evident in the photos that the LED flash isn’t evenly distributing the light in the corner of the photos just as how the N82’s xenon did.

And also, the AMBR feature, can you please properly demonstrate the effect of it by providing test photos taken from the N86 vs the N82’s xenon that’s capable of freezing the action? It would be nice to see the ‘actual usability’ of this feature.

N82 user Says:
August 2nd, 2009 at 4:05 am

And also, will we be seeing a N86 candybar counterpart? It’s quite notable that this is the approach of Nokia lately. The N95(slider phone) was succeeded by the N82 (a candybar phone). The N85 (slider phone) was announced together with the N79(a candybar phone).
But anyway, I personally think that those were nice moves since I do believe that some people (like me), are choosing the N82 over the N95 8GB largely because we wouldn’t want to feel the ‘flimsy’ feel that a slider phone might offer thus ended up grabbing the time-tested formula of candybar phones which is in favor of the N82.

Hope there will be a N86 candybar version. And if ever I’m allowed to suggest a feature (lol), please include Xenon this time to end all the rants of the paying customers. And also, where possible, how about including a second flash which is a LED flash to serve as a video light? That way, people that are fond of capturing stills and videos are both satisfied.

Damian Reply:
August 4th, 2009 at 11:46 pm

@N82 user and Kln,

The problem with the candybar form factor is the length. As you increase the screen size the length goes up. A sliding form factor is therefore more efficient in allowing us to increase the size of the keyboard vs the candy bar but also keeps the product more pocketable. Yes this means more mechanics, which means more cubic centimeters.

Overall I think the sliding form factor has proved very popular. e.g. N86 8MP therefore makes for many a good upgrade from the N95, which there are far more in the world than the N82.

Are we listening? Yes, always. Maybe you haven’t had the chance to read my rather long post on the N86/N82 comparison story on this site?

Kln Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 6:17 am

@Damian, you wrote

“The camera in the N86 8MP was designed with low light in mind long before any decisions were taken on artifical light source. So at the end I would say we tried to find the best balance of multiple aspects which relate to the overall appeal of the product.”

Does this mean you let go of a xenon flah (which definitely has got a role to play in low light) to include a slider form factor? I won’t put words into your mouth of course, and you are free to not answer the question – you’re in an official capacity with Nokia, and that is understandable.

I’m sorry, but I find it hard to believe that a slider form factor is more popular than candybar. You cite the example of N95 outselling the N82. That is a logical fallacy – I can say that the N82 outsells the N96. What would really be conclusive (but impossible to do) would be a comparision between the total number of all sliders vs. total number of all candybars. As a workaround, how about having a poll here?
You talk about screen size – does it matter whether the screen is 2.6 inches or 2.4 inches in length when the resolution is QVGA for both? I’m pretty sure you must have heard opinions of users demanding a higher resolution since a long time. Now, I’m not saying you include a higher resolution. My point is – if the resolution is the same, 0.2 inches shouldn’t be a tipping point in favour of a form factor that lets go of a feature far more desirable (a beter flash).

Yes, I did see your comparision – pretty convincing, no doubt. I wrote “Err.. Is anyone listening?” because I posted a comment on 31st July and didn’t get a reply. My mistake I guess, should’ve waited longer. Thank you for the reply.

Damian Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

@Kln,

Hi,

re your first point, xenon vs slider.
No, as said there are many aspects we need to balance.

Re candy bar vs slide, there you are putting words into my mouth. I said that there are more N95’s in the world than N82’s and that N86 makes a lot of sense as an upgrade for these users.

Re display size. If the display is physically larger which the 2.6″ is vs the 2.4 then yes the product will grow by the difference in the length of the two modules. Resolution has nothing to do with it here. Larger display even with same resolution in my book makes everything you do on the device to be a richer experience.

Sorry it took me a few days to respond to your message. As much as I would love to discuss these topics daily I do also have the small task of working with others to provide something you may want in the future

Kln Reply:
August 6th, 2009 at 7:59 am

@ Damian

Ok, gotcha. Really appreciate you replying here mate…

Well, I hope I have given *some* picture of what I’d like to have in a Nokia in future – xenon + the superior optics of N86 (with the new cam module and apperture). I only hope it’s possible to make one, without stumbling upon the limitations you speak of. Keep up the good work (and the good listening too )!