Samsung claims that the NV10 is a perfect balance of elegance and simplicity, but what’s it like at taking a picture?

Product Overview

Overall rating:

86%

Samsung NV10

Overall score:86%
Features:85%
Performance:90%
Value:85%
Design:95%
Image Quality:75%

Pros:

  • Superb operating speed, Great build and handling, Looks

Cons:

  • Noise levels/‘mushy’ detail, No aperture priority or shutter priority modes

Product:

Samsung NV10 Review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£279.00

Samsung claims that the NV10 is a perfect balance of elegance and simplicity, but what’s it like at taking a picture?

Features
As well as a 10MP resolution, the NV10 also uses a physically larger CCD than the NV7, which is a sensible move. There’s no Optical Picture Stabilisation, but the 3x zoom hardly needs it. It’s a shame there’s no aperture or shutter priority modes on offer though.

Design
Like the NV7, the satin black NV10 feels incredibly solid and with its small lens it sits beautifully in the hand. The ‘Smart Touch’ buttons just make you want to play with the camera, and the more you play the more you want to use it.

Performance
There’s a slight hesitation on start-up, but other than that the NV10 is lightning fast. The zoom covers its focal length range quickly and smoothly, the AF is keen and frames can be taken in quick succession. There’s no viewfinder, but the 2.5in LCD is excellent.

Image Quality
It may have a different Sensor: from that of the NV7, but the image quality here is largely the same. ‘Hundreds and thousands’-style noise makes ISO 1000 unusable and, although this is concealed at ISO 200, it’s at the expense of detail.

Value For Money
Like the NV7, with the NV10 you get a lot of Samsung for your money.

Verdict

Samsung’s latest is exquisitely made, beautiful to look at and a real joy to use – it’s such a shame the image quality doesn’t match the design.

Details

Memory Card:SD + 20Mb Internal Memory
Flash Modes:6 modes, 3.2m (W) / 1.7m (T)
White Balance:7 modes
ISO Range:Auto / Manual 100-1000
Metering System:Multi, Spot, Center-weighted, Face Recognition AE
Exposure Modes:P, M, 11 Sc, Mov
Shutter Speeds:15-1/1500sec
File Formats:JPEG
LCD:2.5in LCD with 230,000 pixels
Lens:7.4-22.2mm (35-105mm) f2.8-5.1
Sensor:10.1MP effective, 1/1.8in CCD
Connectivity:USB 2.0
Power:Li-ion cell
Dimensions:96.5 x 60 x 18.5mm
Weight:149g
Other:-