The company said the N86 8MP is comparable to a stand alone digital camera, optimized for both still imaging and video.
It has a built-in 8.0-megapixel wide-angle Carl Zeiss Tessar lens for panoramic photos, shorter latencies and a variable aperture for sharp photos in challenging bright and low light conditions. A fast mechanical shutter lessens motion blur while the dual LED camera flash illuminates dim environments.
The smartphone includes 8GB of internal memory to store up to 4,000 images. Memory can be increased with exchangeable 16GB microSD cards.
The N86 8MP also has a bright OLED screen with a scratch-resistant hardened glass surface, photo management software, sync capability with a PC and TV-out support for slide shows.
The handset ships with Nokia Maps and a built-in compass, so users can geotagged photos and share their locations with friends and family.
"When it comes to taking the best digital photos, it's the quality of the lens and the sensor that count, not just the quantity of pixels," said Helmut Heier of Carl Zeiss. "The Nokia N86 8MP is the first mobile device with variable aperture, adding to the Carl Zeiss Tessar lens for excellent results."
The Nokia N86 8MP will begin shipping in the second quarter with an estimated retail price of $475.
