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Samsung Digimax Digital Cameras

Samsung has been breaking new ground with its digital cameras lately. They offer three lines, ranging from point and shoots to more advanced Digital SLR-style models. Mostly though, they focus on consumer snapshot cameras and some advanced models, but nothing as far as a true dSLR professional models. These cameras are great for beginners. If you want a well-made camera for family fun, travel, and portraits, you won't be disappointed with one of the Samsung  models. Professionals, this is not where you want to be looking, but you probably already knew that. For mainstreamers, these cameras are reasonably priced and they have something for everyone. Not to mention that Samsung keeps style in mind, and does its best to make sure their cameras are both powerful and up to date. If you would like to learn more about which digital camera is right for you, please see our digital camera buying guide. Note that the prices listed are estimates and are not always the lowest street price available.

A Series: Perfect For Anyone on a Budget

New Models from Samsung are now on the market.  You should check out entry level / beginer cameras like the L210,   L110,  and the L100.  The new NV line additions are also now on the market, which include high megapixel digital cameras like NV40,  NV30,  and the NV24HD.  

What's New

A5 Series
  • A55W 
    • $250
    • The most impressive thing about this point and shoot is the wide angle 28-135mm lens, giving you the ability to shoot in macro mode.
    • The 2.5" LCD preview screen is not bad either.
    • 5x optical zoom
    • 5 megapixels.
    • No optical viewfinder.
    • However, it is a fairly compact, thin, square design.
    • Decent interface that is trying to be simple but also attempting to offer quick and easy solutions to settings, flash, review mode, etc.
    • Several scene modes and image effects, as well as the anti-shake feature for clear, sharp photos.
    • Movie recording at 30 fps. Voice recording also available.
    • Links to PictBridge printers- the simplest, most versatile way to print directly from your camera to a photo printer.
  • A50 
    • $200
    • This is a spin-off of the A55W.
    • It is exactly the same camera in terms of specification, except for the 3x optical zoom and the lack of a wide lens.
    • Also, the design is rounded and slightly bulkier looking, but the bulk gives it a little better handhold grip.

S Series
  • Samsung Digimax S500 
    • At $150, this is Samsung's most reasonably priced camera, especially considering all the features included.
    • Large 2.4 inch LCD screen.
    • 3x optical zoon, 5x digital zoom.
    • Slightly watered down version of the A7, but still packs many of the manual features A7 users have grown to love.
    • Comes in silver or black.

What's Noteworthy

A7
  • $300
  • Definitely worth the money to upgrade to this camera.
  • For $100 more than the A50 you get a 7 megapixel resolution, 15x total zoom (3x optical), and a larger internal memory.
  • The LCD monitor isn't shabby either at 2".
  • Plus this camera features a 4cm macro mode as well as a selection of 8 image sizes and most importantly, a manual override one-touch button to control shutter and aperture priority.
  • Great little camera for a more experienced consumer.
    • Plus the video recording capabilities are just as good as the A55W.

A502
  • 5 megapixels.
  • 3x optical zoom.
  • 1.8" LCD but no viewfinder.
  • 16MB of internal memory.
  • Records video but without digital zoom.
  • Records voice both for still images (10 seconds only) and for video.
  • Drawback is that it uses regular batteries. Make sure to buy a set of rechargeable ones.
  • A comparable model would be the U-CA5. 

Prestige Series: Advanced Point and Shoots

V Series
  • V800 
    • 8MP resolution.
    • 2.5" LCD monitor.
    • Average 3x optical zoom.
    • No viewfinder.
    • Includes a macro capable Schneider lens.
    • Stabilization technology for still shots and for video.
    • Quick and easy printing with PictBridge technology.
    • Plenty of shooting, scene, and function modes.
  • V70 
    • A spin-off of the V50.
    • 7 MP resolution.
    • 15x total zoom.
    • Decent size 2" flip LCD leaves room for a viewfinder.
    • Note that the V700  has a better 30x total zoom.
    • Manual shooting priorities.
    • 30fps movie shooting mode.

