The two-step capture button and autofocus system work pretty well, and image processing speed appears to have been improved in side-by-side tests with the original N95.
Imaging results are top class for a cameraphone. Colours are bright and clean, with plenty of detail and sharpness - very pleasing. And you can upload snaps straight to Flickr and Vox accounts as one of the sending options once you’ve taken a shot.
Video recording quality on the N95 8GB is also exceptionally good for a cameraphone – among the very best we’ve seen, in fact. It can capture MPEG 4 video at 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution at 30 frames per second, delivering smooth, clear images that can pass muster played back on a TV screen.
Wi-Fi's handy for IM-ing
Nokia boxes the N95 8GB with a TV cable, so you can view video and all sorts of other content from the phone on your telly. You can also share video calls in this way too, if that takes your fancy, using the secondary video call camera in the front of the phone, above the display.
The impressive video capability extends to playback of downloaded video. Few would argue that a 2.8in display is ideal for viewing video, but as a platform for on-the-go entertainment, the N95 8GB really delivers. To demonstrate this, Nokia is shipping the N95 8GB pre-loaded with the full movie version of Spider-man 3, which played back perfectly smoothly on our review sample.
COMMENTS
@ Jason
Me thinks you have the original N95 and are now sour grapes. As for no camera cover, I like it, I've had many phones with open lenses, and have never scratched one yet. If you're that bothered then get a screen protector (A crystal one) and cut it down to size.
I own an N95 8GB and can quite honestly say it's the best bit of kit I've ever owned, in relation to build qualitly, support, features ect.
Battery life
I've never understood the complaints about N95 battery life. After conditioning the battery and a few charge-cycles later, and I get 3+ days on standby if I don't use the phone too much. Not great, but not awful either - certainly way better than the <1 day some people report. Can only assume that they are leaving WiFi scanning on permanently or something..
Oh and the assisted GPS is fantastic - around 20 secs to get a fix.
old 4Gb version
slap the latest v20 firmware onto the older 4Gb version and its almost the same - more battery, faster responses, faster startup, and much better camera interaction. still, the 8Gb does give you more 'working memory' (not the 4Gb of extra storage memory!) and the GPS is better.
sadly
it's still a humongous hunk of cheapish plastic. Admittedly, that plastic feels better than one used in the first version.
And another El Reg review that is sorta late. But thank you for making it a written one!
soft-keys and screen labels
Is it just me or do the soft-keys look to be too far away from the on-screen labels? Why couldn't they put the 'Nokia' branding on top of the screen? Then the buttons could be bigger too.
