Samsung S1050
Samsung S1050 Review
The Samsung S1050 was made with ease of usage in mind, yet with a guarantee of high performance with its roster of comprehensive features. Starting off with its LCD display, the S1050 is fitted with a bright 3.0-inch TFT active matrix LCD. It is equipped with Samsung’s Intelligent LCD technology that detects the lighting in its surroundings and adjusts the LCD brightness for better viewing.
Another strong point is its 10.1 megapixel resolution that affords for better images and finer details, even in large poster prints. The S1050 also carries a 5x optical zoom that reaches a focal range of 7.8 mm - 39 mm, equivalent to a 35 mm camera, and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 - f/4.4. With its 5x digital zoom, the S1050’s combined total zoom adds up to 25x.
Adding to these commendable features are Samsung’s innovative technology and functions installed in the S1050. One of these technological features is the advanced Anti-Shake Reduction (ASR). It works to eliminate shakes and blurs often encountered with photos taken at longer exposures, such as in low light conditions, and an unsteady camera.
The S1050 also carries Samsung’s Intelligent Face Recognition technology that can detect up to nine faces in the frame and automatically adjusts the focus and exposure for the best possible shot of the image. The Wise Shot feature in the S1050 gives you an image taken from two simultaneous shots.
Taking one of the shot with ASR and the other one with a flash, this feature gives you a look at a single shot in two different settings to help you choose the best possible shot without having to take it all over again. The S1050 also comes equipped with a red-eye removal system that automatically eliminates the red eye effect while still in the camera.
The S1050 allows for manual control of your shots through its Manual mode. In the Manual mode, you have the choice of setting both the aperture value and the shutter speed. Setting it in Shutter Priority mode allows you to manually set the aperture while the camera selects the matching shutter speed.
The Shutter Speed Priority mode, on the other hand, allows the shutter speed to be set manually while the camera automatically sets the aperture.
The S1050 features scene modes with pre-programmed settings for great and easier shots in all possible conditions. You can choose from Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Backlight, Sunset, Dawn, Children, Fireworks, Beach, and Snow. After the shot has been taken, you can add effects on it with a touch of a button. The Effects button lets you choose a roster of image effects you can apply on your images, such as changing the colors into sepia or black and white. You may also rotate, resize or crop an image or add a 10 second voice tag on it.
The Movie mode in the S1050 lets you record video clips in resolutions of 720 x 480, 640 x 480, and 320 x 240 at 15fps, 20fps, or 30fps. You can also record videos in 800 x 592 resolution at 15fps or 20fps. All digital movies are saved in AVI MPEG-4 video format with audio. The ASR can also be employed during the Movie mode to eliminate blurs and unnecessary motion.
To add to its flexibility in capturing video images, the S1050 features a Successive Recording Function which lets you pause a video recording and resume shooting at any time you wish. These multiple clips can be later on be fused into a single video file. The S1050 also allows for editing your clips while still in the camera. You can choose to save just parts of your video into a separate file or capture a still image from it during playback.
These innovative features are held in a compact and slim body that measures 3.9 in (W) x 2.5 in (H) x 1 in (D).
Its well-placed buttons are designed to provide functionality and easier operation. Controls at the rear of the S1050 are the Zoom Control, Effects button, Playback button, and the “+/- “ button that draws up the Function Menu shortcut to let you change settings, such as the ISO exposure, and white balance. In Playback mode, this button functions as the Image Delete button. A button for engaging and disengaging the Face
Detection system is allocated at the bottom right. Also located at the rear is the 4-way Selector used for browsing through the menu. Controls on top of the camera are On/Off Switch, Shutter Release, and Mode Dial.
Summary of Samsung S1050 features:
• Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Dimension: 3.9 in (W) x 2.5 in (H) x 1 in (D)
• Resolution: 10.1 megapixels
• LCD: 3.0-inch TFT active matrix
• Optical Zoom: 5x
• Digital Zoom:
• Focal Length: 7.8 mm - 39 mm (equivalent to 35mm camera)
• Aperture: F/2.8-4.4
• Sensitivity: auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600,
• Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec (max); 15 sec (min)
• Exposure Compensation: ±2 EV range, in 1/2 EV steps
• Flash: built-in, 8 in - 16.4 ft (range)
• Still Image Format: JPEG
• Video Format: MPEG
• Memory: 48 MB internal memory
• Supported Media: Multimedia Card, SD Memory Card
• Power Source: 2x AA Alkaline battery or Samsung rechargeable Ni-MH battery
PROS: The best thing about Samsung S1050 is that it appeals to both beginners and intermediate photographers. For the beginners, they have the option to use its auto exposure modes and the programmed scene modes. For the intermediate, on the other hand, they will be pleased with option for Manual mode and setting the shutter speed and aperture.
CONS: The Samsung S1050 produces clear and sharp images at ISO levels below 200. However, image noise becomes apparent as you increase the ISO levels. At ISO 1600, the image noise becomes pronounced.
With its features, the Samsung S1050 is a notch higher than your regular compact point and shoots cameras. It combines flexibility, functionality, and above average performance to give photographers with varying experiences ease of usage and satisfaction in taking their most sought after perfect shot.
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