A compact crammed with features and auto modes at a budget price tag
Samsung’s ST96 is not revolutionary, but it is certainly one
of the best budget models on the market. Defying the notion that cheap and
small equals second- rate, this compact comes with a feature set worthy of much
higher- priced rivals.
There is a click- and- sweep Panorama mode for capturing
wide- angle photos, and even the ability to shoot 3D images. You can also
enhance regular stills by choosing from the 14 Smart Filters that include
effects like Miniature and Fish- eye, or by adding a Magic Frame.
It is a family- friendly compact built for slotting into a pocket
and firing up quickly for off- the- cuff photos. The shooting modes are fully
automatic, apart from the Program, which lets you manually adjust the ISO,
photo size and white balance among others. The Scene modes perform accurately
and generally, the ST96 produces images of good quality considering its low
price.
There are 14 megapixels for photos that can be blown- up
larger than the average 4 x 6” print, but images may require sharpening and saturation-
boost first.
Another niggle is the time it takes for the camera to charge
up the flash. This freezes the other controls and when it eventually takes the
picture, you probably would have moved the camera or missed the opportunity.
The ST96 is easy to operate thanks to the minimalist design
and well- labeled controls. There is no mode dial but if you press the Mode
button, a virtual one appears on the 2.7 inch screen. Here you can cycle
through the various shooting modes and each one has a helpful description of
its main function. The Scene modes are particularly easy to navigate through,
as each option comes with an illustration, which adds to its broad appeal that
does not hinge on age or ability. You can pick up this smart- shooter for
around $152 on the internet and it is certainly a great option for buyers on a
budget.
There is HD video
recording at 1080p and 30 fps and a creative movie maker, which combines stills
and video into a slideshow
Hands- on …
The camera is ready to take a picture within moments of
pressing the power button and the menu system is easy to navigate. The Fn
control takes you straight to the available settings for easy alterations.
Among the creative options are Pauorama mode and smart
filter, which offers cartoon, zooming shots, retro and more.
This is camera only accepts micro SD cards, which are small
and tidy but do not cost any more than a regular SD card.
Sual image stabilization winimises blurry camera shake with
a combination of optical and digital image stabilisation, which is ideal for
sports captures.
How good is it for
Portraits
Skin tone and detail is washed- out in bright sunny
conditions
Landscapes
Colours are a little dull and highlights are frequently
blown- out
Sports
The fast shutter speeds keep up with the action and
maintains detail
Low light
Night mode delivers low- light images with little digital
noise
Macro
Images are a little soft straight from the camera and may
require sharpening
What is good about it
The Smart Filters are great fun to experiment with for
creative pictures.
It is simple to use and it slots easily into your pocket
What could be better
The flash takes a while to charge resulting in missed
opportunities.
It does not have Wi- Fi or touchscreen features like other
Samsung models.
A compact crammed
with features and auto modes at a budged price tag
We answer your questions
Is this a good camera to take with me on day trips?
The Samsung ST96 is perfect for taking on everyday
adventures thanks to its petite size and great automatic controls. It also has
full HD video recording at 1920 x 1080p, rather than the medium quality 710p.
The info
Megapixels
/ 14.5 MP
There are
plenty of megapixels for large prints
Zoom /
5x optical, 5x digital
The 26-
130mm range is suitable for most snaps
Shutter
speeds / 1- 1 / 2000sec
Sports
captures are impressive as it freezes the action
ISO
sensitivity / 80- 3200
The higher
ISO settings perform well in low light
Exp.
Modes / 11 scene modes, plus Smart Auto, Program, 3D Photo, Panorama, Movie
There
automatic modes are well- suited to beginners who are after reliable results
Aperture:
f3.3- 5.9
Flash
modes: Smart flash, A, A + RE, FI, SS, Foff, RE Flash EVC
Weight:
110g
Dimensions:
90 x 55 x 18.7 mm
Batteries:
Lithium- ion
Storage:
Micro SD / Micro SDHC cards
Screen:
2.7 inches
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Verdict
Features:
3/5
Design and
handling: 3/5
Build
quality: 4/5
Image
quality: 3/5
Value for
money: 4/5
This
budget- conscious compact is not likely to win any awards for picture quality
or innovation, but it does boast some nifty features despite its low price
tag: 3/5
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