Review: Samsung EX1

Samsung's top-end yet compact EX1 camera is a nice tool for amateurs who want to learn the art of photography, but far too costly for the target market.

The EX1 is not quite a pocket camera, as it is a bit bigger than usual compact cameras. However, it is far less bulky than digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLR), often used by professionals, with much of the same functionality.

The camera has a very fast lens, with an aperture of f1.8, and handles low light very well. It also has a nice large screen, and a wide lens, which lets in more light.

Samsung's EX1 is easy to use as it has all the scene modes readily available, but reading the manual is highly recommended.

For the more adventurous and professional photographers, the camera has a full manual override function, so it can be set to do whatever you want.

Changing shutter or aperture is done by scrolling a wheel on the front of the body, which is fairly typical. But, be warned, the setting you are choosing won't automatically show up unless you use the menu function to turn information on.

There's also basic on-screen editing, such as removing red eye, cropping and resizing. This is useful, although I prefer to do this sort of work on a PC screen for more accuracy.

The EX1 comes with a plethora of scene modes, a bonus when one considers that, at the end of the day, the camera is just a point and shoot. It also has more professional functionality, such as an exposure lock, which is useful when shooting light-coloured items against a light background.

It also has the functionality to connect to a separate flash, which is useful if you are shooting in a badly-lit area and your subject matter is likely to end up with red eyes, a common problem with pets and people with lighter coloured eyes.

Thanks to the swivel screen, photographers can take their own photos at events without having to resort to the risky action of asking a stranger to shoot the picture, and run the risk of having the camera stolen.

However, the grip size does not fit easily into one's hand and the battery charger cable is short, so it does not reach the wall plug easily. The charger is also the USB connector, so that can be remedied, although it is a pain.

Zoom on the camera is limited to only three times. Shooting close-ups means moving right in against the subject or taking advantage of the 10MP and cropping.

However, photographers can not get closer than about 20cm under normal shooting conditions because then the camera will not focus. For close up shooting, the macro scene mode is not only recommended, but absolutely essential.

Yet, even using the macro function does not mean you will get a close up of the entire flower, as some parts of the frame are out of focus.

If you want a powerful pointer to fit into your pocket, the Samsung would be a good buy - at a cheaper price. For the cost, I would buy a DSLR with more functionality. For a pocket pointer, I would downgrade and buy a cheaper camera with less functionality, and more zoom.