Samsung ST80 Digital Camera
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The Samsung ST80 is the latest entrant in the entry-level compact camera market. It was released in July 2010. In this report we take an in-depth view of some of the key features of the ST80. We then analyze more than 16 of the best reviews for this product including 'DpReview', 'Steve's Digicams', etc and bring you a roundup on the same. Finally we present you with some impartial buying advice based on the reviews for the Samsung ST80.
According to Samsung, the ST80 is for today's young and always-connected consumer who wants to click and share photos and videos on the go. The ST80 comes wirelessly enabled with 802.11b/g support as well as Samsung's AllShare(DLNA) connectivity making sharing photos and videos super simple.
Other features which make this an attractive package are:
The image quality of the ST80 has been commended by most experts. These include the biggies such as 'DpReview' and 'Steve's Digicams'. 'PCMagazine' goes on to say that images were sharp and the quality was comparable to the pricier Canon Powershot S95 model. The ST80 performs exceptionally upto ISOs of 1600 and especially outdoors. However 'About.com' reports that indoors photo quality is not up to the mark and close-up photos tend to get washed out with the flash on.
Overall this camera provides excellent image quality and should satisfy the point-and-shoot crowd.
The ST80 offers HD video recording with the efficient H.264 compression standard.
Direct uploads to YouTube make capturing and sharing videos a breeze without even being near your computer. A unique and handy feature is the SmartMovie mode similar to SmartAuto, which detects the scene being captured and adjusts the camera settings accordingly.
Video quality is satisfactory with good clarity, smoothness and color. However the audio quality leaves much to be desired. According to 'PC Magazine' there is a provision to zoom while capturing video but the audio needs to be turned off while zooming. Also there is no video upload support to Facebook.
The ST80 comes with a 3x optical zoom with a focal range of 35-105mm. Compared to other cameras in it's class, the ST80 lens lags in terms of wide-angle range and speed according to most experts.. Also according to 'PCMagazine' the camera lacks optical image stabilization which is being provided by most compact cameras in this range today.
Overall, the ST80 could do better on the optical capabilities front according to experts.
The ST80 has a uber-cool slim rounded design which should appeal to those who want an compact camera which fits into the pocket easily. Although it is lightweight it has a sturdy feel and is easy to hold and use which is widely appreciated by experts. The menu interface is very intuitive and easy to use.
Some experts found the LCD resistive touchscreen requiring a bit more pressure to select options. Also 'Steve'sDigicams' has commented that the coating on the LCD screen is a bit reflective which can be a bit annoying on bright sunny days. 'PC Magazine' has commented that the entire LCD display is not used for framing shots when using the maximum resolution.
Battery life is satisfactory. However the lack of external battery doesn't allow users to charge a spare battery while the camera is in use which is a bummer.
The Samsung ST80 is a 'cool' camera for those who want to point, shoot and share on-the-go. It is sleek, lightweight and is easy to handle.
The USP of the ST80 of course is it's inbuilt wi-fi connectivity. This makes it a neat pick for users who like to be socially connected and on-the-go. Sharing your memorable moments with friends and family was never this easy. Combining the slim looks, superb image quality, Wi-fi support and LCD touchscreen this model makes for a good deal in the entry-level ultra-compact camera space.
However lack of image stabilization, insufficient zoom and lackluster touchscreen performance are letdowns.
The ST80 is the only wi-fi enabled model in the entry level range of compact cameras which should make it an attractive proposition for those who place social network connectivity a high on their wish list.
However before settling for the Samsung ST80, also check out the following,
- Canon IXUS 220 HS / PowerShot ELPH 300 HS which is a similar ultra compact camera but with a more powerful 5.0x optical zoom and impressive performance.
- Samsung TL220 which has a 4.6x optical zoom and has optical image stabilization
- Pentax RZ10 which has a 10x optical zoom but lags in video performance.
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Samsung ST80 Digital Camera