DPReview on the Nokia Lumia 1020: “By nearly every metric, it takes better pictures than any other phone on the market”

Reading time icon 2 min. read


Readers help support MSpoweruser. We may get a commission if you buy through our links. Tooltip Icon

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help MSPoweruser sustain the editorial team Read more

DPReview, likely the most respected camera review site,  have posted what should be the definitive review of the camera on the Nokia Lumia 1020.  Their 11 page review addresses nearly every aspect of the handset and they conclude:

The Final Word

The Nokia Lumia 1020’s innovative zoom and impressive image quality set it apart from all competitors. By nearly every metric, it takes better pictures than any other phone on the market.

Its imaging Achilles heel is its camera app’s sluggish shot-to-shot and start-up times. While many phones feel nearly instantaneous on both fronts, the 1020’s four-second delays can feel very long. Whether you find this negligible or nauseating depends on your personal style of photography.

Of course, no phone only serves as a camera. The 1020’s Windows Phone OS is slick and snappy, but its app support leaves something to be desired.

Mobile photographers who prize image quality and can live with a little waiting, even those currently committed to another platform, should absolutely consider the Lumia 1020. On the other hand, if your main goal is capturing snapshots to share on social media, the points against the 1020 will weigh more substantially.

The Good

The Bad

  • Best-in-class overall image quality
  • Zoom doesn’t compromise image quality
  • Best-in-class low light performance
  • Well-designed full manual control in camera app
  • Sunlight-visible screen
  • Solid ergonomics with two-stage shutter release
  • Very good flash performance
  • Nice panorama mode
  • Very good video quality, especially in low light
  • Optional camera grip available
  • Long shot-to-shot times
  • Slow camera app startup
  • No control over imaging parameters like sharpening, saturation or contrast
  • No HDR or true burst modes
  • Images soft in corners
  • Imaging app support limited compared to closest competition

Read their full and detailed review here.

User forum

0 messages