Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26175 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Samsung
• Model: NV7
• Released on: 2006-09-29
• Dimensions: 1.00" h x 4.00" w x 5.00" l, 1.00 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 7-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 7x optical zoom with both CCD-shift and electronic image stabilization
• Multiple manual functions, including Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and an Auto Macro function
• Records VGA-quality video at 30 frames per second
• Bundled with Digimax Reader text-recognition software, for conversion of images taken of books, papers, and magazines

From the Manufacturer
Samsung engineered a breakthrough in digital camera design with the launch of the NV7 OPS. Part of Samsung's new NV Series, the seven-megapixel NV7 OPS has effectively created a new "slim-bridge" product category, packing an extraordinary 7x optical zoom into a super-slim body measuring just 4.2 x 2.5 x .8 inches. This innovative and unique model also features two types of image stabilization--Optical Picture Stabilization, which physically adjusts the CCD to combat handshake, and Samsung's Advanced Shake Reduction (ASR), electronic image stabilization to ensure a steady, crystal-clear shot in almost any shooting condition.

The NV7 is one of three new models that make up the NV Series of digital still cameras from Samsung. All three models feature unique, slim designs with sleek bodies in brushed black, stainless steel and a trademark Samsung blue ring located around the lens. This premium line was developed after two years of extensive market research, and as a result, two of the NV models feature a revolutionary, easy-to-use Graphical User Interface (GUI) that allows users to easily toggle through menu functions using a convenient touch pad located along the LCD on the back of the camera, instead of the traditional dial located at the top of the camera.

For outstanding image quality, the 7-megapixel NV7 includes a Schneider 7x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 38-270mm in 35 mm format). For clear images in undesirable shooting conditions, the NV7 includes an Optical Picture Stabilization system. The system combats the many causes of blurry images, including handshake, long zoom shooting, long exposures, and nighttime shooting, by incorporating a sophisticated CCD shift mechanism that senses motion and that will automatically shift the CCD to compensate for the movement. Also included is Samsung's Advanced Shake Reduction (ASR) that electronically combats blurry images in environments lacking sufficient lighting.

For the more advanced photographer looking for additional control, the NV7 provides multiple manual functions at the user's fingertips. The NV7 features three kinds of manual exposure adjustment, including Aperture Priority, which allows more control of depth, Shutter Priority, which allows better capture of fast motion, and Manual adjustment, which allows users to set the shutter and aperture themselves. For additional control, the NV7 also includes an Auto Macro function that automatically adjusts shooting distance and focus between 10 centimeters to infinity, as well as a super macro mode that enables subjects to be photographed up to as close as 4 centimeters.

For smoother video and a larger view of the movie on LCD and TV screens, the NV7 can record in VGA (640 x 480) at 30 frames per second (fps). The NV7 also includes a movie stabilizer function that automatically detects and corrects minor lateral and vertical camera movement. For additional control the continuous video recording function allows the user to pause and resume video recording at any time, while the built-in movie editing function allows users to edit video in-camera. The NV7 features several special effects functions for creative control in-camera, such as Color Effect, Highlight, Photo Frame, Negative, and Composite Shot. Color effects include black and white, sepia, blue, green, and red.

For crystal-clear images under various shooting conditions, the NV7 features 11 scene modes including Night, Portrait, Children, Landscape, Close-up, Sunset, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach and Snow, and Text Recognition. Text Recognition, a feature unique to Samsung digital still cameras, allows users to shoot documents such as books, papers, and magazines and then extract text from the image taken using the bundled Digimax Reader text-recognition software.

Customer Reviews

Has Potential
Overall, this is a nice camera. It has a solid build quality and an intuitive interface. It's fairly small so it's easy to take with you. The 7x optical zoom at this price is also pretty nice. What's more, the style is actually pretty sexy: It looks like something futuristic out of a sci-fi movie.

All these things make me want to like this camera... but it also has a serious flaw: NOISE. I mean a lot of noise. I took about 100 photos with this camera when I first got it. The photos look fine on screen, but as soon as you blow them up to 100% size, you see a lot of noise/grain. I would say the noise level is really unacceptable. I spent hours reading the manual and looking online to figure out how to reduce it. Basically, the only thing you can do is manually set the ISO to 100 and take photos in brightly lit areas.

If you're mostly going to be sharing your photos on the Internet, this camera may be just fine for you. But if you primarly want to make prints of your photos, I would caution you against this camera.

Aside from the noise issue, the only other thing I don't like about the camera (and it might just be that I can't find the option for this), is that you can't control the flash output (e.g., dial it down a bit when necessary).

The camera has a lot of potential, but I would hold off buying one until a second version comes along that addresses the noise issue.

SLR Features in a very small package
Let me start by saying that I did a lot of research on this camera before buying. I got it before I left for a month trip to South Africa in January and I have loved it from the beginning.

There are so many features that after over a month of using it I have still been finding new things I can do. Here is what I like about it:

There are 7 "modes" which can be selected my turning the nob on the top of the camera. Each one can so a little more. Auto is for the general point and shoot, but for a little more customizability to turn it to P which allows you adjust things like the flash and focusing and all that. ASM will allow you to go into full manual mode and work the camera like an SLR. The others go through features and like Advanced Shake reduction and video (which by the way is really great quality). The best thing about these is each one retains the settings that you have changed, so if you have P set up for a quick shooting with flash and all that, ASM can be set up for cool artistic shots like keeping the shutter open or double exposure. It came in really handy in South Africa and gave me great pictures one right aver the other.

OPS: Still needs to be perfected but is a good tool to have on the camera.

The zoom. There is really nothing more that needs to be said. There is a 7x optical zoom and a 5x digital which means combined they give you 35x! Now I would never recommend using digital zoom on any camera, but when you need it its nice that its there.

The pictures. Some people have complained about the noise in the pictures. This is the case, but only in low light situations. Even then if you turn off the flash and use a tri-pod you can get awesome pictures in nearly dark conditions without the noise. Noise is there when you are taking fast pictures in dark conditions, but I have never found a digital that doesn't. Also there are issues on humid days and the pictures seem white washed, but its not that bad. Overall I have 2000 pictures form my trip and I only have to throw out a handful of them.

I also used the camera on New Years in Boston and I was very happy with it them as well.

The interface. There is nothing to be said really. It is the most intuitive and brilliant system that I could have ever designed. After 5 minutes with my NV7 I found other cameras so confusing that I couldn't use them very well. Most digital camera have complex menu systems that offer many of the same features, but if you have to take 5 minutes to set up those features, take the picture and then another 5 minutes to turn the camera back to normal what's the point.

Its Fast: Taking pictures of wildlife can be hard because they disappear so quickly. The NV7 boots up very quickly and after taking a picture is ready to take another very soon. Also there are features that let you take up to 30 shots in rapid succession, the quality is diminished but it's a nice feature to have when you need it.

Battery Life: There were days where I took 250 pictures in an afternoon. And I never had a problem with battery life. I did bring two extra batteries with me but only had to change them once in a while. It was nice not to have to worry about the batteries of my camera the whole month.

Lens: So many other digital cameras have very small lenses. Right off the bat you are limiting yourself because you are limiting the amount of light that can get to the sensor. On the NV7 there is a large lens that allows for a lot of light to reach the sensor and takes spectacular pictures.


What I don't like:

Focusing can sometimes be a little slow and you really should wait to make sure you have the green light before taking your picture. Now that I am home I have realized that some of my pictures were out of focus because I didn't wait long enough.

It seems weird but I don't like how there is a strap mount on only one side of the camera. It seems like a large enough camera that it could be a good candidate for a neck strap, but there are only mounts on one side and it came with a wrist strap. The body is the size of the camera that would use a wrist strap but the lens makes it large enough to use a neck strap.

Fitting the NV7 in your pocket is hard. The lens is a lot larger than you might think. Unlike the small Sony and Canons that fit into your pocket nicely this camera really needs to be on your wrist or around you neck.

Lack of a view finder is tough. For such a retro camera a view finder would have been nice to conserve battery life and allow me to actually see what I was taking a picture of, especially in bright light situations where the screen is washed out.

Overall I am very happy with my purchase. Everyone else on the trip was very impressed with my camera was always asking to see it you play around with it. I would say for the price you cannot pass up this camera. It is small and has the features of a full digital SLR. Sure there are some things wrong with it but nothing that would make me buy any other camera.

Very Impressed for the Price
here's why i like it:

the user interface allows you to easily adjust all the settings, down to the color tone, on the fly. one of the most innovative i've seen for a digital point and shoot.

the build quality is solid.

a tripod mount!

really small, light and thin besides the lens. but, looks good enough that you'll want to keep it out of your pocket.

picture quality is sharp.

the zoom is more then i'd ever need.

seamless integration with iPhoto.

you can adjust the iso/aperture settings like it was a film camera.

accepts 43mm lens filters!

personally, i think this camera is the yashica t-4 of 2007. one of those hidden gems.