Review Date: July 30, 2010
Category: Serious Amateur
USER’S EXPERIENCE
Thursday, July 8, 2010 – Here’s what I receive in the box:
- Samsung TL500 / EX1
- No memory card
- Li-ion Battery SLB-11A 3.8V 1130mAh 4.2Wh
- Travel Adapter SAC-48 (which uses the USB cable to recharge the battery in camera)
- Neck Strap
- Lens Cap and Retaining String
- USB Cable and A/V Cable
- Documentation: Quick Start Manual
- Software CD: User Manual; RAW Converter
The Samsung TL500 / EX1 is almost the perfect compact system camera with a design that allows you to concentrate on your photography. And you know that from the moment you pick up the camera and start using it. That’s how the Samsung TL500 / EX1 feels. And as far as image quality is concerned, the Samsung TL500 / EX1 is pretty much at the top of the compact system camera category.
Let’s digress for a moment. With the NX10, and now the TL500 / EX1, no one can deny the fact that Samsung is serious about photography and building the cameras that photographers demand. And it seems to be building them without even breaking a sweat!
It would be interesting to know who is (or, are) behind this dramatic change in Samsung’s single-mindedness to become one of the best digital camera manufacturers. Of course, we heard and read that Samsung wanted to become the best. But who would have thought that they had the knowledge, resources, time and wherewithal to accomplish that goal so fast, and seemingly so easily? No one is laughing now, and I’m sure all the major players have a newfound respect for the new kid on the block.
Okay, let’s go back to user experience. Of course, we wished the TL500 / EX1 were a little bit more compact — but then you would have to take away the swivel LCD.
I want to go back and speak of the handling of the camera a bit more. You pick it up and start using it and it feels great and intuitive. But you don’t realize how much until you pick a different camera that isn’t. It’s then that you appreciate the TL500 / EX1 design fully. It’s not perfect, but with a few tweaking, it could.
There are however, because of the real estate constraints, a couple of problems: you can too easily press the RIGHT direction on the Navigation Wheel and change ISO inadvertently; you can too easily press the AEL button and lock exposure inadvertently. If you’ve been having exposure problem, check to see if you are not locking exposure inadvertently.
In low light, I sometimes encounter metering that tends to overexpose. Of course, I check to make sure I have not inadvertently pressed the AEL button or changed ISO. The advanced photographer will have no problem dialing in an exposure compensation — or using RAW and adjusting the exposure in post-processing.
The screen display is also one that I like and saw in the NX10 previously. But there seems to be something different here and I eventually realize what it is: the bottom band of info is not below the image (as in the NX10) but is transparently overlayed on the bottom part of the image. This blocks the bottom part of the image, making it impossible to compose accurately there.
What I like about the TL500 / EX1:
- Very good to excellent image quality from ISO 80 to ISO 400, even ISO 800 (RAW).
- Exceptional handling and ergonomics.
- Bright F1.8 lens.
- Excellent build and looks.
- Love the ultra wide-angle 24mm equivalent.
- Fast and precise AF, even in low light.
- Best screen info display (minus the overlay).
- Swivel high resolution AMOLED screen.
No review is complete without a couple of improvement suggestions:
- Metering (especially in low light) needs to be looked at.
- Make the RIGHT direction of the Navigation Wheel just a bit harder to press — as it is, it’s too easily pressed just holding the camera, resulting is inadvertent ISO change.
- Move the AEL button somewhere else; it is too easily pressed.
- Beef up P mode: extend shutter speed range all the way to 16 sec. and add Program Shift.
- Increase performance of JPEG burst, provide RAW burst.
- Upgrade video resolution and provide stereo sound recording.
- Move bottom band of info below image.
- Provide a longer USB cable.
A Quick Start Manual in how to setup and operate your camera is provided in print. The detailed User Manual is now on the CD, which means you can’t carry it with you, but on the other hand it is easily searchable (and available in many languages).
The Samsung Master is adequate to the job but can also do with some improvement suggestions: I wish it would remember my last download folder instead of having me browse to it each and every time; and please provide an option after download to disconnect from the computer.
The Samsung TL500 / EX1 is a premium compact system camera that serious photographers will enjoy using. It has exceptional handling (with some caveat) and takes great pictures. Highly Recommended.
Next: Samsung EX1 QuickFact Sheet / Buy
