Nokia PureView: Damian Dinning busts technology myths

Published by Heidi Lemmetyinen on February 29, 2012

BARCELONA, Spain - The technology behind Nokia PureView is pretty amazing. So amazing in fact that we’ve heard reports about people not fully grasping the concept. We decided this was the perfect opportunity to sit down with Nokia’s very own imaging guru, Damian Dinning, and get him to explain how PureView actually works.

Watch the video and see what Damian has to say about the benefits of PureView.

And then check out the gorgeous photos taken with Nokia 808 PureView.

What do our readers think about PureView and is there anything else you’d like to know about it? As you might guess, Damian’s time is in very high demand right now, but he was kind enough to promise to do a Q&A posting with Nokia Conversations later this week. So if you have any more questions on PureView, please let us know in the comments below!

Comments

  • http://twitter.com/ShehanRG Shehan Gunarathne

    Sure, its an amazing product. Cant believe that huge leap from 12 to 41 and the brilliance of it… Great work

  • http://twitter.com/Heron_Kusanagi Heron Lim Shi Shun

    I know one can’t really talk about what are the technical stuff behind PureView, but can you guys do a proper presentation video on how PureView works? Your white paper isn’t that interactive, and putting things in video form context saves a lot of reading for those who are plain lazy. 

    • http://conversations.nokia.com Ian Delaney

      Admire your honesty! But that’s something we would definitely want to do.

    • http://conversations.nokia.com Ian Delaney

      Admire your honesty! But that’s something we would definitely want to do.

    • http://conversations.nokia.com/ Heidi Lemmetyinen

      We’re actually working on a documentary video on PureView. What exactly would you like to see in it?

      • Hello Howdy

        For people like me who don’t really want to know the technical aspects but can appreciate great photos and videos of family and kids and who post the photos and videos to social media like Facebook, it would be great to know how fast the upload speed will be and how nice the photos and videos will show on Facebook.  That is to say, what we amateurs do with the photos that is really important and convenience is a great issue.  We can achieve that with medium quality conventional digital cameras but which one of us carry one around?  I would be the first to buy the 808 because I bother to read.  I know many of my friends don’t read the details but when they see great photos on my Facebook, I am sure they will be keen.

      • Jack Wang

        Hi Heidi,
        Glad to know we’ll be seeing a documentary, esp. in Nokia style!

        I would like to see the process of deciding on 41MP, esp. if Nokia made internal comparisons with a 10MP 1/1.2″ sensor with relatively huge pixels. Perhaps a bit of insight into the possibilities of processing 7 pixels into 1, versus 1 plain big pixel. Do we sacrifice dynamic range or something else by trying to gain lossless digital zoom? Are there further “upgrades” we can look forward to, perhaps a continuation of or along the lines of Camera 2.0 research between Nokia and Stanford?

        Second, I would like to see different chapters of the documentary for different audiences, to show that this product has consideration for different types of target users. For example, Creative mode was extremely well demonstrated for power users in one of your videos. The product tries to connect with users on many levels, so perhaps the presentation of features should commence at different levels, like shifting gears while you drive.

        Third, I like how Canon markets their camera features, using creative charts, graphics, or animations. I understand you are making a documentary, and not a new set of marketing campaign materials, but perhaps the imaging group at Nokia can provide a few cool (geeky?) graphics or instruments that flash by… in bold but harmonized colors

        Just a few ideas off my head, inspired by your incredible product… I’m sure Nokia can brainstorm up many more ideas for the documentary!

        • http://conversations.nokia.com/ Heidi Lemmetyinen

          Thanks very much for your feedback, Jack! We’ll definitely take this into account – in fact I’ve passed your suggestions on to our director!

      • Jack Wang

        Hi Heidi,
        Glad to know we’ll be seeing a documentary, esp. in Nokia style!

        I would like to see the process of deciding on 41MP, esp. if Nokia made internal comparisons with a 10MP 1/1.2″ sensor with relatively huge pixels. Perhaps a bit of insight into the possibilities of processing 7 pixels into 1, versus 1 plain big pixel. Do we sacrifice dynamic range or something else by trying to gain lossless digital zoom? Are there further “upgrades” we can look forward to, perhaps a continuation of or along the lines of Camera 2.0 research between Nokia and Stanford?

