About a month ago I had a review copy of a Nokia Lumia 1020 to test. Here was, apparently, a phone that had a camera that would appeal to photographers. 41MP don't you know? That's gonna do it. Photographers just love big numbers and 41's a pretty big one. Bigger than your pesky DSLR, that's for sure. Nice try, Nokia, but it didn't work. Oh, it's a fine camera, as the shots here demonstrate. Quick, responsive auto focus and all of that. Nice control of light, colour and tone. I always edit in Lightroom, and that's what has happened here. I was well pleased with the results and for the 2 weeks that I had it I didn't use any other camera. I think you'll agree that there are some decent photos in this post. It's a great camera for street shooting and I really appreciated the exposure bracketing function, too, for HDR editing. Capable and versatile are words that fit this camera well.
But there was also a serious issue with this camera. 41MP, but I'm limited to using jpgs. This is a camera aimed at photographers. Where's the RAW file option? Nope. There isn't one. When I talked about the Nokia 920 I said that the lack of RAW files was an issue and so it is with the 1020. I cannot begin to imagine a camera that is aimed at photograpers and lauded by people like Bailey & Weber not having a RAW function. It beggars belief, really.
So, I sent it back as requested. There was no requirement from Nokia for me to do anything else. I wasn't required, or even asked, to write a review.
And then I see that a light has shone in Nokia's window. A new version of its camera app can apparently shoot RAW files. Now, that to me is a game changer. Too late, unfortunately - I've just got a new iPhone. But, if it's correct that the Nokia can shoot RAW, then it is well worth looking at. I'll just have to wait until my contract expires. Unless they want to send me another one.
