Nokia N86 8MP – a mobile phone with a camera heart

The Nokia N86 8MP mobile phone is seen by Nokia to be almost a replacement for a standalone digital camera. Eight megapixels, with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED camera flash – but I still think we’re a ways off ditching digital camera and depending on a phone’s camera capabilities. It also has a TV-out connection, so you can show off the photos on the phone on a television screen.

Also on-board is Nokia Maps and in-built GPS – and out of the box there’s a 3 month trial for voice turn-by-turn instruction. As the name of the phone implies internal memory is 8GB, plus you can add memory via microSD card, up to 16GB.

The Nokia N86 8MP will be available in Optus stores from mid-September, at an RRP of $949.00.

Nokia’s press release:

Sydney, Australia – Capturing and sharing memories just got easier with Nokia’s best mobile imaging device, the Nokia N86 8MP, which will be available in Australia from mid September 2009.

Combining wide-angle Carl Zeiss optics and an eight megapixel sensor, the Nokia N86 8MP delivers results comparable to a high-quality, stand-alone digital camera. The handset is designed to excel in both bright and low light conditions and is optimised for both video and still imaging.

With the latest version of Nokia Maps and full Ovi integration on board, the Nokia N86 8MP gives a personal dimension to photos and videos. Its high-speed connectivity allows people to conveniently share their location with personal content like geotagged photos.

Nokia Australia’s product marketing manager, Gill Hollister, said: “Nokia is committed to providing consumers with the latest technologies and at the same time making sure they’re easy to use and applicable to their lifestyles.

“People don’t always carry their digital camera in their pocket, but they take their mobile device with them wherever they go. With excellent photography capabilities, in built GPS and fast Internet connection, the Nokia N86 8MP allows users to instantly share their media content online,” she said.

For the novice photographer, the Nokia N86 8MP is easy to use, however, it also packs enough punch to impress an experienced photographer. Features include a wide-angle Carl Zeiss Tessar lens for panoramic pictures and a variable aperture for sharper photos in bright and low light environments. The fast mechanical shutter reduces motion blurring, while the dual LED camera flash provides excellent photography and video capture.

The Nokia N86 MP features 8GB of internal memory – enough space for up to 4,000 photos, with the option of increasing the memory to 16GB with an exchangeable microSD card. The device also offers a bright OLED screen with scratch resistant hardened glass, easy photo management, full sync capability with a PC and TV-out support for slide shows.

Other handset features include Nokia Maps, a built-in compass and integrated three-month license for full voice and pedestrian navigation. Music lovers can also download their favourite tracks directly from the Nokia Music Store and enjoy up to 25 hours music playback between charges.

The Nokia N86 8MP will be offered locally through Optus and leading retailers with a RRP of AUD$949.