Nokia Lumia 1020 (2GB + 32GB) Review | 197 Data compared

PCMag's review of the Nokia Lumia 1020 (AT&T) highlights its advanced 41-megapixel camera as its main advantage, capable of producing sharp and detailed photos, particularly in low light. Key features include optical image stabilization, a Xenon flash, and lossless digital zoom via high-resolution cropping. The review notes, however, that significant drawbacks include slow shot-to-shot time, limiting its use for capturing action, and the Windows Phone OS's limited app ecosystem compared to competitors.

CNET describes the Nokia Lumia 1020 as primarily defined by its 41-megapixel PureView camera, which offers high-resolution images, lossless zoom, and excellent low-light performance with a Xenon flash. However, the large lens creates a significant rear bulge, processing times for the camera are slow (up to six seconds per shot), and the device lacks a microSD card slot. The review positions the device as a niche product best suited for serious photographers due to its specialized camera features and drawbacks like multiple confusing camera apps, a high launch price, and the limitations of the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem.

The Nokia Lumia 1020 is primarily characterized by its 41-megapixel sensor, which enables detailed photos and lossless digital zoom but results in a bulky design and slow camera processing. While the device features a sturdy build and the Nokia Pro Camera app offers extensive manual controls, the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem is limited by a significant "app gap". Overall, the review positions the Lumia 1020 as a specialist camera tool with excellent image quality but hindered by its physical design, speed issues, and restrictive software ecosystem. More information is available on The Verge's website.

The Nokia Lumia 1020, as reviewed by Expert Reviews, is a pioneering smartphone defined by its 41-megapixel sensor, designed to act as a direct replacement for a compact camera. Key pros include exceptional image quality, superior low-light performance, and robust optical image stabilization (OIS), alongside a bright AMOLED display and a dedicated physical shutter button. Furthermore, the Nokia Pro Cam app provides extensive manual, professional-level control over photography, while the PureView technology allows for significant, high-quality cropping. Conversely, the device faces performance and design drawbacks, most notably a sluggish shot-to-shot speed that hinders capturing fast action, and a prominent camera hump that adds significant, uneven weight. Other cons include the reliance on the limited Windows Phone 8 app ecosystem, the lack of expandable storage, and a higher price point.

The Nokia Lumia 1020 features a standout 41-megapixel PureView camera with Xenon flash that produces exceptional detail via pixel oversampling, though the substantial camera hump prevents it from lying flat. While the polycarbonate unibody is durable, the square edges can be uncomfortable during extended use. Significant, however, are the performance bottlenecks, as the dual-core processor causes up to 5-second delays between shots, and the 2,000mAh battery drains rapidly with heavy camera use. The 4.5-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display offers vibrant visuals, but the 720p resolution is considered insufficient for a high-end camera phone. Software, specifically Windows Phone 8, limits the experience due to a lack of popular apps and a poor browser experience. Despite its camera prowess, the high £600 price point and niche limitations result in a 7/10 rating. Totally Dubbed

The Nokia Lumia 1020, reviewed by ETCentric, is defined by its 41-megapixel sensor that utilizes oversampling for detailed 5-megapixel images. Key pros include the Pro Cam app for manual DSLR-like controls, a powerful Xenon flash, and optical image stabilization (OIS). However, the device is hindered by a bulky design, slow shot-to-shot times, and limited third-party app availability on the Windows Phone platform. While promising for photography enthusiasts, it may be too niche for the average user.

According to The Globe and Mail, the Nokia Lumia 1020 is a "beast" of a camera packed inside a merely "adequate" smartphone. It features an industry-leading 41-megapixel sensor, Xenon flash, and granular manual controls, allowing it to produce exceptional low-light images and "lossless" zoom that rivals dedicated compact cameras. However, the device is constrained by aging dual-core internals, a lack of expandable storage, and the limited Windows Phone 8 app ecosystem. While featuring a sturdy design and vibrant AMOLED display, its bulkiness, sluggish shot-to-shot times, and high battery consumption during intensive photography are noted downsides. Ultimately, it is described as a niche, high-performance imaging tool that may disappoint users seeking a top-tier modern smartphone experience.

A 2013 review in The Oklahoman hails the Nokia Lumia 1020 as having the best smartphone camera available at the time, featuring a 41-megapixel sensor that offers excellent, high-resolution imagery and lossless zoom. While the hardware is praised for its superior camera capabilities, clear call quality, and decent battery life, it is limited by a fixed 32GB of nonexpandable storage, making high-resolution photo management challenging. The device's primary drawback is identified as the inadequate Windows Phone 8 app ecosystem, which lacks a robust, official social media presence, notably an official Instagram app. The review notes that third-party alternatives are buggy and slow, significantly hindering the user experience for photography enthusiasts wanting to share their work. Ultimately, the Lumia 1020 is described as a strong, specialized device for mobile photography that fails to provide a competitive, all-around smartphone experience due to its limited app ecosystem. At a $200 on-contract price point, it is positioned as a compelling, yet niche, choice for those who prioritize imaging above all other smartphone features.

