User Guide

Sharpness

Good quality images are 'sharp' or 'crisp', meaning that image details are

well visible in the picture. However, certain issues, such as non-idealities

in optics, cause image blurring, making objects in picture to appear 'soft'.

Each camera type typically has its own level of performance.

The effect of image taking conditions on image quality

There are some factors, which may cause poor image quality, if not taken into account by the end user when

shooting images, and thus may result in complaints. The items listed are normal to camera operation and

are not a reason for changing the camera module.

Distance to target

Distance to target: the lens in the module is specified to operate satisfactorily from 40 cm to infinite distance

of scene objects. In practice, the operation is such that close objects may be noticed to get more blurred

when distance to them is shortened from 40 cm. Lack of sharpness will be first visible in full resolution (1600

x 1200) images. If observing just the viewfinder, even very close objects may seem to appear sharp. This is

normal behaviour, do not change the camera module.

Figure 67 Blurred image. Target too close.

The amount of light available

In dim conditions camera runs out of sensitivity. The exposure time is long (especially in the night mode)

and the risk of getting shaken (= blurred) images increases. In addition, image noise level grows. The

maximum exposure time in night mode increases, therefore, images need to be taken with extreme care

and by supporting the phone when the amount of light reflected from the target is low. Because of the longer

exposure time and larger gain value, noise level increases in low light conditions. Sometimes blurring may

even occur in daytime, if the image is taken very carelessly. See the figure below for an example. This is

normal; do not change the camera module.

RM-100

Nokia Customer Care Camera Module Troubleshooting

Page 8 –6 COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL Issue 2