The bad: Confusing menus; no aperture or shutter priority; exposure adjustments in 1/2-stop instead of 1/3-stop increments.
The bottom line: Manual control and 5 megapixels may seem enticing for this price, but the Samsung Digimax S500's poor image quality will bring you back to reality.
Samsung calls its S-series cameras point-and-shoots, but these slim snappers offer controls that could help them break away from the usual crop of mindless auto-only cameras. Before you get your hopes up, we have to warn that the Samsung Digimax S500's image quality leaves quite a bit to be desired. You'd be better served eschewing the controls offered here and opting for something along the lines of Nikon's Coolpix L3, which delivers better image quality and a touch more style for about the same price.
Measuring 3.8 by 2.4 by 1 inches and weighing just 4.8 ounces, the S500 fits nicely in a jacket pocket, and its curved grip makes it easy to hold. The sparse, silver- or black-and-gray look won't turn heads but isn't ugly either. Its 3X optical, 35mm-to-105mm (35mm equivalent), f/2.8-to-f/4.9 zoom lens extends outward from the camera front when powered up and retracts when turned off.
The power button, the mode dial, and the shutter release reside atop the camera, while the zoom rocker, a four-way-plus-menu/OK control pad, and three other control buttons occupy the right side of the camera back next to the 2.4-inch LCD. The zoom rocker sits about 0.25 inch too far to the right for comfort, though the curved indent underneath it provides a perfect spot for your thumb. The three control buttons let you enter play mode and adjust exposure compensation; not to mention access settings such as ISO, white balance, and RGB intensity as well as other options, such as color modes, photoframe overlays, stitch-assist modes, and framing guides to help you line up your subjects. This last button is labeled with an E for effects, while the exposure compensation button is labeled with plus and minus symbols.
The problem is that most manufacturers place options such as white balance and ISO in the regular menu. Not only that, since the camera defaults to show current settings on the LCD (a good thing), including ISO, it's hard to notice that the exposure compensation button gives you access to adjust this and other settings. Furthermore, when in full manual mode, you have to press exposure compensation twice to access these settings-- again, not very intuitive.
Still, we were happy to see a full manual exposure mode. Not many point-and-shoot cameras let you select both aperture and shutter speed. Strangely, the S500 doesn't offer shutter- or aperture-priority modes, though it does include program and full auto modes, as well as 10 scene presets. While not as many as some of its competitors, this Samsung covers all the basics, such as portrait, night, landscape, and sunset, and even includes one called dawn in case you end up partying all night after shooting that sunset.
Exposure compensation covers a range of plus or minus 2EV in 1/2-stop increments. Most cameras offer 1/3-stop increments, for a finer degree of control. Similarly, the S500's manual shutter and aperture adjustments use 1/2-stop steps, though again, that's still more control than most cameras in this price range. If you really want to be safe, you can set the S500 to automatically bracket exposures, in which case it will shoot three shots in succession: one normally exposed, one at plus-0.5EV, and one at minus-0.5EV. Metering options include multi, which averages readings from throughout the image area with an emphasis on the middle; and spot, which measures only the center of the image.
Performance was mixed in our lab tests. The camera took 1.8 seconds to power up and capture its first image, which is actually somewhat fast, but once it started up, it took 2.4 seconds between shots without flash and an annoyingly slow 3.6 seconds with flash turned on. The shutter lag was a speedy 0.5 second in high-contrast situations and 1.3 seconds in low-contrast lighting. Continuous shooting was sluggish, capturing 39 VGA-sized JPEGs in 31.7 seconds for an average of 1.23fps, and 36 5-megapixel JPEGs in 32.9 seconds for an average of 1.09fps.
The LCD washed out in bright sunlight, though it was still possible to see enough to frame our images. It gained up in low light just enough to frame, though not as much as some of the LCDs we've seen lately. The flash is rated to provide even coverage out to about 10 feet with ISO in auto mode.
