Samsung ST550 – Review – 33

Harley Ogier finds Samsung’s new compact to be less of a gimmick than you might think

Samsung brings a major innovation to the market with its latest digital compact offering, the ST550. In addition to a huge high-resolution touchscreen, the ST550 features a secondary display on the front of the camera next to the lens. This is brilliant for framing self-portraits, a feature more useful than ever before in the world of Facebook and MySpace.

Even under close inspection, it’s difficult to spot the front display. The 1.5-inch monitor is hidden behind the camera’s shiny plastic facade, a standard fingerprint-magnet. Held under the right light at the right angle, the edges of the display are barely visible. However, two taps on the camera’s rear touchscreen bring the front screen to life, shining clearly through the casing. At the very least, it’s a great party trick.

The ST550 boasts strong face detection, combined with a smile shutter-release feature that actually works. Together with the front screen, you can snap the perfect profile picture or group shot without having to press the shutter button.

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Samsung WB550 – Review – 31

Jeska Innes takes Samsung’s powerful compact to the seaside

Giving the brand new Samsung WB550 a run for its money in the backyard just didn’t feel right. Its ultra-wide 24mm lens is just begging for gorgeous scenery. So off to the beach we went. I wore my bathing suit and the Samsung wore a canvas case. At this point I should probably point out that the WB550 is not a waterproof camera, and that we would not be frolicking in the waves together.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

I’d already heard plenty about the WB550 before our special day. It has a lot of oomph for a pocket-sized camera and is getting noticed for this feature, rather than its fairly standard appearance. It’s hard to stand out in the crowded compact camera market, but the Samsung really does. Aside from the generous 24mm lens, it also boasts a 10x optical zoom, which is impressive for a point-and-shoot. It means the WB550 is a really versatile little camera, allowing you to, well, fit lots of stuff in your pictures or zoom in and shoot things in the far distance.

As we strolled hand in wrist strap along the sun-kissed shore, it was time to really test the Samsung out. Manual mode was first up. It was immediately noticeable that there was a lack of on-screen feedback. For example, when changing shutter and aperture settings, the LCD doesn’t lighten or darken to reflect the changes until you press the shutter release half way. There’s also no exposure meter on the screen. Amateurs may feel this makes it all a bit of a guessing game. Still, with much fiddling around, I managed to get a few decent snaps of a one-legged seagull that kindly offered its modelling services. Image quality was best below ISO400; after that point things started to get noisy.

FANCY-FREE

Automatic mode was a lot more enjoyable. No longer having to worry about individual settings, I was able to click with abandon and really make the most of that ultra-wide-angle lens. Rangitoto, one of Auckland’s dormant (for now) volcanoes, was a logical test shot. There was no need to move back and back through the sand into the car park to fit the whole beast in the frame, which was pretty cool. Focusing time was reasonably quick, and the ‘smart auto’ feature does quite a good job of identifying scenes; for example, the camera automatically jumped into macro mode for the ‘arty’ picture I took of an abandoned toy car sticking out of the sand.

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT

The Samsung WB550 offers a lot of control. Face detection, smile shot, blink detection and beauty shot capabilities are all on board. These automatic features mean it really is quite hard to take bad photos. The smile detection proved to be quite enthusiastic; I had no idea one-legged seagulls smiled so much.

High-definition video recording and HDMI connectivity also come packed into the camera. It would have been nice if there were an HDMI cable included in the box, but its absence isn’t the end of the world. It’s fair to say this Samsung is loaded with functionality and does everything you’d expect at this price point. Safely home and dry, I uploaded the day’s images and was delighted with the bright and vivid results.

SAMSUNG WB550 – SPECS

Manufacturer: Samsung
Model: WB550
Effective Pixels: 12.2 million
Lens: Schneider 4.2-42mm (35mm equivalent 24-240mm)
Viewfinder: None
Monitor: 3.0-inch TFT LCD, 
230,000 dots
Aperture: f3.3- f5.8
ISO: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shooting Modes: Auto, smart auto, program, manual, dual IS, scene selection, movie
Media: SD, SDHC, 21MB internal memory
File Format: JPEG, Exif 2.21, DPOF 1.1, MPEG-4
Flash: Auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in flash, slow sync, red-eye
Interface: USB
Battery: Rechargeable SLB-10A
Dimensions: 105 x 61.4 x 36.5mm
Weight: 225g without battery and card

CONTACT

www.samsung.co.nz

PROS

• Feature packed
• Ultra-wide-angle lens
• Generous zoom

CONS

• Lack of on-screen feedback

Design                      16
Performance             16
Features                   17
Image Quality           17
Value for money       17

TOTAL     83/100

This article if from D-Photo issue 31.

Samsung NV100HD – Review – 28

Phil Hanson finds using a new camera from Samsung a touching experience

Samsung would like its NV100HD known as the “world’s highest 14.7 megapixel 28mm wide angle digital camera”. But I’ll remember it for the touchscreen, or Smart Touch 2.0 User Interface in Samsung-speak.

The NV100HD was the first camera I’ve encountered with touchscreen controls and, after a shaky start, absolutely loved it. Shaky only because it takes someone like me with clumsy fingers a few minutes of training to hit a particular icon accurately and with the right pressure. After all of 10 minutes it was a ball.

