Samsung TL500/EX1 Review

Review based on a production Samsung EX1

As DSLRs have become less expensive, the number of people keen to buy high-end, manually controllable compact cameras has fallen away - so long as camera size isn't an issue, the benefits of a larger sensor are hard to resist. However, because size is a concern for some people, the sector didn't die-off entirely and, in July 2008, Panasonic introduced the DMC-LX3, finally giving an alternative to Canon's well-respected G-series.

Now Samsung, another vast electronics specialist wanting to show off its photographic credentials has introduced the TL500 (EX1 outside North America), a pretty little thing that follows the LX3 recipe of a fast, wide (though reach-limited) zoom lens in a fairly compact metal body. The Samsung offers an impressive F1.8-2.4 zoom lens that covers a range from the very wideangle 24mm equivalent out to 72mm equiv. making it a fraction faster than the LX3 at the wide end and a touch longer at the other.

The other standout feature of the TL500 is undoubtedly its rear screen - not only does it have a fully articulated screen, it also has the excellent VGA-equivalent OLED screen we first saw on the NX10. In principle OLED screens can be more efficient and offer greater contrast than LCD panels because they can selectively light just the pixels that need to be illuminated. They also promise greater viewing angles.

In many other respects the TL500 closely mimics the LX3's design though it adds a direct video record button, despite only offering rather dated VGA video recording. This limitation, coming from a 10MP, 1/1.7" CCD, strongly suggests the camera is based around the same high sensitivity Sony sensor as the Canon G11 and S90.

Overall it's an impressive specification, packing a lot of desirable features, such as RAW capability and easy manual control into its stylish form.

Samsung TL500 Key Features

24-72mm equivalent F1.8-2.4 image stabilized lens
10 million pixel 1/1.7" sensor (0.43 cm²)
Front click dial and rear control dial
RAW shooting
3.0 inch VGA-equivalent articulated OLED screen
Accessible manual controls
Optical Image Stabilization
Smart Mode with automatic scene detection
VGA output
HD output

Side by side

It's clear from this picture that the Samsung isn't as small as the Panasonic LX3 that has clearly played heavily on the minds of its designers. Canon's S90 is smaller still, however the TL500/EX1 isn't as large as Canon's G11.
The TL500 is slightly larger in every dimension than Panasonic's LX3, which is itself larger than the S90


The flip-out screen helps ensure the TL500 can't quite match the LX3 for compactness, though it will still fit in a coat pocket easily enough, providing always-with-you convenience

Samsung TL500/EX1 specifications

Crescent Island, Popular Place from “Out of Africa”

Inside Lake Naivasha – located at an hour’s drive from Nairobi – lies a beautiful crescent moon-shaped island.

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/350s │ f/7.5 │ ISO 80 │ 21.5mm

Just like its shape, the island is named “Crescent Island”. The island isn’t big, but is surely entitled to be called the most peaceful place on Earth.

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/1000s │ f/4.0 │ ISO 80 │ 4.3mm

To enter the island, you need to take a boat. Because water has dried in the Lake Naivasha, you can also get to the island by road, but then, what’s the fun? Approaching the island on boat is much more exciting.

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/1500s │ f/4.0 │ ISO 80 │ 4.3mm

You are greeted by a small sign that reads Crescent Island.

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/90s │ f/5.8 │ ISO 80 │ 21.5mm

This island gained popularity with the movie “Out of Africa”. It is also well known as the scene for the Tomb Raider that starred Angelina Jolie. The ancestors of the animals living here now were the ones relocated for the movie shooting. Then, the lake was deep that the animals were trapped on the island. But now, many animals escape the island by crossing the land.

This place is practically the one and only walking safari in Kenya. There are no carnivores that can harm humans. You may want to watch out for hippos, 3~4 meter long snakes and hyena that appear occasionally at night.

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/250s │ f/5.8 │ ISO 80 │ 18.9mm

However, this island breathes of wild life just like all the other national parks in Africa. This is the rough thorn of acacia tree that giraffes eat.

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/350s │ f/4.0 │ ISO 100 │ 4.3mm

The garden of a hotel located near the lake where I had delicious coffee right after the walking safari!

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Electronics Co.,Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such.

All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung WB1000(TL320), which has been provided by Samsung Electronics Co.,Ltd.

