-Kaufentscheidung -----------------
(I have taken my decision path with in the review, because I think that it can help others in their own decision as to whether the EX1 is the right camera)
My previous camera, an ordinary snapshot camera of Panasonic, has given up the ghost and so needed a new camera. The decision was made me very hard! At first I wanted a super-zoom camera, the Panasonic TZ10 I had envisaged, the exact opposite of the EX1, but the more I worked with the camera models, I got the desire a more sophisticated camera to buy, which allows a little "artistic" photograph. Experience with SLRs until then I had not. Aperture and exposure time were foreign words to me, at the old camera there was only one automatic mode! But I wanted to learn it at last!
Since the camera also should be easy to handle, fell out the cheap DSLRs.
Ultimately the following cameras remained: Samsung EX1, Canon G11 / G12, Nikon P7100 and Panasonic LX3 / 5
I have a tendency because of the very good reviews of Chip.de actually to P7100 and this would at the time did not cost 150 more than the EX1, I would have bought it. I have long wondered whether I should invest so much money, but had then thankfully decided against it. Pricewise, the G11, the G12 and LX5 fell out. The LX3 should indeed have a better picture quality than the EX1, but simply on a gut level, I opted for the EX1. A real reason there was not. The swiveling display was not a reason to buy me, I thought that I do not need anyway.
For that I had some concerns:
* Samsung that no good cameras built (after all, the company is not exactly known for cameras)
* That the 3-fold zoom is too small for me (after all, I wanted to initially even superzoom)
* That the camera is not suitable to make some quick photos
* I'm not clear with the manual mode and automatic mode, the camera is no good
* That I lack the functionality to which I was accustomed from my Panasonic camera
But the concerns were totally unnecessary !!! :)
-the First impression --------------------
The design (I have the anthracite-colored version) is certainly a matter of taste, but my taste makes it exactly !! I was so excited by the housing. This is made of metal and it feels great. This, together with the ordinary weight of the camera, she is great in the hand. The whole process is very high quality and robust (it looks much higher quality than the plastic case of the P7100). The rotary design of the display looks very stable. The flap is necessary to remove manually. The flash you drive manually with a small slide out (no unwanted flash photos more!). From my first photos in automatic mode, I was thrilled. But for also contributed the display! The AMOLED display is brilliant! The colors are just great over! On the PC screen the photos, unfortunately, (a new monitor forth there must at some point !!: D) act not quite as brilliant as on the camera screen.
-Kameraspezifische Data --------------
Aperture 1.8 to 6.7
ISO values 80-3200 (to 200 is not a noise to see, at 400 the noise is acceptable, you can forget all about it)
Exposure Time 1/1500 to 16 seconds
Formats: JPEG and RAW
-positive ----------------------------
* As already mentioned: processing, metal housing, display
* Front wheel to adjust the exposure time
* Rear wheel to adjust the aperture
* Exposure and hence HDR photos are possible
While * I photograph almost never in auto mode, but also brings out decent photos
* The image quality I would like to not really evaluate, good photos are relative, depending on the class of camera, a compact can make up my mind great photos the EX1, it is still nothing compared to a DSLR, snapshot photos see this is not always great , you need a little time to get a nice picture, compared to the P7100 I have now discovered not much difference, the G12 makes my opinion inferior photos in low light without flash, but more beautiful photos with flash
* In the P7100 I noticed that at different exposure time the subject on the display remains the same light, the EX1 is as given directly a "preview", the display shows the brightness of the later image is already simulated (I do not know if this feature is generally absent in cameras, if so, this is for me a big plus for the camera and a strong minus for P7100!)
* No more flash !!! Photos with lightning find are mostly not beautiful. Because it's great that the EX1 is as bright !!! Also at dusk you can still get great photos out there, some even with ISO 80. At parties you have the flash but then to take, because people simply move too fast: D
* I thought I do not need a swivel screen, but it's really handy! It is more flexible when taking pictures. A camera without pivoting display will not come into my house;) Also, you can rotate the display inward, so that it is protected against scratches.
* All the essentials that I need on a regular basis, have speed-dial buttons, or are so quickly without going into the menu accessible (the only exception is that the white balance, you need to the menu)
* For the modes Shutter priority, Aperture priority, Manual, .... and for various other functions, a short explanation is displayed, which is especially helpful in the adaptation period with the camera, especially for beginners. The statements also interfere in no way and can be, if it should be yet, stop
-Negatives ----------------------------
* Compared to DSLRs provides the EX1 unfortunately little chance with the depth of field to play. Only in Macro mode gets you slightly blur the image. Too bad.
Although * Photos with lightning are never really good, but how do I find the EX1 particularly bad. Anyway, when compared to photos with the G12. When G12 lightning falls on not so strong, but the EX1 it disturbs extreme. However, the P7100 scored just as bad results as the EX1.
* The black and white mode only works with certain settings. I use z. B. Always use the "selection autofocus", where you can adjust the focus specifically on one point, in this mode does not work in black and white and it took a long time until I found out when to black and white at all can, an explanation because there are not even in the manual on CD
* Initially gave me a 16: 9 mode was missing because I my photos now but almost all nachbearbeite and cropping of hand me the mode is no longer missing
* RAW developer who is, I now found not so great, but the current version of Photoshop can also process the RAWs
* The battery life is really low! On vacation, the battery has nevertheless at least a whole day persevered (about 100 photos) and overnight I've charged him again, so far I have not bought a spare battery, but I'm sure even a buy!
* Zoom is already on the small side with 3-fold magnification a little, but I've noticed that there are a few moments where I would need a stronger push, but I'm thrilled with the 24mm wide angle, gets especially in rooms one because mostly everything on that image, what should it
-Beispielfotos -----------
I have three pictures set:
* Ferris day (Aperture 3.9 - 1/1000 sec - ISO80)
* Rubber Duckies (Aperture 1.8 - 1/20 second - ISO80)
* Office buildings at dusk (Aperture 1.8 - 1/20 second - ISO80)
-Conclusion -------------------
The camera gets me full 5 stars because they convinced me in every way! The negative points here in the report are details that do not bother me further. Based the comparison with the other cameras here in the report are based on subjective experience (the other cameras I've always tested only briefly by acquaintances). This experience has shown me, however, that my decision was the right one for the EX1. With a book about photography can very well enter the EX1 in the subject! For "professionals" who are looking for a compact, it is probably also suitable (depending on the claim). But if you just want to make snapshots and vacation photos, is probably ill advised with this camera, because other cameras offer (as the TZ10) more features for a lower price. The TZ10 does this while also great photos. For me it would have been the wrong camera.
