Cameras and phones taking on new identities

The term “crossover” was used to denote passenger vehicles that look like SUVs but drive like cars. Now, in the evolving world of consumer electronics, we have a smartphone that can function as a top-of-the-range digital camera, and an internet digital camera that runs on a smartphone operating system.

Nokia’s Lumia 1020 (rating 5/5) smartphone is the classic crossover device: a high-performance smartphone, with a standard touchscreen on the front but the guts of a high-end digital camera. It has a huge 41MP sensor, a Carl Zeiss zoom lens and a clever image-stabilisation system that means taking distinct images is a snap, even with shaky hands.

The Lumia 1020, which has just gone on sale in the US (and will be available in Europe in September), is Nokia’s attempt to bring the “wow” factor back to smartphones.

Having tested the 1020, the latest in a range of Lumia handsets that run on Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 operating system, I am mostly impressed.

The high-resolution screen is slightly larger at 4.5in than the iPhone 5’s but smaller than Samsung’s Galaxy S4. Inside, it packs a powerful processor, 32GB of storage and a large battery. I found it a solid smartphone with good voice quality, a fast browser and reasonable battery life.

However, the 1020’s most distinguishing feature is a round, coin-sized protrusion on the back that houses its zoom lens and a powerful flash that illuminates objects up to 4m away.

These external optics are backed up by the 41Mp sensor, which takes pictures that keep their ultra-sharp quality even when expanded on a desktop screen. The handset also records HD video.

The photographic features are complemented by software tools to rival those on other leading smartphones. The camera is initially set in auto mode, but you can take full manual control of exposure, shutter speed, white balance and focus – just like an expensive digital SLR camera. You can also “reframe” an image by zooming in, thanks to the fine detail that the digital sensor can capture.

Overall, it is hard not to be impressed by the digital imagery prowess, but the Lumia 1020 may not appeal to everyone as a smartphone. The Windows Phone 8 interface takes some getting used to, and there are fewer apps than for an iPhone or an Android based smartphone.

At $299 with a two-year contract from AT&T, it is also relatively pricey, but if you want a smartphone that can also hold its own against a dedicated pocket-sized digital camera, the shortcomings may be worth overlooking.

As a camera, the latest version features a 21x zoom and a 16Mp illuminated sensor (similar to that of the Lumia 1020). Combining it with a full mobile operating system and internet connectivity, using either WiFi or a mobile data connection, means I can take pictures, edit them on the 4.8in touchscreen and use apps to post them quickly to sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I can fine-tune settings such as shutter speed and exposure using simple sliders on the camera’s screen, and if my photos need tweaking (they usually do), I can do so without a laptop or other device thanks to an editing app.

Handily, the camera can be set to back up images to the cloud automatically as soon as you take them.

The camera shows the potential of crossover consumer electronics, and is well worth considering if you’re seeking a new digital camera with advanced connectivity features.

Planet of the Apps

Paul Taylor selects his favourite from the latest crop of apps

What it is: Camera Zoom FX for Android devices ($2.99/£1.79)

Why you should try it: Don’t despair if you do not have the latest, greatest camera phone. Camera Zoom FX is my favourite photo app and the latest version adds an improved user interface, a bunch of new controls that refine and enhance the performance of the digital cameras on Android smartphones and tablets. There are also new photo filters to apply to images before posting to Facebook, or sharing with others.