In summary
With a 5-megapixel sensor, Schneider 3x zoom lens, and dual SD/MMC and Memory Stick Duo card slots, Samsung’s Digimax V50 is the flagship model in the current line-up. This model supports VGA movie capture at 30 frames per second and the MPEG-4 compression used lets you record up to 110 seconds of top quality video on the supplied 32MB SD card, making it worthwhile for those who want high quality in both stills and movies. However, its shooting controls are complex and adjustments to white balance and ISO settings, exposure compensation, long time exposures (up to 15 seconds) and R, G and B colour adjustments can only be made through a sub-menu controlled by an ‘S’ button. The icons displayed with this button are small and difficult to read, but the range of adjustments is generous. . . [more]
Full review
Samsung Digimax V50
With a 5-megapixel sensor, Schneider 3x zoom lens, and dual SD/MMC and Memory Stick Duo card slots, Samsung’s Digimax V50 is the flagship model in the current line-up. This model supports VGA movie capture at 30 frames per second and the MPEG-4 compression used lets you record up to 110 seconds of top quality video on the supplied 32MB SD card, making it worthwhile for those who want high quality in both stills and movies. However, its shooting controls are complex and adjustments to white balance and ISO settings, exposure compensation, long time exposures (up to 15 seconds) and R, G and B colour adjustments can only be made through a sub-menu controlled by an ‘S’ button. The icons displayed with this button are small and difficult to read, but the range of adjustments is generous.
The test camera produced sharp pictures, but shots taken with the highest digital zoom setting showed visible compression artefacts. Metering was biased towards shadow detail and image contrast was rather high. However, colour saturation was normal and colours were accurately recorded in most situations. The custom white balance delivered accurate colours. Low light shots had little noise at all ISO settings.
Strengths
- Sharp pictures with natural-looking colours
- Good close-up facilities
- VGA video at 30fps
- Dual card slots
Weaknesses
- Poor manual focus
- Weak flash
- Many settings are difficult to access
- Poor auto white balance in incandescent light [BG05]
Specifications
Image sensor: 7.6 x 5.7mm CCD with 5,300,000 photosites (5.0 megapixels effective)
Lens: Schneider 7.7-23.1mm f2.7-4.9 zoom lens (38-114mm in 35mm format)
Zoom ratio: 3x optical, up to 5x digital
Dimensions (wxhxd): 106.5 X 57 X 38.5mm
Weight: 190g (without battery and card)
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