Samsung Galaxy Camera [Review]

Seriously I do not know where shall I begin. There is so many awesome function in the camera that never stop to amaze me. The moment i got confirmation for review of this unit I was overjoyed. Secretly tell you I literally jumping happily in my room! I fall in love with this baby after it first launch in Malaysia. See my previous post on it’s launching here.

FEATURE & DESIGNS

If you realize, ever since I got this camera last December, I dump my DSLR in my cupboard for almost 2 months now. This camera is way easier to carry around and it makes travelling way more convenient. However it’s a little bulky if you compare to compact camera due to it’s huge screen of 4.8″ and it’s weight of 300g heavier than most compact DSLR.

Samsung GALAXY Camera – Slightly bigger than my Samsung S2.

The camera is easy to grip either for taking photos or playing with the apps. However carrying it wit only a small clutch may be hard. This is because the the thickness of the camera is rather thick about 1.5” and when I’m going out for a night out I’ll have 2 phones Samsung S2 and Black Berry Bold. So squeezing this camera into my clutch might be hard.

The feature that I really falling love with is definitely the Android operating system with 4.1.1 Jelly Bean that make all apps download possible and instant connectivity to the internet. You can upload a picture to FB, Instagram or Twitter almost immediately with Wi-Fi or Data Connection. This is like AMAZING!! I’m definitely addicted to Instagram and with this camera I can just upload it anywhere anytime!!

At times I forgot that it was camera that I treat it like my S2 literally sleeping with it beside me checking Instagram, FB and Twitter. What the HECK??? BUT BUT this is not A PHONE!! It cannot make calls or sms alright? Fret not, whatapps and other messenger system is possible as long as it is downloadable from Playstore.

Just click and download your favourite APP!!

I usually play around using Auto Mode as well as all the 15 Smart Mode (Mostly Landscape, Rich Tone, Macro & Night Shot). You must be wonder what about manual mode? It took too long to actually settled down with the right setting due to the fast moving touch sensitive dial. By the time the setting is right, most likely the moment that I want to capture might have gone!

Let me show you some of the pictures I took using different mode. As you all know I looooveee travelling and food is my addiction! So my camera need to be able to capture good image in these 2 category.

PHOTOS QUALITY

My Favourite Mode in the 15 Smart Mode. First is the Landscape mode is amazing it almost could give a HDR alike shot.

This shot was take from my car when we are passing through..Look at the clouds? I personally love the Landscape Mode and I used it a lot in my recent trip to Krabi & Kemaman, Terengganu.

Another amazing mode was the Rich Tone Mode. The colour really stands out when you are taking picture using this mode.

 

 

 

 

 

Left Shot using AUTO Mode and Right shot in Rich Tone Mode.

You can instantly see the colour instantly brighten up with Rich Tone and colour become more vivid.

The third mode that I love is definitely the Macro Mode. Unfortunately, this mode only work well under bright ambient or in condition where there is sufficient lighting.

This is taken under indoor dim lighting. Let’s see the result..

 

 

 

 

 

Left shot using Auto Mode with Flash On and Right shot using Macro Shot without light burst .

I prefer the left photo as in the picture look sharper and less noise. There’s also one thing about this camera is that you need to have a very steady hand especially if you want to capture image under low lighting.

Macro Shot outdoor when sun is high up!

Also when on Automode, the Flash is on Automode and you will never know when will the flash pop up. Thus, during event with mostly dim or colourful lighting I will need to use Manual Mode which enable Flash to be set to constantly open.

This when I feel really reluctant to use Manual Mode, as you know event is always fast pace and you need to capture the moment fast. Like I mention earlier, in order to ensure the dial stop at the setting you want is hard.

As much as I love the smart mode, there are a few things where I dislike….For example the Waterfall Mode. You need to have a steady hand or tripod in order to nail the shot.

Picture taken using Waterfall Mode without tripod.

The Beauty Mode doesn’t really impressed me much as the results was rather similar to the normal Auto Mode.

