The Nokia N86 got a firmware update last week . Now the current version of the N86 is v30.009. This has been described by Nokia as a ‘Maintenance’ update:

• includes the latest Ovi Maps 3.3 (with free navigation)
• includes the sharing of location via Facebook
• Nokia Messaging improvements and fixes (apparently)
• RealPlayer interface tweaked
• the usual minor fixes and improvements (v30 seems rock solid so far)

Source (AAS)

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Going around on its front are the metallic details you will found. With these comfortable keys I’m sure your texting experience is just like a heaven experience.

At the back is the solid and compact cover with a metal effects while you hold the phone, and you will forget the plastic feeling you have on your mind.

All in all, the physical aspects and elements you will get on N86 is a worth-to-try experiences. The materials used was really a standing ovation because they made the N86 users felt like a hollywood star. Take note that holding this N86 is like walking on the red carpet. (^^,)

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TIPA AWARDS
It was almost 4 years since the Nokia N80 stepped on the stage and received the award as the Best Mobile Imaging Device of 2006 by TIPA Awards, not so long but in 2007 the Nokia N95 followed the footsteps of the N80 and again hoisted the flag of the company. But for the third time and with the great enthuasiasm of Nokia and Carl Zeiss they were able to grab the 2008 TIPA Awards as the Best Mobile Imaging Device for N82. And last year the result of 2009 TIPA Awards was been announced and it was a surprised that the N86 8MP hailed as the 2009 TIPA Awardee for the Best Mobile Imaging Device.

Nokia N86 MP
It was 2009 of February when the biggest mobile manufacturer, Nokia, announced the N86 8MP as their next camera flagship phone. With the N82 as the former flag bearer in the imaging section of the company, it was a tough journey for N86 to become an imaging flagship phone because of the issue about the lack of Xenon flash on N86′s specs. While N86 was being criticized by mobile enthuasiasts and tech savvy, the company broaden and highlightened the innovative features on N86 such as the 3rd Generation Dual-LED, bigger aperture and first wide-angle lens on a mobile phone. Nevertheless, N86 still standout and proved that it is worthy to become the current flasgship phone of Nokia.

N86 Explore Project
Set to capture the two famous and big cities, Mumbai & Dubai, of the said cities, the exhibition is all about reflecting the real faces to the eyes of the world. Every essence of the scenes were been delivered into a vivid details and true to life shots taken by N86. With the wide-angle lens, panorama feature and big aperture on the phone’s camera, these project will not be perfect as those shots taken by N86. And also with the Carl Zeiss lens, the phone was able to enhanced the experience of this trip-to-shoot project.

Currently at Heathrow T5, London, where the exhibitions lies and was been organized by REICHOLDARTS with the aid of some big companies such as Nokia.

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There is no day I can’t open the lens of your camera phone (except if I forgotten it) and everyday is a new day so you will be needing some luck to figure out your subject on this project. But sometime luck is not enough because you will need to go with the flow in your daily routines and you will be just surprised to encounter some new yet simple sceneries and that’s how I minimize the tasks on this project.

The next photos you will be see on this 365 Photo Project were been taken in the lens of Nokia N86 8MP. From the first day of February going to the 18th day (sorry im not a perfect person becoz i miss feb11) was my unforgettable experiences having the N86 as my snapper. And I am really thankful how Nokia made their camera flagship by bringing lots of spices on the hardware just to give the users a different level of mobile photography. This phone is really a near perfect one.

Explaining in words might get your brain a little bit dizzy and it is better to give you the 17 photos that will explain the real subject of this article. If you are a follower of this blog, I’m sure some of the images below is familiar to you.

Feb1

Feb2

Feb3

Feb4

Feb5

Feb6

Feb7

Feb8

Feb9

Feb10

Feb12

Feb13

Feb14

Feb15

Feb16

Feb17

Feb18

Check the full album at my Ovi Share.

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Anyhow, the N86 is still not the perfect camera phone because in some events, the N97 Mini or other 5MP phones have advantages over the flagship camera phone of nokia. Adding to the list is the “close up” mode of the N97, which can give a better ‘bokeh’ or a fuller focus on any object up close; unlike the N86 wherein it is a headache to capture close up scenes due to the phone giving many focus areas which eventually leads to trial and error. Plus, the wide-angle lens of the N86 is quite hefty when it comes to capturing close up or macro scenes.

