Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Jan 09, 2007 - By Richard Baguley
Samsung’s latest barrage in the battle of the budget cameras is the S730 and S630, two 7.2 and 6 megapixel cameras priced at $199.99 and $179.99 respectively. Apart from the resolution, the two cameras are identical, so we’ve looked at them together. Both include 1/2.5-inch CCD image sensors, 2.5-inch LCD screens, 3x zoom lenses and Samsung’s ASR (Auto Shake Reduction) mode, which they claim reduces camera shake by increasing the ISO setting and shutter speed. We looked at some pre-production prototype models at the CES show in Las Vegas; the final versions of both cameras are due to be released in Spring 2007.
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Front
The biggest feature on the front of the S730 and S630 is the lens. This telescoping Samsung SHD lens has a focal length of 5.8mm to 17.4mm (that translates to a 35mm film equivalent of 35-105mm). Next to the lens is the emitter for the active auto focus and above that is the small flash. On the left is the grip, and in the bottom right, you see the holes for the microphone used to capture audio for videos or to add 10-second voice memos to photos.

Back
The major feature on the back of the camera is the 2.5-inch LCD screen with 230k pixels. This screen is clear and sharp, with plenty of detail for checking the focus on captured images. Live previews also had smooth movement and looked sharp. To the right of the screen are three buttons: The E button (the E is for effects), the exposure compensation button (which also doubles as a delete button in playback mode) and the play button (which doubles as a print button in playback mode). Next to these buttons is a 4-way directional control that doubles as a control for the voice memo, flash mode, focus mode and self timer. Finally, there is the zoom control on the top of the case, that moves up to zoom in and down to zoom out.

Left Side
The left side of the camera is home to the plastic cover that goes over the USB and power ports. This fits snugly with the side of the case. It isn’t likely to get caught in anything and torn off.

Right Side
The excitement on the right side of the camera body is the lanyard loop. And, that’s it.

Top
The top of the case is a far more exciting place to be, with the speaker grille, the power button, mode dial, and shutter. The mode dial has eight options: Auto, Program, ASR (Advanced Shake Reduction), M (for manual, not murder), Scene, Portrait mode, Night mode and Movie mode.

Bottom
The bottom of the camera has its own share of excitement. It has a slide-out cover that goes over the battery and storage card compartments. The S730 and S630 can both use either two AA disposable batteries or Ni-Mh ones, but these will cost you extra since neither camera has rechargeable batteries included. 

 

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