Samsung ST6500 Review

Samsung ST6500 Overview

Posted: 01/19/2011

The Samsung ST6500 is a compact digital camera with a modern look that features both sharply angled and softly rounded corners in different areas, and is said to have an angled design intended to improve handholding comfort. The ST6500 is based around a 1/2.33"-type CCD image sensor with 16 megapixel resolution. The ST6500's sensor sits behind a Samsung-branded 5x optical zoom lens, whose actual focal lengths range from 4.7 to 23.5mm. That equates to approximately the same field of view as a 26mm to 130mm lens on a 35mm camera -- a useful wide angle to a moderate telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.3 to f/5.9, across the zoom range.

Usefully given its telephoto reach, the Samsung ST6500 includes true optical image stabilization, part of a dual-pronged approach which also includes so-called Digital Image Stabilization, although it isn't stated whether this includes deconvolution to attempt to correct blur, or simply raises ISO sensitivity (and noise levels) to attain higher shutter speeds. The Samsung ST6500 forgoes any optical or electronic viewfinder, providing only a 3.0-inch wide aspect LCD display of unspecified resolution on which to frame and review your shots. This also serves as an input device, thanks to a touch panel overlay and a newly developed Smart Touch 3.0 user interface.

The Samsung ST6500 include the company's Smart Auto mode, which selects from a subset of available scene modes automatically, as well as a Smart Filter 2.0 function that offers special effects. Both Smart Auto and Smart Filter can be used for still and movie capture. Other features include a Magic Frame function with twelve predefined templates, and 720p movie recording capability, although we don't currently know the frame rate or codec used.

The Samsung ST6500 ships in the US market from March 2011, priced at around US$230.