Samsung TL225

Shooting Modes (9.08)

The TL225 has a wide selection of shooting modes on offer: there are 13 scene modes and 3 automatic modes of varying sophistication. For those who want the camera to pick and choose everything, the Smart Auto mode puts every control to automatic, except the size of the photo. Everything else is handled by the camera. The Auto mode gives the user slightly more control, allowing them to set options such as the picture size, flash mode, photo style and image stabilization mode. The Dual IS mode is broadly similar to the Auto mode, except that the camera controls the image stabilization and sets the shutter speed as fast as possible. The Program mode is a standard mode, where the camera sets the aperture and shutter speed, but the user can control everything else. One set of modes that are missing are the manual ones; there is no way to manually set aperture, shutter speed in either a priority or full manual mode.

Auto Mode Features

Focus – We found the auto focus system of the TL225 to be generally good, although it is a little noisy: as it focuses, the lens makes and odd grinding sound. But it usually snapped into focus in less than half a second, and had no problem focusing in low light with the built-in assist light. If this is disabled (say, because you are shooting at night and don’t want the distraction), the focusing was less accurate, as the focusing system relies on being able to detect contrast in the images.

There are four focus modes available: center, multi-point, one touch and smart touch. In the first mode, the camera focuses on a rectangle in the center of the frame. The second uses 9 areas around the center of the image and tries to get as many as possible into focus. In the one touch mode, the user touches the screen and the camera tries to focus on that. The Smart Focus is similar, except that the camera tries to track the object as it moves around the frame.

No manual focus is available, but you do get two macro modes: a standard one that focuses down to 5cm from the lens front, and a super macro mode that goes down to 3cm.

Exposure – Exposure compensation of plus or minus two stops is available from the on-screen menu, and the camera can also take three shots with a single press of the shutter at 2 stops below, on the exposure level and 2 stops above.

Metering – Options are available for evaluative, center weighted and spot metering. In addition, the TL225 can detect faces and meter for those anywhere in the frame.

Aperture – The lens of the TL225 has a fixed aperture range of f/3.5 to f/5.9. That’s a rather small range, but it is not that unusual to have a small range with point & shoot cameras.

Shutter Speed – In most modes, the TL225 has a shutter speed range of 1 second down to 1/2000 of a second. That can be extended slightly in the Night scene mode (to 8 seconds) and the fireworks mode (to 2 seconds). Again, that’s a small range, but not too out of the ordinary for a point & shoot.

Self-Timer – Several self-timer modes are included with the TL225; there is the conventional 2 and 10 second delays, plus several other modes. One has a 10-second delay, then takes another photo 2 seconds later. The Motion Timer mode is unusual; it detects motion, then takes a photo when that stops. The idea is that you can press the shutter, runs in front of the camera to join a family group, and the camera takes the photo when everyone is standing still.

Scene Modes

The Scene mode offers 13 variants, including options such as Night, Portrait, Landscape, etc. A couple of the modes are slightly unusual: Beauty Shot mode removes skin blemishes, and in the Frame Guide mode you frame your shot, take a photo, then give the camera to someone and it shows them the edges of the frame you took so they can frame the same shot. The idea is that you can give your camera to a stranger, but still get the photo you want. The Children mode also uses the front screen, playing a short animation of a dancing clown to attract the child’s attention.

Picture Effects (4.00)

There are also plenty of wacky picture effects, with some available as picture modes, and some as effects in the editing menu. Examples of all are below.

Picture Samples
Normal Soft Vivid Forest Retro Cool Calm Classic Negative Custom RGB Color Filter Elegant Noise Snow Mosaic Highlight More...

Manual Controls (6.80)

As well as the full auto white balance mode, there are 5 preset options, plus a custom mode where you take a photo of a white object, and the camera judges the white balance.

Drive/Burst Mode (4.50)

The TL225 has three drive modes: a standard mode (which we tested below) and a 6fps low resolution mode. The latter is rather confusingly called Motion Capture, but it can’t be triggered by motion detection; it just takes photos at a speed of 6 frames a second for a maximum of 30 frames. In this mode, the resolution is restricted to 640 by 480 pixels.

Shot to Shot (0.93)

Shooting in the full resolution continuous mode, we measured the speed of the camera at 0.92 frames a second. That’s definitely slower than we like, and it is a pity that there is not middle ground between the speedy (but low resolution) Motion Capture mode and the standard one.