An update of this review will run in October with a hands-on report.
The premium NV3 ( New Vision 3 ) is a
marvellous little camera which exudes both style and performance and the
image quality is simply amazing.
The camera's ability to be charge from
a USB cable makes this a perfect companion for a laptop and its battery
life is very impressive.
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Samsung has a new series of interesting-looking premium
cameras under the 'NV' (New Vision) banner. The all-black cameras are the
result of two years of consumer research and feature a new user interface
and several unique features. We've had our hands on pre-production versions
of all three cameras for the last day or two and so far have been impressed
with the build and design. First up is the NV3 - a 7.2MP ultra compact
with multimedia capabilities and - unusually - stereo speakers built-in.
Samsung Cameras is bringing a new vision to the digital compact camera market with the NV Series. Consisting of three cameras, the NV7 OPS, NV10 and NV3, the NV Series was developed following a two year consumer research study to gain insight into the lifestyle and needs of consumers and their picture-taking interests. Samsung has devised attractive designs and new user interface (UI) concepts to create a premium product group. As well as offering practical technology and easy usability, the new NV Series stands for individuality and style. Launched with a new blue ring, this design concept aims to become a consistent mark for Samsung quality and design in the digital camera market. |
Samsung unveiled the new 7.2 megapixel digital camera, the Samsung NV3, equipped with a 2.5" preview LCD. This is the lightest, most compact camera we've seen this year, packed with advanced features usually found in larger, more expensive cameras. We'll be using it this month to cover some news events and will be posting the pics around the site, so look for the improved quality of our photo coverage. The NV3 easily slips into a pocket and because of the built in lens cover, does not need a case. It turns oninstantly with the touch of a button and has easy to use zoom and other controls. My wife learned the basicis in the course of one afternoon at a picnic. OK..my wife is a pro photographer..but she was very impressed with the features and ease of use ( not to mention the razor sharpness and high resolution - of the results. She said it gave the same fine pictures as her Nikon. Yeah!! And at less than 75% of the cost.
The NV3 falls in the NV (New Vision) line-up of digital camers from Samsung, characterized by its sleek design. The NV Series introduces the innovative UI using Smart Touch buttons for the first time in a digital camera, offering easy and convenient control for the NV7 OPS and NV10 – a gentle touch is all it takes to navigate menu items, manipulate the settings, or view your pictures.
Featuring revolutionary SHD optics, the Samsung NV3 doubles up as a media player on the go, thanks to the included audio/video playback software. Samsung's Digimax Converter ensures you can play not only MP3s but even movies on the camera. This doesn't change the fact that the NV3 is still a camera - and the body is built in the shape of one. But hey, who's going to argue with Samsung when it comes to convergence?
The NV3 is equipped with Samsung’s state-of-the-art Advanced Shake Reduction (ASR) technology to combat hand shake and ensure crystal-clear images. The ASR function provides enhanced image clarity by electronically compensating for excess hand shake and improving color in environments lacking sufficient lighting where the use of the flash is not desirable. With the touch of a button, the unique technology uses proprietary algorithms to interpret sharpness and color information to deliver an image that looks like it has been taken with the flash. As the flash is disabled, side effects, such as red eye, are prevented. Eleven scene modes are available for both the amateur and pro photographer, including Fireworks, Beach and Snow. If modifying images on the camera (without requiring a PC) is your thing, go right ahead and enjoy the image editing features on the NV3.
Measuring 3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7", the Samsung NV3 provides 3x optical zoom. A super macro mode implies you can shoot subjects as close as 1 cm. You can also shoot MPEG4 videos on the camera, at VGA (640x480) resolution.
Priced at US $349.99, look out for the Samsung NV3 this fall. It comes with 16MB of internal memory and ear plugs bundled, as well as an SD/MMC slot for expanding the available memory.
"The NV3 is the epitome of the New Vision Samsung has set out to achieve with NV series," says Stewart Henderson, National Marketing Manager at Samsung Opto-Electronics. "It combines cutting-edge technology with a bold, stylish design and an easy-to-use interface to create a truly unique and desirable product for today's consumer." At the heart of the NV3 is a 7-megapixel digital still camera measuring a mere 3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7" with a 2.5-inch, high resolution LCD display. For outstanding image quality, the NV3 integrates a 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 38-114 mm in 35 mm format) capability with Samsung's exclusive SHD lens technology.
“The NV cameras present a unique offering to users with new and additional features not currently available on the market,” said Jake Kim, managing director, Samsung Cameras UK. “We are proud to use this range as the cornerstone of our compact camera vision and believe it will benchmark the quality and innovation that photographers of all levels can expect from Samsung.”
Samsung NV3 specifications
Sensor • 1/2.5 " Type CCD
• 7.4 million pixels total
• 7.2 million effective pixels
Image sizes • 3072 x 2305 • 2816
x 2112• 2592 x 1944• 3072 x 1728 (w)• 2272 x 1704• 2048 x 1536• 1600 x
1200• 1024 x 768• 640 x 480
Movie clips • 720 x 480 @ 30
/ 20 / 15fps• 640 x 480 @ 30 / 15fps• 320 x 240 @ 30 / 15fps
• WAV audio
File formats • JPEG (DCF)• EXIF
2.2• DPOF 1.1• AVI MPEG-4
Lens • 38-114mm equiv
• F3.5-4.5
Image stabilization Advanced
Shake Reduction (ASR)
Conversion lenses No
Digital zoom up to 5x
Focus TTL auto focus
AF area modes n/a
AF assist lamp n/a
Focus distance • Normal: 80cm
- infinity
• Macro: 5cm - 80cm (Wide),
40cm - 80cm (Tele)
• Super Macro: 1cm - 5cm (Wide)
• Auto Macro: 5cm - Infinity
(Wide), 40cm - Infinity (Tele)
Metering Multi, Spot
ISO sensitivity • Auto• ISO
50• ISO 100• ISO 200• ISO 400• ISO 800• ISO 1000
Exposure compensation ±2EV
(1/3EV steps)
Shuttter speed • 2-1/2000 sec
• Night: 15-1/2000 sec
Aperture F3.5-4.5
Modes • Auto• Program• ASR•
Scene
Scene modes • Night• Portrait•
Children• Landscape• Text• Close-up• Sunset• Dawn• Backlight• Fireworks•
Beach & Snow
White balance • AutO• Daylight•
Cloudy• Fluorescent H, Fluorescent L• Tungsten• Custom
Self timer • 2 or 10 sec • Double
self timer 10 & 2 sec
Continuous shooting Single,
Continuous, AEB
Image parameters • Effect: Normal,
B&W, Sepia, Red, Green, Blue, Negative, RGB Composite, Highlight, Frame
• Sharpness: Soft, Normal, Vivid
Flash • Auto • Auto & Red-eye
reduction• Fill-in• Slow sync• Flash off• Red eye fix
• Range: Wide: 0.2m - 2.4m,
Tele: 0.3m - 1.9m (ISO AUTO)
Viewfinder No
LCD monitor • 2.5-inch TFT
• 230,000 pixels
Connectivity • USB 2.0
• NTSC, PAL
• DC in
Print compliance • EXIF
2.2
• DPOF 1.1
• PictBridge 1.0
Storage • MMC / SD card compatible
• 15 MB internal memory
Power • Rechargeable battery
SLB-0837
• AC adapter
Weight (no batt) 142 g
Dimensions 94.5 x 57 x 17.5
mm
For more information go to www.samsungcamera.com