Samsung sh100 manual focus

Additionally we get the ability to turn face detection on or off. Incidentally, we noticed that with prolonged use the right hand side of the camera - if viewed from the back - started to get quite warm. Of course this is also where the camera is gripped, so some heat is unavoidable.

In any event it didn't cause any malfunctions or issues for us over our test period. The second screen of settings on the Samsung is where you'll find the remote viewfinder option for hooking up with a smartphone, though evidently a piece of software 'Remote Viewfinder' needs to be added to said phone to enable a hook up.

Unexpectedly the second setting icon on the second screen allows images to be sent and received from a similarly Wi-Fi enabled camera, while the very next icon allows files to be sent to you again suitably enabled PC desktop or device. As well a Smart Movie we also here get a standalone Movie option, that provides a similar side panel toolbar leaving out flash to that found when selecting Program mode. Maximum movie size is a not quite full HD x pixels at 30 frames per second, with the ability to drop down to x pixels for web sharing if wanted.

Frame rate can similarly be dropped down to 15fps. The next virtual button is for scene modes, which provides access to some brief yet attractively illustrated photo-led buttons for the usual suspects - landscape, sunset, dawn, backlight, beach and snow and text. Next to this we find the self explanatory Beauty - allowing a degree of retouching and skin tone alteration - and Photo Editor modes, in which brightness, contrast and saturation can further be altered.

Getting slightly more esoteric as we progress, the third screen of eight icons features Magic Frame - a plethora of rather wild 'n' wacky options for the kids - plus Photo Filter, Movie Filter, Night, Palette Effect, Close Up, Simple Shot allowing manual brightness and colour adjustment and Object Highlight modes manual adjustment of blur and tone s.

Photo Filter is where not only do we once again find a vignetting option, we also get an increasingly ubiquitous miniature mode, soft focus mode and two old film modes, one black and white the other sepia tinted, and both complete with authentic scratches and blemishes like a damaged negative or old movie reel. With a swipe of the finger we get further access to half tone, sketch, fisheye, defog, classic, retro and negative digital filter effects.

Again more than we expected from this point and shoot option - and again one so keenly priced. A similar albeit reduced selection of filters can be applied in movie mode, namely miniature, vignetting, fish eye, half tone and sketch - which is still pretty cool. The fourth screen tops this off with 3D Album Slide Show allowing images to be dragged around the screen and flicked though with a finger jab , Voice Recorder and Magazine options - the latter providing slightly tacky frames for your subjects to make them look as if they're part of a layout on travel, weddings or parties, dependant on which you choose is the best 'fit'.

Although each of the above options varies in usefulness, it's no doubt the SH provides a very extensive collection of creative choices for those who, although they may want to point and shoot in the main, may enjoy occasionally experimenting with weird and wacky effects.

In playback mode meanwhile, accessed with a press of the familiar playback button located top right of the LCD screen on the backplate, the user is presented with a simple array of options at the left hand side of the screen, with the ability first and foremost to delete duff shots, followed by the ability to transmit stored images in some way.

We alternatively then get the ability to display the shots as a series of thumbnails. At any time a press of the Home button takes us back to those phone app like shooting options. So far, so intuitive, though occasionally a couple of finger taps were required before the screen realized what we wanted to do, and likewise it can take two or three swipes with a finger to find the setting you want. So, not really quicker than tabbing with an 'old fashioned' command pad to achieve the same - although it looks a lot cooler and allows for the Samsung's progressively minimalist appearance overall.

The base of the SH meanwhile features a slightly off-centre screw thread for attaching a tripod, and a covered compartment that houses both battery and microSD card as highlighted earlier, which is opened by flicking a catch. Overall then, we were very impressed with how much functionality - albeit largely auto functionality - Samsung has packed into the SH, and how relatively seamless and streamlined such implementation is.

But how does it perform when it comes to picture quality. Does it display a lightness of touch, or is its approach distinctly heavy handed? When it comes to image quality the SH suffers some familiar bugbears, including some softening of detail towards the edges of frame at maximum 26mm equivalent wideangle setting and also some obvious pixel fringing between areas of high contrast.

Also, results can be a little soft when shooting handheld at maximum mm equivalent telephoto. Colours are for the most part however are vibrant and well saturated even when it's completely left to Smart Auto mode to deliver the goods. Thus this is a camera you can truly point and shoot with until the cows come home, and get results that will require little if any adjustment by most of the SH's would-be users.

For lower light shooting the Samsung offers a range stretching between ISO80, so starting lower than most, and topping out at ISO, so reasonably modest by today's standards whilst at the same point being perfectly acceptable for its class.

