Live photos of Motorola ZN5
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Table of contents:
- Positioning
- Design, size, controls
- Display
- Keypad
- Battery
- Connectivity
- Memory, Memory cards
- Performance
- Camera
- Music department
- Impressions
Sales package:
- Handset
- Battery
- าย cable
- 512 Mb microSD memory card (size varies by region)
- USB data cable
- Charger
- Software CD
- Wired stereo-headset
In light of the fact that there is still no finalized version of hardware for the ZN5, this write-up will be more of a preview, since some features don’t work properly at the moment, but other than that the phone is ready for release. As far as its camera goes, they are not going to alter or tweak it in any significant way, so the snaps posted in this review can already give you a very good idea of what the Motorola ZN5 is made of.
Positioning
Motorola’s neglection of the imaging department in cell phones has been the maker’s tendency of late, although that’s nothing to be proud of. Having missed the moment when this segment was only emerging, the company opted to ignore it for a very long while, so most of their solutions ended up several years behind the market’s progress, and thus didn’t look all that fetching. To mend the things they needed something not only competitive, but a phone that could surpass the rest of the pack. And they decided not to spare money or resources to hop on the bandwagon that seemed all but gone for them.
The first solution of the new breed is the PIXL (MOTOZINE ZN5), which, however, brings nothing extraordinary to the table with its 5 Mpix camera module and Xenon flash – all this is already available with the Sony Ericsson K850i, Nokia N82, Nokia 6220 Classic and the likes. Nevertheless, they have taken this hardware one step further and learned from the experience of their direct competitors to make up one unique device. Put it to you this way – the Motorola ZN5 is no revolution, but rather a revision and aggregation of what others have come up with to date into a user-friendly imaging-savvy handset. And since it was Motorola’s first experience with something of this type and scope, they had a real challenge lying ahead. But as I see it, they’ve coped well with this task.
Design, size, controls
The ZN5 will come in only one flavor – dark-grey, which is quite likable, and so are its materials. Covering the entire real estate of the front face is a thick plastic layer that surely picks up fingerprints and smudge, but never gets overly greasy. Topping the display is a large slot of the earpiece that collects a lot of dust, but somehow it manages to hide it from everyone’s eyes. Also there are the charge and Bluetooth indicators, but you won’t see them now, since they simply don’t work in this prototype.
Display
The phone utilizes a 2.4-inch TFT display capable of 240×320 pixel resolution and 262 K colors. As far as colors go, it’s fairly decent, especially indoors, where this screen looks like a clear winner against most other units out there. Though, it does get washed out in the sun, but thanks to its size it manages to keep information readable.
The display can accommodate up to 8 text and 3 service lines written in a large and very readable font size (some goes for SMS and dial screen).
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Keypad
The only mechanical button on the ZN5’s keypad is the four-way navigation pad that’s pretty convenient to use. The numberpad builds upon a polymer film, with every key having good travel, and may feel bizarre to use at first, but you’ll get used to them, no doubt about that. All buttons are lit in white.
Battery
The ZN5 utilizes a 920 mAh Li-Ion battery. According to the maker it can keep the phone up and running for up to 310 hours in standby or provide 7.5 hours of talk time (within GSM networks). In Europe we squeezed around 3 days out of the handset when we were pretty heavy on its features (an hour of calls, up to four hours of music and radio, a couple of photos). It takes the ZN5 roughly two hours to charge from empty to full.
Connectivity
USB. The ZN5 employs a microUSB slot, which is a bit slimmer and thus differs from the miniUSBs we all have gotten used to. The vendor says that the handset supports USB High Speed 2.0, and it does indeed. In the USB Mass Storage or MTP modes the USB connection offers average data transfer speeds of around 1100-1250 Kb/s. Upon a USB connection in the two modes mentioned above, the handset’s functionality gets disabled, although you will still be able to receive calls, as the phone’s wireless radio remains online.
