Samsung S630 Review:

User-friendly point-and-shoot Samsung S630 digital camera represents the next generation models of Samsung’s most popular point-and-shoot digital still camera products. This powerful, compact camera combines Samsung’s advanced image processing technology and quality optics with a straightforward, uncluttered user interface and stylish ergonomic design.

The Samsung S630 simplifies the picture-taking process to let photographers capture images without worrying about adjusting multiple settings. Samsung’s ASR image stabilization system helps to reduce camera shake and image blur during longer exposures and in situations where holding the camera steady is impossible or a tripod is unavailable. When taking pictures outdoors, the Samsung S630 automatically detects environmental light conditions through the CCD and adjusts the brightness of the LCD display for optimal image viewing.

Thoughtful features like red-eye reduction allow users to focus on getting the images they want without having to worry about tedious exposure adjustments or editing. The conveniently located mode dial provides instant access to the camera’s most commonly used settings, such as Auto, Program, manual, Movie, Scene, ASR, Night Scene, and Portrait. Individual dedicated modes for common-yet-difficult shooting situations including Close-Up (to capture all of the detail at a subject at a close focal range), Sunset (to take advantage of soft, waning light), and Backlight (to compensate for a dark subject lit from behind) are included.

The Samsung S630 features a built-in microphone, which allows a 10-second voice memo to be attached to any still image. Slide Show automatically scrolls through photos and displays them on a bright and vivid 2.5-inch TFT LCD screen. The Samsung S630’s Movie mode lets users capture video in one of two resolutions, 320 x 240 and 640 x 480 at 15 frames per second in AVI (MJPEG) format. Just as in still-picture mode, the ASR image stabilization system can be engaged to compensate for unwanted camera movement and subject blur in movie mode.

For maximum versatility, the Samsung S630 can be powered by optional high-energy rechargeable Ni-MH batteries as well as available-everywhere AA alkaline cells, which is a surefire boon for travelers and other power users.

All of these features are contained in a sleek housing that measures a mere 3.9 inches (width) by 2.5 inches (height) by 1 inch (depth). The included USB 2.0 cable and CD-ROM containing Samsung’s Digimax Master software (compatible with Windows 98/2000/ME/XP and Macintosh OS X 9.2 through 10.4) will get even beginning photographers up and shooting right out of the box.

The Samsung S630 contains 20MB of internal memory and can accept Secure Digital (SD) flash memory cards up to 4GB.

I take pictures of cars for car dealers for a living and Samsung S630 camera is just what we needed, something CHEAP that takes very good photos. The battery life, unlike some other statements, is great for me. I can go all day, usually around 600 shots and not have to swap out batteries. I use 2500mA batteries from Wal-Mart and have used the same set for two years now, every single day! I did manage to drop the camera pretty hard on a parking lot and the battery door flew open and batteries flew out across the lot, but when I put them back in, the Samsung S630 worked fine and this was a month ago. It did damage the nice red finish, but that’s not too important to me. The Samsung S630’s 2.5″ LCD is a little hard to see in direct sunlight, but not nearly as bad as my old Canon Powershot camera. Indoor performance is not so great though, so if you’re wanting something to do indoor portraits or lots of flash photography, you better not get this one.

—– By B. Remy

Samsung S630 Specifications

• 6-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 14 x 19-inch prints
• 3x Advanced Shake Reduction optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Built-in microphone allows 10-second voice memos to be attached to images
• Captures video in one of two resolutions, up to 640 x 480 at 15 frames per second, in AVI (MJPEG) format
• Stores images on SD memory cards (includes 20MB internal memory); powered by AA-size batteries

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