Having said that we're noticing noise as low as ISO, albeit only on very close inspection, when ISO would usually be the lowest setting at which we'd expect to start seeing a grainy texture to shadow detail. By ISO, the gritty look has extended across the entire image, though not to such an extent that would make this setting unusable. It is slightly disappointing however, as it appears similar to the kind of look we'd normally expect at ISO or ISO As a result then we'd argue that the highest two settings are to be avoided - and, with a chance to examine our test samples here - you probably won't want to disagree.

So, in common with most cheaper models, the SH is a camera that only really excels in ideal conditions - blue skies and plenty of light. The Samsung SH's 5x zoom lens offers a versatile focal range, as illustrated by these examples:. The right-hand image has had some sharpening applied in Photoshop. The out-of-the camera images are a little soft and ideally benefit from some further sharpening in a program like Adobe Photoshop. You can also change the in-camera sharpening level. The Samsung SH handled chromatic aberrations fairly well during the review, with some purple fringing present around the edges of objects in high-contrast situations, as shown in the examples below.

The Samsung SH offers a Macro setting that allows you to focus on a subject that is 5cms away from the camera when the lens is set to wide-angle. Use your camera in the normal position. For example, [Shutter] represents the shutter button. Page number of related information The order of options or menus you must select to perform a step; for example: Touch m Photo Size represents Touch m, and then touch Photo Size.

Page 9: Basic Troubleshooting Basic troubleshooting Learn to solve common problems by setting shooting options. Photos have dust spots. Photos are blurred. Photos are blurred when shooting at night. Subjects come out too dark because of backlighting. Page 11 Contents Basic functions Page 12 Contents Shooting options Unpacking ………………………………… 15 Camera layout ……………………………… 16 Inserting the battery and memory card Charging the battery and turning on your camera ……………………………………… 19 Charging the battery ……………………… 19 Turning on your camera ………………… Page Unpacking Unpacking The following items are included in your product box.

Insert a memory card with the gold-colored contacts facing up. Memory card Insert the battery with the Samsung logo facing down. Rechargeable battery Removing the battery and memory card Memory card Battery lock Attach the USB cable to the AC adapter, and then plug the end of cable with the indicator light into your camera. Touch Language. Select a language, and then touch o. Touch Time Zone. Touch Home, and then touch z or x to select a time zone. Page 22 Performing the initial setup Touch the up or down arrows to set the date.

Touch Touch Calibration. Touch the target on the screen with your touch pen. Page Learning Icons Learning icons The icons the camera displays on the screen change according to the mode you select or the options you set. Use the supplied touch pen to touch or drag on the screen. Do not use sharp objects, such as pens or pencils, to touch the screen.

You can damage the screen. Touching Touch an icon to select a menu or option. Touch the option, and then touch o. Setting the display type for the touch screen You can select from three screen display types. Each displays differently. In Shooting mode, touch Select an option, and then touch o. Page Using The Home Screen Using the Home screen You can select a shooting mode or access the settings menu by touching the icons on the Home screen. Press [HOME] again to return to the previous mode.

Smart movie Smart movie Smart Auto Touch and hold an icon. Half-press [Shutter] to focus. Page Zooming Capturing photos Zooming You can capture close-up photos by adjusting the zoom. The Intelli zoom and Digital zoom cannot be used at the same time.

Zoom out Zoom in The available zoom ratio for videos differs from photo zoom ratio. Page 32 Capturing photos Intelli zoom If the zoom indicator is in the Intelli range, your camera is using the Intelli zoom. Photo resolution varies according to the zoom rate if you use the Intelli zoom. By using both the Optical zoom and Intelli zoom, you can zoom in up to 10 times.

Before correction After correction In Shooting mode, touch m. Touch the setting button next to DIS. Page Set Iso Sensitivity Options. P Tips for getting a clearer photo Holding your camera correctly Half-pressing the shutter button Half-press [Shutter] to adjust the focus. The camera adjusts the focus and exposure automatically. The camera sets the aperture value and shutter speed automatically.

Page Turn On The Flash. Page Extended Functions Extended functions Learn how to capture a photo, record a video, and record a voice memo by selecting a mode. Page Using Shooting Modes Using shooting modes Capture photos or record videos by selecting the best shooting mode for the conditions. Using the Smart Auto mode In Smart Auto mode, your camera automatically chooses the appropriate camera settings based on the type of scene it detects.

