New N95 v20.0.015 firmware actually lowers image quality
===== 28-11-2007 UPDATE =====
I have had the opportunity to snap some additional comparison images today - images that contradict the claims put forward in this post. I have posted today's images in a new post.
I apologize for jumping the gun with regards to this issue.
Yesterday, Nokia released a new firmware revision for the N95 (»Classic«, I guess since there are now two other versions: the US and 8GB). The version of the new firmware is 20.0.015 which replaces the "old" 12.0.013 version from July.
The v20.0.015 introduces several very desirable features, such as Demand Paging which optimizes the RAM usage, leaving more available memory for running applications; faster camera software; and a general speed improvement that makes the N95 more responsive and snappy.
I am really happy about these improvements and thankful they have been added.
However, on at least one count, N95 users are worse off with the v20.0.015 firmware, namely when it comes to the quality of camera images.
Compare the following two images1- the first was taken using a N95 running v12.0.013 firmware, while the latter was taken using a N95 running the new v20.0.015 firmware. Click the images to see large versions on Picasa or scroll down to see some details, I have cut out.
Take a closer look at the poster in the background to see the difference in image quality. Image left is v12.0.013 and image right is v20.0.015:
Or this camera box - first image is v12.0.013 and second image is v20.0.015:
I can think of two possible explanations for the deterioration of image quality - both based entirely on rumors. First, I have read that Nokia has optimized the camera software by reusing code from the N95 8 GB - maybe they have (unintentionally) ditched some of the image quality optimizations in the existing code and reused less optimal code? Second, I have also read that the very aggressive line detection (I think that is the term) algorithm in the image processing code has been removed or changed, and maybe the grainy image quality is an unintended side effect?
Whatever the case may be - and no matter how much I appreciate the super cool improvements included in the new firmware - it is somewhat disappointing how the new firmware turns a »Superb« camera phone into an »Ok« one.
I have read speculations whether v20.0.015 is to be the final N95 firmware revision - given that is has been some time since the model was introduced and because there has now been released 3 revisions of firmware (the original firmware was v10.0.018, v11.0.026 came in May, v12.0.013 in July and now v20.0.015 in November). I sincerely hope this will not be the case…
- Both images were taken using default, automatic settings at 3 megapixel - the second best image quality. [back]
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November 27th, 2007 at 21:34
Those images are not really identical - it seems as the v20-picture is out of focus!
But interesting! Many blogs has posts about this issue - but in my opinion they all lack 100% evidence. I’m looking forward to seeing some images taken from both v20 and v12, from identical position, with identical light conditions - and a obvious focus area.
English blog on danish domain= Whats the story?
November 28th, 2007 at 10:32
Hi Ture, the point is exactly that the two images are very different and that the v20-picture looks as if it is out of focus. Both images were taken using autofocus and only seconds apart. The difference is not caused by something I did or did not do - it is caused by differences between the firmwares.
Mht. blog på engelsk med .dk domæne, så er det en længere historie. VIstnok noget med, at jeg engang i tidernes morgen ville blogge om softwareudvikling og valgte engelsk, da der ikke er det store publikum til den slags på dansk.
November 28th, 2007 at 13:19
Prøv at tage et nyt billede og hold “skyd” knappen halvt nede i et sekund før dy trykker.
Det er tydeligt at kameraet ikke har fokuseret!
Kvalitetsforskellen på netop de 2 billeder er helt sikkert ikke firmwaren’s skyld!
Mit N95 kamera (V20) kan IKKE tage så dårligt et billede, medmindre jeg har valgt et forkert scenario, kameraet ikke har nået at fokusere eller jeg har bevæget hånden da billedet blev taget.
Jeg har læst mange indslag om kvalitetsforskellen på v12 og v20 billeder, men den er ikke så stor (hvis den eksisterer) som på de 2 billeder du her har publiceret. Så ville ingen længere være i tvivl, og vores N95 kamera ville være degraderet til en mobil-snap-dimsedut.
Jeg sender gerne et klar, skarpt N95 billede taget med N95 V20.
Jeg håber at en eller anden får den idé at montere sin N95 V12 i en holder, fokusere på en genstand, tage et billede - opdatere til V20 og tage et billede fra samme holder med fokus på samme genstand. Så vil vi - hvis lys forholdende er de samme - kunne sammenligne kvaliteten.
November 28th, 2007 at 13:51
Jeg har faktisk været meget omhyggelig med at tage billederne og ladet kameraet fokusere, så jeg ved ikke, hvorfor det ene billede er så uskarpt.
Foranlediget af din kommentar - samt denne tråd på mobildebat.dk - har jeg taget flere billeder i dag og jeg giver dig helt sikkert ret: Der er ingen videre kvalitetsforskel på billeder taget med de to firmwareversioner. Hvis der er en forskel, er den faktisk i den nye firmwares favør…
I have snapped some more comparison images today, which contradict the claim of this post - please see this post.
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:28
Yeah mate, it has nothing to do with the firmware. its something to do with the autofocusing.