Samsung EX1 or something else?

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iced_jacob

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Hello everyone,

Newbie here and need some help. I need to get a compact for those times my A500 can't be around...I don't care about video so the lack of HD on the EX1 shouldn't be a problem. The lens is incredibly fast and I like the fact that I can go down to 24mm to fit more in the frame.

Now is there any reason to spend the £100 more the likes of LX5 and XZ-1 offer?

Any help would be appreciated
 
I was considering getting a smaller camera a few months ago, after much searching and hands on I came to the conclusion that EX1 was best for me (although ultimately that buying nothing was better yet for me).

The XZ-1 wasn't out at that time, although I think I am still right in saying that the EX1 can go wider. Also the EX1 has got a great screen on the back (something I think is important for snap shots, as you want to show off the pics to your mates there and then). It doesn't get the hype the more expensive ones get, yet it can perform just as well and is built link a tank.
 
I have an EX-1 and it is an excellent camera that I carry whenever I don't have my dslr with me. Before you buy one make sure you handle it as it's quite large for a 'compact' especially when compared with Canons S95 that can be had for similar money.
 
Rod.F said:
I was considering getting a smaller camera a few months ago, after much searching and hands on I came to the conclusion that EX1 was best for me (although ultimately that buying nothing was better yet for me).

The XZ-1 wasn't out at that time, although I think I am still right in saying that the EX1 can go wider. Also the EX1 has got a great screen on the back (something I think is important for snap shots, as you want to show off the pics to your mates there and then). It doesn't get the hype the more expensive ones get, yet it can perform just as well and is built link a tank.
Click to expand...

Is the AMOLED screen as good as the reviews say? I mean in bright light is it clearly visible?
 
iced_jacob said:
Hello everyone,

Newbie here and need some help. I need to get a compact for those times my A500 can't be around...I don't care about video so the lack of HD on the EX1 shouldn't be a problem. The lens is incredibly fast and I like the fact that I can go down to 24mm to fit more in the frame.

Now is there any reason to spend the £100 more the likes of LX5 and XZ-1 offer?

Any help would be appreciated
Click to expand...

I have an EX1 as my compact (when dragging out a K5, K7, GF-1 or ETRSi is too much of a fag - or I need to be discrete).

I find the quality of the images amazing and I'm sure you won't find it anything less than great. Do be aware that the accessories can be pricey (if you want to go that route) and difficult to get hold of as Samsung are just beginning to push them into production.

If you want to see some real-life usage of an EX1 - then my flickr stream has a good few of late - all the ones with SAM_XXX as the name - http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_j_l/. I took it on holiday 2 weeks ago and didn't take the GF-1 out the bag - just used the EX1.
 
iced_jacob said:
Is the AMOLED screen as good as the reviews say? I mean in bright light is it clearly visible?
Click to expand...

I've only played around with it a few times in shops, you'd get a better answer off these others. But it did look bright to me and the fact you can rotate it is a bonus - to keep it safe and for taking difficult angle photos.
 
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iced_jacob said:
Thanks Chris those look amazing! Do you shoot in 3:2 or 4:3 on it?
Click to expand...

Thanks - the camera is quite powerful so I can't claim too much credit.

I shoot at full 10M - which should be 4:3 - I tend to crop most images to tweak compositional balance - so I just shoot with whole sensor.

I used to shoot 1:1 but do so more rarely now.

C
 
The new issue of Amateur Photographer dropped onto my doormat this morning. It has a group test of the EX1, Olympus XZ-1, Panazonic LX5 and Canon S95.

Very close scores all round, but the Panasonic edged it in their opinion.

Probably worth a read to evaluate your particular needs.
 
Musicman said:
The new issue of Amateur Photographer dropped onto my doormat this morning. It has a group test of the EX1, Olympus XZ-1, Panazonic LX5 and Canon S95.

Very close scores all round, but the Panasonic edged it in their opinion.

Probably worth a read to evaluate your particular needs.
Click to expand...

Thanks Musicman (is this from the guitar brand btw??)

can you please let me know what the decisive factor for the LX5 is? If it is HD video I dont care about it anw...Also do they say anything about value for money? the lx5 is 80-100 more than the ex1
 
iced_jacob said:
Thanks Musicman (is this from the guitar brand btw??)
Click to expand...

Yes, specifically this Sabre :)

iced_jacob said:
can you please let me know what the decisive factor for the LX5 is? If it is HD video I dont care about it anw...Also do they say anything about value for money? the lx5 is 80-100 more than the ex1
Click to expand...

It was 85% vs 82% for the EX-1. With the other two on 81%.

They scored the LX5 as a good all-rounder, which clinched it - "while [it] has in many respects no stand-out features, it is the most consistent in the group". They particularly liked the metering; exposing for the highlights. In the summary, the EX-1 lost out on size and weight.

There's a lot of other detail they cover on things like distortion, AF speed, macro performance, etc. It's a six page article and I wouldn't be doing justice by trying to summarise it here.
 
How quickly does it power up and set up shots?

How durable is the twisting LCD?

Wookee said:
I have an EX-1 and it is an excellent camera that I carry whenever I don't have my dslr with me. Before you buy one make sure you handle it as it's quite large for a 'compact' especially when compared with Canons S95 that can be had for similar money.
Click to expand...
 
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