X

Nokia Lumia 1020: A camera phone powerhouse (pictures)

You may be surprised how slim the Lumia 1020 is despite its honking 41-megapixel camera mount. Check it out here in white, black, and yellow.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
004Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762.jpg
1 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Nokia's Lumia 1020 packs a 41-megapixel whopper

Nokia's Lumia 1020 stands out from the crowd with its Cyclopean -- and powerful -- 41-megapixel camera. The handset retails for $299.99 on-contract at AT&T.

012Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762.jpg
2 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Face time

Apart from its camera, the 1020 looks most like the Lumia 920, but with a bigger bulge on the back. It has the same 4.5-inch screen and matches other internals as well.

Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762-7849.jpg
3 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Battle of the bulge

For its larger sensor size and camera module, the Lumia 1020 is actually pretty slim and easy to carry around.

Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762-7860.jpg
4 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

You might be surprised

It only sticks out half an inch from the face to the camera unit.

Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762-7888.jpg
5 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Seesaw

The extra, uneven height means it won't lie flat on its back panel. On the other hand, you can use the tilt to your advantage by angling the phone face toward you.

008Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762.jpg
6 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Side angle

This angle shows that the extra bump is relatively slight.

Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762-7914.jpg
7 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Color range

The Lumia 1020 comes in matte white, black, and yellow. It isn't the most sophisticated design, but it does fit right into the Lumia line.

Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762-7882.jpg
8 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Taking photos

Nokia's Pro Cam app loads by default; it's this app that lets you select more advanced controls and shoot high-resolution photos.

005Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762.jpg
9 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Slide into action

Slider controls let you adjust exposure, shutter speed, white balance, and ISO settings right before you shoot.

Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762-7833.jpg
10 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Light it up

A small LED flash serves as the focus light, while the bright xenon bulb is the 1020's main flash.

010Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762.jpg
11 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Flat top

The flat top and bottom (pictured) house some of the 1020's ports. Volume, power, and the camera shutter button all live on the right spine.

Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762-7896.jpg
12 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Accessory advantage

For an extra $80 you can pick up a light plastic camera grip that slips over the frame and helps you hold it more comfortably.

006Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762_accessories.jpg
13 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Side view

Here it is again in white.

003Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762_accessories.jpg
14 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Simply gripping

The accessory case has a wider shutter button at the top.

001Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762_accessories.jpg
15 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Head-on

Here's how the yellow Lumia 1020 looks with a white grip case.

005Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762_accessories.jpg
16 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Back of the grip

The camera grip's construction, from the rear.

Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762-7905.jpg
17 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Wireless charging

You'll have to buy an aftermarket wireless-charging pad and charging back cover if you want to use this aftermarket feature.

012Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762_accessories.jpg
18 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Charging cases

The snap-on case comes in mix-and-match colors.

013Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762_accessories.jpg
19 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Underside

Flip the case around and this is what you get.

014Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762_accessories.jpg
20 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

Tripod

Finally, you can purchase a tripod to screw into the camera grip and steady your photo project.

011Nokia_Lumia_1020_35822762_accessories.jpg
21 of 21 Sarah Tew/CNET

An even closer look

Here, an empty camera grip case awaits a Lumia 1020.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos