Samsung Galaxy K Zoom - First Impressions

[ortega]

Prior to today's Worldwide launch of the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom, I was given an opportunity to shoot with this new device that based on my knowledge of the S4 Zoom is a camera that can make phone calls.

Lets see what it looks like

it is much slimmer than the S4 Zoom and it also has a bigger sized screen
this makes the device more pocket-able that the S4 Zoom

it comes in black and white colours

with the zoom lens activated at the widest focal length

the amazing retractable 10X Optical zoom lens

 

[ortega]

it uses a normal USB Micro B cable for charging and connectivity

you can insert a MicroSD card for additional storage

the slight curve give the device a better grip

Dedicated shutter button

 

[ortega]

only 22mm thick and 200g

now what images can you create with this new camera phone?

first I went to Lor Halus

the Galaxy K Zoom comes with more than 60 "Films" that are presets of the 33 settings that you load in the Pro Suggest mode
you can also download more or updated "films"

 

[ortega]

now for some lunch, the ambient window light coming from the back casts the foreground in the shadows
with their new feature of AF/AE separation, you can select the focus and get the exposure reading from different locations.
this makes getting the right exposure really simple by dragging the Auto exposure box to a different location and you will be able to get a live preview of your shot.

see the screenshot of the AF/AE separation locations for the above shot

 

[ortega]

 

[ortega]

one of these images is shot with ISO 1600 and the otehr at ISO 400, Samsung has a scene mode for low light situations, it shoots a couple of shot at high ISO and combines it to reduce noise and camera shake
can you guess which?

 

[ortega]

getting to know the camera well will allow you to control the exposure just the way you want it

 

[ortega]

Some shots using the Pro Suggest Mode with different "Films"

this shot was taken with the HDR scene mode


Please note that all sample images were taken with a pre production unit of the device and are to be used only as an indication of the kind of shots that you can get with the device

 

[ortega]

overall this device is a step up over the S4 Zoom and other Smartphones
Could this be a photographer's mobile phone?

the 10X optical zoom lens (24~240mm) gives you flexibility to control the perspective
and the 20.7MP 1/2.3" sensor captures great details

it seems that in order to slim down the device, it has lost the tripod mount (which as a photographer I find extremely useful)

i forgot to mention a really fun feature called "Selfie Alarm" the allows you to take selfies using the better rear camera instead of the lower resolution front camera
it also beautifies your skin, my wife loves this feature.

 

[richiemccaw1]

The K Zoom is 'woah'?! Granted the photographer plays a big role in taking nice photos, but this camera looks pretty darn competent. The 'focus' and 'exposure' selection points are very interesting.

 

[ortega]

The K Zoom is 'woah'?! Granted the photographer plays a big role in taking nice photos, but this camera looks pretty darn competent. The 'focus' and 'exposure' selection points are very interesting.

you are right, this device is making photography easier for the average person, especially the live preview of your image when you select a different place to spot meter from

 

[ortega]

Mr. Sun Hong Lim, Senior Vice President, IT & Mobile Communications business, showing the new Samsung Galaxy K Zoom yesterday at the Launch Event
He mentioned that this is the first "Camera specialised galaxy" series, I am looking forward to what is in store in the series

We live in exciting times

BTW this shot was taken with the Samsung NX30 and not the K Zoom

 

[trd2970]

Impressive! Considering one now

 

[Nikoras]

Looks pretty darn good, but in my hands, the quality would dip quite a bit.

Possible to provide some pics in full res?
How's the flash, and is it bright enough to trigger slave flash?

 

[ortega]

full res no, but you can see 2048 pixel width images on my flickr account

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ortega_sg/

btw the phone is not on sale yet

 

[ortega]

ok have one full res, straight out of camera image

Full untouched image from a samsung k zoom by ortega_sg, on Flickr

click on it and select the original size

 

[Nikoras]

Thanks. Looks really good (both the pic and the food).

 

[ortega]

Thanks. Looks really good (both the pic and the food).

S$3.50 only (the chicken rice with roast pork) at Sultan's Kitchen @ Sultan Plaza

 

[ortega]

lots of colourful cases to choose from

 

[daredevil123]

This looks fantastic!

Another nail in the coffin for the traditional consumer point and shoots.