Talking about fair fight, every phone has its own advantages and people have different tastes. On that note, let’s compare the differences on these images taken using the N86 and N97. I leave the task to you to see the pros and cons of these two phones.

Orange #1 and lights off (N97 Mini always go first on the images followed by N86):

Orange #2 with lights:

Orange #3 with no lights plus distance:

Oranges & Mangoes with no lights:

Mango #1 with no lights:

Mango #2 with lights:

Conclusion:
We can observe how the 3rd generation dual-led on the N86 gives more light compared to the standard led on camera flashes. On the other hand, the con that I saw in the N86 was on the close up mode (as I said earlier). The sensor is focusing on other subjects when the real subject is on the center, as compared to the N97 Mini that focuses on the center. And if your eyes were sharp enough, I’m sure you were able to find out that the N86 delivers more real colors. This is because of the bigger aperture compared to the N97 mini which relies much on its flash.

I’m hoping that this short camera comparison on night shoots will give you ideas on the different advantages and downsides of both devices.

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Obviously I already have the final score on my hands but I will live it to you to judge and say something on the N97 and N86 face-to-face, teeth-to-teeth, keypad-to-keypad battle, etc. =)

Get your sharp eyes ready coz here they come…

The VIDEO!
Sorry for the low quality video, but don’t worry I enhanced my speaking abilities. =D

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First, I will give you the not-so-techie specifications of the N86 camera.

Capturing With Motion.
So looking at the specs of Nokia N86 8MP, it is really a strong contender and proves that N82 needs to be replaced. Except for the N82′s integrated GPU and Xenon, the former camera flagship is an old device already and admitting the fact that N82 was a legend.


Pointing the shutter speed spec at a maximum of 1/1000 sec, you will be amazed on how the results have captured and stopped the speedy scene. I have some photos taken while I on a bus with an average speed of 80-90km/h (and I’m not joking =D). With the speedy bus plus with the shaky hands of mine while holding the phone in the air and pressing the camera button, I was surprised of the result. The fast motion effects left on some scenes, but you can see that the sensors of N86 worked well.

Sequence shots and shutter speed = flying dog.
Meet Ace, the neighbor’s german shepherd



Speedy Video Scenes.
As some of you are experiencing dyslexia phenomena, these videos will tell how the N86 8MP shoots a video scenes with resolution of 640 x 480 pixels.

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As digital cameras approaches the boundary of human’s sense of sight, the mobile camera are also reaching and stretching the limitations of their functions. Optical zooming, Xenon flash, bigger aperture, wide-angle optics and being a camera phone are already a big hit on the mobile sections. Some phones already have LED and Xenon together and that is one of the functionality that standard dslr or video camera can’t take.

The two paragraphs above doesn’t mean old ways was a NO NO! I am just sharing how photography been developed. And yes, old ways are not as techie as the latest trends but for some reason we are still in the area of old ways’ photography, and the Black & White was one of them.

It’s ubiquitous that we’ve seen the Black & White in the artistry aspect and the effect of this less true to life effects are perfect for the eyes of the artists and fans. The basic and old feature on the camera phone is really a blessing for people and I can say that I’m part of the crowd. And talking of blessings, I was the luckiest guy from Philippines to received the Nokia N86 8MP as trial device from WOM World Nokia. I’ve done some reviews of the N86 and now I am continuing the the Nokia N86 8MP Galore fever.

Nokia N86 8MP Unboxing, N86 Review, the galore #1 (time lapse video) and now…
the Nokia N86 8MP Galore No.2: Black & White

N86 is just a couple of weeks with me and I am not the lucky person to have the time to take the glamorous scenes, and these photos were been picked by me to share it to all of you. Forgive my amateurish skills in photography. Just enjoy these bunch of Black & White photos. =D

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Nokia N86 8MP. Only one title can define on what these words tell us about, and that is Nokia’s Camera Phone Flagship. Being technical and numerical, 8MP stands for 8 Mega pixels, and whatsoever complaints you have, still N86 was made to call the attentions of the fellows. Aside from being on the top, N86 offers more than a camera phone, and these things can be found on the smart phone sections. It’s obvious that 86 is lesser compare to 97, and I already said that it depends on what our needs.

