Evolution of the Nokia camera phone

2002 brought us some key world events. The criminal investigation and subsequent collapse of Enron, the US invasion of Afghanistan, the World Cup in Japan and South Korea and not forgetting the release of the first Nokia camera phone.

The 7650 had a 0.3 MP camera and 640×480 resolution. Not much by today’s standards but at the time, it was cutting edge stuff. If we fast forward 10 years, those specs change slightly. How does 12 megapixels, Carl Zeiss Optics, Xenon Flash and 720p HD video sound?

What happened in those ten years between was an evolution that has led many of us to photographic enlightenment.

Take a look at our Nokia camera phone timeline and watch closely at how the image quality has slowly improved to what it is today.

2002 – Nokia 7650

Specs:

• 0.3 MP
• 640×480 VGA

Nine years ago camera phones were relatively new. This photo is of a plane trail left in the sky.

2004 – Nokia 6630

Specs:

• 1.3 MP, 1280×960
• Video calling

The Nokia 6630 incorporated video calling with its 1.3 MP camera.

2005 – Nokia N70

Specs:

• 2 MP
• 0.3 MP second camera, VGA

The Nokia N70 incorporated a  second ‘front’ camera as well as a 2 MP primary camera.

2005 – Nokia N90

Specs:

• 2.0 MP, Carl Zeiss Optics, autofocus LED flash
• Videocalling

A beautiful serene landscape with great field of depth, captured on the Nokia N90

2006 – Nokia N93

Specs:

• 3.15 MP, 3x optical zoom, Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, LED flash
• CIF videocall secondary camera

Great close-up water image used by the N93 here

2006 – Nokia N73

Specs:

• 3.2 MP (Carl Zeiss Tessar lens with autofocus and 20x digital zoom)
• 640×480 VGA second camera with 2x digital zoom

It was nearly 5 years ago that the N73 with its 3.2 MP Carl Zeiss Tessar lens made its debut.

2006 – Nokia N95

Specs:

• 5 MP (Carl Zeiss optics autofocus, LED flash)
• CIF video call second camera

The above photo demonstrates the quality available from the N95 and its Carl Zeiss autofocus optics.

2007 – Nokia N82

Specs:

• 5 MP with Carl Zeiss Optics, autofocus and Xenon flash
• CIF video call on second camera

The Nokia N86 gave us Xenon flash which optimised photo taking with its 5 MP camera.

2009 – Nokia N86

Specs:

• 8 MP with 28mm wide camera lens
• VGA video call on second camera

The Nokia N86 stepped it up a notch with an 8MP primary camera with wide camera lens.

2010 – Nokia N8

Specs:

• 12 MP with Carl Zeiss Optics and Xenon flash
• VGA video call on second camera


The 12 MP Carl Zeiss camera with Xenon flash allows for stunning photographic opportunities.

Posted in: 1.3 MP,12MP,2 MP,3.2 MP,autofocus LED flash,Carl Zeiss Otics,Nokia 6630,Nokia 7650,Nokia N70,Nokia N73,Nokia N82,Nokia N86,Nokia N90,Nokia N93,Nokia N95,Xenon Flash