In the settings you can find several options for connecting the E8 to a PC: Picture Transfer, Media Sync (MTP protocol), Memory Card (USB Mass Storage, no drivers required), Tools (synchronization with Mobile Phone Tools), Modem&Tools (synchronization and modem mode), and USB Printing, Modem.
Speaking of other amenities, we can’t overlook the full-fledged support for Windows Media Player 11, which means you are free to use your PC to compose your own playlists and then transfer them onto the handset. In the future the support for this player will become par for the course in all Motorola-branded devices.
Bluetooth. The ZN5 comes with EDR-enabled Bluetooth 2.0, and the list of paired device can be up to 16 devices long. The following profiles are supported:
- Dial-Up Networking Profile
- Generic Access Profile
- Generic Object Exchange Profile
- Object Push Profile
- Serial Port Profile
- Handsfree Profile
- Headset Profile
- Synchronization Profile
- Basic Image Profile
- File Transfer Profile
- HID (host) Profile
- Stereo Advanced Audio Distribution Profile
- Advanced Audio/Video Remote Conference Profile
The Bluetooth implementation is, as always though, nothing to complain about. We encountered no issues with handling this type of connections, but on the downside there is a limit as to how long the handset can remain visible so it isn’t possible to keep it in ‘always visible’ mode.
For GSM-networks, the ZN5 comes included with EDGE class 12.
WiFi. Using the Settings menu you can browse local WiFi networks, save passwords and setup WiFi connections. Since the ZN5 supports 802.11 b/g, we experienced no problems with locating and tapping into WiFi networks. Furthermore, you can even select a specific region in the settings, so that the handset will adjust the signal power to fit local regulations automatically. The ZN5’s data connection settings allow you to let the phone check for available WiFi networks first and only then turn to cellular protocols.
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Memory, Memory cards
The phone ships with 512 Mb of memory onboard with 350 Mb, give or take, available to the user right out of the box. The memory card (unfortunately, non-hotswappable) is displayed as a separate section, so you can’t access both memory types at a time. The ZN5 also comes with a file manager, enabling you to copy files to/from the memory card. In our test the handset had no problems with handling a 8 Gb microSD memory card.
The ZN5 comes with 32 Mb of RAM and a 500 Mhz CPU.
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Performance
The ZN5 puts up similar numbers to that we’ve already seen with other LJ-powered solutions, like the Motorola ROKR E8, Motorola U9.
Camera
Motorola have’t reinvented the wheel with the ZN5. As far as the matrix size, lens placement, controls layout and lens cover go, it has a lot in common with Nokia’s and Sony Ericsson’s handsets. Although it’s quite another matter that over at Motorola they have refined and leveraged the experience of other makers on this front, all in an effort to deliver a better solution. Luckily, they have succeeded in most components – take for example the way the lens and xenon flash are positioned. With this setup, it’s very hard to cover the lens or flash gun with fingers, plus you’ll never experience the red-eye effect with it and the flash no longer affects the way portraits look. Although it’s nearly impossible to get rid of this effect once and for all, compared to the Nokia N82 this has been minimized, which is a nice thing to know.
- CMOS-sensor, 5 Mpix;
- Sensor diagonal: 7.1 mm;
- Max resolution: 2592×1944 pixels on the sensor, 2560×1920 on a JPEG file (the difference is due to image processing algorithms). Dot size - 2.2um.
