Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)For what it is, this is a pretty decent camera.After playing with it for while I've concluded it has quite a bit of features, many of which I probably won't use.For instance, the camera has a setting where it will learn commonly photographed people's faces and remember how you want them to be exposed.
The camera can be used in full manual mode, aperture priority and shutter priority.In manual mode the longest shutter time is 16 seconds.I've experimented with some long exposures and notice the photo is "processing" for about the same amount of time that is was exposed.I'm guessing it may take another photo with the shutter closed, and then compare the two for error correction.The manual doesn't say anything about this and there are no options.I've simply seen this on other cameras.
In addition to the shutter, aperture and manual modes there are two auto modes.One is called Smart Auto.Auto gives you fewer options than program mode.It seems to simply choose some of the options for you.Smart Auto gives almost no options and is supposed to automatically sense just about everything about the scene you are photographing.While taking various shots around the house and yard I've actually found some of the best shots coming from the Smart Auto mode.I suspect Smart Auto mode to use battery power faster as I can hear it doing something just moving the camera around to different types of scenes.
Optical stabilization is a menu item.Dual stabilization also adds digital stabilization and is only available in the Dual mode.This mode is selected on the top mode selector and is separate from P A S M, etc.This mode does give options similar to the Auto mode.
The camera records decent video on the highest quality settings.It saves the clips as an mp4 file.A huge plus for me is the dedicated video record button on the upper right of the back of the camera.No need to switch modes.Just hit that button and it begins recording at the previously set video settings.You are able to cut out clips from your video on the camera and it will save them as a separate file.The video may record with stereo sound.The manual seems to indicate there are two microphones.You can zoom while recording video, but the noise it creates is quite evident on the playback.Not a big deal to me.You have the option to not record sound or have the sound not record during operation of the zoom.A neat feature they included was the miniature setting.This is available in video and photo modes.I would have liked to see a time lapse video function.My little Canon SD1000 can do time lapse and will miss it when using the HZ35W.
I've read where some people don't see the GPS become available for a long time.I went outside, reset the GPS in the settings and I had a good signal after about 3 minutes.I don't know if resetting the GPS helped, but from what I read in the manual it seems to make sense to do so if you have relocated to a place far from the last time it had satellites.From my experience with other GPS receivers you pretty much have to be outside to get a good signal, so I imagine it is the same here.
I've also read of people wondering about the images being saved at 96 PPI (pixels per inch).I took several test shots and looked up the data in my image viewing program.I'm doing a simple comparison to a Canon 7.1 MP camera I have which saves at 180 PPI.
Samsung at 12 MP Auto and P modes:
Resolution:4000 x 3000
File Size:4.878 MB
Compressed BPP:3.98096
Image Dimensions:41.67" x 31.25"
Samsung at 12 MP Smart Auto mode:
Resolution:4000 x 3000
File Size:2.708 MB
Compressed BPP:2.15496
Image Dimensions:41.67" x 31.25"
Samsung at 8 MP Auto and P modes:
Resolution:3264 x 2448
File Size:3.261 MB
Compressed BPP:3.93331
Image Dimensions:34" x 25.50"
Samsung at 5 MP Auto and P modes:
Resolution:2560 x 1920
File Size:2.026 MB
Compressed BPP:3.86542
Image Dimensions:26.67" x 20.00"
Canon SD1000 at 7.1 MP
Resolution:3072 x 2304
File Size:3.217 MB
Compressed BPP:5.0
Image Dimensions:17.07" x 12.80"
From this we can see a few things.First, Smart Auto mode cuts the file size in half and the amount of info saved per pixel is less.I can't find an option to adjust the jpeg compression and don't fully understand what is happening here yet.The Canon is set to use the best quality jpeg options.We can also see the image PPI are simply saved at a smaller value on the Samsung, hence the larger image dimensions.For instance on the 12 MP Samsung image:Multiply the 96 PPI by 41.67 inches.You will get the listed horizontal resolution of 4000.Samsung could have just as easily saved the PPI larger and it would have equated to smaller calculated image dimensions.So if you view your image so it is 41.67" x 31.25" (huge!) then, yes, it will be 96 pixels per inch.I'm sure someone will correct me, but I think when you view or print the image smaller more information will be crammed into the smaller space and the apparent quality will increase.Additionally, when selecting a megapixel size the camera states the max recommended print size.For 12 MP it states 33.1" x 23.3", which equates to approx 121 PPI.