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The European Advanced Compact Camera 2010-2011 from EISA: Samsung EX1(TL500)

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. proudly announced that the Samsung camera has been awarded the European Advanced Compact Camera 2010-2011 from the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) for the Samsung EX1(TL500) with ultra-wide 24mm F1.8 Schneider KREUZNACH lens with 3x zoom turn heads. Last year, Samsung already awarded the EISA 2009-2010 for its camera WB1000(TL320). To see the article of WB1000, click here.

Established in 1982, the European Imaging Sound Association(EISA) is a multimedia association that tests consumer electronic products by 50 special interest magazines from 19 European countries. It’s internationally known for the European EISA Awards.

According to the EISA, “The Samsung EX1(TL500) is a very solidly built and high-quality compact camera for demanding hobby photographers. The high-quality, super-fast, 24-70mm F1.8-2.4 wide angle zoom lens allows photography in low-light conditions without the photographer having to resort to high ISO settings. The camera offers more advanced users the choice to record raw as well as JPEG file formats, while the AMOLED tilt-and-swivel display is good quality and makes shooting from creative angles very easy.”

For more information about the EISA award, please visit http://www.eisa.eu/

The Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park

Samsung Electronics has provided the author of this article with the mentioned digital imaging device.

The Amboseli National Park cannot be expressed in one sentence. It is where Hemingway wrote ‘The Snow of Kilimanjaro”. It is the biggest habitat for elephants among Kenyan national parks. It offers a spectacular view of the 5895m Kilimanjaro. Kenya is one of the favorites for nature documentary programs such as the National Geography. This trip was also to look around the place as a potential site for nature documentary pogram.

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/180s │ f4.0 │ ISO 80 │ 4.3mm

The Amboseli National Park finds itself at 4 hour distance from Nairobi. Currently, there are four gates that lead into the park. Admission fee for foreigners is $60. Expensive! For me, good accommodation is important. A night or so at a cheap campsite can be romantic, but high-end accommodation is much more convenient for a frequent traveler like me.

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/1000s │ f4.0 │ ISO 100 │ 4.3mm

Amboseli is a basin with no obstacle from one end of the horizon to the other. Sun rise and sun set offer breath-taking views. However, I wasn’t able to capture the scene this time. Desertification is underway in Amboseli. Global warming is the biggest reason, but the surge in the number of elephants and dirt caused by tourist cars causing death of nearby trees are other interesting rumored reasons.

Elephant family finally in sight!

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/250s │ f5.7 │ ISO 100 │ 14.2mm

This group consists of about 40 elephants. Sometimes, the herd gets as large as 100 elephants. From time to time, the elephants will come across cars driving by. As the leader of the group, the big female elephant makes sure that the surrounding is safe until every member of the herd crosses the road. Elephants are quite similar to humans in many ways. I am saddened at the sight of elephant sculls lying around due to death caused by drought.

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/180s │ f5.1 │ ISO 80 │ 6.3mm

The permanent snow reveals itself. It is unfortunate that much of the snow has melted, but the mountain is nevertheless beautiful. This picture was taken at Mode S, which automatically selected Landscape Mode. I really like the wide-angle zoom lens.

Samsung WB1000(TL320) │ 1/250s │ f5.8 │ ISO 80 │ 18.9mm

This picture was taken at A Mode. I’m not quite sure where the focus was. The automatic landscape mode in S Mode seems to do a better job. The mountain is hidden behind the clouds. At a better condition, this scene surely would have captivated the hearts of many photographers.

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Electronics Co.,Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such.

All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung WB1000(TL320), which has been provided by Samsung Electronics Co.,Ltd.

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Samburu National Park

Samburu National Park is the most popular of the many national parks that you can find in Kenya. Celebrating the launch of the new lodge, people in the travel industry were invited for a three day promotion event. Here are a few pictures from the event.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/500sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 100ㅣ4.3mm]

Samburu is a dry region all year round. It did rain quite a bit when I was there, but wasn’t enough to quench the dryness.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/250sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 100ㅣ4.3mm]

In Samburu, there is a spring called ‘Buffalo Springs’ that never runs dry. The water is very clean that you can directly drink off it. It also serves as an important source of water for the wild life.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/180sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 100ㅣ4.3mm]

The water from the spring flows to form a small river. The water here is also crystal clear and transparent. Although in the midst of the desert, the water is freezing cold.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/250sㅣf/2.8ㅣISO 100ㅣ4.3mm]

The travel agency is finally here to pick us up. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary van that you often see on the road, but the ceiling is wide open, providing a better view of the animals. From time to time, the van breaks down and stops on the middle of the road.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/1000sㅣf/7.5ㅣISO 100ㅣ21.5mm]

This is Mount Kenya, located on the southern hemisphere, covered with snow all year round. Its highest peak is 5,199 meters. It is one of the highest mountains in Africa and the highest volcanic mountain. Professional ice wall climbing skills are required to climb the mountain.

