Samsung Digimax V4: Compact, well-priced and loaded with extras

By CHRIS BARTON

Samsung's Digimax v4 is a marvel - not just because of how much electronics it fits inside its small shape, but also for all the extras that make up the package on offer.

The 4 megapixel camera that's small enough (105.5 x 54.6 x 38mm) to slip into your pocket, comes with a carry case, remote, rechargeable battery, cigarette lighter charger, 32MB SD card and MGI PhotoSuite software. At $999 all up it's aggressively priced.

Camera buffs will appreciate the quality Schneider Kreuznach lens, but may wish for little more than the three-times optical zoom.

But this is somewhat compensated for by four-times digital zoom, which thanks to the 4-megapixel resolution, means you can still get close to your subject without losing too much picture quality.

The lens extends quickly and the camera is ready to shoot a second or two later. But the V4's speed performance is slightly less impressive, with a wait of several seconds from shot to shot - something you also notice when playing back your photos on the LCD screen.

There is, however, a continuous mode that lets you hold down the shutter release and have up to three photos be taken in succession.

The viewfinder is basic, with no focus adjustment. But the LCD is bright and detailed and there are three brightness settings.

Turning the mode dial beside the viewfinder provides a quick and easy way to change the V4's options.

There is also plenty of scope for creative picture taking when the dial is set to A/S/M mode and through the many manual settings available, including aperture/shutter priority or fully-manual exposure.

You can even control focusing yourself and change the exposure. There are a number of white balance presets, but unfortunately no custom white balance option is provided.

"Program" mode sets both aperture and shutter speed, but also provides control over other camera settings.

Customising your settings is easy too with the "My Set" mode that lets you personalise the V4 to the pictures you want at a touch of a button. Up to 9 camera settings, including image size, quality and ISO, can be stored.

I found the V4 particularly good in Macro mode, which allows a focus range of 30cm to 80cm with the zoom usable.

There's also a Super Macro mode, which locks the lens to the wide- angle setting and allows the camera to come as close as 6cm to the subject.

"Easy" is a point-and-shoot mode that handles the majority of settings and the "portrait" mode gives preference to the aperture, which is handy for both portraits and landscape shots.

"Night Scene" uses a slow shutter speed and a slow-synch flash to record a well-lit foreground and a clear background in low light.

"Voice Recording" turns the V4 into a digital voice recorder.

You can also have a lot of fun with the remote, which lets you take pictures of yourself from up to 10m away.

"Movie" mode was a huge hit with the 11-year-old, enabling 288 x 208 video clips with sound as long as there is space on the memory card.

Those who have a budding movie maker in house should get some extra SD cards (64MB - $99, 128MB - $175).

I'd also recommend an SD card reader ($55) which is permanently connected, making the transfer of images a breeze. You can also connect the V4 directly to the USB port on your computer.

The Digimax V4 has a fantastic range of power sources.

As well as its AC adaptor and dedicated Li-on battery, it can take AA alkaline and lithium batteries, plus several types of rechargeable batteries.

Overall, the V4 has an excellent range of features and modes that allow great quality photos to be taken without making itself too complicated for a beginner photographer.

Samsung Digimax V4

$999

Samsung Camera

Pros: Compact, lightweight, good range of features, excellent set of extras included, good resolution and image quality, competitively priced.

Cons: average shot-to-shot times, no manual white-balance, playback of images is slow.

Rating: 8/10.