Samsung SL201 Review

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SL201 Overview

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SL201 Overview
Specifications

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Samsung SL201
Resolution:	10.20 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.33 inch (6.1mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	3.00x zoom (35-105mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	LCD
Extended ISO:	80 - 1600
Shutter:	1/1500 - 8 sec
Max Aperture:	3.0
Dimensions:	3.6 x 2.3 x 0.8 in. (90 x 58 x 19 mm)
Weight:	3.9 oz (110 g)
MSRP:	$170
Availability:	09/2008
Manufacturer:	Samsung
Full specs:	Samsung SL201 specifications

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10.20 Megapixels	3.00x zoom	1/2.33 inch size sensor

The Samsung SL201 features a ten megapixel image sensor sitting behind a Samsung-branded 3x optical zoom lens. The SL201's lens offers a 35 - 105mm equivalent focal range, a moderate wide angle to a moderate telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from F3.0 to F5.6 across the zoom range. Macro focusing is possible down to 10cm at wide angle, or 50cm at telephoto. There's no optical viewfinder, with images being framed on a fairly large 2.7" LCD display with above average 230,000 pixel resolution.

The SL201's ISO sensitivity ranges from 80 to 1600, and the camera offers shutter speeds from 1/1500 to 8 seconds, controlled automatically. There are four metering modes in the Samsung SL201 - either multi, center-weighted, spot or face detection-linked, and the autofocus system can likewise use face detection (with either multi or center AF areas also available for selection). The Samsung SL201 has eleven scene modes aimed at keeping things approachable for beginner photographers: Portrait, Night scene, Children, Landscape, Text, Close-up, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, and Beach & Snow.

Seven white balance settings include Auto and Manual modes, as well as five fixed presets. The SL201 includes Samsung's "Digital Image Stabilization" (DIS) function, which shouldn't be confused with a true mechanical stabilization function. DIS is performed completely in the camera's firmware, and while it may help reduce blurring from camera shake, this will come at the expense of image quality with increased noise since the function raises the camera's ISO sensitivity.

The Samsung SL201 has the ability to record movies in AVI format, using the Motion JPEG compression that is still favored by most digicams (but doesn't offer as good compression / quality as offered by some newer compression schemes). The SL201's movies are recorded at 640x480 or 320x240 pixel resolution, at a maximum frame rate of 30 frames per second. The SL201 does support optical zoom while recording of videos, but mutes the audio during zoom operation to prevent objectionable lens noises from appearing on the audio track.

The Samsung SL201 stores its images on SD, SDHC, or MMC plus cards, or in 16MB of built-in memory. The SL201 derives its power from a proprietary SLB-0837 lithium-ion battery pack. Connectivity options include NTSC / PAL video, and USB 2.0 computer connectivity of unspecified speed. The company's Samsung Master software is included in the product bundle.

The Samsung SL201 ships from September 2008 priced at US$170.