- Focus range: 30cm to infinity, macro – 10 to 40cm, landscape – 5cm to infinity;
- Focal length – 5.86 mm;
- Shutter speed – 1/1000s;
- Lens angle of view: 62 degrees (diagonal), 52.6 degrees (horizontal);
To some it may seem like a bunch of hieroglyphs, although some will certainly learn a lot about the ZN5 from these numbers. I haven’t included lens manufacturer into this list. And the reason is simple. While the lens has the “Kodak” label on it, which is Motorola’s senior partner in this project, in reality Kodak provides only software solutions for image processing that have been licensed at that and in truth aren’t even Kodak’s property. I don’t know whether Motorola will be touting Carl Zeiss lens in the ZN5 and whether this has been authorized; but the fact is, just like most Nokia’s NSeries devices, the ZN5 makes use of a Carl Zeiss lens, but unlike the NSeries it’s all plastic (rather than glass). For some strange reason glass is perceived as a superior material when it comes to camera lenses; which is especially odd in light of the fact that as far as mainstream products go, plastic lenses turn out to be cheaper and perform on a par with their counterparts made of glass. Mind the fact that I’m talking about compact cameras and mass-market phones, rather than professional reflex cameras, which are different creatures altogether.
It’s not a coincidence that Motorola has picked Kodak for the ZN5 and solutions to come – it’s due to the fact that Motorola, for the first time, are going to give birth not to a one-off device, but rather roll out a whole package of services, weaving a solid ecosystem around their offspring. So, what does Kodak have on offer today?
A slew of digital photo booths scattered across the globe; the other day I found one in a pretty distant city and printed out images from my ZN5. Actually I could’ve done the same thing with the Nokia N82, but it’s easier to do so with the Motorola ZN5 – we’ll talk about why a bit later.
Kodak’s ecosystem offers post-shooting image processing algorithms, which include their trademark PerfectTouch, EasyShare, and online picture galleries, adding icing to the cake is Kodak’s own software for PC.
Image processing algorithms
It doesn’t matter what image storage website you pick, most images with highest ratings were rendered and enhanced in Adobe Photoshop or some other graphics editor. People love off-the-wall effects, overlays and certain flavors that can’t be brought into images through any other means. In fact our eyes “feel better” not about natural colors and realistic pictures, but more artistic and elaborated images. Camera manufacturers grasped this important concept a long time ago and have been employing it ever since. This way, at present a lot of Canon’s entry-level digital compacts utilize quite aggressive image processing algorithms; other manufacturers offering digital cameras with diminutive matrixes have caught up too. The reason takes no rocket scientist to figure out – bare snaps taken by these cameras can’t appeal to consumers, they are just not eye-candy enough. Obviously, aggressiveness of algorithms varies depending camera model, but we have found out an interesting thing about them, as we have learned what people like better – images taken with mid-range digital cameras or SLRs. It turned out that they preferred more aggressive algorithms put up by digital compacts with fewer details, yet excessive brightness and contrast. As far as I recall, Japanese TV manufacturer used to capitalize on the same trick, when they churned out TVs that showed emerald green grass, deep blue sky and so on, in other words, nothing close to what we are used to see out there. But many liked this effect, it even provoked a lot of comparisons and “buyer guides” that suggested “better” displays. Thankfully it all has evened out these days, so there are no cartoon colors anymore, but they are still not natural enough.
But let’s get back to cameras now. Senior models from Canon also allow uploading own image processing algorithms (up to three in total) – in other words, you pick gamma, contrast, sharpness and other vital parameters on your PC and then the camera applies these settings when saving images in JPEG. What it means is that you no longer need to tweak your snaps on PC and get all photos in the way you need right out of the gate. While seasoned professionals won’t find much use for this feature (for obvious reasons), enthusiasts, who take snaps primarily for their family albums will definitely appreciate it.
As far as the market for mobile phones is concerned, Sony Ericsson has been running with the “the-more-natural-the-better” type of algorithms of late, but as we have already learned, consumers give much more preference to Nokia’s vision of how images should look like, when they drop some details, but make pictures juicier in return. Of course they may look a bit off, but still these images are more eye-candy. As a result, with its latest and greatest C905, Sony Ericsson will jump on this bandwagon with less natural, but more vivid pictures.
