Check WeatherTech Custom Fit Front & Rear Side Window Deflectors for Nissan Altima, Dark Smoke Best Seller

WeatherTech Custom Fit Front & Rear Side Window Deflectors for Nissan Altima, Dark Smoke

Look 2007-2013 Tahoe Avalanche Suburban Chrome Grille "Ltz Style" Best Buy

2007-2013 Tahoe Avalanche Suburban Chrome Grille "Ltz Style"

Inspect Inno Universal Slim Fork Bike Carrier Big Discount

Inno Universal Slim Fork Bike Carrier

Inspect WeatherTech Custom Fit Front Side Window Deflectors for Honda Civic Coupe/Si Coupe, Dark Smoke Special Offers

WeatherTech Custom Fit Front Side Window Deflectors for Honda Civic Coupe/Si Coupe, Dark Smoke

View Delta 850000 White 48" Steel Truck Wheel Well Box Top Price

Delta 850000 White 48" Steel Truck Wheel Well Box

Nokia Lumia 1020 with 41 megapixel camera

Nokia has unveiled a new handset with a 41 megapixel sensor which it claims can record "details never thought possible from a smartphone".

It says consumers will be able to zoom in and reframe their photos without worrying about the image quality suffering.

Analysts who have tested the device said that it was "without doubt" the best smartphone camera on the market.

But they added that was not a guarantee that it would be a bestseller.

Market research firm IDC recently carried out a survey of smartphone owners in 25 countries to identify what factors were most likely to drive future purchases.

The results placed camera resolution 15th on a list of 23 features. Audio quality for voice, battery life, device security and browsing came top of the poll.

"Most people just look at their photos on their smartphone or via a social network on a computer - and for this the other vendors already provide very good quality," Francisco Jeronimo, a mobile phone analyst at the firm, told the BBC.

"Nokia needs to convince consumers that this new handset outperforms others in low-light conditions, otherwise they would only really notice the difference if they zoomed in on the images on a large screen or printed out a poster.

"It may be the best smartphone out there but I doubt it will be enough to convince many users to jump platform from Android or iOS which accounted for 92% of global shipments in the last quarter."

Zoomable video

The Lumia 1020 marks the second time Nokia has fitted a 41MP sensor to one of its phones.

Last year it launched the Pureview 808 model, but its appeal was limited by the fact it ran the ageing Symbian operating system for which few developers are still writing software. The new handset instead runs on Microsoft's Windows Phone platform which has more than 160,000 apps.

As well as offering highly detailed photos at up to 38MP resolution, the new phone also uses a process called "oversampling" to combine the pixels of an image into a smaller 5MP version from which it removes unwanted visual noise.

Unlike its predecessor, the Lumia 1020 can save both types at the same time, meaning that the owner does not need to worry about switching settings.

In addition, the handset's video recording capabilities take advantage of the extra resolution, allowing the user to zoom in four times while recording a 1080p high definition video without losing quality, and six times into a 720p version.

It also adds optical image stabilisation by mounting the lens system on ball-bearings and using a gyroscope and motors to counteract any movement to prevent the problem of camera shake.

Stephen Elop, chief executive of Nokia: "We've also made the back the new front"

However, all this comes at a premium price. When it launches in the US it will cost $300 (£198) on top of a two-year contract.

One analyst suggested Nokia wanted the new handset to act as a "halo device", attracting shoppers to other products in its range.

"Nokia is positioning the Lumia 1020 as a flagship product for the next generation of smartphones," said Ben Wood, chief of research at the CCS Insight consultancy.

"Alone it will not transform Nokia's fortunes but the significant media coverage it will generate centred on its innovative camera technology will be a major boost not only to the Lumia brand but also the Windows Phone platform.

"Its high price will undoubtedly come under scrutiny and Nokia must carefully manage this, stressing that it is a flagship product that will likely generate relatively modest volumes."

Android rivals

Nokia's boast that its device is perfect for users wanting to "shoot first, zoom later" contrasts with the approach taken by other brands.

Samsung recently unveiled the Galaxy S4 Zoom - a handset with a 10x optical zoom which extends out of the device to allow users to close in on a scene at the time of the snap. This feature is more commonly found in compact cameras than smartphones.

Meanwhile, HTC introduced what it calls an "ultrapixel" sensor to its flagship One model.

Each pixel on its sensor is bigger than normal, a feature that the Taiwanese firm says allows it to offer high-quality low-light shots. But the trade-off is that fewer pixels can be fitted in. As a result its 4MP resolution means image quality deteriorates more quickly if users zoom in on photos to crop the shots.

IDC said Nokia now had the edge.

"For an amateur or professional photographer who needs a quality camera on the move, this is the best option available on a smartphone," said Mr Jeronimo.

"The camera's user interface is a lot more intuitive and easy to use, as well.

"But to be able to compete with Apple and Samsung, Nokia will need to price it aggressively and to increase activities in the stores to show consumers how much better the camera performs against the competition.

"Failing that, the Nokia Lumia 1020 will become a niche product for a niche segment - professional mobile photographers."

Nokia said the device would go on sale on 26 July in the US, and would launch before September in parts of Europe and China.

Sir Elton John, Appendicitis, Ticking Time Bomb

Sir Elton John has said he is "lucky to be alive" after being diagnosed with appendicitis.

The singer told The Sun Reporter he had performed 10 concerts in "agony" on his European tour before he called in doctors.

"I was a ticking time bomb. I guess I could have died at any time," he said.

According to his website, he is on a course of "intensive antibiotics" and is expected to undergo surgery "in the coming weeks".

Sir Elton has had to postpone a series of summer festival dates including shows in Italy, Germany and London's Hyde Park this week.

A spokesman said the diagnosis had been made "following a number of exploratory scans and blood tests with his medical team in the UK".

He confirmed the singer would not return to touring until he had fully recovered from both the planned surgery and any damage caused by the appendix abscess.

"Elton is incredibly disappointed to postpone these tour dates," he said.

"To know that he made such super-human efforts and continued to perform to thousands through his illness only confirms his dedication to his European fans.

"He is eager to be back on top form and return to play the remaining shows starting in early September 2013."

Sir Elton had been due to perform at the Collisioni festival in Italy on Tuesday, with further shows in Germany on Thursday and a headline gig at London's Hyde Park on Friday.

British Summer Time festival organisers AEG Live said the Hyde Park show would still go ahead with Elvis Costello and former Kinks frontman Ray Davies on the bill, with existing ticket holders receiving a full refund.

Other July dates now scrapped include festivals in Spain, France and Monaco.

Sir Elton is due back in the UK in September, performing at the First Direct Arena in Leeds and at Bestival before heading back to Las Vegas for a month-long residency at The Colosseum.