Camera Reviews / Samsung Cameras i Preview

TBD Megapixels	3.00x zoom	1/1.8 inch size sensor

The Samsung NV10 digital camera derives a resolution of ten megapixels from a 1/1.8" CCD imager, and couples this with what looks to be a fairly interesting feature set. The Samsung NV10 has an attractive compact body with softly curved side edges, and mostly smooth panels , save for a protrusion around the lens, and a gently angled handgrip on the right hand end (as seen from the rear). The lens is a Schneider-Kreuznach Varioplan-branded 3x optical zoom with a 35 - 105mm equivalent zoom range, and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 at wide angle, or a not so bright f/5.1 at telephoto.

A 2.5" LCD display takes up a fair amount of real estate on the back of the camera, and is surrounded by a whopping thirteen unmarked buttons that are accompanied by a graphical user interface on the LCD that guides you as to their functions. The NV10 includes Samsung's "Advanced Shake Reduction" function that attempts to combat camera shake in software. It also offers ISO sensitivity from 100 - 1000, although it remains to be seen how well the company has been able to control noise at these sensitivities from such a densely packed sensor. Eleven scene modes should help make the camera approachable for beginners. Images are stored on SD / MMC cards, or in 20MB of built in memory, and power comes from a Lithium Ion rechargeable battery.

The Samsung NV10 ships this fall priced at $399.99.