Fixed Focus Cam on E7,C7 etc : Nokia Explains : “ It is different “
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We had lot of arguments about the Nokia’s new fixed focus camera on the new devices like E7,C7 etc. At Symbiandreams.com we have started the issue very early when saw the specs from the E7’s press release .We have sent some press enquiries to Nokia about the fixed cam on the E7 ,but it was not answered may be for the following reasons
1) Nokia was not ready by the time with such explanations (read bellow )
2)Too many requests to serve regarding the Fixed Focus issue
But finally Nokia responded to the E7’s cam issue via their official blog Nokia Conversations yesterday !If you read the full text it may be a little complex as lot of technical things explained . I try to give a simplified version here with our views .
You may have a look at the issue of the Fixed Focus camera discussed in our blog recently
1)Does auto focus or fixed focus matter ? E7 Vs N8 some insights
2)E7 Camera The Fixed Focus , I may don’t buy it !
Now let us have a look at Nokia’s explanation
Nokia Says that the Camera Technology they have used in E7 is “Full Focus “ and the similarity with the cheap quality old Fixed focus camera and Nokia’s full focus camera is “both don’t have moving elements “
“ However, the only similarity between fixed focus cameras of days gone by and Nokia’s Full Focus cameras is that they have no moving lens elements. That’s where the similarity ends. “-Nokia
- The Fixed Focus Camera used in E7 and so on have a full depth of the field technology that makes everything away from 50 CM to infinity become focused in the camera .
- Since no moving parts and extra time needed to focus ,the camera takes shorts immediately
- Full Focus technology brings a slim phone as no need for many parts .
“Here are the unique benefits of these cameras:
- With a Nokia Full Focus camera you can simply grab moments without the fear of images or videos ever being out of focus for subjects from around 50cm through to infinity, regardless of lighting conditions or subject position in the frame etc.
- No shooting lag waiting for autofocus. Despite the Nokia N8 featuring the fastest autofocus of any mobile at just 350ms (average), it’s still a delay.
- Everything from approximately 50cm to infinity in the same picture/video appears in focus. Hence the name ‘Full Focus’ cameras. Conventional cameras have less ‘depth of field’ than Full Focus cameras and therefore, distant objects will appear blurred. Those more experienced photographers may – of course – prefer the reduced depth of field look. However, those less involved (the vast majority of those who take pictures) find the “everything in focus” look very appealing.
- Slimmer camera modules – leading to slimmer product designs.” Nokia says.
- Full Focus camera takes pictures at any time , in any light conditions and very faster ,so Nokia does implement in E7 .
- And Nokia explains the complexity of the Full Focus camera module preparation in this post ,but who cares .Consumers want the results not the work behind it.
How does Nokia Fail to Satisfy us ?
- But,since E7 is a business class device ,how many of us need to scan documents (close up shots)every day in the office (if you cannot take anything closer than 50 CM,you will miss all the nice Macro shots you have been taking in older Nokia devices like N95,N80 etc.. (Nokia don’t talk about this in the reaction )
- In terms of speed (requires to focus in AF cam),the advanced users who use the E7 will manage it always,if it could offer auto focus camera.
- The images shot with E7 spotted by Mark Guim at thenokiablog.com from Flickr recently,Images don’t meet the expectations ,not good as a N95 cam at all (The images have been removed from Flickr.com now !)
- C7 is a lessor priced device of mid range ,it is acceptable to have a Fixed or Full Focus camera there.
The implementation of some lesser hardware specs in an E series device should be Nokia’s business decision ,if it will have an AF camera that may affect the sales of the flagship device N8. Definitely you can expect a QWERTY keyboard ,and touch UI device with S^3 or Meego and Auto focus camera (including all other hi end hardware specs )soon after the release of E7(N ???) .
Overall ,you can understand, that Nokia tries very hard to explain the implementation of the fixed focus camera in the hi end business device E7 ,but really failed to justify the reason. E7 is going to be a higher priced device comparing to the Nokia’s flagship device N8 ,but we are going to miss a useful camera and we will need to have one more camera phone always . This may lead to have some lesser number of sales in the Nokia E7 phones . I am waiting for E7 like phone with Auto Focus camera !
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Agreed, E7 is a real disappointment just because of its poor camera.
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I think nokia will never explain the fail of C7 camera and , in the fact I tried more than two times to explain that to nokia, but the answer is the same “try to contact with service centers of nokia”!!
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I own a Nokia C7. I think the camera performs well in most situations. however it is no good for photographing at close range. I agree that this is sometimes necessary. Since installing a AF camera may be to expensive and might be too bulky I think the only solution I can think of is to install two fixed focus cameras: one for close by (5 – 100 cm) and one for further away). The user should be able to swith between normal and macro mode via a hardware switch. This might still be less expensive than installing one AF camera and you also will not be confronted with protruding lenses. For phones like the E7 this solution may be the ideal compromise.
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S.Manimaraa Reply:
April 30th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Wow two fixed cams on a single device for two tasks – It is a great Idea ! You have added more value to our community ! Thanks a lot M W – Hope some mobile vendors will follow this idea soon !
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I am waiting for E7 like phone with Auto Focus camera !
-Me too
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I am one of the unlucky souls who bought an E7. I also bought my wife an n8. I have reverted to my E90. The camera is not autofocus, its also NOT all focus. If you look at the pictures it takex it is actually NO FOCUS. Its the same with the keyboard if you compare it to the E90. The complete phone was designed and brought to market by a group that did not actually use the device for a week. I am sure that not a single member of the E7 team is using the device. The only good thing is that it finally proved that Nokia HAS BEEN. My next phone is a NOT a Nokia
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Anybody tried to use a qr code program with nokia c7?
Definitively I can’t!!! Close caption of the code its impossible so programs can’t read it
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