At the other end of the spectrum there are features on the phone that thrives to be advanced and enhanced. Its bright OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen, the dual slider form factor can be seen on the few phones and N86 was one to have it, the scratch resistant front surface of the phone, its 8GB built-in memory or even the kickstand are one of the special features of the phone. But in the whole review I will focus much on the camera and design of the phone.

Design

Harder Facade.Giving the visual treats are the descriptions of what the phone looks like outside. The facade of the phone was the best soothing spot for your naked eyes. The hardened glass together with the metal details was blended carefully to give shiny and glossy visual feedback. The dpad is well organized and balanced to maintain the accentuated metal linings and its pristine hardened glass. The plastic back cover. Yes, I mentioned plastic and it’s a different kind of plastic. The cover back is tangibly metallic and you can’t feel the plastic effect neither the smooth surface. P.S. Hardened glass means scratch resistant.? =D

Sexier Body. If I have the chance to choose the gender for N86 8MP definitely it will be a male. I am always amazed of how the N86 was designed and formed. The dimensions and weight will tell you that it’s a gentleman, with the futuristic and artistic body form; it will be blessed hot six packs-phones. Mentioning the size of the phone, it is thicker than mini but in more compact way. While mini is lighter, the N86 is heavier compare to it. But no worries, N97 Mini and N86 8MP feels comfortable in my hands.

Stronger Slide. The well-polished-keypad was a YES, while double slider on the N86 8MP should be a compliment above others. Even though it is not new when we are talking of N85, N96 or N95 8GB, the flexibility and the durability of the double slider was improved. Unlike in my N81′s slider, the slider on the N86 is stronger and tougher. I can’t feel the wobbliness neither the shaking of the upper slide. I used the phone for 1 week and still can’t feel any weak mechanism on the slider and I hope that after long use of N86 I will be able to see the same toughness on the slider.

Camera

Bigger Mega Pixels. The 8MP counts well on what a camera phone flagship can offer. Compare to a lower pixel count camera, 8MP will be stretching more pixel counts giving vivid and finer photos. Absolutely the quality will be different while using bigger mega pixels.

Below are the sample shots taken by N86 8MP and N97 Mini both in 5MP image quality, so it’s an equal battle for them. *Nokia N86 8MP images are always first followed by N97 Mini, except in other sections (Wider Aperture, the plate and the square light) because they were taken by N86 only.

But talking of bigger MP here are the samples taken with 8MP for N86 and N97Mini for 5MP. At full digital zoom N86 delivered an excellent result. Look at the details on the first photo (N86 8MP) compare to the 5MP of N97 Mini.

Wider Angle Optics & Aperture. The wide-angle optics made by Carl Zeiss should be consider as one of the stretching points where N86 8MP excels from others. The first phone from Nokia to offer a magnificent camera feature. Wider angle lens of N86 will give a gewgaw on macro or close up mode yet the multi-automatic focus will save you from this qualm.

Close up photos:

Due to the enthusiasm of mine and am to learn and to become a professional mobile-paparazi-wanna-be or just a plain photog in the field of camera phone, I placed the aperture on the main topics of the camera section. Technically, wider aperture allows more natural light to be use by the camera sensors. With these innovations the camera sensors don’t need more artificial lighting or to produce its own lights on every photo. Also, relying on the natural lights will result in a lively and natural photo.

Plus with the wider aperture it will help the camera phone during low light scenes and will not depend on the flash.

Photos taken by N86 8MP with flash (first) and with no flash (second):

Brighter Dual LED. Now let’s talk another stretching point and this award goes to the 3rd generation dual-LED flash/video light. First of all you will be thinking of how the 3rd gen dled will break another limitation and let’s insert the Xenon on our topic, the powerhouse on N82′s history. Clearing your cloudy thoughts on this issue, Xenon offers more light (100s or 1ks times compare to leds, ok leave it as a blank coz im not sure =P) and the speed of Xenon’s flash effect can be consider as the time stopper of every rotating of moving objects. While talking of 3rd Generation Dual-LED on N86, the video lighting was a big priority and the upgraded photo flash, too. The light emitted by photo flash on 3rd gen dled is brighter than a normal dled e.g. on my Mini, and eats lesser power consumptions on the battery while Xenon is a monstrous energy eater.


