Review Date: July 30, 2010
Category: Serious Amateur
Samsung TL500 / EX1
IMAGE QUALITY
The Samsung TL500 / EX1 is targeted to serious amateur photographers and features 10MP resolution (on a 1/1.7-inch High Sensitive CCD image sensor), 3x wide-angle optical zoom (24-72mm Equiv.135) lens with Optical Image Stabilization, and a maximum aperture of F1.8(W)-F2.4(T).
We find the overall image quality of the Samsung TL500 / EX1 to be excellent at ISO 80 with low noise and good image detail. Image quality is very good up to ISO 400, and ISO 800 is very usable; at higher ISOs, images suffer from noise and loss of detail.
| 3x Optical Zoom | |
 |
 |
| Wide-angle 5.2mm (24mm, 35mm equivalent) |
Telephoto 15.6mm (72mm, 35mm equivalent) |
The Samsung TL500 / EX1 has a 3x ultra wide-angle optical zoom lens. In the above pictures, we show the coverage for 24mm and 72mm. We love the 24mm ultra wide-angle coverage that allows us to capture real wide landscapes! Optical image stabilization helps reduce camera shake at the long end of the telephoto and when using slow shutter speeds.
Macro
Macro can be as close as 5 cm (2 in.) at wide-angle, whether in Macro, MF or Close Up scene mode. [Note that the tech specs on the Samsung website mentions 1cm in Macro and MF mode.]
AF is fast, works very well in good light and even in low-light, with the help of the AF-assist illuminator.
There are three metering modes: Spot, Multi-Pattern and Center-weighted.
| Auto White Balance Indoors | |
 |
 |
| AWB | Custom WB |
As the above two pictures show, the Auto White Balance (AWB) is not accurate indoors under artificial lighting [I have two energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs on the ceiling]. The Samsung TL500 / EX1 allows WB to be easily set manually and this brings out the real colors. AWB works very well in natural light.
| ISO Comparisons | |
 |
|
| ISO 80 | |
 |
 |
| ISO 100 | ISO 200 |
 |
 |
| ISO 400 | ISO 800 |
 |
 |
| ISO 1600 | ISO 3200 |
The Samsung TL500 / EX1 has 7 ISO settings going from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. The 100% crops above (area delimited by the white square) demonstrate the noise at the available ISO Speeds. At ISO 80 to 400, noise is under control. Noise starts to be slightly visible at ISO 800 but is still very acceptable. Noise (with detail loss) is quite visible at higher ISOs. Overall, excellent noise handling.
Note that on my test camera, the metering (whether Spot, Multi or Center-weighted) in low light overexposes somewhat (sometimes by as much as +1EV) though it’s not all the time. I used Manual shooting mode for the above low light ISO pictures.
CA (Purple Fringing)
CA is under control in everyday shots and is not much of a problem at all even in high contrast shots. The corner delimited by the red square at top left, and reproduced at 100% crop at bottom right, shows minimal purple fringing.
Long Exposure - 5.2mm (24mm), Manual, Multi, 16 sec., F6.7, ISO 80, Custom WB, Self-timer (2 sec.), Tripod Used
Our Long Shutter Speed test is a torture test for digital cameras. Here we test whether (and how well) a camera can lock focus, provide accurate WB and obtain a correct exposure in extreme low light situations. The TL500 / EX1 focuses fast and precisely but getting a correct exposure in Manual mode takes trial and error.
The Samsung TL500 / EX1 allows the use of a long shutter speed of up to 16 sec. in ASM modes (unfortunately only 1 sec. in P), therefore allowing nice night photography. Generally, with image sensors, noise usually becomes more prominent at slow shutter speeds.
To test this noise reduction algorithm, we take a low-light indoors shot. I experiment a bit to obtain the optimum exposure, eventually settling on 16 sec. at F6.7. Even at this long shutter speed, the Samsung TL500 / EX1’s noise reduction seems to be working great, producing a nice smooth blurring effect of the background.
We find the overall image quality of the Samsung TL500 / EX1 at ISO 80 to be excellent with good details in the shadows and highlights. Images up to ISO 400 are also low in noise. ISO 800 is very usable. Overall, excellent image quality.
View the Samsung TL500 / EX1 Photo Gallery [In the Photo Gallery, click on the picture of the camera to return here.]
Next: Samsung TL500 / EX1 Handling & Feel