DSC: SAMSUNG ES20 Review

Here is a product review about Samsung ES20 digital camera.

After purchasing a car for my leisure time on weekend, I take pictures with public transportation. However, it was not comfortable for me to take shots with a heavy DSLR, so I borrowed a compact camera from friends. (A DSLR is much more convenient to use and set various things, but not easy to take snap shots.)

As getting older, I try to find a convenient thing. (I’m considering buying a compact camera as a sub.) The ES20 which I’m reviewing is also a good product providing various functions in a reasonable price and fits my life style, I think. (The design is much neater than the previous product, so I like it, too.)

I’m so wondering the performance of this product. Let’s take a closer look at design, function, and performance through the review.

I was satisfied with 96.4 x 62.3 x 27.2 mm of size and 125g of weight. Due to AA battery, it’s kind of heavy and a little big thicker than other compact cameras, but not much, and the size is enough to fit a small pocket of pants or bags. (It’s not that small enough to be in a pocket of shirts, but it’s enough to carry and simply use.)

I liked the design much, personally. While I didn’t like the finishing of previous products, the ES20 has adopted hairline on the front and UV coating on the plastic body. It’s impressive that it doesn’t looks like a cheap model. (While Sony really cares about the design, even if the price is low, but I used to see the products from Samsung Digital Imaging don’t. However, when it comes to the ES20, it’s different. I think users will like the high grade design.)

It’s the front and we can see a protruding type lens is installed. (This supports 34~136mm angle, so it’s different from other ES series supporting 3x zoom). By supporting 2.8~6.1 aperture, it can secure enough shutter speed when taking a wide angle shot, and booting time was so fast. (Moreover, the lens cap was automatically open, so more convenient shot was possible.)

It has the internal microphone on the below of lamp, so you can record a video and audio. Self timer lamp & AF are installed on the top. It also supports built-in flash, so you can take a shot under low light conditions.

It’s the top of the product. On the side, built-in speaker is installed, and on the center, the power button is located. With the shutter button here, you can easily take a shot. (Half shutter is supported certainly. As various buttons are on the same line as the shutter button, I could easy control the camera with one hand.)

It’s the back. 6.4cm(2.5”) 230K pixels TFT LCD is located, so it can play good quality images. (As the LCD is coated, it can reduce scratches.) On the side, Zoom button, Status LED, Menu button, Cross button, Play button, and Fn button are located to control the camera. (Compared to high quality products, it has a relatively small LCD and doesn’t support the Mode dial, but considering the low price, it’s not that bad.)

It’s the left side of the product. There’s a strap ring to connect a hand strap.

It’s the right side of the product. Like the ES10 released on the first half of this year, it supports an 8-pin connector. (This has adopted an AA battery and doesn’t support a recharging function, but because most of the users use card readers, it’s not bad, even though it’s a little bit peculiar.)

It’s the bottom of the product. There’s a hall to connect a tripod and on the side battery and memory slot is located. (It supports up to 8GB SDHC, so the capacity will be enough. Due to the AA battery, it will be inconvenient to recharge it, but on the other hand, you can buy the battery any time.) @ I don’t want to recommend normal AA batteries. I hope you to use Alkaline or Ni-MH batteries like the picture.

The size is good enough to hold with one hand and similar to smart phones or premium MP3Ps.

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