On the video lighting, Xenon will be forgotten and DLEDs will be welcome. The remedy of other company on this Xenon problem was putting LED and Xenon together in one phone, but I can’t see them on N86, and I am not an expert to tell you which one is better, the Xenon + LED or the enhanced DLED, but I prefer DLED for less space and less power consumption.

So here the sample shots taken by N86 8MP with flash and we will compare it to the N97 Mini.

Video recording with DLEDs on.

Higher Video Quality. Next pit stop will be on the video recording and its not a surprise that N86 got a higher quality video recording compare to my N97 Mini, unluckily it’s a surprise that the phone didn’t get a body massage, and I’m talking about HD and an Auto Focus on the video recording. But with these videos I manage to capture, it is seen that the video quality of N86 8MP are on the higher quality compare to others and well, it’s a good alternative for video camera too. Digital zooming is not a problem but it’s much preferred to have an Optical Zoom and Auto Focus on video recording on the next Nokia’s Camera Phone flagship.

Enhancer.

If I miss mentioning other features of the camera and the phone itself then I reserved a special section on them. So it’s time to criticize the oddities of the phone.

*Kickstand – The multifunctional kickstand offers convenience in photo browsing, watching videos, and lots of multi-media functions.

*Active lens cover – Even when your phone is lock you can easily open the camera application with speed. Just open the cover lens then the camera UI will pop and you are ready to snap pictures.

*Customizable Camera Toolbar – Out of 16 camera widgets there is an editor toolbar for you. Minimize the widget numbers or organize them in your own way.

*Multimedia Buttons – Sliding the phone downward will expose 4 buttons on top of it. There are play/pause & square, next/ff & zoom in, stop & circle, and back/fb & zoom out. All of them are friendly and useful in browsing media contents or even in camera mode.

*Bass Booster – Music Player settings on N86 8MP has its own side dish. Aside from equalizer, another settings for music player is quite nice for me. Settings includes stereo balance, stereo widening, and the bass booster. This bass booster replaced the loudness control on my old N81.

Untouchable. The N86 is a not a touch screen phone unlike other phones, but with its unbeatable functions on the camera field, there are only few reasons to hate N86. In my experiences of using the N97 Mini and N86 8MP, I believe that we need more physical keys on a camera phone flagship but it’s obvious non-touch phones have a smaller screen compare to touch screen phones. And some functions will be unavailable for non-touch phones e.g. touch focus or manual focus. But this will serve as inspirations on the next camera phone.

If Nokia will just make a tripod accessory for their phones it will be a blessings for most bloggers and users. We saw N900 with an auto focus on its video recording and I hope this tactic will continue on the future phones.

Who says DLED sucks? 3rd Generation DLED was superior as Xenon in terms of photo flash, and yet DLED can’t par on Xenon’s capabilities in full flash support. But, Xenon will learn much on N86 8MP’s DLED and still it’s fundamental to have a LED for video lighting. If companies reach to the point of producing 3rd gen dled, so it is not impossible to make a 4th gen dled or more of its kind that can kill or par the Xenon on photo flash.

Sorry if I didn’t go deep on the OS and other software related stuff (e.g. UIs) and it doesn’t mean that the Symbian OS for Series 60 3rd ed phones are not impressive as others. Still the versatility and scope of Symbian is wider compare to others. The multimedia experience on N86 was supported well by its OS and its not surprising that Nokia and Symbian offers more compare to others.

About the hardware of the N86, I was impressed on how N86 managed to multitask. Running applications/programs at the same time was a relief. Web Browser + Gravity + Music Player + Nimbuzz are on its phase as always with no interruptions or ended programs.

So, that’s all for N86 review and stay tune for my next project, the Nokia N86 8MP Galore.

Here are the other photos taken with N86 8MP hope you will enjoy them.

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The next story is completely different because WOM World Nokia manages to send me the right one, and that’s the Nokia N86 8MP. I’m jumping, laughing, and even punching the concrete wall (imaginary wall) just because of the joy I’m experiencing right now.

Ah! What a tears of joy?! Now let’s check the unboxing of Nokia N86 8MP.

Unboxing Video:

I will be posting the review after 1 week of using the phone so the datum will be not bias. =)

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