Nokia Lumia 1020 Hands on Review: First look

What makes Nokia Lumia 1020, an interesting camera phone? If you consider Lumia 1020, a dedicated camera phone, then you have to take a notice at 1/1.5" big sensor found inside. When compared to Nokia PureView 808, the camera sensor is slightly smaller - 1/1.5 "vs. 1/1.2". It is to be noted that that image sensor found inside the Lumia 1020 is completely revamped. Yes, the camera sensor found inside Lumia 1020 is smaller compared to PureView 808. However, the Lumia 1020 now packs Back-illuminated sensor (BSI), which was missing from its predecessor. Interestingly, the phone features 6-lens optics from Carl Zeiss.

The BSI image sensor, actually improves light sensitivity. Moreover, the Lumia 1020 comes with a lend having improved aperture size compared to PureView 808 (f2.2 vs. f2.4). The newest camera phone can take 34MP images in 16:9 mode and 39MP images in 4:3 mode. Also, you are not allowed to uploaded heavy images on Social Networking site via Lumia 1020. But you will be able to uploaded images in 5MP format on Facebook.

Notably, the Nokia Lumia 1020 is more toned and slimmer than PureView 808. The Lumia 1020 measures 10.4 mm in terms of thickness, while its predecessor was rather bulky at 13.4mm. The latest generation 41MP shooter camera phone weighs 158g. On the other hand, the PureView 808 weighs 169g. Clearly, the difference between the two devices is visible.

Honestly, we found the device a little bulky; if one compare it with Sony Xperia Z1, a rival smartphone with roaring camera sensor inside. Still, we have to say that Nokia has done a great job, when it comes to design of the device.

The Lumia 1020 has a unibody design, and somewhat we find the phone similar to Lumia 920. Both exactly look same, minus camera bulge, which is synonymous to Lumia 1020 and older generation PureView 808.

Talking about the aesthetics of Lumia 1020, we have no complaints for far. The camera circle at the rear back (that separates from the main phone) houses a camera lens, a mechanical shutter, a Xenon flash and a LED Flash light. There's a dedicated camera shutter key on the right-hand side of the phone. The rear facing camera is capable of recording videos in 1080 FHD format at 30fps. Also add a 1.2-mega pixel front facing camera with HD video recoding.

The biggest and the most talked about feature of Lumia 1020 - Nokia Pro Camera app, will take photography to newer heights. With Nokia Pro Camera app, you can play with the camera, just like you operate your DSLR. You have a full control on the manual settings: ISO speed, shutter speed, White balance, Auto Focus and touch focus/manual focus. The ring based interface is refreshing, and easy to operate.

Besides Pro Camera app there are other apps bundled within the device itself: Nokia Smart Camera, Creative Studio, Cinemagraph, PhotoBeamer and Nokia Glam Me Lens. We're looking forward to do a full- fledged review of Lumia 1020 in the coming days.