Any Samsung Owners?

[jdl7538]

I just joined Digital Camera because of this forum specially dedicated to Samsung, but on seeing that nothing has been posted here for over a month, I wonder whether any Samsung owners still check in here. If so, I would be very intested in others' experiences of their Samsungs.

I recently purchased a Samsung S85 and am delighted with it overall, but much disappointed with its "ASR" image stabilization. I was wondering whether any of you regularly use this feature and, if so, under what conditions you find it useful.

Also, are there any thoughts on the reason why the S630, S730, and S85 have all recently become so affordable? I noticed that the Canon A570 IS, which Amazon cites as the most popular digital on the market today, has also taken a big drop in price. Maybe digital cameras are going the same way as cheaper and cheaper memory cards.

[jdl7538]

I just noticed that on BUY.COM the Samsung s85 is selling for $110.99 with free shipping. An amazing deal! An ultra-compact 8mp with 5x optical & 5x digital zoom and producing very sharp images. TRUSTED REVIEWS gave it 10 out of 10 for value when it cost half again as much. I'd love to know what's bringing the price down so much.

[legelegel]

The better buy appears to be at Circuit City now.

http://www.buy.com/prod/samsung-s85-...205599969.html

http://www.buy.com/prod/samsung-s85-...205599969.html

I just bought the Samsung S73 7.2-Megapixel Digital Camera – Pink for $99.99 for my wife. It is our first digital camera.

Customer Ratings and Review

Samsung S73 7.2-Megapixel Digital Camera – Pink

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsu...oductDetail.do

Fantastic Camera and a Wondeful Price

Reviewer: Cyndi from Houston on Nov 24, 2007
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

I had bought a panasonic from best buy 7.2 mp w/ 2.5 lcd, 3x optical zoom, and video and got it home and realized the lcd was very grainy and the video had no audio and I took it back immidiately. I was charged a 15% restocking fee but it was worth itto return it becuase I was so unhappy with the camera.

I looked on-line at circuit city and found this for $30 less, pretty in pink, and it all the same features plus had video w/ audio. I got it home and absolutely loved it. The lcd is fantastic, verry clear, the pictures are wonderful and yes, the video w/ audio is great! I did my shopping and this is absolutely the best buy around!!! This has my number 1 vote all the way. I showed my family the camera when I got home last night, and my 3 uncles each bought one in blue and my cousin bought one in black! Everyone loves it!

Great if you use Lithium rechargable batteries

Reviewer: Brian B. from Newburgh, IN on Jan 13, 2008
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I bought two of these, one for each of my teenage kids. They are perfect for kids, small and cheap with great picture quality. Almost immediately we noticed that the batteries were running down quickly when we used alkaline batteries. However, when we switched to re-chargeable lithium ion batteries, the battery life drastically improved. For the price you can't beat the features or the picture quality. I suggest using some of the money you will save with this camera to buy re-chargeable batteries anda charger.

[jdl7538]

Here's an interesting site listing top cameras based on basic camera value and user satisfaction. Note that among digital cameras of all brands the S85 is #5, the S630 #19, and the S730 #42: http://www.retrevo.com/s/Digital+Cam...FQQjPAodKCyKPA

Clicking on each camera brings up their expert and user reviews. Those found here, as well as all others I can find for the S85, are universally very positive, like the two on this Radio Shack site: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ngs#showReview

These are really great little cameras!

[Vincent Anthony]

I own the Samsung S85 and it's great. I bought it for $107.99 at Circuit City.
I also have several of the Samsung NV series and those are great too.

[rx_morph]

Hello all. I recently ordered the Samsung S85 as well. In fact, it just arrived yesterday afternoon. Since then I've been playing around with the different features and settings, taking test shots and just trying to get as familiar with the camera as possible. Unfortunately I haven't tried out all the combinations and features (some I probably never really will i.e. Effects features). Anyway when I was waiting for this camera to arrive I think I read just about every review of it on just about every website I could find and I must say...after reading them all I was highly anxious for it's arrival. Overall I'm very satisfied with this camera and the quality of it's pictures/video. Sure it's not perfect but you can't beat the performance and quality you get with this camera for the money. Absolutely remarkable. I'll post some test pics I took in case there's another potential buyer out there that wants some test photos. Again, I didn't try out every setting but this should give most people a pretty good idea of it's capabilities. Enjoy!

I was unable to find a hosting site that would allow for over 1024x768 image size hosting, but I will continue to look. If anyone knows a good site that will allow larger limits then please let me know. Thanks.

Image 1

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/337
F number 3.2
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 3
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Multi spot
Light source Normal
Flash Flash off
Lens focal length 11.4
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 69
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal


Image 2

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/438
F number 2.8
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 2
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Multi spot
Light source Normal
Flash Flash off
Lens focal length 6.3
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 38
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal


Image 3

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/42
F number 3.1
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 2
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Multi spot
Light source Normal
Flash Flash on
Lens focal length 9.3
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 56
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal

Image 4

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/1
F number 2.8
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 2
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Multi spot
Light source Normal
Flash Flash off
Lens focal length 6.3
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 38
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal


Image 5

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/30
F number 4.9
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 2
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Multi spot
Light source Normal
Flash Flash on
Lens focal length 6.3
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 38
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal

Image 6

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/30
F number 4.9
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 2
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Multi spot
Light source Normal
Flash Flash on
Lens focal length 6.3
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 38
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal


Image 7

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/284
F number 3.1
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 3
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Central weight average
Light source Normal
Flash Flash off
Lens focal length 9.3
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 56
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal



Image 8
File

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/148
F number 4.6
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 3
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Central weight average
Light source Normal
Flash Flash on
Lens focal length 31.5
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 190
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal


Image 9

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/272
F number 3.2
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 3
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Multi spot
Light source Normal
Flash Flash off
Lens focal length 11.4
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 69
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal

I realize these shots don't come close to exploring ALL the features of the S85 but but I hope to get more up soon. However you can tell from these pictures that the color reproduction is excellent and the AF work very well. Image 9 is intended to give you the idea of the level of detail although the subject I chose could have been better. Whoa, that was quite a lot of work to get them all up there and specs edited...time for some sleep

[rx_morph]

Here are a few more images...

