If you ’re shopping for an first appearance - level digital SLR , it ’s sluttish to become confused by the raiment of cameras currently available . The Samsung Digimax GX-1S should be one of your less confusing options , though , because it is very similar to the Pentax * ist D2 . Though the name on the front might read Samsung , the television camera itself has the same sturdy , pocket-sized trunk , it pack the same feature fix , and it delivers the same image quality as Pentax ’s latest entree - level offering . They dissent only in some minor cosmetic details , and the Samsung tv camera include a different lens kit . The GX-1S represents Samsung ’s first appearance in the digital SLR market .
Overall , the GX-1S delivers perfectly satisfactory prints for its target market . It has a 6.1 - megapixel detector that delivers up to 3,008 - by-2,008 - pixel images . The camera is compatible with all Pentax KAF mount lenses as well as Schneider ’s D - Xenon series lenses . I tested the camera with its included electron lens kit — a Schneider f/3.5 - 5.6 18 - 55 mm with a 28 - 84 mm , 35 mm equivalent focal distance .
The Schneider crystalline lens is compact and the GX-1S deliver very proficient images , with nice colour and honest dividing line . The camera perform less well at capture fine details , but depending on your distinctive print size , this may not matter . In my testing , I found scummy levels of stochasticity up to ISO 400 , and passable grade at 800 ( though you ’ll see noticeable noise artifact , even when printing at small size ) . But 1,600 ISO is not very useful unless you ’re uncoerced to take very conventionalised , noisy , grungy images .
The GX-1S is a well - build , well - design tv camera that is very small , but does n’t experience strangle . Even if you have large hands , you will be able to get a firm , comfortable grip on the camera . The control are very mere : it has a major power switch , a mode - survival dial , and vulnerability compensation control on the top , alongside a position LCD . The back of the camera holds a bright , 2.5 - inch liquid crystal display filmdom , some button control , and a four - way cradle electrical switch to select further selection .
This uncomplicated purpose makes the television camera very promiscuous for beginners to learn and use , but its characteristic set furnish all of the option a showtime to intermediate lensman would require . It includes a full assortment of Priority and Manual modes , as well as motorcar bracketing , parkway modes , adjustable ISOs ( from 100 to 1,600 in 1 - stop increments ) , three metering mood , and raw data format .
The camera ’s control layout is so dim-witted because many of its ascendancy have been relegated to in - tv camera fare . While essential controls like shooting modal value and picture recompense can be get at via external controls , any other adjustment will involve a trip-up into the menu system , which can be a job if you need to shoot quickly .
Secondary alternative such as ISO , white balance , Flash mode , and Metering modality are accessed by press a button on the back of the photographic camera and then using the four - way rock ‘n’ roll musician switch to select an option . This is not a bad chemical mechanism , but it can be dull , and photographer who are used to making speedy adjustments may feel a little discomfited . Color LCD screens can be unmanageable to show in hopeful daylight , and though the GX-1S has a very good LCD , you might find yourself squint to make menu extract in bright situations .
Performance
Scale= Excellent , Very in force , Good , Flawed , insufferable
The image - character rating of the camera is based upon a control panel of judges ’ feeling in five categories : exposure , color , sharpness , twisting , and overall . barrage liveliness quizzer follow a precise hand , include barb with and without flash , until the bombardment dies.—Tested in junction with the PC World Test Center
Specifications
Macworld’s buying advice
The Samsung Digimax GX-1S is a well - designed , capable camera for the great unwashed who want a digital SLR . However , for a pretty corresponding toll , you’re able to also buy the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT ( , July 2005 ) which offer up more controls , honest look-alike quality , a larger selection of lens system . As with any DSLR , it ’s best to get your hand on the GX-1S before throw a decisiveness . Its small size of it and thoughtful design may make it your first selection .
[ Ben Long is the generator ofComplete Digital Photography , tertiary Edition(Charles River Books , 2004 ) . ]
