DSC: SAMSUNG PL55 REVIEW

Here is a user review about Samsung PL55 digital camera.

No matter how the performance of the camera is great, unless users know much about cameras, it might just waste money. (Some of my friends who don’t know anything about cameras wanted me to recommend a DSLR. However, after my recommendation, I’m so sorry that they just take a shot in P mode.) I think it’s very important to know yourself and the usage of the camera, but some are just want to buy an expensive and high grade model.

If you are not a professional and not used to cameras, it’s better to buy a camera easy to use, I think. (You don’t need to spend a lot of money to buy an expensive camera for the first time. I recommend that you try to know a camera and then upgrade cameras.) The PL55 which I’m reviewing is a very easy camera to use, so it’s very good for beginners and those who enjoy cameras just for fun. (It includes Smart Auto and other functions making it easy to control.)

Unlike the ST550(TL225) and ST1000(CL65), it doesn’t support unique functions, but the price and performance ratio was really good. Let’s take a look with the review.

It has 97 x 59 x 24.5 mm of size and 139g of size like other normal compact cameras. (Because it’s a popularized mode, it’s a little bit thick. However, compared to slim cameras, it has better grip, so it’s not just weakness, I think. It’s good to carry around and use all the time.)

Like you see in the picture, the design of the body is neat and simple. Even though it has no elegant feeling, it’s not like a cheap something. The simple body is impressive. (The design point by hairlines on the front was impressive.)

It’s the front of the body and 5x optical zoom protruding type lens is located. 35-175mm of FOV is a little insufficient for wide angle, but not for standard and telephoto angles. It also supports 3.5-5.5 of aperture. (Like other previous products, the booting time was quite satisfactory. The lens cap is also automatically open for more convenience.) @ It supports 12.2M pixels and optical 5x zoom unlike other models in the same range supporting 3x optical zoom. I’m satisfied with the specification.

At the Lower part of the lens, a built-in microphone is located for voice recording and video recording. Self Timer lamp and Flash assist light are located on the upper side. It also has a built-in flash to help shooting at night and indoors.

It’s the top of the product and a power button is located on the center.(Because of the status LED, you can easily check the status.) On the side, a speaker is located with a shutter button. (It has a shutter supporting half shutter and having a big difference between the half and full shutter, so I could easily take a shot.)

It’s the back of the body and 230K pixels 2.7”(6.86cm) TFT LCD is located. @ Intelligent LCD: It’s an LCD automatically adjusting the brightness of the LCD by sensing the amount of light around. It can save up the battery and allow the best visibility.

By supporting Mode dial, you can easily set the camera depending on the situation. (It’s much faster than using a cross button.) On the lower part, Fn button for various functions is located. @ It has been designed to be controlled by a thumb without a problem.

It’s the left side of the body and a strap ring is located to hang a strap or necklace and on the upper side, universal 20 pin port is located. (You can transfer data easily by connecting to a PC. Unlike other digital camera using an adapter, it can also be charged with USB. It’s an advantage of the PL55.)

It’s the bottom of the body and a mount hole for a tripod is located and on the left side, battery/ SD card slot is located. (It supports up to 8GB SDHC. There will be no inconvenience caused by the storage.)

As a small and palm sized product, it’s a little thick, but with the similar size to other mobile phones or premium MP3P, so there will be no inconvenience to carry it, I think.

@ A battery, USB cable, Hand strap, S/W CD, and Manual are included. A memory card and a case are not included.

We’ve checked the design and feature of the product. Let’s take a look at the functions supported.

It’s the main screen and various shot information is displayed on the screen. (On the left top, mode is displayed and on the left and right side, various settings are shown.) When recording a video, separate menu is displayed and with the Fn button, you can use each function more quickly without using Menu button. (The booting time was so fast and the menu selection by Fn button was so simple. I’m fully satisfied with its speed.)

The biggest difference of the PL55 from the ES series is the mode dial. (When it comes to the ES series which have no mode dial, I needed to push the Menu button when selecting a mode. However, you can change the mode by using the Mode dial with the PL55.) It’s very impressive that it supports various modes such as Smart Auto, Auto, Program, DIS, Beauty Shot, and Movie modes.

Not by entering the setting menu, you can set frequently used functions buy by using the button on the back. Shot information displayed on the LCD can be hid and by using the cross button, Self timer, Flash, and Macro can easily be set.

Unlike other high grade products, it doesn’t support OIS, but DIS can reduce hand blur. By supporting Scene mode, you can get optimized results depending on the situation. (However, it will not very useful, because it supports Smart Auto, I suppose.)

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