Samsung Digimax Pro 815

[Rex914]

Ok, we all had a brief glimpse of this monster a few weeks ago. As a recap, this is what we know. Then I'll show you some cool photos of it.

Specifications
- Schneider-Kreuznach Varioplan lens with zoom and focus rings (yay!), and EV compensation ring (weird)
- 28-420mm (15x)
- f/2.2-4.6 (not shabby!)
- 3.5" LCD (!!)
- 1900mAh 7.4v battery (wow!)
- I am assuming IS although there's NO confirmation of this. There's no way you can't have IS at 420mm.
- 2/3" CCD type sensor (80% certainty)
- 1 second start-up time, 1-second shot-to-shot time, and 2.5 frames per second burst mode
- EVF (Aww...)
- Pop-up flash, hot shoe
- Full color LCD on the top (?!)


Now for a slew of real photos

http://food.acidblue.net/Cameras/S815-1.jpg

http://food.acidblue.net/Cameras/S815-2.jpg

http://food.acidblue.net/Cameras/S815-3.jpg

http://food.acidblue.net/Cameras/S815-4.jpg

More in the following post...

[Rex914]

http://food.acidblue.net/Cameras/S815-5.jpg

That is one heck of an LCD to behold. That's almost PSP sized for an LCD!

http://food.acidblue.net/Cameras/S815-6.jpg

http://food.acidblue.net/Cameras/S815-7.jpg

See what I mean by top LCD? And check out those rings!

[deepboys]

the "HS" button on the left side of the lens suggests as "Hand Shake" - though not sure. these days each company is keeping its own synonym for IS

Canon - IS
Panasonic Mega OIS
KM - CCD shifting technology - Anti Shake
Nikon - Vibration Reduction

Perhaps HS is for Samsung

have to wait and see :confused:

[ConceptVBS]

The "HS" is called a "High Speed Mode". I believe its an electronic image stabilizer.

[zero]

This seems like an awesome camera, I wonder how Canon will respond.

[ProblemSolver]

This seems like an awesome camera, I wonder how Canon will respond.
The Samsung Digimax Pro 815 has launched in some countries.

I expect Canon's response will be this: Come out with a Pro 2 which is better than the Samsung Pro 815 but unfortunately, that probably isn't going to happen. The Pro 2 may possibly compete with their own Rebel XT and 20D.

Sony on the other hand, has no dSLRs and the F828 is awaiting an upgrade, may just release a F939 with 15x optical zoom (Chances are no Zeiss lens), 3.0" LCD with the "moving arm lens", stuffed with a heap of manual controls and supports all type of cards :cool: (Memory stick, compact flash, secure digital, multi media card.....)

[zero]

The Samsung Digimax Pro 815 has launched in some countries.

I wonder when it arrives in North America. I can't wait to hold and see what it feels like. And yah.....can't wait to see what a 3.5" LCD looks like ;) Possibly looks like a photo frame? :D

[Spadhunter]

the "HS" button on the left side of the lens suggests as "Hand Shake" - though not sure. these days each company is keeping its own synonym for IS

Canon - IS
Panasonic Mega OIS
KM - CCD shifting technology - Anti Shake
Nikon - Vibration Reduction

Perhaps HS is for Samsung

have to wait and see :confused:

Just thought I'd add SSS for Sony: Super Steady Shot

I really like this camera, but it looks like at least $1000.00

I'm mowing alot of yards just to finance my H1!!!

[Rex914]

Ok, the camera has officially been announced now. Here are the unconfirmed bits that are now confirmed.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0506/samsung_pro815frontback.jpg

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0506/samsung_pro815top.jpg

- 8 Megapixels
- Goes up to ISO 800
- Virtually 0 shutter lag (but not DSLR fast)
- Takes RAW pictures
- All kinds of metering (multi, center, spot)
- 9 point AF
- 1/4000 shutter speed
- EVF and LCD are 235k pixels
- Takes CF cards only
- Weight - 850g (~30 ounces). That's comparable to a DSLR with a good lens attached.
- Size - 132 mm x 87 mm x 53 mm
- Coming August
- Price.... $1000 - Just what I expected. I wouldn't pay any less for such a great camera (based on specs).



Now I know what you're thinking. Where's the IS? In reality, there is none.

"The High speed mode provided by the Pro815 ensures steady shooting even in tele-zoom."

What they call high speed mode appears to be a set of parameters like 800 ISO which maxize shutter speed, thereby getting around the need for IS. Obviously, this is nothing like IS, but it works. Luckily, 800 ISO on this camera appears to be like the Fuji's ISO 1600: it rivals the DSLRs' capabilities.