It was great accessing menus by touch, and you can even review the pictures you’ve taken in this manner, too. A few functions, such as zooming, still need to be done by conventional controls. Make no mistake, a touchscreen on a camera is not a gimmick; it helps make it more intuitive and faster to use.

Speaking of intuitive, how’s this: deleting a picture is as easy as just drawing an X across it with a finger.

Picture This

The Schneider Kreuznach 6-21.6mm f2.8-5.9 lens has a useful zoom range (from 28mm to 102mm in full-frame terms), backed-up by Samsung’s dual image stabilisation that integrates both optical and digital stabilisation. I didn’t notice any particular advantage over similar cameras that use only optical stabilisation but no matter, in conjunction with auto ISO, sharp photos can be taken in quite dim light without needing a support.

Top ISO setting is 3200, but there’s a lot of noise at that speed; 800 is about as fast as I’d normally want it set.

Adjusted to the highest quality JPEG setting, the NV100HD takes good pictures across its zoom range that require little post-processing to make excellent large prints.

Moving On

The 14.7 megapixel sensor means it’s possible to record high-definition videos that can be sent to a TV panel via an HDMI cable. Or watch video on the camera’s 460,000-pixel three-inch hVGA LCD screen. However, I was underwhelmed by the camera’s movie-making ability.

Mode for the Job

The Samsung seems to have a mode or scene for every occasion. For example, face detection locates a face within the frame and automatically adjusts focus and exposure for better composition and image quality; in blink detection a series of photos is taken to help ensure at least one has the subject’s eyes open; and Smile takes a shot automatically when a smile is detected.

Conclusion

The NV100HD fits easily in a shirt pocket, takes good photos, can be used as a pure point-and-shoot, under manual control or almost anywhere in between. Its touch controls are excellent. The camera is well made and easy to use.

SPECS – SAMSUNG NV100HD

• Manufacturer: Samsung

• Model: NV100HD

• Price: $599

• Effective Pixels: 14.7 million

• Lens: Schneider Kreuznach 6-21.6mm (28mm-102mm in 35mm terms)

• Viewfinder: None

• Monitor: 3-inch hVGA TFT LCD

• Shutter: 8 sec-1/2000 sec

• Aperture: f2.8-f5.9

• ISO: Auto, 80, 100, 400, 800, 1600, 3200

• Exposure Metering: Centre-weighted, spot, multi

• Focus Modes: Multi AF, centre AF, touch AF, face detection AF

• Media: 40MB internal, SD,

• SDHC, MMC

• File Format: JPEG Exif 2.21,

• DPOF 1.1, MP4, WAV

• Interface: A/V, HDMI and USB

• Battery: 1100mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable

• Dimensions: 95 x 59 x 20mm

• Weight: 138g

Contact

www.samsung.co.nz

PROS

• Touch controls
• Versatile and well thought out
• Useful zoom range

CONS

• Noisy at higher ISO settings

This review is from D-Photo issue #028.

Samsung NV24HD Review – 026

The new NV24HD boasts a lens starting at 24mm that will appeal to anyone who goes nightclubbing and wants to get their mates in the picture. But will it suit you and me?

The lens is a Schneider 3.6x wide-angle zoom, ranging from the equivalent of 24mm through to 86mm.  For most this won’t be enough telephoto range, but for lovers of wide angle, having a lens that starts at 24mm will be a bonus.

Now Screening

The monitor is different from your usual liquid crystal unit. The NV24HD uses a 2.5-inch active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) screen that surpasses everything else on the market for colour and picture clarity in any lighting situation. This screen is so good I wouldn’t be surprised if other manufacturers follow suit.

Button up

Samsung has gone nuts about buttons and navigation on this unit. It will either come naturally to you or it will appear a nightmare.

The screen has a series of buttons on the bottom and right-hand side of the screen. Press one on the side then choose the corresponding button on the bottom to select the function options. Once you get used to this system it is an easy way to navigate.

High Definition

The whole world is heading down the high definition highway — and with good reason. In no time at all we will all be sitting transfixed, watching widescreen HD TVs.

Samsung has chosen to include an HDMI cable with the camera so you can view your images in high def. It also records movies in 720p high definition for very impressive video. The H.264 video compression this Samsung uses produces video that is claimed to be twice as good as MPEG-4.

Different Strokes

The NV24HD has ACB (automatic contrast balance), a function that adjusts for overly bright images by altering dark areas for better detail. This works well with backlit subjects and images with high contrast such as strong skies and deep shadows.

There are other useful tools, too, like facial recognition and the ability to boost the ISO up to 3200 for those instances when the light is pathetically low. Then there are the photo styles that are accessed by the dial on the top left of the camera. This handy set of functions lets even the newest photographer create interesting images from retro styled to soft focus.

Conclusion

Samsung has gone a couple of steps further than everyone else by adding a 24mm lens and HD video that make this compact camera very likeable. It has the same series of navigation buttons as other NV models, which you will either find easy to use or you’ll hate.

