Samsung TL500 / EX1 with wide Schneider f1.8-2.4 lens

palec

palec

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This is interesting compact camera, something between GX200 and LX3, but with swiveling AMOLED screen. 1/1.7" 10mpix CCD chip, equiv. 24-72mm (f/1.8-2.4) with stabilisation. I see several hw controls - front wheel, zoom ring, two mode knobs, not sure if the lens ring is also operable. Considering that Samsung has been pumping overmegapixeled compacts until now, this is surprising move.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10022005samsungex1.asp
 
I should have added that I'm interested if the lens have serious barrel distortion as LX3/D-Lux 4 that needs to be corrected or is as good as Ricoh mini zooms in GX/GXR models.
 
Maybe a good alternative to the LX3, a camera I never did bond well with.

The one thing that I do find funny is Samsung calling themselves a market leader in the press release, leader of the middle lower end maybe. Every Samsung compact I have ever used sucked beyond words.

But with all this and that, I am joining the noisiest camp here on RFF in regards to these types of cameras: "What? No viewfinder?"

A little surprised to see this camera does not even have a detachable digital viewfinder option ala the EP2, GF1, GX200 type.

Curious thought on that lens quality, as the trend seems to be towards in camera corrections now. A f1.8 24mm equivalent zoom lens is quite an ambitious design, my guess is they are doing the camera correction thing too, especially with chromatic aberration, distortion and vignetting.


In the mean time I am still waiting for Sony to give us a semi pro compact similar in size as a compact but with a nice Zeiss lens, seems they have been rather absent from the compact scene lately.
 
Last edited:
Avotius said:
A little surprised to see this camera does not even have a detachable digital viewfinder option ala the EP2, GF1, GX200 type.
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Well, I guess this camera is just not the same class. It sounds nice with the fast lens but it is still just a P&S. But an interesting one indeed - I am curious about its performance.
 
A very pretty camera I think, and glad to see someone other than Ricoh thinks that a fast lens is a good idea, more important than a superzoom. Shame their m4/3rds competitor does not look so good.
 
I imagine that it would probably be difficult to utilize a decent sized EVF with such a small sensor, kind of like how sensor or film size dictates the size of an OVF. I could be wrong about that though.
 
fdigital said:
I imagine that it would probably be difficult to utilize a decent sized EVF with such a small sensor, kind of like how sensor or film size dictates the size of an OVF. I could be wrong about that though.
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Ricoh GX100 had it for few years, but I've never held one in my hands to check its qualities:
http://ricoh.com/r_dc/caplio/gx100/
 
I think the launch price will be around $449 USD. I think it's a step in the right direction. I have the GX100 and it does a great job at being a carry around pocket digital as long as there is a lot of light. It does not do well in low light. My first good digital was the Olympus 5050. It has an f/1.8 like this new Samsung. I can't believe it's taken this long for another point and shoot to be released with a fast lens. I would love the GX100 if it had a faster lens. Unfortunately, it does not! I love the 24-72mm effective focal length range though, it's very useful. Some of my best point and shoot shots have been quirky candids at 24mm. Lots of fun.
 
I'm glad the premium fixed-lens compact sector is still getting attention! If Samsung can get the operating speed and feel right, this will be a strong contender to whatever succeeds the LX3 and S90. The price is reasonable, and f/2.4 at 72mm is pretty respectable.

Bring on the software corrections! I'll take a faster, wider, smaller lens over perfect RAW files anyday.

And forget about EVF for a camera at this pricepoint. A swiveling hi-res AMOLED display is perfect for this kind of camera.
 
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