Automatic white balance produced very warm, yellowish images with our lab's tungsten lights, while the tungsten white-balance setting had a noticeably bluish cast. Thankfully, the manual setting produced neutral results, though the audience for these cameras is not very likely to set a manual white balance. Given that even Olympus's dirt-cheap FE-series cameras manage to provide a neutral white balance in auto mode, we don't understand why it should be so difficult for this camera, although it does so many things that those Olympus FEs can't even dream of. In natural daylight, the Digimax S500's automatic white balance did a good job of neutralizing colors, which were natural-looking and well saturated.
Even at ISO 50 (the lowest setting possible with this camera), some noise was visible in our test images, though it was very minor and remained so at ISO 100. At ISO 200, noise was very noticeable, causing even moderately dark colors to become mottled with splotches of varying lightness and colors, though many finer details were still unobscured. By ISO 400, the noise overwhelmed lots of detail, resulting in images unfit for print.
Exposures were generally accurate, though images were slightly soft and had noticeable fringing in highlights, especially with backlit subjects. We also noticed JPEG artifacting, which lent a choppy look to some curved edges.
Given that Samsung has shown that it is capable of making cameras that capture pleasing images, such as the Digimax L85 and the Digimax L60, there's little excuse for its S-series cameras turning in pictures that are plagued by artifacts and other noise. So, while the Digimax S500 certainly has a feature set that looks decent, you're better off spending a little more on one of Samsung's better-performing cameras, or looking at another brand altogether, such as Nikon's Coolpix L3.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular This camera is nice! You won't be disappointed.
Let me write this review in rebuttal to the CNET review. This camera does not have poor image quality. I ...
Let me write this review in rebuttal to the CNET review. This camera does not have poor image quality. I own a Canon 20D with a 24-85 lens, and I would place the sharpness of the pics from the S500 next to the 20D. I was very impressed. I am comparing also to Kodak Easyshare and a recent model Fuji Finepix. This pics from those models are not as sharp as the S500. This camera comes with a "Samsung High Definition" (SHD) lens and the resulting pictures are very sharp and contrasty, especially when you use the decent integrated flash as a daylight 'fill flash'. For samples, check here:
Also nice is the shutter response. None of this 2.5 second 'bzzz-bzzz-flash-flash-click' business that you have with the Easyshares. The camera response is very fast for its price, I'd say approaching the higher-end Casios and Sonys. My intolerance for Shutter-lag is why I have a 20D for my more serious shoots. But I don?t mind the S500's speed at all.
There are a couple of problems though: The proprietary combination A/V and dock port cable is very bulky. There is no separate mini-usb or firewire port. If you use a card reader to transfer photos, then you are ok. Leave this monster cable in the box. Also, the little shutter cover started locking open after a few weeks, and I had to return the camera. I DID get a droplet of water on the lens the day before, so this may be the cause. I expect that the trap door is pretty standard technology.
All in all, I would highly recommend this camera. I'm looking on ebay for one right now. There's also the S600 with the larger sensor but same features. I cannot speak for its image quality but I expect it to be in line with the S500, and for only a few Hamiltons more.
Read more
by cgwhites (see profile) -
July 13, 2006
25 out of 25 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor Muted zooming makes me think hard to take it back
Many digital cameras consume batteries so I'm not as concerned with that. I would expect that if one could ...
Many digital cameras consume batteries so I'm not as concerned with that. I would expect that if one could zoom in movie mode that the audio would continue to record as well. However, during zooming the audio is muted (hard to tell in a noisy store). I'd almost rather not have the feature rather than be tempted to record movies with choppy audio. I'm told by Samsung US support that zooming during record is not supported (I believe on the s600 as well) and that this is listed in the specification somewhere, but I don't see that. I also see in the specification that in movie mode the camera can do still image capture, but I'm told that all the sX00 models' definition of still image capture is capturing a VGA frame of a movie during playback, not taking full-resolution snapshots during recording. (you can't pause recording to take a shot either, you must flip modes and start a new clip after the shot). Thus, my concern with the camera is with the specified/perceived vs. reality of the movie recording functionality, features top on my list. If you don't mind not being able snap shots or zoom during recording and like the ability to write as much video as you have memory for you may be ok.
Read more
by MikeMasi (see profile) -
June 9, 2006
15 out of 20 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 out of 10 - Excellent Excellent Camera
Sorry cnet, but this little camera deserved a much better rating. I've bought two of this camera (mom, cousin) ...