        Second, I would like to see different chapters of the documentary for different audiences, to show that this product has consideration for different types of target users. For example, Creative mode was extremely well demonstrated for power users in one of your videos. The product tries to connect with users on many levels, so perhaps the presentation of features should commence at different levels, like shifting gears while you drive.

        Third, I like how Canon markets their camera features, using creative charts, graphics, or animations. I understand you are making a documentary, and not a new set of marketing campaign materials, but perhaps the imaging group at Nokia can provide a few cool (geeky?) graphics or instruments that flash by… in bold but harmonized colors

        Just a few ideas off my head, inspired by your incredible product… I’m sure Nokia can brainstorm up many more ideas for the documentary!

      • http://kamuselektrik.wordpress.com/ kmscasio

        compare the sensor size with competitors, explain a bit about the benefits of a big sensor.

      • http://kamuselektrik.wordpress.com/ kmscasio

        compare the sensor size with competitors, explain a bit about the benefits of a big sensor.

      • Anonymous

        Show some comparisons, that wasn’t made when the N8 was presented. Show how good the audio is compared to the competition, show how usefull 28mm or even 26mm are compared to the rest. Show what a real flash can do compared to a LED only.

      • http://twitter.com/Heron_Kusanagi Heron Lim Shi Shun

        @Heidi:twitter Maybe consider 2 videos? One simple, showcasing PureView images compared to conventional cameras in phones and P&S.

        Another technical, where you elaborate on the more technical aspects as shown in your white paper. I have seen some examples like how you guys showcase pixel oversampling, but seeing all the pixel oversampling = pixel binning makes me sad. Since Dinning himself stated in GSMArena that it’s not the same.

        @iandelaney:disqus why thank you. I actually went through  the white paper despite not being that good at this. But it isn’t helping when people are so fixated on the MP and all sorts of interpolation/binning theory on how PureView works when it isn’t makes me sad. A video will do much to inform the ill-informed.

  • http://twitter.com/Heron_Kusanagi Heron Lim Shi Shun

    I know one can’t really talk about what are the technical stuff behind PureView, but can you guys do a proper presentation video on how PureView works? Your white paper isn’t that interactive, and putting things in video form context saves a lot of reading for those who are plain lazy. 

  • Jack Wang

    140db audio, but compressed to just 128kbps?
    Also, 1 billion pixels per second for video: why not put that power to 1080p60 or 120fps videos?

    • Damian Dinning

      Audio in video is fantastic! 1080p @ 60fps would mean over 2 billion pixels per second, that will have to wait for another day….

      • Aris Kartsonas

        How about 60fps+ in 720p or nHD mode?  That’s less than 1 billion pixels per second. I’m sure a lot of amateur (and professional) filmmakers would love that.

        • Anonymous

          I’m agree with you Aris!

           60 fps in 720p would be amazing
          Anyway Thank U Damian for everything you do for imaging processing on smarthphone

          We love CameraPhone
          by an Italian N8 owner ;)

          p.s. Just a question for you Damian,
          We can hope for another Symbian device  
          with PureView Techonlogy in the future ?(maybe with a high resolution display) ?
          only hope… we can do it ? :)

      • Jack Wang

        Thank you Damian, but wouldn’t 256kbps or lossless FLAC be even more fantastic? I know, I’m just being greedy.

        Thank you and the Nokia team for Creative mode (esp., amongst other things). We asked for multiple video frame rates and we got it, tucked neatly behind the custom modes.

        Fingers crossed that elements of the new UI find its way to my N8:)

  • http://twitter.com/Rob_EC_CWS Rob Vanderkam

    Yes, it’s got a lot more pixels, but the fact that there’s all this post processing being done raises the question of what the photos will actually look like compared to the competition. N8 was always known for its natural look. What will be the difference?

    • Damian Dinning

      Your comments suggests you’ve not had a chance to take a look at these yet…

      http://www.flickr.com/photos/nokiaofficial/sets/72157629100338650/

      • http://www.facebook.com/jubjules Jules Goes

        @PhoneDaz:disqus , been using nokia n8 for along time. few question about nokia 808 pureview (my next mobile)

        1) is it possible to change the focus mode while recording?

        2) to take RAW images. ( I`m a VFX artist, hope this option is der in future, so no need of SLR for me :D )

        • Anonymous

          I second that wish for RAW files. My point & shoot Canon is able to shoot RAW files with a custom firmware, and the photos are so much better than what the camera gives me, it is almost like going from a point & shoot to a DSLR. Yes, they are noisy, but Lightroom does a great job at taking away the irritating part of the noise, and reducing what is left.

        • Anonymous

          I second that wish for RAW files. My point & shoot Canon is able to shoot RAW files with a custom firmware, and the photos are so much better than what the camera gives me, it is almost like going from a point & shoot to a DSLR. Yes, they are noisy, but Lightroom does a great job at taking away the irritating part of the noise, and reducing what is left.

        • Anonymous

          I second that wish for RAW files. My point & shoot Canon is able to shoot RAW files with a custom firmware, and the photos are so much better than what the camera gives me, it is almost like going from a point & shoot to a DSLR. Yes, they are noisy, but Lightroom does a great job at taking away the irritating part of the noise, and reducing what is left.

  • http://twitter.com/Rob_EC_CWS Rob Vanderkam

    Yes, it’s got a lot more pixels, but the fact that there’s all this post processing being done raises the question of what the photos will actually look like compared to the competition. N8 was always known for its natural look. What will be the difference?

  • Anonymous

    First of all congratulations to Damian and team for this admirable and breathtaking leap in mobile photography & sound recording! I’m desperate to pre-order this phone (that will likely replace my Ricoh GRD2).. One suggestion – why not having a well known and followed videographer (à la Philip Bloom) shoot a short film on the 808, edit and grade it, and upload it to vimeo/youtube? Also I saw in a hands-on video that you have some night shots of the carnival in Brazil – could you also add those to flickr? And coming to the questions, I do have a few – does the oversampling help overcome moire? does the sensor use a conventional bayer array with anti-alias filter? have you implemented any sort of image stabilization when zoomed?

  • Sebastián Dueñas

    Congratulations for developing this amazing technology! I was interested to know if, by the process of “oversampling”, you think you get better results (less noise, higher accuracy) than by simply having, say, a 5 megapixels sensor of the same size? If so, that could mean the technology also makes sense for regular cameras… Am I wrong? Best.

    • Damian Dinning

      Interesting question, however that would not allow the zoom capability. With the high resolution sensor in the 808 we get the best of both worlds.

      • Anonymous

        Yes, the zoom capability is an interesting idea.

        I was of the impression that there was always an overhead per pixel, so a 5 MP sensor would have a larger light sensitive area than a 40 MP sensor of the same size and tech.

        Now… how about interchangeable lenses (they do that for the iPhone 4s, but with this camera it would be much more exciting and useful). Perhaps make it possible to slot in other lenses in place of the one that came with the phone, even if it means it gets a bit thicker?

      • Anonymous

        Yes, the zoom capability is an interesting idea.

        I was of the impression that there was always an overhead per pixel, so a 5 MP sensor would have a larger light sensitive area than a 40 MP sensor of the same size and tech.

        Now… how about interchangeable lenses (they do that for the iPhone 4s, but with this camera it would be much more exciting and useful). Perhaps make it possible to slot in other lenses in place of the one that came with the phone, even if it means it gets a bit thicker?

      • Anonymous

        Yes, the zoom capability is an interesting idea.

        I was of the impression that there was always an overhead per pixel, so a 5 MP sensor would have a larger light sensitive area than a 40 MP sensor of the same size and tech.

        Now… how about interchangeable lenses (they do that for the iPhone 4s, but with this camera it would be much more exciting and useful). Perhaps make it possible to slot in other lenses in place of the one that came with the phone, even if it means it gets a bit thicker?

  • Sebastián Dueñas

    Congratulations for developing this amazing technology! I was interested to know if, by the process of “oversampling”, you think you get better results (less noise, higher accuracy) than by simply having, say, a 5 megapixels sensor of the same size? If so, that could mean the technology also makes sense for regular cameras… Am I wrong? Best.

  • http://kamuselektrik.wordpress.com/ kmscasio

    I suppose the shutter speed is non-changeable?

    • Damian Dinning

      Not directly, but there are controls for exposure compensation, ISO and a neutral density filter control so you can ensure fastest shutter speeds possible or deliberately slow them down.

