Front
The GX-1L is a small DSLR, with the typical handgrip on the left and viewfinder hump above the lens. The grip has a ridge curving down the front, scalloping out a bit of extra room for the lens mount. The grip would be more comfortable without the ridge. A small window on the front of the grip serves as the self-timer light and an infrared remote control. The lens is a D-Xenon 18-55mm f/ 3.5-5.6 that is branded Schneider-Kreuznach. It takes a 52mm filter – which is smaller than average – and is compact and proportionate with the camera body.

The lens release button is near the bottom of the camera, between the grip and the lens mount. Opposite that, on the right side of the mount, sits the autofocus switch. Like the *ist DL2, the GX-1L has a badge in its upper right corner. The GX-1L has the “GX” printed in white, and displays the “1L” under a transparent bubble of plastic, similar to the badge style on the *ist DL2.

Back
The GX-1L back is dominated by the 2.5-inch 210,000 pixel LCD and the optical viewfinder. The viewfinder is average-sized, but its comfortable rubber eyecup is large, even in comparison to the ones on other DSLRs. The diopter adjustment tab is above the eyecup.

The flash power button is left of the eyecup. Below that, to the left of the LCD, are the Menu, Trash, INFO and playback buttons, in a column. To the right of the viewfinder, there is a control dial which controls many parameters in shooting mode and controls magnification in playback. Below that and next to the LCD is the four-way controller with an OK button in the middle. Lower still, there is a function button which activates some controls in shooting mode. A status light is near the bottom of the camera, and to the far right of that is the latch to open the door to the memory card slot. The exposure lock button is also toward the right side of the camera, but it's near the top edge. A curving vertical ridge runs up the right side of the camera to form a thumb rest.

The Samsung logo appears below the LCD. Aside from the color of the labels, it's the only thing on the back of the GX-1L that distinguishes the camera from the *ist DL2.

Left Side
The GX-1L's left side features a nice, beefy strap lug and a flimsy door covering the USB, A/V and external power jacks. The left side is very flat and doesn't extend much past the lens mount, so most users won't grip that side; they'll use the left hand to support the lens instead.

Right Side
The GX-1L's SD card slot is under a door on the right side. The door lies flush with the rest of the side, so it doesn't detract from the grip. The latch on the door ought to protect it from being accidentally snagged open and broken. It swings wide open, so it's easy to remove the small SD memory cards that the GX-1L uses. The strap lug on this side is wide and well positioned.

Top
The mode dial is on the left side of the GX-1L's viewfinder hump. The dial is big and shows several custom scene modes, a full auto mode and manual modes. The viewfinder hump includes a pop-up flash and a hot shoe for dedicated flash.

A monochrome LCD takes up most of the right side of the top. The exposure compensation button is between this LCD and the shutter release and power control. The shutter release is a chrome button on the top of the grip. The power switch is a ring around the shutter release, and it doubles as a depth of field preview.

Bottom
The GX-1L has a metal tripod socket under the lens axis and a latched battery cover under the handgrip. The cover latch is a reassuring touch – we find that latches protect doors not only from opening accidentally, but also from breaking off.

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