Top Samsung NV20 Camera Reviews

PhotographyBlog reviewed the Samsung NV20 and said: "The Samsung NV20's image quality is below average. The Samsung NV20's main drawback in terms of image quality is noise, with the relatively slow speed of ISO 200 showing some noise, particularly in shadow areas. The noise gets progressively worse as you go from ISO 200 to ISO 400 and finally the pretty unusable ISO 800 and 1600 settings."

Camera Summary:
The Samsung NV20 is a 12.1 megapixel digital camera with a Schneider-Kreuznach Varioplan 3x optical zoom lens. It is targeted towards the experienced camera owner looking for a step up model that breaks free of the ‘me-too’ look and feel that many manufacturers often follow. It features Advanced Shake Reduction, Auto Contrast Balance, Noise Reduction, Face Detection technology, 14 scene modes and a movie mode. The NV20 will be available in Fall 2007 for $399.

Samsung NV20 News Release Excerpt:
Samsung Launches Next Generation of Award Winning NV Digital Cameras. NV8, NV15 and NV20 Join Samsung’s Prominent NV Series

Secaucus, NJ (July 30, 2007) – Samsung Camera today introduced three new models to its revolutionary NV series of advanced point & shoot digital cameras – the eight mega pixel NV8, 10 mega pixel NV15 and 12 mega pixel NV20. All three new cameras feature the sleek, elegant design and innovative Smart Touch interface that have become the hallmarks of the NV Series, and set the camera family apart from competitive offerings in the market.

For outstanding image quality, the NV20 features premium Schneider optics with a 3x optical zoom. On the back of the cameras’ brushed black, stainless steel bodies, lies Samsung’s Smart Touch user interface. Smart Touch enables easy navigation of the cameras’ comprehensive feature sets by simply sliding a finger across the control buttons positioned around the cameras’ 2.5” LCD screens.

“The NV20 represents the next generation of Samsung’s award-winning NV series of digital cameras,” said Stewart Henderson, Vice President Marketing, Samsung Opto-Electronics America. “This is not your typical family of point-and-shoot digital cameras. At Samsung, we take great pride in the NV series because of the firsts that it brings to market, including our revolutionary Smart Touch interface, as well as the WOW factor that makes the cameras stand out from the crowd. Packed to the brim with advanced, innovative features, the NV20 is targeted towards the experienced digital camera owner looking for a step up model that breaks free of the ‘me-too’ look and feel that many manufacturers often follow,” concluded Mr. Henderson.

The NV20 can also shoot at ISO 3200, and boast an improved Advanced Shake Reduction (ASR) feature as well as Samsung’s new Auto Contrast Balance (ACB) and Image Noise Reduction modes. ACB automatically adjusts the brightness of subjects composed in harsh lighting, such as those that are back-lit, and the Image Noise Reduction helps limit the amount of noise in captured images, especially those shot at higher ISO settings. No matter what lighting environment shooters find themselves in, they can rest assured that the NV20 will deliver uncompromising results.

All three new cameras feature Samsung’s Face Detection technology, which 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. Additionally, with 14 scene modes to choose from, including Night, Portrait, Children, Landscape, Close-Up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Café, Food, and Self-Shot, shooters can effortlessly adjust the camera and capture the best image possible in any setting. All images can be saved to each of the cameras’ 20MB of internal memory or to an external SDHC/SD card with a guaranteed maximum of 8GB.

The NV20 also includes a high-resolution movie mode, with the ability to record at VGA resolution (640x480) at a maximum frame rate of 30fps. Shooters can also take advantage of the cameras’ movie stabilizers and 3x optical zooms 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.

NV20: $399 MSRP - available Fall 2007
NV15: $299 MSRP - available Fall 2007
NV8: US availability and pricing TBD