Pros:
Lots of settings and effects to play with.Dedicated video recording button.SD cards good up to 16 GB.Bright screen.Fairly good images for a point-and-shoot (including low-light).Easy to switch to Smart Auto if handing the camera off to someone who doesn't know cameras.GPS tagging.Nice zoom.HDMI output.Camera does have internal memory to store photos on (unfortunately only about 3 images at 12 MP!)
Cons:
Digital zoom can't be disabled (although it is not available in certain modes).Doesn't come with an SD storage card or case.Manual doesn't explain features and settings enough.Image jpeg compression options seem to be non-existent.Some settings in P mode will be reset when turning off the camera (like the Auto Contrast Balance).This option-resetting may occur in other modes as well, I haven't experimented enough.After taking a shot utilizing the flash the camera won't respond to input until the flash is charged again.Battery is charged while inside the camera, but the cord to connect it to an outlet is only about a foot long, maybe less.You have to find an outlet close to a shelf or something to set the camera on.
Conclusion:
This is just a preliminary review and I haven't spent too much time experimenting with the camera.This camera is a good choice if you are looking for a compact design, great zoom, GPS (outdoor use), good video and the ability to occasionally adjust the settings (aperture, shutter, etc.).It's just not going to give you the quality of a DSLR.Photos can look a bit grainy.I'm not sure why, perhaps in part due to the massive jpeg compression that's going on.I have a 5 MP Olympus that produces larger jpeg file sizes and its images can look better than the Samsung.If you are worried about the camera's size, it is larger than a subcompact, but I think the features outweigh the inconvenience of the size increase.
*Update*
I've since experimented with Samsungs jpeg compression options.There are three: Super Fine, Fine and Normal.The mode Auto Smart will only take images at Fine quality.Here is some more info to compare.I took four shots at 12 MP:
Auto Smart
File Size:2.705 MB
2.15034 BPP (bits per pixel)
Auto with Super Fine
File Size:4.737 MB
3.86252 BPP
Auto with Fine
File Size:2.668 MB
2.12106 BPP
Auto with Normal
File Size:1.834 MB
1.42007 BPP
It seems evident what Auto Smart is doing.It's a shame you can't improve the compression quality for Auto Smart because it is actually doing a pretty good job of analyzing the scene and choosing the best options.Auto Smart is also available in the movie mode.
I tend to partially block the flash when holding the camera.It takes a little practice placing your fingers in a place that won't block the flash and IR light while still keeping a good grip on the body.I guess sacrifices have to be made to cram all this stuff in a compact body.I would have liked to see the flash on the other side of the lens, although not having a pop-up flash is nice.
I just started using a 16 GB Ultra SD card.It will hold 2,313 images at 12 MP on Super Fine (Auto) or 3 hours 22 minutes video on the best quality settings.These numbers will decrease after other items are loaded on the card, like GPS maps, etc.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung HZ35W - Digital camera - compact - 12.1 Mpix - optical zoom: 15 x - supported memory: SD, SDHC - gray
Product Description:
The Samsung HZ35W EC-HZ35WZBPAUS Digital Camera comes with plenty of features to help you get the best shot possible. The Samsung HZ35W's 12 megapixels and a 15x optical zoom help you capture every detail and the large 3.0" AMOLED screen makes sure you can take and edit your photos in a snap. With the Samsung HZ35W EC-HZ35WZBPAUS Digital Camera, the perfect portrait system does all the work for you, making sure your photos are beautiful. Plus, the Samsung HZ35W EC-HZ35WZBPAUS Digital Camera comes with digital image stabilization, so photos are crystal clear, not blurry.
Want to buy Samsung HZ35W - Digital camera - compact - 12.1 Mpix - optical zoom: 15 x - supported memory: SD, SDHC - gray at other amazon sites? Click the corresponding icon below:
0 comments:
Post a Comment