Samsung S860 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Blue)

Other products by Samsung

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001283F9M
• Item model number: S860Blue
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (182 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,536 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 4, 2007

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Compact and stylish, the Samsung S860 digital camera features a 3x optical zoom, a Samsung SHD lens, and Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) to help minimize the effect of camera shake and produce sharp, clear images, especially in low-light environments. You can also take advantage of advanced features such as Face Detection and Self Portrait mode.

Face Detection technology makes taking pictures of family and friends a snap, as it detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure better composition and image quality. Self Portrait mode is a unique functionality that takes the guessing out of taking a self portrait. By utilizing Face Detection technology, the S860 automatically detects the subject's face, adjusts focus and exposure, and will only allow a photo to be taken if the subject is centered in the frame.

Face Detection technology

Self Portrait mode

You can also benefit from the camera's Function Description feature. Designed to reduce the intimidation factor of the cameras' various modes, Function Description automatically provides a brief and easy to understand description of each setting when scrolling through the cameras' menus, helping the end-user determine which setting is appropriate for their current shooting scenario. Additionally, with 11 scene modes to choose from, including Night, Portrait, Children, Landscape, Close-Up, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, and Self Portrait, shooters can rest assured that they'll be able to effortlessly adjust the camera.

The S860 also boasts a special effects "E" button, which gives users instant access to a host of creative controls, including options for resizing and rotating images, adjusting brightness, contrast and saturation levels, fixing red eye, and manipulating color such as saving captured images as B&W, Sepia, Red, Blue, Green, and Negative. Users can also shoot video with the S860. Movie mode lets users capture video in one of two resolutions, 320x240 or 640x480, at 30 frames per second in AVI (MJPEG) format. Just as in still-picture mode, the DIS image stabilization system can be engaged to compensate for camera shake and to reduce blur.

For maximum versatility, the S860 can be powered by two, readily available AA alkaline batteries, a considerable benefit for travelers and photographers on the go.

Samsung S860 Highlights

8.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom The Samsung S860 is a high-resolution digital camera that is equipped with a true-color filtered 8.1-megapixel CCD. This allows the Samsung S860 to produce even better images and take detailed photos for printing up to poster size. In addition, the Samsung S860 has a 3x optical and 3x digital zoom giving 9x total zoom when combined.

DIS (Digital Image Stabilization) function DIS technology prevents the degradation of image clarity and colour which is sometimes found in flash photography. With DIS the effects of image blur are reduced in lower light conditions.You can even take well exposed, sharper pictures in low light conditions without using a flash at all, which guarantees brighter and more natural pictures.

Digital Image Stabilization in action

Face Detection AF & AE With the Face Detection AF & AE function, the Samsung S860 enables the user to take better portrait pictures more easily. The function detects faces and automatically focuses on them; the brightness of the faces is adjusted optimally for beautiful portrait pictures.

2.4-inch Intelligent LCD The Samsung S860 has a 2.4-inch LCD with improved contrast and color reproduction for easy image framing and reviewing.

11 Scene Modes You have a choice of scene modes to help you get the perfect shot in any situation. By automatically adjusting the camera's setting according to the situation, you can be sure of getting great pictures effortlessly. The scene modes provided are Children, Landscape, Close-up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Night and Portrait.

Function Description & Photo Help Guide

• Provides a brief description of the main functions and different modes the camera has to offer.
• The different icons, scene modes and other features are described in simple and easy to understand terms to improve the interaction between the user and camera.
• A guided tour of how to take better images. Easy to follow tips instruct the user how to obtain excellent results.

Product Description

The Samsung S860 is a high resolution digital camera that is equipped with a true-color filtered 8.1 mega-pixel CCD. This allows the Samsung S860 to produce even better images and take detailed photos for printing up to poster size. In addition, the Samsung S860 has a 3x optical and 3x digital zoom giving 9x total zoom when combined.With the Face Detection AF & AE function, the Samsung S860 enables the user to take better portrait pictures more easily. The function detects faces and automatically focuses on them; the brightness of the faces is adjusted optimally for beautiful portrait pictures.DIS technology prevents the degradation of image clarity and color which is sometimes found in flash photography. With DIS the effects of image blur are reduced in lower light conditions. You can even take well exposed, sharper pictures in low light conditions without using a flash at all, which guarantees brighter and more natural pictures.You have a choice of scene modes to help you get the perfect shot in any situation. By automatically adjusting the camera's setting according to the situation, you can be sure of getting great pictures effortlessly. The scene modes provided are Children, Landscape, Close-up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Night and Portrait.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

229 of 232 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good point and shoot for a great price, May 4, 2008

By	Mom of 3 - See all my reviews

I bought this camera as an addition to our Minolta digital SLR, just to have a small and convenient point and shoot for times that I don't want to drag the SLR around.

Samsung has put together a very good camera for this price, and it has a couple of nice things beyond the basics. I especially like the facial recognition feature, which makes sure that you actually get a focus on a person instead of sharp surroundings and a blurred human subject. The menus are very easy to use, and the camera itself takes very good action shots. There are eleven different photo settings from which to choose. It also takes small video clips. The photo quality is excellent and you can print up to poster size and maintain that quality. It is an 8.1 megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom and a 3x digital zoom.

The body of the camera itself is small and compact, and it easily fits into standard blue jean pockets. It has a nice, solid feel to it and since I have small hands, it's very comfortable for me to use. A person with very large hands may want something bigger for ergonomic reasons.

The only down side to this camera is that you have to use the LCD screen to take your shot. There is no standard view finder. The LCD screen itself, however, is very large and extremely crisp.