Sorry cnet, but this little camera deserved a much better rating. I've bought two of this camera (mom, cousin) and will probably talk another two people into buying it. The pictures are CLEAR, I did not see the problems your reviewer found (maybe for professionals the picture quality is lacking, but I don't see them buying a camera at this level). Battery life is a concern, but is easily handled with rechargeables. Get it while it's still around..........
Read more
by lil moyin (see profile) -
November 11, 2006
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
1 out of 10 - Abysmal NOT HAPPY AT ALL
okay so I love to take pictures, this camera was fine up to the point where I went to use ...
okay so I love to take pictures, this camera was fine up to the point where I went to use it ...and the LCD was mysteriously CRACKED!!..later I looked online and saw that other people where having the SAME problem with the camera. As I touched the screen i noticed that it was Hot and I just turned it on..I haven't used it in two days... then I also noticed the cracks where from the inside of the screen...I looked to see where i could get it fixed...and Samsung wont back this camera up. even if i wanted to pay for it to be fixed..I wont buy another thing form Samsung AGAIN!!
Read more
by pissant22 (see profile) -
November 4, 2006
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 out of 10 - Very good Bought for my 11 yr old, he loves it
I bought this as a gift for my 11 year old. He's relatively tech saavy for a child, although ...
I bought this as a gift for my 11 year old. He's relatively tech saavy for a child, although my older son is more so. Even still, he was able to figure out the menu controls without any assistance from me and overall is thrilled with it. He has done nothing but play with it the last 24 hours and he loves it. Is it the best 5 mp camera for the money? Probably not, but for my purpose, it completely fit the bill! My son loves the "coolness effect" with it's sleek and handsome appearance and if he is happy with the photo quality and the camera's responsiveness, I am even happier! Overall, if you are buying your first digital camera, I see no reason why this wouldn't be a decent choice for the money.
Read more
by csherman1 (see profile) -
June 23, 2006
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 out of 10 - Very good Samsung S500
I've owned this camera from a year now. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Mine's some-what messed up ...
I've owned this camera from a year now. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Mine's some-what messed up because it's had some where-and-tear. So i just bought the Samsung L73. Love it too. Samsung is a really good company. "Bad QUality" Try changing size of pictures, it changes the mega-pixel smart ones. Yes, it does wear out your battery, especially during video.
Video's on this camera are not bad. A slight bit grainy, but hey, what digital camera doesn't have a flaw or two? Muted zoom. People always complain, theres ways to work around this. Zoom in BEFORE you start filming, or don't zoom in at all. And if you have the money, just buy a standard Handycam from Sony, I have one too. HC26 or something, love it too.
3 out of 10 - Poor Was alright, then just quit working.
Well, I was giving the Digimax S500 for my past Birthday. I thought it was pretty cool, I mean it ...
Well, I was giving the Digimax S500 for my past Birthday. I thought it was pretty cool, I mean it took pictures. The quality was OKAY, but they were too amazing. I had the camera for a few months, then it just quit working. I figured, maybe I just got a bad one, so I returned it. Luckily, they gave me a new one. This one worked for a few months, then stopped working AGAIN. I just think this camera is cheap, and isn't worth anybody's time.
Read more
by mks242 (see profile) -
June 4, 2007
2 out of 10 - Terrible Horrible videos
The videos taken are horrible. It has a totally washed out bluish tint. When you zoom, the audio does not ...
The videos taken are horrible. It has a totally washed out bluish tint. When you zoom, the audio does not record. The photos are also very average.
Read more
by yiiang (see profile) -
May 13, 2007
3 out of 10 - Poor Good indoor shooter.
I just bought this camera for my brother and tried it out. My 5 mega-pixel kodak blows this out of ...
I just bought this camera for my brother and tried it out. My 5 mega-pixel kodak blows this out of the water. Cnet was right with saying the image quality was bad. It has blurry photos on the outside shots I took in full sunlight. Also the whole menu itself is very limited with features. I am going to take this camera back and get a kodak, which seems to have higher quality,cheap cameras.
Read more
by mike_phalnax (see profile) -
March 19, 2007
2 out of 10 - Terrible Two months and the S500 R.I.P.
