Samsung Galaxy Camera Wi-Fi Review | 108 Data compared

Overview and Connectivity The Samsung Galaxy Camera is an innovative hybrid device that fuses a compact point-and-shoot camera with a mobile operating system, specifically running on Android 4.1. Adopting a form factor heavily inspired by the Galaxy S III smartphone, it features a highly responsive 4.8-inch multitouch HD screen that occupies the entire back panel. The defining strength of this device lies in its unparalleled connectivity, offering built-in Wi-Fi and 3G+ capabilities that allow users to access the Google Play Store. This allows for immediate photo editing, cloud backups, and direct sharing to social media platforms without needing a computer. Additionally, the device delivers high-quality Full HD video recording at 30 fps with smooth touch-to-focus capabilities and built-in video editing tools. Performance and Image Quality Limitations Despite its unique connected features, the device struggles with basic camera performance and image quality when compared to traditional compact cameras. On the hardware side, it utilizes a 16-megapixel 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor and a 21x optical zoom lens. While the zoom capability easily outperforms any standard smartphone crop, image processing remains a weak...

The Samsung Galaxy Camera (EK-GC100) is a 480-gram Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) hybrid, blending a compact camera with a 4.8-inch HD display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 3G capability (minus voice calls). It features a 1.4GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM, offering versatile "Expert" shooting modes, and 8GB of internal storage, which is expandable via microSD. While the camera can record up to 1080p at 30fps or slow-motion, it faces a slow 27-second initial startup time, though it recovers with a 3-second wake-from-sleep. Pros include the seamless connectivity for instant sharing, an excellent screen, and a robust feature set combining Android functionality with photographic versatility. Cons, however, center on its massive, heavy design, sluggish initial startup, and limited usable internal storage. Overall, the device serves as a unique, connected, and functional tool for social media-focused photographers, despite some performance and design compromises.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is evaluated as a hybrid "mutant" device that successfully bridges the gap between a smartphone and a traditional compact ultrazoom camera. Its most prominent pros include a magnificent 12 cm (4.8-inch) touchscreen display with an excellent 1280 x 720 resolution that mirrors the fluid touch responsiveness of a high-end smartphone. Powered by Android 4.1, the device handles internet browsing, video playback, and creative photo apps like Instagram and Vignette seamlessly. On the optics side, it completely outperforms standard mobile phones by offering a genuine 21x optical zoom lens with optical stabilization and a wide 23mm to 483mm focal range. However, the review outlines several significant cons stemming from this experimental design. Because of the large screen and complex lens system, the device is heavy (300 grams) and bulky, making the overall ergonomics less comfortable than a normal smartphone. Photographic performance is merely average for a travel-zoom compact, plagued by color inaccuracies, slow autofocus that tends to struggle indoors, and poor low-light capabilities that suffer heavily beyond ISO 800. Finally, the concept feels incomplete as third-party apps...

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is a unique hybrid device that merges a smartphone/tablet experience with a traditional compact camera, running on Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean). On the hardware side, it is equipped with a powerful 1.4GHz quad-core processor, a highly detailed 4.8-inch HD touchscreen displaying 308 ppi, and features 3G/4G and Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless internet access. The photography component is derived from Samsung's WB850 compact camera, featuring a 16-megapixel 1/2.3" sensor alongside a powerful 21x optical zoom lens (23-483mm equivalent) with an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/5.9. The device weighs a hefty 300 grams and measures 2 cm in thickness, making it look and feel more like a bulky "Game Boy" than a pocketable smartphone. The review highlights several key strengths, including the manual exposure mode (PASM) with an intuitive touchscreen interface, an effective "touch-to-focus" feature, a well-performing night mode, and a macro setting. Its massive connectivity allows for instant backups to services like Dropbox or Google+, and users can edit and post directly to social media apps like Instagram and Snapseed. However, the reviewer notes multiple significant...