This is an excellent camera if you are looking for a basic point and shoot with a few added perks beyond the most basic category. If you are looking for a camera with tons of settings, features and major zoom ability, you need to look elsewhere. However, for basic everyday use, Samsung has really put out a great product in the S860.

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars spotty performer . . ., August 11, 2008

By	trebe - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The Samsung S860 is a low priced camera that is can produce clear images with vibrant colors, however results can be uneven and unsatisfactory. Obtaining decent results, may require that you take some time to explore the camera's capabilities.

Ideally, when set in auto mode, a camera should provide reliable results with a minimum amount of fuss and adjustment. At this, the Samsung receives low marks. In auto mode, I found that the camera's autofocus sometimes has issues. It is very annoying to focus on the subject, lock on, and press the shutter button, only to have the camera fail to fire. This seems to happen more often than average with the S860. The results are a little better, using `Multi AF' instead of `Center AF', but in this mode the camera can have problems with selecting the proper subject or focus area. ISO is automatically set by the camera according to the lighting conditions. Unfortunately, in low light situations, ISO is often set too low, resulting in blurry images. Also annoying, is that the flash function defaults to red eye reduction mode. So if you were in autoflash, or flash off mode when you turned the camera off, it will reset to red eye reduction the next time it is turned on. Being in red eye mode is not the best place to be, if you want to take a photo quickly.

Auto mode may be suitable for outdoor situations with good lighting, but the best option for normal use is probably `P' (Program) mode. ISO, white balance, sharpness and image quality can be adjusted in this mode. The flash setting when the camera comes on is the same as when it was last turned off. The focusing issues remain, but adjusting the ISO does improve the results. However, when ISO is set to 800 or above, the camera takes 4 or 5 seconds to save the file to memory, and the noise in the images often increases significantly.

In Manual mode your options are limited. While a standard range of shutter speeds is available, only two aperture settings F2.8 and F8.4 can be selected. The camera has many other modes and features, including macro and face detection. The camera is capable of producing movies that are of acceptable quality, and you can get about half an hour of recording time on a 4GB card.

The mode selection dial located on the top of the camera is too loose, and prone to being accidentally rotated (a small piece of adhesive tape is my simple solution). Being familiar with Canon and Fuji cameras, I found the design and operation of the menu and settings not especially convenient to navigate. The 2.4" LCD is clear, and has good visibility in a bright light, though it is very prone to smudging. Useful information like battery level, memory level, ISO, flash setting, metering mode and face recognition function can be displayed.

As with many other cameras, the zoom function is controlled by a toggling button, located at the top right corner, on the rear of the camera. If the zoom control was located by the shutter button, it would be much easier to operate the camera using one hand. It can be done, but is a bit awkward attempting this with the S860. The wrist strap could really use a locking ring. It is a very small thing that could go a long way, if it keeps you from dropping your camera even once.

The camera has a USB connection, but is not recognized by a PC. Rather than loading in Samsung's software, you can use a card reader to download images. The S860 uses AA batteries. Setting the camera in powersaver mode helps to increase battery life, but carrying spares is highly recommended. Because it uses AA batteries, the camera isn't super thin, but having a readily available power source can be very convenient. There is a quick start pamphlet, but no printed manual included. Samsung has a manual in PDF format available at their website.

This is not a glowing review, but I already have several SLR's and point and shoots, and the S860 has enough good points, for me to decide to keep it as a walk around camera. Even at the most basic mode, performance could definitely be better, but you do get a lot of features at a low price level. As with any camera, it really depends on what is important to you, and how you like the results. Feel is important as well, so getting one in your hands and trying it out, is always recommended.

72 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST DIGITAL CAMERA FOR THE MONEY! CLEAR, CRISP PICS AND GREAT VIDEOS IN AVI MODE!, June 12, 2008

By	Daisy S "Daisy S" (Hot Springs, AR) - See all my reviews

June 12, 2008 I bought this camera yesterday and I am totally overjoyed with it. Before I bought this one and found the RIGHT CAMERA for me, I returned a Kodak Easy Share camera to the store. Why did I do this? Well, the Kodak took great pictures, however, when you shoot a movie (video) it is saved in the MOV mode on the Kodak (Apple format, not Microsoft). So you have to download Quicktime to play a movie in the MOV mode on a Windows PC! Not fun. I wanted both a camera that is easy to just point and shoot for stills and also wanted the AVI video output so when I downloaded my video card on to my PC, I can instantly watch my movies! I found this perfect camera for me with this cute pink Samsung! On my first day I found that the basics of this camera were easy to learn. I used mostly the AUTO mode, and the camera does the work for me in any light! I took some stills in daylight and then inside both from faraway and also some closeups of flowers in my garden with the micro setting and later did an indoor and outdoor video. Everything came out just beautiful and as soon as I loaded my computer with the videos, I watched them from my PC. Plan to put these on a DVD to watch on TV. So far this has been an easy camera to learn for just the basic features that I need. My favorite feature is the clear videos that are saved in the AVI mode, not in the MOV mode. This AVI mode plays perfectly in my computer the Vista Windows Media Player and saves great to watch on a DVD on my TV. Note, that there are so many settings, I just use the AUTO and the DIC for low light and anti shake. By the way, it seems easy to use and does great micro shots as well. This is my newest camera after updating my older HP camera from near 3 years ago with just a 5 pixels. Another great feature I love is the FACE RECOGNITION. I took several pictures of friends and they came out just perfectly, NO RED-EYE and SKIN TONES were perfect. (With my old HP 5 pixel, the skin tones came out too red). My advice if you are looking for a good basic camera that takes great stills and videos, this is the one for you!