Image 10

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/569
F number 4.9
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 2
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Central weight average
Light source Daylight
Flash Flash off
Lens focal length 6.3
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 38
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal


Image 10(Tripod in use here)

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/2
F number 3.1
Exposure program Manual
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 3
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Central weight average
Light source Tungsten
Flash Flash on
Lens focal length 9.3
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Manual
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 56
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal

Image 11

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Exposure time 1/500
F number 4.9
Exposure program Landscape
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 3
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Multi spot
Light source Daylight
Flash Flash off
Lens focal length 6.3
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 38
Scene capture type Landscape
Sharpness Vivid


Image 12

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/478
F number 4.6
Exposure program Landscape
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 3
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Multi spot
Light source Daylight
Flash Flash off
Lens focal length 31.5
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 190
Scene capture type Landscape
Sharpness Vivid

Image 13(Even though the image info says 'Daylight', I'm almost positive I used the Backlight feature here. Either way it provided plenty of detail and contrast.)

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Exposure time 1/369
F number 2.8
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 2
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Multi spot
Light source Daylight
Flash Flash on
Lens focal length 6.3
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 38
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal

Image 14

Image Attributes
Format JPEG interchanged
Compression Baseline JPEG
Dimensions 1024x768 (8.0 MP)
Bit Depth 24
EXIF Metadata
Manufacturer SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Model Samsung S85
Orientation of image Normal
Y and C positioning Co-Sited
Exposure time 1/148
F number 4.3
Exposure program Normal
ISO speed ratings 50
Image compression ratio 3
Exposure bias 0
Maximum lens aperture 2.971
Metering mode Central weight average
Light source Daylight
Flash Flash off
Lens focal length 26.9
Color space information sRGB
Exposure mode Auto
White balance Auto WB
Digital zoom 1
Focal length in 35 mm film 162
Scene capture type Standard
Sharpness Normal

[jdl7538]

Thanks, rx morph, for those terrific shots. The S85 is an amazing little camera. I recently bought some Sanyo Eneloops for imine at a WM and the whole battery problem, universal to all those Samsung "S" series cameras, is suddenly completely solved. When I was there I also checked out the S730 and had to conclude that the $79 price for it currently on Amazon.com is a terrific deal as well. The S730 shots posted on Flickr, though not as good as the S85's, are still truly remarkable.

[Beowulff]

According to all reports, the Samsung S85 is an excellent camera — particularly for the price — and one which also offers very good overall image quality, again, for the price.

But.....

I recently purchased a Samsung S85 and am delighted with it overall, but much disappointed with its "ASR" image stabilization.

Samsung's ASR (advanced shake reduction) image stabilisation isn't really true image stabilisation in that it doesn't shift either the CCD sensor, or an optical element in the lens. It simply raises the ISO to give you a couple of stops more, but at the same time this inevitably increases image noise. Too many manufacturers pull this stunt by implying that their cameras have true image stabilisation, and a lot of buyers believe they're getting this feature.

Cheers

[rx_morph]

Thanks, rx morph, for those terrific shots. The S85 is an amazing little camera. I recently bought some Sanyo Eneloops for imine at a WM and the whole battery problem, universal to all those Samsung "S" series cameras, is suddenly completely solved. When I was there I also checked out the S730 and had to conclude that the $79 price for it currently on Amazon.com is a terrific deal as well. The S730 shots posted on Flickr, though not as good as the S85's, are still truly remarkable.

Thanks. They aren't the most interesting shots in the world but I was just trying to provide people that might be interested in buying the camera more sample shots to look at. Color reproduction, zoom length, level of detail, some macro shots, etc. You found Sanyo Eneloops 2700mah at your wal-mart? I looked in the photo department of ours and didn't see anything but generic rechargeables. I suppose I could order them online but they might be cheaper if I could find them at a local store by the time you included S&H from an online purchase. I read on the internet where they are pretty much the best rechargeable batteries on the market right now.

Samsung's ASR (advanced shake reduction) image stabilisation isn't really true image stabilisation in that it doesn't shift either the CCD sensor, or an optical element in the lens. It simply raises the ISO to give you a couple of stops more, but at the same time this inevitably increases image noise. Too many manufacturers pull this stunt by implying that their cameras have true image stabilisation, and a lot of buyers believe they're getting this feature.

Cheers

Yeah, I read about this in the review from Trustedreviews.com but it does seem to control the image noise well at all ISO settings at least.

This stands for Advanced Shake Reduction, but unfortunately this is one of the systems I was talking about in my article yesterday. It may sound like image stabilisation, but in fact all it does is boost the ISO setting by a couple of stops to give a faster shutter speed, at the cost of increased image noise.

The good news continues when we look at image quality, which is outstanding for such a low cost camera. Exposure and colour rendition were virtually perfect, and even when shooting directly into bright sunlight the sensor managed to capture plenty of shadow detail. The lens may not have the Schneider-Kreuznach brand name, but it is very high quality nonetheless, producing excellent centre sharpness and very little barrel distortion at wide angle, with only a little softness and a small amount of chromatic aberration around the edges of the frame. Image noise was extremely well controlled at all ISO settings, with good picture quality at ISO 800 and a usable image even at ISO 1600, which is a very impressive performance by any standard. For a camera costing under £100 it is nothing short of remarkable.