The Continuous Mode suppose to shoot moving object but I just couldn’t snap a still images from the moving object.

Continuous Mode of us Lao Sang.

Most of the mode take time to process like Beauty, Night, Firework, Rich Tone, Light Trail and Waterfall.

Firework Mode look impressive… No tripod is required! I love it!!

Firework taken during 2013 New Year Celebration.

Light Trail Mode definitely need tripod!! Look at below blur images taken without tripod.

Light Trails at Krabi Town.

The 16x Zoom is really amazing.

It can get very clear image even it is shot through car window.

Clear Images with max zoom.

This shot of Steve Aoki is shot with max zoom on Auto Mode without any flash. Very Impressingly Clear right? One thing I realized is the Auto Focus is always stuck in the middle. It doesn’t auto detect the object instead you have to touch with your finger. I doesn’t like this function especial when I need to get a quick shot! My finger isn’t long enough to touch on the focus point i want.

Steve Aoki at We Love Asia

VIDEO QUALITY

I love the video taken using this camera. Though at time it may tend to focus and defocus because of movement, I still love it! Even with low lighting the video is clear and not so blurry. Some of the video I record using GALAXY Camera.

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Image Sensor

16.3 effective megapixel 1/2.3″ BSI CMOS

 

Lens

21x Optical Zoom Lens, 23 mm Wide Angle, F2.8(W) ~ 5.9(T)

 

IS

OIS

 

Display

121.2 mm (4.8“), 308 ppi, HD Super Clear Touch Display

 

ISO

Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200

 

Network

3G (HSPA＋ 21Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz

 

Processor

1.4GHz Quad-Core processor

 

OS

Android™ 4.1 (Jelly Bean)

 

Memory

8GB + memory slot : micro SDSC, micro SDHC, micro SDXC

 

Image

JPEG format 16M, 14M, 12M Wide, 10M, 5M, 3M, 2M Wide, 1M

 

Video

MP4 (Video: MPEG4, AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC)

Full HD 1920×1080 30fps

Slow motion Video 768 x 512 (WVGA) 120fps

 

Video Output

HDMI 1.4

 

Value-added Features

Smart Mode : 15 modes (Beauty face, Best photo, Continuous shot, Best face, Landscape, Macro, Action freeze, Rich tone, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light trace

Share shot, Auto Upload

Smart Content Manager, Photo Wizard, Paper Artist, Video Editor

Voice Control, Slow Motion Video, S Planner, S Suggest

AllShare Play, Drop box

Family Story (Downloadable via Samsung Apps)

 

Google™ Mobile Services

Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude
Google Play Store, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk,
Google Local, Google Navigation, Google Chrome browser,

Google Play Movies

 

GPS

A-GPS, GLONASS

 

Connectivity

WiFi a/b/g/n, WiFi HT40

GPS/GLONASS
Bluetooth® 4.0

 

Battery

1,650 mAh

 

Dimension (WxHxD)

128.7 x 70.8 x 19.1 mm

 

Weight

300g

 

Retail Price

RM1,899

Cindy’s Verdict:

• Fast and smooth navigation between apps and camera
• Able to instantly upload my picture to Instagram, FB & Twitter definitely the first camera that can do it in market now! This is definitely a plus point!
• The zooming is great for shooting Landscape or Event
• No flip screen provided thus self video is hard.
• Manual Dial is way too fast
• A little heavy compare to compact cameras
• The auto focus doesn’t auto focus just like any other Samsung Smart Phones
• The smart mode takes some time to process and some mode require Tripod.

 

As in overall I still love the camera but I would really love is they could do something on it’s manual dial so it can be easier to set the setting. Oh also if the screen can be flip then camwhore is so much easier and fun!! If you are always on the go then this is the camera for you!!!

 

That’s all from me today…Stay tune for something really delicious for Valentine!! Introducing a new Valentine Menu by Vault Wine & Bistro.