The screen is dynamite and hopefully will filter through to other cameras. There are a couple of red herrings, though. The dual image stabilisers — optical and digital — work well but the optical stabiliser is still the best option. High ISO still doesn’t produce magnificent images and probably never will, so having the ability to raise the sensitivity to 3200 isn’t all that beneficial.

Physically, the NV24HD is a beautiful camera to hold — so make a point of picking it up when you visit a store.

SPECS:

• Manufacturer: Samsung
• Model: NV24HD
• Price: $599
• Effective Pixels: 10.2 million
• Lens: Schneider 4.3-15.5mm (24 -86.5mm in 35mm terms)
• Viewfinder: None
• Monitor: 2.5-inch AMOLED (230,000 pixels)
• Shutter: 16sec-1/2000sec
• Aperture: f2.8-f5.9
• ISO: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (image size at 3200 is 3M)
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program, Manual, Dual IS, Night Portrait, Smile Shot, Blink Detection, Children, Landscape, Close-up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Self Shot, Food, Café
• Exposure Metering: Multi, spot, centre-weighted, face detect
• Focus Modes: Face recognition AF, self-shot, multi or centre AF
• Media: 16MB internal, SD, SDHC
• File Format: JPEG, MP4, WAV
• Flash: Auto, auto red-eye reduction, fill, slow sync, red-eye fix
• Interface: USB
• Batteries: Lithium-ion rechargeable
• Dimensions: 98.5 x 61 x 18.95mm
• Weight: 145g

Contact

www.samsung.com/nz

Pros:

• A screen to die for

• 24mm wide-angle zoom

• Better HD video encoding

Cons:

• Confusing array of buttons

• Diabolical handbook

This article is from D-Photo issue 026.

Fraser Kitt

Samsung NV 20 Review – 022

The Samsung NV 20 has an elegant jet-black finish with a contoured shell to snuggly fit the hand. If this hasn’t already made you envious, then maybe all the other functions this new Samsung has will.

Eye of the beholder

Samsung has used the Schneider-Kreuznach Varioplan zoom lens with a range of 32mm to 104mm to give bright, well-exposed images even in low light or with flash. Multi-coating each lens element helps give less chance of chromatic aberration (colour shifts). Marry this with a facial recognition system that will happily pick up and track your subjects (up to nine), plus an exposure system that automatically adjusts contrast to give perfect skin tones even in harsh light, and you have a camera that delivers wonderful images.

Natty features

The NV 20 uses a series of buttons at the bottom and to the right of the screen to control functions and features. They act like an iPod’s touch wheel: as you run your finger across the button you get what the function does, then pressing the button provides a list of whatever that function does. Pressing the corresponding button then selects that function. This series of buttons may look daunting, but get into the swing of how they work and you can quickly navigate this model.

No lame duck

When in the standard Auto setting you get a limited selection of overrides and controls, but if you want to take your photography a step further then whip this baby into either Manual or Program modes. In the full manual setting you get to see what your exposure is like before you take the image, showing a dark image when under-exposed and a light image when over-exposed. The scene settings will let you shoot well-exposed images without having to know too much about photography. Another wonderful feature is the 640×480, 30fps, TV-quality MPEG-4 movie setting that delivers smooth video with sound.

Achille’s’ heel

The most annoying thing about the NV 20 — and nearly every other camera to hit the streets in the last six months — is the reliance on high ISO to achieve faster shutter speeds at the expense of sharper images. The NV 20 is quick to raise the ISO when it would be better off raising the flash to help indoor exposure. There are those who like the grainy natural effect that raising the ISO offers. However, good flash exposures will win in the long run. Plus the image size at ISO3200 is fixed at 3 million pixels.

Conclusion

The 12 million pixel, 3x optical zoom Samsung NV 20 is a cute and comfortable digital compact to hold. The shape is elegant and there is no doubt it takes sharp images, thanks to the Schneider-Kreuznach lens. The actual zoom control is a little fiddly and hopefully will get an engineering makeover on the next version. Load a decent memory card in this camera and you’ll be happily shooting all through the summer and beyond.

Specs

• Manufacturer: Samsung
• Effective Pixels: 12.1 million
• Lens: Schneider 7.3-21.9mm
• LCD Monitor: 2.5-inch TFT (230,000 pixels)
• Shutter: 15 sec – 1/500 sec
• Aperture: f2.8 – f5.2
• ISO: Auto, 80 – 3200. 
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program, Manual, Effect, 15 scene modes
• Exposure: Multi, spot, centre-weighted, face recognition AE
• Focus: TTL AF (multi, centre, face)
• Media: 20MB internal memory, SD, SDHC, MMC
• File Format: JPEG, AVI (MPEG-4) WAV
• Flash: In-built
• Interface: USB2.0
• Batteries: Lithium-ion rechargeable
• Dimensions: 96.5 x 60 x 18.6mm
• Weight: 151.7g

Profile

Contact

www.samsung.co.nz

Rating

Pros

• MPEG-4 video
• Easily navigated button system
• Sharp Schneider-Kreuznach lens

Cons 

• Fiddly zoom control
• Raises the ISO before the flash
• Expect grainy results from high ISO

Fraser Kitt