L Series
  • new products in the L series include L830,  L730,  and the L700. 
  • L55W 
    • This camera has an impressive 2.8" LCD screen (no viewfinder).
    • To keep up with the rest, it has a 5MP resolution and PictBridge compatibility.
    • To outshine the others in its class, it has a 4.8x optical zoom.
    • Sturdy metal body.
    • Plenty of editing functions on board, as well as scene shooting modes.
    • Quick mode change from still to video with the touch of a button.
  • L60  and L70 
    • Similar to the model above.
    • It has a 5MP resolution.
    • Smaller LCD (2.5"), which is still bigger than the majority of other cameras out there.
    • Lots of scene and function modes, and more.
    • Comes in different body colors.
    • Made with metal, so it's naturally sturdier than other brands compact digital cameras made with plastic.
    • Macro mode for extreme close-ups.

i5 Series
  • Ultra-compact slim shooter.
  • The two worlds of photography and audio blend together to create a slim design.
  • 5MP digital camera.
  • 3x optical zoom.
  • Beautiful 2.5" LCD monitor.
  • Built-in flash.
  • No viewfinder.
  • MPEG4 video format for video recordings.

i6 Series
  • i6 allows users to enjoy movies, music videos, television shows and even their favorite music with the added convenience of a state-of-the-art digital still camera.
  • A 6 mega-pixel digital still camera measuring a mere 3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7" with a 2.5-inch, high resolution LCD display.
  • Integrates a 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 39-117 mm in 35 mm format) capability with Samsung's exclusive SHD lens technology.
  • Features a built-in image editing function allowing users to edit a variety of images without the use of a PC.
  • Users can easily listen to their favorite MP3 files or watch their favorite video content on the large, 2.5-inch color display.
  • The user-friendly software can seamlessly convert MPEG, AVI, MOV, WMV and ASF files for viewing on the i6.
  • For music on-the-go, the software can also convert MP3 and WAV audio files in several simple steps.
  • Comes equipped with 45MB of internal memory and comes bundled with ear buds for MP3 listening.
  • A convenient cradle charging system and a powerful lithium ion battery.

Pro Series: Entry-level SLR-style Digital

Pro 815
  • $800+
  • This is the next best thing to a dSLR.
  • It is an extremely powerful, manually advanced, high-end point and shoot.
  • The electronic viewfinder actually stands out, literally.
    • Instead of being flush and centered it is protruding off the left side of the camera.
  • It has professional level of resolution at 8 megapixels.
  • What really stands out is the 15x optical zoom.
  • There is one draw back to this exceptional feature, which is that unlike many digitals on the market today, it lacks an image stabilizer.
  • At 15x zoom, you can image the blurry photos that will be produced without a tripod.
  • Like other advanced digitals it offers a plethora of manual controls, plus the majority of automatic controls that you see on an automatic point and shoot.
  • It also has lots of different color and black and white modes, plus white balance, and scene modes.
  • It also features an unprecedented 3.5" LCD preview screen, along with a color LCD status and preview screen on the top of the body for waist-high shooting.
  • 25fps movie recording capability.
  • Great battery life.
  • Built-in flash, but it also takes an optional external flash via a metal hot shoe.
  • ISO exposure only up to 800.
  • Smallish grip compared to the size of the Schneider lens.

GX-1L
  • Available soon.
  • The GX-1L has a five-point, wide-area Auto Focus system.
  • Choice of AF-single or AF-continuous, providing accurate auto focusing in a variety of shooting conditions.
  • Three-mode metering system including, 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering.
  • The GX-1L uses the Schneider D-XENON 18mm~55mm lens and will be available as a body only, or bundled with the D-XENON lens as a kit.
  • For added convenience the GX-1L can be used with many Pentax DSLR lenses and KAF2 and KAF mount lenses.
  • The GX-1L features a large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor (210,000 pixels) and a bright, high-magnification pentaprism viewfinder offering a 96-percent field view.
  • The GX-1L features a compact, lightweight body measuring just 4.9 x 3.6x 2.6-inches and weighing 16-ounces* perfect for on-the-go shooting.
  • The Samsung GX-1L can be powered by four AA-size Lithium, Ni-MH or CR-V3 batteries.

GX 1S
  • Available soon.
  • The GX 1S features a large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor and a bright, high-magnification pentaprism viewfinder offering a 95-percent field view and .95-times magnification.
  • Compact design measuring 4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6-inches and weighs 17.8-ounces.
  • Developed specifically for use with the Samsung GX-1S is the Schneider D-XENON 18mm~55mm lens.
  • A 6 megapixel model featuring a high-precision, 16 segment multi-pattern metering to assure accurate light measurement.
  • Incorporates a sophisticated 11-point AF sensor and a choice of AF single or AF-continuous for a wide variety of options.
  • For further image control, users can chose from several White Balance settings and a variety of automatic shooting modes such as Portrait, Landscape, Moving Object, Macro and more.

Related Articles

Learn More About Different Camera Lines

International Resources

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DE: Samsung Digimax