Samsung L310W Digital Camera [Review]

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Samsung L310W Digital Camera [Review]

Sudeep Naik, Feb 13, 2009 1300 hrs IST

Did this 13 megapixel ultra-compact camera impress us? Find out...

13MP, build, macro mode performance, advanced features like smile and blink detection

Overall image quality, noise suppression could have been better, ISO 3200 is of no use, expensive

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Features

The Samsung SL310W features a 13.6 MP sensor and a 28-102mm, 3.6x optical zoom lens. The lens is just about average for telephoto but wide angle of 28 mm is pretty good and will be useful while capturing landscapes and group shots. The maximum aperture varies from f2.8 to f5.7 across the zoom range. Macro focusing works from as close as 5cm (Wide) and as far as 50cm (Tele). The 2.7-inch LCD has a 230,000 pixel resolution that is also used as a viewfinder, since the L310W does not come with an optical viewfinder.

ISO sensitivity on the L310W ranges from 80 to 3200, with ISO 3200 being available only at a resolution to 3 MP or below. Not of much use really. Shutter speeds range from 1/1500 to 8 seconds and are controlled automatically.

The Samsung SL310W has 10 scene modes: Portrait, Children, Landscape, Text, Close-up, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks and Beach & Snow. It also features Samsung's Dual Image Stabilization function, which is a combination of true optical and digital image stabilization function.

When using the Movie mode, the L310W records movie in AVI format and uses MPEG-4 compression. Movies are recorded at resolutions of 800x592 pixels @20fps, 640x480 or 320x240 pixel @ 30fps. It allows optical zoom while recording videos but mutes the sound when actually using it to avoid noise being added to the video.

As far as storage is concerned, the L310W comes with about 35 MB of built-in memory and also stores images on SD, SDHC or MMC plus cards. Connectivity options include NTSC / PAL video and USB 2.0 port for connecting to a computer. It uses a Samsung proprietary battery for power.

It also comes with advanced features like;

Blink Detection function detects when a subject's eyes are closed and triggers the camera to automatically take three shots in order to capture the eyes open.

Smile Detection detects when the subject smiles and almost immediately captures that moment.

Beauty Shot uses face detection technology to retouch the facial skin to appear brighter and to give the impression of a smoother skin tone. This can be done either while shooting or during playback.

Face Detection automatically recognises if there is a face in the shot. It then optimises the focus and brightness of up to nine faces for natural-looking portraits.

Red-eye Correction uses a special algorithm to automatically detect and eliminate red-eye from your shot. You can even choose to remove red-eye after you have taken the shot.

Auto Contrast Balance automatically compensates the brightness of objects in challenging light environments (i.e. backlight conditions) to ensure a perfectly exposed image.