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Looks Great - Photos Don't

Kitted up with a big-for-its-size lens, full manual mode, pop-up flash, and combination image-stabilisation tech, this might look like a better alternative to a basic "pocket camera" - but looks are about as far as the camera goes. The unmarked menu buttons are intuitive and seem to work on some kind of magic, and the tidy function select dial keep the deign very un-fiddly, almost business-like.

Firstly, to address that big lens. What does it add over a normal retractable? Bulk. Little else. I'm sure the lens itself is pretty good, but it's let down by picture quality. Full manual is fine and easy enough to use, but longer exposures bring sensor noise even at lower ISO, so the picture quality lets it down. The pop-up flash is good, charges reasonably, projects well. The image stabilisation isn't much cop, better than the budget cameras, but even on OPS2 mode doesn't stand up to the IS of an equivalent Sony, bringing in more blur than would be expected for minimal camera movement.

But the main thing about this camera is the truly horrible picture quality. I don't know quite what Samsung were thinking when making the software, but it spoils almost every photo it takes. In a side-by-side comparison against an iPhone 4S, it was the Apple that came out top. Colours are eroded, sharpness is lost, and the JPEG compression is merciless. The odd decent shot is possible, but even at ISO100 the images seem to grain and blotch. There is some discussion on internet forums about what can be done to correct this, but no real solution because the camera is fading into obsolescence. A place it, unfortunately, deserves to be.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: mpower205bhp

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