Motorola has opted to employ a very aggressive image processing algorithm for the Motorola ZN5 to tune its photos for viewing on PC. However, it’s impossible to get vivid colors and decent print quality all in one device – you will always need to sacrifice something. With the ZN5 they have gone for brightness, contrast and overall sharpness of details (although some of them get smeared away), making this handset superior to solutions from Nokia and Sony Ericsson in terms of color reproduction. But before delving deep into the imaging department of the Motorola ZN5, I’d like to face it off against…
Casio QV-R51 versus Motorola ZN5
I truly despise all these far-fetched comparisons between digital compacts and mobile phones, as dedicated devices just never lose. Sometimes a couple of pictures can’t hurt anyone as long as they are included to point out some specific differences, but doing this on a regular basis just makes no sense.
But on a rare occasion braking away from your rules may bring some dividends. This time around it was more of a lucky chance, since I took Casio QV-R51 (bought early in 2004) along for a trip as a backup camera. Back when it was released, the QV-R51 was a reasonably portable and not overly expensive camera (retailed for 500 USD or so). Obviously, its sizable lens had to bring about some benefits for its image quality (and it did), but the interesting thing is that in terms of ergonomics, layout of controls and screen diagonal the ZN5 held the upper hand. Basically, it took mobile phones four years to jump over a few steps and get in one line digital compacts in the sense of usability. And the moment when they will outrun them on some front isn’t that far-off, mark my words. Below are a couple of photos for your viewing pleasure, also make note that the resolution we used in the ZN5 was half of its maximum settings.
The Motorola ZN5’s settings have no mention of image quality or compression level, which is only fair, since the maker has decided that the defining factor should be image resolution, while quality settings must be topped out for every shot.
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- 1.2 MP (4:3) – 1280×960 pixels, 600-700 Kb;
- 2.8 MP (4:3) – 1920×1440 pixels, 1-1.2 Mb;
- 4.4 MP (3:2) – 2568×1712 pixels, 1.3-1.5 Mb;
- 5.0 MP (4:3) – 2560×1920 pixels, 1.8-1.9 Mb;
- Binned RAW – 1272×954 pixels, 300-600 Kb;
- RAW – 2560×1920 pixels, 1.3-1.5 Mb;
Unlike other manufacturers, Motorola has implemented a small trick into its ZN5, that is, for every resolution the phone saves shots in the maximum quality first (RAW, then it gets processed), which allows getting more details and better quality in lower-resolution snaps.
Here is couple of images that should convey this idea better.
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| (+) maximize, 1272×954, JPEG | (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG |
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| (+) maximize, 1280×960, JPEG | (+) maximize, 1920×1440, JPEG |
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| (+) maximize, 2568×1712, JPEG | (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG |
Above we listed available focus modes, and below are two shots taken in the auto and landscape modes.
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| (+) maximize, 1272×954, JPEG | (+) maximize, 1272×954, JPEG |
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| (+) maximize, 1272×954, JPEG | (+) maximize, 1272×954, JPEG |
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| (+) maximize, 1272×954, JPEG | (+) maximize, 1272×954, JPEG |
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| (+) maximize, 1272×954, JPEG | (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG |
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| (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG | (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG |
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| (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG | (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG |
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| (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG | (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG |
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| (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG | (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG |
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| (+) maximize, 2560×1920, JPEG |
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In practice, however, using Kodak Perfect Touch will be worth your while only when dealing with pictures taken in low light, while photos snapped in fairly imaging-friendly environments can easily do without Perfect Touch. Speaking of the most wide-spread issues, this technology will help you get rid of the red-eye effect, poor lighting and bizarre background colors. Apparently, any graphics editor can get the same job done, but in this case you’ll have to drill through numerous menus, while with the ZN5 all these enhancements are one click away. What’s more, the handset allows saving modified files under new names. As a rule they will contain fewer details and thus will shrink in size (but only a wee bit – 2 to 10 percent). It’ll take the ZN5 a second or so to get a 1.3 Mb image processed and fixed this way.