  • http://vikas-patidar.myopenid.com/ Vikas Patidar

    This is great work but @PhoneDaz:disqus Sir can  you do the same technique in the 5-8 MP camera phones and produce a 1.3-2.0 MP images in better quality?

  • http://www.kd010.com 北京电信通

    壬辰年(龙)二月初九 2012-3-1再次造访，暂无所获，http://www.kd010.com

  • Pingback: Best of show: Nokia wins prestigious MWC award – Nokia Conversations : the official Nokia blog

  • Pingback: Nokia câștigă premiul “Best New Mobile Handset, Device or Tablet at Mobile World Congress 2012” - DevHell.ro

  • Pingback: Nokia si aggiudica il prestigioso MWC award | Batista70Phone Blog

  • Pingback: Dunya Info | Nokia wins prestigious MWC award

  • http://www.reignforest.net/ vizag real estate

    big kick to other mobile companies! Congrats Nokia!

  • Pingback: coffee mugs

  • Pingback: Nokia si aggiudica il prestigioso MWC award | Art4Symbian

  • Anonymous

    Contrary to my earlier remarks: I want it and I want it now :-)! Completely outside the box…the man’s a genius :-)!

  • Anonymous

    Contrary to my earlier remarks: I want it and I want it now :-)! Completely outside the box…the man’s a genius :-)!

  • Anonymous

    Contrary to my earlier remarks: I want it and I want it now :-)! Completely outside the box…the man’s a genius :-)!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/RM-Sharpie/100002708732529 RM Sharpie

    808 SAR value ????

  • Pingback: Barcelona mobile show puts Nokia on top of the world | Indian4Ever.com

  • Pingback: Nokia Win Best New Mobile Handset, Device or Tablet at Mobile World Congress | The Daily Opinion

  • Pingback: Nokia 808 PureView “way beyond anything we’ve ever done before” says Nokia’s … | Fiberoptic Sensors

  • Anonymous

    Yesterday I downloaded all available 808 pictures (Flickr), loaded them into photoshop and studied them in detail. Now could you please tell me what’s happening in this picture? Some kind of very local motion blur? An optical aberration or does it have something to do with the sensor or what..?

  • Pingback: Barcelona mobile show puts Nokia on top of the world | MWC March 12 | Nokia Rules : NOKIA Ideas Project and Imagine Cup 2012

  • Damian Dinning

    It is possible to use touch AF during recording and enable disable continuous AF. Disabling CAF defaults to hyper focal.

  • http://twitter.com/EmmanuelM01 Emmanuel Marchiset

     Congratulations for this fantastic technology, At NOKIA you LOVE photographs and you made the 808 !!
    I whish Damian was on scene on Monday to show the magic !!

  • http://twitter.com/EmmanuelM01 Emmanuel Marchiset

     Congratulations for this fantastic technology, At NOKIA you LOVE photographs and you made the 808 !!
    I whish Damian was on scene on Monday to show the magic !!

  • Anonymous

    Before taking N8, I suggested earlier that Zoomed in images be resized according to the zoom level, so that people don’t have MicroSD cards full of oversized interpolated images.

    And this is sort of implemented, in a different dimension though. Thank you Nokia. Damian Sir, you’re a genius. What a fine implementation of existing technology.
    The lossless zooms, full field of view were not really expected but they happened!

    Nokia is clearly the best company when it comes to mobile optics now.
    Apart from the cam, I do hope more music innovations come up in future Nokia phones… (like listening music with multiple enhancements, Slightly adjustable pitch shifting, adjustable equalizers, automatic lyrics display & download over 3g connection, etc.). Something that takes us back to the N91 days…

  • Samarth Singh

    One small suggestion: Compared to 38 mp, 8/5/3 mp appear very small and this creates a vacuum of available options.

    Please try adding a new option in Pureview mode, of 16/14/12 MP images. That will save a lot of details in the pic without over-sizing it very heavily.

    I’m an N8 owner, and I find its 12 MP images just perfectly balanced: It gives a 1-1.5 MB file size and details are great.
    Oversampling is good, but N8′s 12MP is still better than Pureview’s oversampled 8MP in terms of details, right?

  • Pingback: Densha de Go! – caustic soda solid Manufacturer – caustic soda flakes Manufacturer |