Samsung 12MP Dig Camera 5X Opt 3.0IN LCD Black

by Samsung

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5.4 x 2.4 inches ; 12.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002LLRO6E
• Item model number: EC-SL720ZBPBUS
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,353 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 15, 2009

Product Description

HD Movie Recording - The 12 MP SL720 includes HD movie capture so you can 'Pause and Re-record' high definition videos and super sharp movie-quality recordings in one movie clip - a Samsung patented function. : Smart Auto (Scene Recognition) - The camera features a 3.0 (230K) TFT LCD screen and Samsung's new Smart Auto (Scene Recognition) technology which has 11 optimized picture pre-settings such as Portrait, Night portrait, Macro, Macro Color - helping people take the perfect shot regardless of the conditions. : Smart Album - The camera's unique Smart Album Digital Contents Management system; a program built into the camera that significantly reduces the time it takes to find your favorite photos - so it's quicker and easier to store and manage your photo collection. : Face, Smile and Blink Detection - Face Detection locates the subject's face within the frame and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure better composition and image quality for portraits; in Blink Detection Mode the camera takes a series of shots when closed eyes are detected so friends and family are always captured with their eyes open; in Smile Mode a picture is automatically taken when smiles are detected. : Dual Image Stabilization - Dual Image Stabilization technology combines Digital and Optical image stabilization to ensure outstanding photos without blur - even in low light conditions. : Effective Pixel - approx. 12.2 megapixel : Image Sensor - 1/2.33'' (approx. 1.09 cm) CCD : Image Size - up to 12 MP (4000 x 3000 pixels) : Lens - Samsung lens 28 mm Wide-angle lens 5x Optical zoom lens (28mm-140mm equiv to 35mm camera) : LCD monitor - 3.0-inch LCD approx. 230,000 pixels : Image Stabilization - Dual Image Stabilization (Optical IS + Digital IS) : Movie - 720p HD / H.264 Format (Optional HDMI Cradle) : Media - SD / SDHC memory card : Dimensions - 3.77 x 2.34 x 0.94

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great value and features you'll love (12mp, 5x, 28mm, 720p video), December 25, 2009

By 

B. Sanders (Champaign, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samsung 12MP Dig Camera 5X Opt 3.0IN LCD Black (Electronics)

Summary: Takes good photos, shoots 720p High-Def video, and fits in your pocket.

Pros:
Ready to shoot in ~2 seconds
28mm lens perfect for groups and landscapes
5x (28-140mm) zoom gives lots of flexibility
Dual image stabilization works like magic
Huge LCD screen protected by plastic cover
MANY shooting modes (that you will use)
Smile and blink detection ensure success
720p Hi-Def video @ 30fps w/ stereo sound
Built-in mics can handle high sound levels
Charges from a USB port (No drivers needed)

Cons:
Sound levels are very low in some videos.
Audible buzzing/humming in video recordings.
Grainy shadows (common in 10-12 MP compacts)
Visible chroma noise in shadows (common)
JPEG compression too high even on Super Fine
High video compression w/ visible artifacts
"Smart" mode not so smart sometimes
Doesn't use high ISO settings in Auto modes
Proprietary data/video/charge cable (incl.)
Can't access batt. or SD card on tripod

Camera Features:
The Samsung SL 720 is a *lot* of camera for the money. I have not seen anything with more or better features in this price range. While the SL 720 does not have manual controls, per se, it does have a Program mode that allows you to customize many settings (focus modes, EV +/-, ISO settings, color balance, etc). This should satisfy all but the pickiest shutterbugs. 2-second startup and a 5x zoom lens are perfect for sightseeing, when you need to catch that fleeting moment immediately, and still be able to compose the shot. I haven't even mentioned the controls and interface, but they're quite good. There are only a couple of things that weren't obvious. There are helpful explanations right in the menus. Nicely done. (I'm an interface designer, so I'd tell you if there were problems.)

High-Definition Video:
720p @ 30fps high-def video sets the SL 720 apart from others in its price range. To test the SL 720's built-in stereo mics, I recorded a rock drum kit, with the SL 720 positioned about 3ft from the ride cymbal. The mics never saturated and the recording never clipped. Sound fidelity was pretty good, with good stereo imaging. However, soft sounds (distant voices, ambient sounds) are almost inaudible (which is a problem). Other mics have failed this test, so I was impressed (and you should be too). BTW: Yes, you *can* use the zoom lens while shooting video; but it mutes the sound while zooming (to avoid recording the lens motor noise).

Conclusion:
There isn't anything else in this price range with these features. Even with the noticeable flaws, this is still a good value.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My first Samsung camera is a surprise., December 12, 2009

By 

R. Lee (Orlando, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Samsung 12MP Dig Camera 5X Opt 3.0IN LCD Black (Electronics)

My 2-year old, 7 MP, medium priced camera never gave me a good picture in low light, indoor or outdoor, flash or not. This Samsung costs much less than that, but is giving me good low light pictures. Electronics, lens, CCD, software all have to work together to generate decent pictures in low light conditions.

One feature I disliked most of my previous camera was the program mode. I had to choose from 20 different scenes. This Samsung is different. Smart Mode senses the scene and optimizes the setting.

This camera doesn't let you select lens aperture and shutter speed. I am from the pre-digital camera era and had to select lens aperture and shutter speed for each photo. I never enjoyed it. I always had several bad shots in every roll of film.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Samsung SL720 -- A Very Nice Little Pocket Camera, April 2, 2010

By 

P. Baggerman (Pittsburgh PA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Samsung 12MP Dig Camera 5X Opt 3.0IN LCD Black (Electronics)

I've had this camera for about a month and a half and am impressed with its capabilities, especially at the price I paid (about $130). I'm a bit of a camera fan with a DSLR (Sony A350) and a super zoom point and shoot (Canon S2 IS) but went looking for a new pocket/briefcase camera when an older Canon A70 "beater" camera bit the dust. This was just what I was looking for. It seems well built and well designed and takes very nice, sharp and well exposed shots in lots of different situations. The 3 in. screen is sharp. The settings are pretty easy to understand and pick up. The duel anti-shake setting is a nice feature. I've never had a camera without a viewfinder before, but am getting use to that aspect. I've really nothing negative to say.