Samsung NV40
Digital Camera Review
Aug 18, 2008
- By Tim Barribeau
2.3
The Samsung NV40 is a compact point-and-shoot that impressed us with good results in our image quality tests, especially white balance, resolution, noise levels and dynamic range. It has a very capable automatic mode, 3x optical zoom, and both optical and digital image stabilization. The excellent results from this camera were marred by a difficult-to-use control system, which is a major hurdle for new users. To find out just how well the NV40 performed, read the complete review.
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The Samsung NV40 is a solidly-built, compact camera that handles well and impressed us with its test results. Its white balance performance was surprisingly good in automatic mode, and it produced images with high color accuracy, low noise and good dynamic range at high resolution. It wasn't the fastest-shooting compact we've seen, but is relatively quick and the design of the body made it easy to hold, an important factor for a small camera. The major drawback of the NV40 is its difficult-to-use control system, which uses a series of buttons in ways we've never seen before, and hope never to see again.
Overall the NV40 is a reasonably priced compact point-and-shoot that scored very well in our rigorous testing. If you can get used to a user interface with a steep learning curve and inefficient controls, it's a competent little camera with a list price of $280.
Section
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The Good
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The Bad
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Tour
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Well-constructed, easy to hold
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Shiny top attracts smears, inconsistent body color
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Testing/Performance
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Good results in almost all tests
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Slightly slow speed from startup to first shot
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Components
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Clear LCD screen with wide viewing angle
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Flash is uneven, with large interval between flashes in Red Eye mode
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Design/Layout
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Prominent front ridge and thumb pad assist in holding
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Hard to change modes while holding the camera without jostling , menu system difficult to use
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Modes
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Excellent results in auto mode
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Difficult to control playback mode, few image presets
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Control Options
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Decent manual controls including wide range of shutter speeds
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Options poorly documented, some controls available in program mode but not manual mode
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Image Parameters
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Ability to shoot in 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 formats
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No VGA mode
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Connectivity/Extras
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Decent PictBridge and DPOF support
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Proprietary connector, very basic software, mediocre battery life
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Value
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Excellent test scores combined with a decent price
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Strange user interface may be off-putting for some
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