The TechRadar review of the Nokia Lumia 1020 highlights its 41MP PureView sensor, Xenon flash, and optical image stabilization (OIS), which together deliver unparalleled camera performance with "lossless" 3x zoom and superior low-light imaging. Despite these advantages, the device is criticized for running Windows Phone 8, which suffers from a limited app ecosystem, alongside a sluggish camera interface and underpowered internal specifications compared to its contemporaries. With a, bulky design and high cost, the 3.5-star rated device is deemed a specialized tool for photography enthusiasts, rather than a top-tier general-purpose smartphone.

The AllThingsD review by Lauren Goode positions the Nokia Lumia 1020 as a significant advancement in smartphone photography, featuring a 41-megapixel sensor that utilizes "oversampling" for superior image quality. With optical image stabilization (OIS) and a backside-illuminated sensor, the device excels in low-light conditions and offers lossless digital zoom, setting a new standard for camera capabilities at the time. The Pros include exceptional image clarity and versatile zooming, along with high-quality integrated mapping software, which makes it a strong choice for photography-focused users. However, notable drawbacks exist, such as a significant camera hump, slow shot-to-shot times, and a limited app ecosystem on Windows Phone 8. Ultimately, it is described as a high-performing but niche device.

The HotHardware review of the Nokia Lumia 1020 highlights its revolutionary 41-megapixel camera as the device's standout feature, utilizing oversampling technology to deliver exceptional image quality and digital zoom capability. Proved with a 4.5-inch AMOLED display and 2GB of RAM, the phone offers a solid, well-built experience, though the large camera housing creates a bulky design that cannot sit flat. While lauded for its photography, the review notes cons including slow shot-to-shot times, limited app availability in the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem, and fast battery drain under heavy use.

The 2013 Nokia Lumia 1020 established a new benchmark for smartphone photography, featuring a 41-megapixel sensor with Carl Zeiss optics, optical image stabilization, and a Xenon flash to produce high-detail, low-noise 5-megapixel images via oversampling. Its key advantage is the capability for 3x lossless digital zoom and superior low-light performance, though the large camera hump creates a polarizing, bulky design that prevents the device from lying flat. While the phone boasts a sturdy polycarbonate build and an excellent AMOLED display, significant drawbacks include slow shot-to-shot processing speeds, a lack of app ecosystem depth in Windows Phone 8, and a high price point that limits its appeal to photography enthusiasts. For more details, visit Arstechnica.

The DPReview of the Nokia Lumia 1020 characterizes the device as a groundbreaking, camera-centric smartphone featuring a 41-megapixel sensor, a six-element Zeiss lens, and optical image stabilization (OIS). It utilizes oversampling to produce high-detail 5MP images, offering top-tier, low-light performance and 2.7x zoom capability. Key pros include the robust Nokia Pro Cam app with comprehensive manual controls, a powerful Xenon flash, excellent AMOLED screen visibility, and superior stabilized video. The build is described as a solid, ergonomic unibody design. However, the device suffers from significant cons, including slow shot-to-shot times, long camera app startup, and some image softness in extreme corners. Additionally, the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem limits app availability.

The IT Pro review highlights the Nokia Lumia 1020's groundbreaking 41-megapixel PureView camera, featuring a Carl Zeiss lens, Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), and a Xenon flash for superior, professional-grade photography and low-light performance. While praising its imaging capabilities, the review notes the device's 4.5-inch AMOLED display lacks Full HD, and the 1.5GHz processor is paired with a limited 32GB non-expandable storage. The device is also criticized for being bulky, weighing 158g with a noticeable 3mm camera hump, and having limited app availability via the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem.

The Nokia Lumia 1020 is a groundbreaking camera phone featuring a 41-megapixel sensor, Carl Zeiss optics, and optical image stabilization, delivering unmatched detail and low-light performance. Its standout, "lossless" 3x zoom and high-quality 5-megapixel output are supported by the intuitive Pro Cam app, which offers manual control over ISO, shutter speed, and exposure. However, the device suffers from significant, slow shot-to-shot times, a slightly bulky design, and a limited app ecosystem, all of which hinder its overall usability compared to contemporary alternatives.

The Nokia Lumia 1020 is presented as a significant advancement in smartphone photography due to its 41-megapixel PureView sensor, enabling "lossless" digital zoom and offering precise manual controls through the Nokia Pro Cam app. However, the device's specialized camera results in a bulky design and a slow shot-to-shot time. While its imaging capabilities, including low-light performance, blur the line between a phone and a point-and-shoot camera, its high price and niche focus make it less practical for casual users compared to alternatives.

According to a 2013 Techland review, the Nokia Lumia 1020 was a "landmark" for mobile photography due to its 41-megapixel sensor, Carl Zeiss lens, and optical image stabilization, which delivered exceptional detail and low-light performance. However, the device suffered from significant drawbacks as a standard smartphone, including slow image processing times, a sluggish software experience, and the limitations of the Windows Phone 8 ecosystem's app availability, making it suitable mainly for "genuine enthusiasts".

The Windows Central review highlights the Nokia Lumia 1020 as a significant device within the Windows Phone ecosystem, primarily due to its sophisticated 41-megapixel PureView camera featuring a large sensor, Zeiss optics, and OIS, capable of producing high-quality images with "lossless" zoom. While its design is bold with an improved AMOLED display, the large camera housing creates an imbalance. Key drawbacks noted include the slow-loading camera app and the absence of an SD card slot, limiting storage despite its appeal to photography enthusiasts.