Samsung ES80 Review

Samsung ES80 Overview

Posted: 02/07/2011

The Samsung ES80 has a 1/2.3"-type, twelve megapixel CCD image sensor, which is coupled to a Samsung-branded 5x optical zoom lens. The ES80's lens provides a 35mm-equivalent zoom range from a useful 27mm wide angle to a moderate 135mm telephoto, with actual focal lengths being 4.9 - 24.5mm. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.5 at wide angle to f/5.9 at telephoto. Befitting its cost-conscious, entry level design, the ES80 forgoes any form of optical or electronic viewfinder, instead relying solely on an LCD display of indeterminate size and resolution. Likewise, it lacks any form of mechanical image stabilization, instead relying on what Samsung terms "Digital Image Stabilization", which essentially just raises the ISO sensitivity (along with the noise levels), so as to yield a faster shutter speed.

Only very limited information was available on the Samsung ES80 at press time. We do know that it includes a Smart Auto mode which can identify the scene type being photographed, and then automatically select an appropriate scene type from a subset of available scene modes. It also includes face detection autofocus capable of locating and accounting for up to ten individuals in the image frame. Further face detect-related functions include Smile and Blink Detection, a Red-Eye Fix tool, plus a Self Portrait function that emits a sound when your face is correctly framed, and a Beauty Shot mode that automatically adjusts skin tones for a more pleasing look. There's apparently also tracking autofocus, and a playback Smart Album mode.

The Samsung ES80 will be available from April 2011, priced at around US$100. Four body colors will be available -- silver, black, pink and red.