Based on the image samples, you might say that the difference between “before” and “after” is very marginal at best. But to my great surprise most people I showed these pictures to gave their preference to the ones that had been mended by Perfect Touch, claiming that their colors were more natural. In my opinion, however, the difference is very slim, plus these shots lack some details, but that’s a different story altogether.
The right portion of the picture has been processed by Perfect touch:
By the way, I got my order (with images stored on a memory card) done at one of Kodak’s photo booths in a couple of minutes. While I could’ve gotten the same result with, say, the Nokia N82, I would have had to choose all files manually, while the ZN5 does most of the job for you.
Video. As far as video goes, the ZN5 is a completely disappointment, offering two long-in-the-tooth resolutions – 144×176 and 96×128 pixels. Although video recording abilities are not all that craved these days, this phone looks like a relic compared to Nokia’s VGA clips.
Back to the table of contents >>>
Music department
The ZN5 houses a generic LJ player that’s no different from what we saw in the Motorola ROKR E8. It packs in a couple of equalizers that do affect the way it sounds, but more often than not you’ll be better off not using them at all. As far as sonic experience goes, the ZN5 is one of the market’s finest offerings, plus it is quite loud at that. We feel confident about putting it in one league as the Samsung i450, furthermore, it even outdoes the latter on some fronts and even stands up to dedicated mp3 players - and we are not being easy on it. The player can be minimized; when the radio is on you’ll need to use a headset as an antenna.
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Breakdown of player’s functionality |
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General performance
| Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: | +0.10, -0.73 | Good |
General performance: Good
Frequency response
Noise level
Impressions
The reception quality of the ZN5 was never an issue during our quality time with it, for it is a typical Motorola branded phone. The loudspeaker’s volume is higher than average, so you’ll have no problems hearing call alerts even on a noisy street. The vibro alert performed just as well.
Banking on the imaging department Motorola has come up with an interesting and well-rounded product. As far as image quality is concerned it’s one of the best solutions you can find out there, and it’s definitely ahead all other mass-market phones. For now, let’s leave the Sony Ericsson C905 and Samsung 8150 out of the picture, since they both employ the same Samsung-branded 8 Mpix CMOS module and certainly do surpass the ZN5 on some fronts, but are nothing out of this world after all. What’s more interesting is that Motorola has kept mum on a lot of things about this phone.
While the ZN5 is not positioned as a music-centric handset, it ships with a pretty decent player, FM-radio, and 3.5mm headset jack. But more importantly, its sound quality is nearly unrivalled these days, being on a par with the ROKR E8 and some dedicated music players (by the way it trumps the Apple iPod on this front hands down). In other words, the average user will be more than content with what the ZN5 brings to the table, plus it’s quite loud and has very few settings to worry about.
Add another update of LJ platform to the mix, which brings along rich phonebook functionality and a well-founded feature pack, upgraded Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. What makes it even more of a winner are the huge display and decent materials – now I can’t stop praising the ZN5, can I? Upon its release (slotted for September) the ZN5 will retail for around 500 USD (320 Euro), which isn’t wallet-bashing at all. What is more, after a few price cuts this handset will have all it takes to become a mainstream product. But eventually it will run into some problems with its audience, since it will be popular only with consumers who have a good idea what buy and how they are going to use it. The ZN5 will enjoy a better take-up than the RORK E2 and in time will outshine the sales of the ROKR E8, make no mistake about that. However it’s not the saving grace that will revitalize Motorola’s sales throughout the world, for it’s no RAZR of our time. It’s just a decent, well-rounded phone. What Motorola really needs to do is bring about a couple of handsets like this, and things will start looking much better. As far as the segment of imaging-savvy devices is concerned, the Motorola ZN5 is a better pick than the Nokia 6220 Classic, Nokia N82, the Sony Ericsson K850i and it’s not even close (in case you don’t need the power of S60 and have no idea what it is).
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