Semi-desert with scorching heat and permanent snow located not too distant from each other – the uniqueness of Kenya is more than enough to attract the footsteps of many tourists from around the world.

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such.

All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung WB1000(TL320), which has been provided by Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd.

In order to become an official SamsungImaging.net blogger, please click here

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Maasai Mara is the unparalled animal kingdom in Kenya. Over the period of June to October, more than a million wildebeest cross the Mara River to reach Tanzania. These pictures were taken at early June, which is a bit early, but Maasai Mara promises spectacular view all year round.

For the night, I rented a tent that costs a little over $600. Those visiting here for the first time, the sound of hyena and lions crying are sure to steal their good night’s sleep. The tent is equipped with a classy shower room, bathroom and desk.

Now- driving time! Thomson’s Gazelle and zebras pass right by. A few animals that fell behind their herd. Deeply wounded male are left to die as they are no longer capable of hunting. However, female can mate with a new male to build a new family and herd.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/1500sㅣf/3.6ㅣISO 100ㅣ4.3mm]

Male lion, not bothered an inch by the sight of tourists lying idly on the grass as if the bushes were its home. In fact, male lions spend of their time sleeping. Thus, sleeping lions is a familiar sight.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/1500sㅣf/5.6ㅣISO 100ㅣ4.3mm]

This is Sand River where the wildebeest will cross. It’s full of water now, but the water diminishes in July and August and reveals the bottom of the river made of sand – thus the name “Sand River”.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/1500sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 100ㅣ4.3mm]

Mara River finds itself on the upper region of the Sand River. This is where the famous crossing of the wildebeest takes place. The river is fraught with alligators and hippos.

The hippos living in the Mara River are especially charming. Mostly nocturnal, they stay in the water during the day time to control their temperature and come out at night to much on grass. Spotting hippos biting wildebeest to death, people tend to think that hippos eat wildebeest, but this is not true. Hippos cannot digest carnivores of that size. It’s simply that they bite them to death because they are angry for having their territory invaded.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/1000sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 100ㅣ4.3mm]

Sausage tree.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/1000sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 100ㅣ4.3mm]

FLY HIGH !

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such.

All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung WB1000(TL320), which has been provided by Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd.

The Swiss Traffic Culture Thinking of the Environment

This time the research was on what kind of efforts the Swiss make to be environment-friendly. Going around here and there people were seen in small cars in order to help protect the environment. All the parking systems are charged, and outside visitors must have a card to park. It seems that there are various inconveniences, but at least because of these reasons people use the public transportation more and enables the environment to stay green. Thinking that a little inconvenience makes a better world, from now on I shall try to make myself tolerate at least some discomfort.

 [Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/250sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.3mm]

 [Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/180sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 80ㅣ7.7mm]

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/45sㅣf/5.1ㅣISO 80ㅣ10.7mm]

Also, on the roads in Swiss, there are electronic railways called ‘traps’. Since the traps and roads are connected with each other, it does look a bit complicated but it lets the people use the public transportation more effectively. The only thing is that because of the traps, it seems to be difficult to make a U-turn. However, the people there seemed not to complain and go around the long way and made U-turns. Nobody rushed nor got angry. It was nice to see people quite relaxed.

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/2000sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 200ㅣ4.3mm]

 [Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/1000sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 200ㅣ4.3mm]

[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/2000sㅣf/4.0ㅣISO 200ㅣ4.3mm]

 [Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/250sㅣf/4.3ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.3mm]

The other thing that was impressive was the cable cars. Looking at the beautiful scenery of Switzerland, I could have stayed on the cable forever. It was a time to experience the effort of the Swiss enjoying, loving and protecting the lovely nature at the salubrious Switzerland.

 

 [Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/350sㅣf/5.8ㅣISO 80ㅣ21.5mm]

 [Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/250sㅣf/2.8ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.3mm]

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such.

All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung WB1000(TL320), which has been provided by Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd.

In order to become an official SamsungImaging.net blogger, please click here