Product Description

The Samsung S85 is a high-resolution digital camera that is equipped with a true-color filtered 8.2 mega-pixel CCD that allows the Samsung S85 to produce even better images and take detailed photos for printing up to poster size. In addition, the Samsung S85 has a 5x optical and 5x digital zoom giving 25x total zoom when combined, as well a bright and color-sensitive 2.5" LCD screen. With the Face Recognition AF & AE function, the Samsung S85 detects faces and automatically focuses on them and also adjusts brightness. Fast ASR technology prevents the degradation of image clarity and color through camera shake, and the S85 also supports ISO 1600 high sensitivity to give you super clear pictures even when taking moving subjects under less-than-perfect lighting conditions. Supports ISO 1600 high sensitivity AVI recording capability 14 scene modes for optimal settings no matter the shot 20MB internal memory - accepts SD/SDHC/MMC memory cards USB 2.0 support - can share data with both Windows and Mac

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25325 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Black
• Brand: Samsung
• Model: S85B
• Released on: 2007-10-12
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 8-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints
• 5x optical zoom with Advanced Shake Reduction (ASR); 2.5-inch LCD display
• Face Detection detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts for optimal focus and exposure
• 14 scene modes and special effects "E" button; high-resolution movie mode at up to 30 fps
• Stores images on SD memory cards (20MB internal memory included); powered by 2 AA batteries

From the Manufacturer
Samsung's S-Series, part of its Designer family of digital cameras, has set a new standard when it comes to today's entry-level point and shoots. With an array of advanced and fun controls, S-Series digital cameras give the entry-level photographer the ability to experience features commonly associated with higher skill-level cameras. With the launch of the 8-megapixel S85, Samsung takes the S-Series a step further and again expands the options for beginners looking for a digital camera that is innovative, easy to use, and stylish.

Powered by two common AA alkaline batteries, the S85 allows users to always be able to find a replaceable power source wherever they go, without having to worry about forgetting a battery charger at home. The S85 features Samsung's SHD lens and brings a 5x optical zoom (35mm film equivalent: 38-190mm) right to shooters' fingertips. With a focus range that starts at 1 centimeter, the S85 also allows users to experiment with macro photography and get close up with subjects, such as flowers, and capture crisp, clear images with super detail. For fast-action photography, the S85 offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/2,000 second as well as a motion capture feature that allows users to take up to seven pictures a second.

With Samsung's proprietary ASR (Advanced Shake Reduction) image stabilization system and Wise Shot technology, the S85 gives users the ability to minimize the effects of hand shake and ensure that the best shots are captured even in dimly lit conditions. Wise Shot automatically takes two consecutive pictures in rapid succession--one with ASR image stabilization enabled, and one with the flash--and prompts the user to review both and keep the preferred version of the picture. Furthermore, the S85's Face Detection technology also makes taking pictures of family and friends a snap. Samsung's Face Detection feature detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure better composition and image quality.

By using the S85's 2.5-inch LCD screen, users can frame their subjects and can review, edit, and customize their images right on the camera. A special effects "E" button gives users instant access to a host of creative controls, including options for resizing and rotating images, adjusting brightness, contrast, and saturation levels, fixing red eye, and manipulating color such as saving captured images as B and W, Sepia, Red, Blue, Green, and Negative. The S85's "Fun" feature also allows users to take their creativity a step further. This unique feature allows shooters to create a composite photo by saving up to four individual images as one, highlight an image by sharpening the foreground and softening the focus of the background, as well as customize their saved images with photo frames, stickers of various shapes, and cartoon text bubbles. All images can be saved to the 20MB of internal memory or to an external SDHC/SD card with a guaranteed maximum of 4GB.

With 14 scene modes to choose from, including Night, Portrait, Children, Landscape, Close-Up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach and Snow, Cafe, Food, and Self-Shot, shooters can rest assured that they'll be able to effortlessly adjust the camera and capture the best image possible in any setting.

The S85 also boasts a high-resolution movie mode, with the ability to record at VGA resolution (640 x 480) at a maximum frame rate of 30 frames per second (fps). Additionally, shooters can use the camera's 5x optical zoom while recording video and with Samsung's Successive Recording mode, can pause, and then resume filming without having to save the clips as individual files.

Customer Reviews

What a bargin!
I've had my Samsung S85 for a little over 2 weeks now. Before I purchased it , I spent many hours looking over reviews and comparisons of many different digital cameras before I decided on getting the S85. I could not find any reviews with anything negitive to say about the S85. At first I was prepared to spend anywhere from 2-250 dollars on my next camera. But after I did my research, I could not justify spending $200 plus on a Sony cybershot, when the S85 offered me all of the same features and then some, for under 130.00.

As far as picture quality goes, the color, and detail of the photos this camera takes are fantastic. Even zoomed all the way to 5X the pictures are still very clear. Once you start going into digital zoom the pictures predictably become less clear.

One thing I noticed many reviewers stating was that the interface on the camera itself is somewhat complicated and difficult to use. I can see why they say that. But it I don't think it is a deal breaker. After playing around with the controls for a few minutes, I quickly became comfortable with how the controls worked. As far as the overall fit and finish of the camera goes. It won't win any beauty contests, but overall the camera feels very solid.

The camera comes with 2 AA alkaline batteries included. However as the above reviewer stated, the thing eats through alkaline batteries rather fast. Rechargable batteries are a must.

