Thank you for that comparison. The problem I have with the built-in camera application is the amount noise-reduction in the photos with the stock camera (hardware jpeg conversion versus the better software libraries?). Excessive noise reduction appears similar to something like watercolour filter over the entire image. I really can't see it in your stock camera photo

>> EDIT: I see now the second photo is the n9 with stock camera. It is far better than n900 stock camera. Very nice indeed

However, what is noticeable is that both of the n900 photos (I mean n900 and n9 photos ) have less flare. That will happen as a Tessar design (a very old, respected lens design) is a four element 3 group lens and a zoom (on the other camera) will have many more elements--each of which will contribute to flare.