Samsung i8 First Impressions Review

by Eli Sidman
Published on January 10, 2008

Navigation
Intro	Components
Design / Layout	Modes
Control Options	Image Parameters
Connectivity / Extras	Overall Impressions
Conclusion

Introduced at the 2008 CES show in Las Vegas, the $299 Samsung i8 adds to Samsung’s i-Series line of hybrid cameras. The i8 offers a variety of multimedia features, including an MP3 player, PMP Multimedia mode, and a text viewer, all in one device. The slim, shiny 8-megapixel camera also features a 2.7-inch LCD screen, an in-camera 3x optical zoom, and face detection.

Our video preview of the i8 from the CES show in Las Vegas is below.

Physical Tour

Front
The face of the Samsung i8 is simple and smooth. Its small rectangular design is complemented by smooth rounded corners and a glossy finish. The in-body lens resides in the upper right corner of the front, just next to the autofocus assist light and the flash, all set in a silver metallic border. The Samsung insignia is written in the upper left, and “i8” sits on the bottom right. The i8 is an attractive camera; simple, shiny, and smooth.

Back
The back of the i8 is taken up mostly by the 2.7-inch LCD screen. Below the screen is another Samsung insignia, and to the right are the control buttons. The zoom control is located in the upper right, consisting of a horizontal lever that can be tilted up or down to zoom in and out. The remaining buttons are clustered in the bottom right, and are quite small.

Left Side
The left side shows two screws that hold the front and back pieces of the camera together. The front half is a shiny colored plastic, while the back side is shiny metallic plastic. Samsung’s website URL, www.samsungcamera.com, is written between the screws.

Right Side
At the top corner of the right side of the i8 is the lanyard loop. Also located on this side is the only port on the camera, functioning as the power source, USB link, and A/V output.

Top
The two-tone top contains three more buttons: face detection, power, and the shutter, from left to right. To the left of these are eight pinholes for the camera’s microphone. Underneath the microphone are the words “8.2 MEGA PIXELS, Powerful Multimedia.”

Bottom
The memory card and battery are accessed through the bottom of the i8. They are protected by a hinged plastic door that is opened by a small circular switch. To the right of the battery slot is the tripod threading hole. On the corners of the bottom are four tiny bumps to help hold the camera upright when it is placed on a flat surface.