I have a proposal.
I think a Sony-Nokia collaboration would have great benefit for both companies.
Nokia cannot produce a smartphone for awhile after their phone division sale to Microsoft. However, they've made a tablet and possibly still have a great deal of expertise in smartphone software, particularly the camera software. Nokia phones have a long history of producing very good cameras and software.
We know the Sony camera software hasn't really had any improvements since the Z and in my opinion is the only thing that holds Sony back from having the BEST phone available in the Z3. In my opinion the Z3 offered all the best features but was let down by it's camera.
Many of us are confused as to why Sony, who make come of the best camera hardware in the world, hasn't beaten the smartphone camera competition. Apple, Samsung and Nokia almost always produce better results in Auto mode.
The Z3 should have camera quality that is equal to or better to the iPhone 6, Note 4, S5, Lumia 930 but unfortunately seems to have been handicapped by the software. This is likely to the finanial struggles of Sony and their cutbacks in staff.
Perhaps for the Z4/Z5 Sony could collaborate with Nokia and use their expertise and staff to design camera software. Nokia branding could be restricted to the software and/or camera lens to meet their obligations under the Microsoft agreement.
Nokia could provide a revamped camera app and software optimisation for Sony's phones and get their brand into the android space. Sony would benefit from not having to hire more developers.
This could form the base of a long-term collaboration of high-end phone production. The Sony-Ericsson deal didn't work out but I think Nokia would offer a different type of expertise. Branding would be an issue as "Sony-Nokia" doesn't really have a good ring to it. Perhaps they could create a new brand?
What are your thoughts?
PS: All this is moot if Sony gives us access to RAW in lollipop and we can use third-party apps to do the JPEG conversion, hopefully circumventing Sony's post-processing algorithms which I suspect are what reduces the photo quality.
