Samsung NV7 OPS
Digital Camera Review
Oct 01, 2006
- By Emily Raymond
With a unique “Smart Touch” interface, the Samsung NV7 OPS is making waves at Photokina 2006. The 7.2-megapixel digital camera nixes the traditional multi-selector and opts for a more innovative system. It isn’t a touch screen and it isn’t buttons – but it’s something in between that is far easier. The unique NV7 is paired with a 7x Schneider-Kreuznach optical zoom lens that is optically stabilized, thus the “OPS” (optical picture stabilization) label. The camera also offers manual controls and an extended ISO sensitivity range. The new Samsung digital camera is available now for $399.
| Top Point & Shoot Cameras |
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| Likes |
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- Smart Touch interface
- High resolution LCD
- Includes optical image stabilization
- Great movie mode
- Interesting effects
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| Dislikes |
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- Preproduction model displayed significant color fringing and barrel distortion
- Heavy
- No print orders
- Rickety flash unit
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Conclusion
Samsung priced the NV7 at $399 and I can take plenty of guesses why. Perhaps it’s the 7.2-megapixel image sensor. Perhaps it is the high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD screen with the groundbreaking Smart Touch interface. Maybe it is the 7x optical zoom lens pinned onto the 0.8-inch thick body. Perhaps it is the optical picture stabilization system that is so effective it even warrants the end of the camera’s title, Samsung NV7 OPS. The camera has many great qualities, but most have to do with its raw specs. The camera also has plenty of great components, but those didn’t translate into beautiful pictures on the display model we examined. Many of the pictures looked blurry, noisy, or distorted from various recording factors. So while the Samsung NV7 OPS looks like the next big thing on paper, if there isn’t a firmware fix or some other alterations to the internal components prior to shipping, its pictures won’t pan out to be as gorgeous as its specifications.