Raw footage? How can we be sure that it is not processed in anyway by the camera subsystem? I would have to guess that the Nokia camera is not presenting us with a "raw footage" look without a flash and probably has an HDR-like system with multiple exposures taken during low light or extremely bright situations dynamically. Since we don't have the source code for the nokia camera app, there is no way of knowing what it is doing.
Unless if they have some kind of crazy new sensor, it is likely using some processing in the background to fill out the shadows and adjust the exposure.
Given this, I think it would be fair to turn on HDR on the iPhone. The reality is that these comparisons are looking at the full stack which includes the camera subsystem and camera app so we might as well look at all of the different modes they have to offer.
Nope. The issue with HDR is it's an added step to get a better image. If the 920 has that feature automatically turned on, then it's still a fair comparison because you're still comparing point and click with no added changes. This is after all an advertisement. There's no incentive for Nokia to go out of their way of highlighting the iPhone's features. The reality is you have to either try them both in person to see the difference, or base it on professional reviewers. Based on a lot of head to head reviews,the Nokia cameras a slight edge on quality photos. A lot could be done to massage the photo by manipulating the data, but based purely on hardware, the Nokia one is better. 4-5 years ago, Apple didn't have the highest pixel camera on the market. The market emphasized bigger and bigger megapixel, but Apple understood that lens size was a much bigger factor in photo quality. Now the competition understands that principle, and they're perfecting their devices. The 920, and 1020 have better hardware.
I also have a Nikon DSLR but I rarely take it with me so the best camera is the one you have on you.
I recently bought Olloclip 3 in one lens system for my iPhone 4S and have found the wide angle lens to be the most useful for downtown shots of builds. In some ways, it has changed my iPhone 4S to be a more versatile camera than my DSLR because I only have the starter lens on my Nikon and additional lenses are too damn expensive.
Does anyone want to buy a slightly used DSLR?
Yes, the best cameras are the ones you have with you. With that said, if you're a professional photographer (as in you're paid to do it for a living), you'll have your best real camera on you. Unless you work for the Chicago Tribune. It's great that they're comparing cameras, but realistically people look at the whole package, and like what you did, see what type of compromise they could accept. The Olloclip 3 is a compromise. The 920, or 1020 will appeal to hobbyist and photo-enthuse individuals out there, but they're going to weight the cost and benefits of the whole phone.