While this camera looks hot on the shelf,it functions best staying on the shelf. I bought the S500 two ...
While this camera looks hot on the shelf,it functions best staying on the shelf. I bought the S500 two months ago, used it three or four times, and then one day the zoom lens gets stuck in the extended position and would not turn off. The next day, it completely stops working all together.
Perhaps this malfunction was a flux. But anyways, there's other things about this camera that I drives me crazy. It has a very slow start up time, and usally by the time it is on and ready for the first shot, it is to late. It also drains it's AA battery very quickly.
Normal JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 43 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Super-fine JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 12 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Super-fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 114 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Super-fine JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 19 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Fine JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 14 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Normal JPEG 1024 x 768 : 89 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Super-fine JPEG 2272 x 1704 : 10 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Normal JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 32 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Fine JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 34 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Super-fine JPEG 1024 x 768 : 52 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Normal JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 21 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Super-fine JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 7 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Fine JPEG 2272 x 1704 : 18 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Fine JPEG 1024 x 768 : 83 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 125 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Normal JPEG 2272 x 1704 : 24 dBi - With 20MB built-in memory,
Normal JPEG 640 x 480 : 157 - With 20MB built-in memory,
Fine JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 22 - With 20MB built-in memory
Flash memory
- Integrated
Memory soldered size
20 MB
Supported Flash Memory
MultiMediaCard,
SD Memory Card
Lens System
Type
Zoom lens - 5.8 mm - 17.4 mm - F/2.8-4.9
Focal Length
5.8 mm - 17.4 mm
Additional Features
Self Timer
Yes
Self Timer Delay
10 sec,
2 sec
Additional Features
Built-in speaker,
USB 2.0 compatibility,
Direct print,
Digital image rotation,
DPOF support,
Audio recording,
PictBridge support,
Date/time stamp
Camera Flash
Effective Flash Range
8 in - 10 ft
Type
Built-in flash
Flash Modes
Flash OFF mode,
Fill-in mode,
Slow synchro,
Auto mode,
Auto mode with red-eye reduction
Red Eye Reduction
Yes
Effective flash range
8 in - 10 ft
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type
None
Display
Type
LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.4 in - Color
Mounting
Built-in
Resolution
112,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
Type
None
Microphone
Type
Microphone - Built-in
Mode
Mono
Connections
Connector Type
1 x Composite video/audio output,
1 x USB
Expansion Slot(s)
1 x SD Memory Card
Lens Systems
Auto Focus
TTL contrast detection
Type
Zoom lens
Focal length
5.8 mm - 17.4 mm
Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera
35 - 105 mm
Focus adjustment
Automatic,
Manual
Min Focus Range
31.5 in
Macro Focus Range
5-80cm
Lens Aperture
F/2.8-4.9
Optical Zoom
3 x
Zoom Adjustment
Motorized drive
Features
Built-in lens shield
Miscellaneous
Carrying Case
None
Cables Included
Video / audio / USB cable
System Requirements for PC Connection
System Requirements Details
MacOS X 10.3 - PowerPC G3 - 64 MB - 110 MB,
MacOS 9.2 or later - PowerPC G3 - 64 MB - 110 MB,
Windows 98/98SE/2000/ME/XP - Pentium II - 64 MB - 200 MB
Hardware
MacOS X 10.3 - PowerPC G3 - 64 MB,
MacOS 9.2 or later - PowerPC G3 - 64 MB,
Windows 98/98SE/2000/ME/XP - Pentium II - 64 MB
Min hard drive
110 MB=200 MB
Operating system
Apple Mac OS 9.2 - X 10.3,
MS Windows ME,
MS Windows 98,
MS Windows XP,
MS Windows 2000,
MS Windows 98 SE
Peripherals
USB port,
CD-ROM drive
Battery
Supported Battery
2 x AA Alkaline battery ( Included )
Software
Type
Samsung Digimax Master,
Drivers & Utilities
CNET Labs' Benchmarks
Labs information
All values are expressed in seconds. Please visit our labs information page for information on how digital cameras are tested.
Hide
Show
Print friendly version
Email to a friend
del.icio.us