DON"T LET THE PRICE OF THIS CAMERA FOOL YOU. All of the functions it offers(and there are loads of them)work exactly as they should. If you are looking for an ultra compact digtial camera, and aren't looking to spend loads of money on it. You don't have too. The Samsung S85 is a steal!

Portable Dynamo with a Sharp Lens -- 4/01/09 Update
November, 2009, update: The S85 still stands up very well against many more recent compacts on the market. Its images are definitely sharper than the Canon A590 IS, for example, while its flash is more powerful and its 5x optical zoom lens has greater reach. Although it lacks optical image stabilization and is noisy at higher ISOs, it allows manual control of aperture and shutter speed, which helps greatly when shooting in low light. Small and pocketable and of solid construction, the S85 remains a classic!
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S85 Review:

Looking for a more portable, less expensive second camera with a fairly long zoom, I happened on a S85 in a store and snapped some surprisingly clear, high-resolution images even at the far end of its 5x optical plus 5x digital zoom (25x). The two web reviews at the time ("Trusted Reviews" and "Register Hardware") were both very positive so I bought it and am very happy I did. (Hint: to check out its sharpness and image quality, Google "Flickr" and type in "Samsung S85" for hundreds of sample photos.)

The S85 eats up Alkaline batteries like popcorn, so rechargeables are a must. Alkalines shut the camera down after just a few pictures, the zoom still half extended, suggesting some ominous malfunction. Changing to rechargeables (especially Sanyo Eneloops) removes the problem permanently. No need to return the camera or bother Samsung's customer service.

The S85 has a myriad of functions and shooting options but it's "fiddly," as one reviewer puts it, so they're revealed only by a confusing combination of buttons. It takes time to master them all, but well worth the effort.

The "Auto" mode is perfect for most outdoor shots, but the "Program" mode is preferable in indoor flash situations. With the flash in "Auto" come higher ISOs, overexposing nearer subjects and causing noise as well. For superb results, set the ISO on 50 in the "Program" mode and the flash at anything other than "S" ("Slow"). You'll be delighted!

The "Manual mode" allows almost complete camera control, something very valuable for set-up conditions like tripod or macro shooting (the S85's macro capabilities are amazing). The "Movie clip" mode seems to work very well, though at this point that is of less interest to me. Its version of image stabilization, unlike the optical IS system found in many other cameras today, is operable only within a specially dedicated "Advanced Shake Reduction" mode (ASR), and then only without use of the flash. The ASR mode somehow produces sharp images, holding the ISO around 200 to 300 but with a longer shutter-lag. When I bought the S85 other highly portable compacts, but with true optical IS, all cost at least twice as much and then were without some of the S85's other valuable features.

The red eye removal function is strikingly effective. The S85 does have a red-eye prevention setting which also works well, but its use increases shutter-lag and so I prefer correcting the problem after the fact. The "E" button offers additional post-processing adjustments, such as modifying brightness, contrast, and even color due to any white balance error. On the other hand, the S85 has an extraordinary feature preventing this problem which was discovered by a reviewer of the S730 on this site. To shoot in low light situations without a flash, before taking the shot, hit the E button, select "Image Adjust" and then "Saturation." Next, point the camera toward the subject and hit the "OK" button. Doing so adjusts brightness and color for all successive pictures in the same environment. In a new lighting setting repeat the process to again produce perfect results.

The S85 has three automatic focus options: spot, center, multiple, along with a "face recognition" capability. The impressive 230,000 pixel, 2.5" LCD has adjustible brightness ("dark" is normally sufficient), and the S85's image colors are very true to the world one sees with the naked eye. It has a very solid feel, heftier than the earlier S630 and S730, at the same time being the most compact of all the "S" series Samsungs. The S85 slips comfortably into a front pants pocket, even when housed in the very inexpensive Samsonite soft shell case (available on eBay) I got for it to protect it from dust and the "thousand natural shocks that [cameras are] heir to."

With its combination of
* easy portability,
* long 5x optical + 5x digital zoom,
* sharp lens, producing high IQ even at full zoom extension,
* solid construction,
* ample 8 mp resolution,
* true color quality,
* high-res, adjustable brightness LCD,
* amazing set of controls, and
* wide range of shooting options, including movie clip,
the Samsung S85 is a big camera in a little body for a great price.

A power-hog that takes good pics
I bought this as my "everyday carry camera" to complement my DSLR. I specifically wanted something that would take good pictures, use the same memory card format as my DSLR, uses AA batteries, and is inexpensive (so I don't have to worry about babying it).

I was attracted by the combination of size, style, and features at this price. The 5x optical zoom, 8MP resolution, and large LCD are all exceptional at this price. And the picture quality is impressive. The results are sharp with good color and exposure. Focusing is fast and reliable. And there are plenty of options, including full manual control over aperature / shutter / ISO, tweaks to sharpness and contrast, and the expected set of options for JPEG compression and resolution. Using a 2GB card with highest resolution and lowest compression, it estimates it will hold about 400+ pics.

The pictures I've taken thus far have turned out really well. The movie mode works great too. My only complaint is the power consumption. I use two 2500mAh rechargeables, and I'll easily run through them in a single afternoon of walking around taking only a few dozen pictures. There's no optical viewfinder and you can't take pictures with the LCD off, so I'm not sure how well you can tweak it to use less power.

That said, I always take along spare batteries, and with the camera being relatively small, it's not a big problem.

Overall, I'm very happy with this camera, especially at this price.