Press [Shutter] to capture the photo. On the Home screen, touch Touch a scene. Option Description Landscape: Capture still-life scenes and landscapes. Sunset: Capture scenes at sunset, with natural-looking reds and yellows. Increase the aperture value to prevent overexposure. On the Home screen, touch Drag the dials on the screen to the arrow directions below to adjust shutter speed and aperture value.

Page Using The Program Mode Using shooting modes Using the Program mode In Program mode, you can set most options, except the shutter speed and aperture value, which the camera sets automatically. On the Home screen, touch Touch m, and then set desired options. For a list of options, refer to page Align your subject in the frame, and then half-press [Shutter] to focus.

My screen Cancel Reset Touch o to save. You can create up to 3 shortcuts. With this function, you can record separate scenes as a single video. Using the Smart movie mode In Smart movie mode, your camera automatically chooses the appropriate camera settings based on the scene it has detected.

Page 44 Using shooting modes Press [Shutter] or touch to start recording. On the Home screen, touch Position the camera according to the optimum distance displayed on the screen. The shape and the feel of the photos will change according to the frame you select. On the Home screen, touch Select a desired frame. Page 47 Using effect modes Before After Option Description Apply a tilt-shift effect to make the subject appear Miniature in miniature.

Apply the retro-looking colors, high contrast, and Vignetting strong vignette effect of Lomo cameras. Soft-Focus Hide facial imperfections or apply dreamy effects. Option Description Apply a tilt-shift effect to make the subject Miniature appear in miniature. On the Home screen, touch Select photo or movie. Drag the sliders or touch the sample photos to adjust Level, Brightness, and Contrast. On the Home screen, touch Touch a desired palette. Option Description Create a vivid look with sharp contrast and a Palette Effect 1 red color.

Page Recording Voice Memos Recording voice memos Learn how to record a voice memo that you can play back later. You can also add a voice memo to a photo to remind you of shooting conditions. You will get the best sound quality when you speak 16 in 40 cm away from the camera. Recording a voice memo On the Home screen, touch Press [Shutter] or touch On the Home screen, touch Touch m, and then touch the setting button next to Memo.

Align your subject in the frame, and then capture a photo. Selecting a resolution and quality ………… 53 Selecting a resolution …………………… 53 Selecting image quality …………………… 54 Using the timer ……………………………… 56 Shooting in the dark ……………………… 57 Preventing red-eye ……………………… Page Selecting A Resolution And Quality Selecting a resolution and quality Learn how to change the image resolution and quality settings. Selecting a resolution As you increase the resolution, your photo or video will include more pixels, so it can be printed on larger paper or displayed on a larger screen.

Press and hold an icon and you can then move it to another page. For example, if you really like using the Vignetting mode, just drag it over to the first page of options so it's one of the first things you see when you turn on the camera. The wireless features in general are easy to set up and use, though you'll want to use the stylus to tap in usernames and passwords. Note: Wi-Fi networks that require you to agree to terms and conditions before you can connect--such as those at hotels and airports--will not work with this camera.

Up to 20 photos at a time can be sent with the total size being 10MB or less. The rub is that photos must be 2 megapixels or smaller and video is limited to second clips recorded at xpixel resolution.

Photos shot at higher resolutions will automatically resize while uploading, but movies will not. Photos can be sent by e-mail directly from the camera, too, but have the same restrictions. The Remote Viewfinder feature is very cool, but its overall usefulness is debatable. It's good for setting up self-portraits and group shots, but because there's a significant lag between tapping your smartphone's screen and the camera responding you have to remain fairly still to get the shot you want.

The app a free download on the Android Market and Apple App Store can control flash, timer, resolution 2 or 10 megapixels , and the shutter release. Once you snap a photo it's stored on the camera, but you'll also see a small version on your phone screen.

Tap it and you'll see a larger version that can be saved to your smartphone resized to VGA x pixels quality. The SH uses microSD cards for storage, something to consider if you've already got SD cards you're planning to use. These little cards can be a hassle, but they make sense for smartphone owners.

This way if you can't connect the camera wirelessly or want to upload or e-mail a full-size photo or video, you can just pop out the card and stick it directly into the phone's card slot.

The card slot is in the bottom of the camera with the battery, which is charged in-camera via USB. The battery is rated for up to shots, but keep in mind that battery life will be cut short if you're using the Wi-Fi or the touch screen a lot. Conclusion The Samsung SH is a fun little point-and-shoot. It is the closest thing to using a smartphone, which in this case is a very good thing.

Stay away from the SH if you require good low-light photos without a flash; the results above ISO just aren't good. Find out more about how we test digital cameras.

Joshua Goldman. The SH's low-light photos are not good and its performance can be slow.