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is an innovative hybrid device that combines a quad-core Android smartphone interface with a dedicated compact camera, featuring a 4.8-inch AMOLED screen, a 16MP CMOS sensor, and a massive 23-500mm equivalent zoom lens. On the positive side, it functions as a highly efficient portable photo studio perfect for social media addicts and web reporters, allowing users to instantly edit, filter, and automatically back up photos to the cloud via Wi-Fi or 3G. Additionally, it offers a versatile manual photography mode with virtual lens rings and a wide focal range. However, the device suffers from significant performance and design drawbacks. The pure photo quality is mediocre due to heavy "hardcore" noise smoothing at higher ISO levels, and the AMOLED screen displays unrealistic color tints. Battery life is critically poor, sometimes plunging to just 4 hours when GPS, Wi-Fi, and cloud syncing are active. Furthermore, ecosystem fragmentation leads to app incompatibilities, the heavy Android OS results in a sluggish startup time exceeding 30 seconds, and the fully tactile back screen makes it easy to accidentally exit the camera...

The Samsung Galaxy Camera review by CNET highlights an ambitious, hybrid device that merges a point-and-shoot camera with the full Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system. On the positive side, reviewers praise its impressive 21x optical zoom lens (ranging from a wide 23mm to 483mm) and built-in optical image stabilization, which allows for versatile framing and significantly smoother video recordings compared to standard smartphones of its era. Its massive 4.8-inch HD Super Clear LCD touchscreen provides an attractive canvas for reviewing photos, browsing the web, and navigating an intuitive user interface. Additionally, the cellular connectivity (supporting 3G/4G data) combined with the Android ecosystem allows users to download apps and instantly upload high-quality snapshots directly to social media networks right from the device. However, the review outlines several notable downsides, particularly regarding photo performance and cost. Despite its advanced form factor, the actual photo quality is deemed merely average, delivering punchy, punch-saturated colours in bright daylight but suffering from significant softness, noise, and exposure errors in low-light environments. The device also suffers from poor battery life, typically lasting only half to...

Summary of Pros and Cons Pros: Full Android Integration: Allows full access to social media, games, and web browsing apps. Instant Sharing: Easy photo transfers via Wi-Fi straight to Instagram, Twitter, or email. Large Touch Screen: Completely eliminates the traditional viewfinder for simplified digital framing. Smart Shooting Modes: Over 20 custom profiles (like Food and Sunset) that effortlessly enhance image vibrancy. Travel-Friendly Size: Lightweight and compact enough to fit nicely into a standard handbag. Cons: Max Zoom Degradation: Extreme zoom distances result in loss of color, light, and sharp image detail. Weak Built-in Flash: Described by the reviewer as mediocre or not particularly effective. Struggles with Repetitive Landscapes: The panorama mode requires an incredibly slow panning speed to avoid stitching glitches on uniform backgrounds. Missing Dedicated Accessories: No official Samsung storage case was manufactured for this specific model.

The Europe 1 review highlights the Samsung Galaxy Camera as an ambitious compact hybrid that merges a traditional camera with Google's Android mobile operating system. The review praises its sleek build quality, an incredibly responsive 4.8-inch touchscreen display, and a highly fluid user interface that simplifies menu navigation. Its core strengths lie in its extensive connectivity, combining Wi-Fi with 3G/4G capability via a micro-SIM slot, alongside built-in GPS and automated cloud synchronization with Dropbox. On the hardware side, the camera boasts a powerful 21x optical zoom and an impressive 23mm wide-angle lens, making immediate social media sharing effortless without needing a computer. However, the review points out several critical drawbacks that ultimately hinder the device's success. Despite its 16-megapixel resolution, the photographic quality is mediocre, suffering significantly in low-light conditions and struggling to support close-up macro photography. Physically, at 300 grams, it is overly heavy and bulky compared to normal compact devices. Furthermore, the Android system heavily drains the battery, resulting in poor autonomy that will struggle to survive a week of holiday use. Priced at a steep €449, the...