Samsung WB690 12.0 MP Digital Camera - Silver(UK version)

Incredible value, especialy as the model supplied was a WB700.
Good points: part metal construction, feels solid, and oozes quality. More features than I've seen on any other

camera. Large viewing screen, monster zoom lens. Automatic screen selection mode does a good job. Good battery

life, and spare batteries can be bought for just £3.95.
Bad points: Slow to focus, and in dull light cannot focus at all. Before tweaking the sharpness, and saturation

controls, the pictures were very poor, lacking detail, and sharpness.
Compared to my Panasonic Lumix TZ20 it is definately 2nd division, but given the price, still a good buy.

I'm very impressed with this camera.
My professional photographer friend said "Schnidier are the tops for lenses and Samsung know about electronics, so there you go".
I bought it for the HD filming function as I need to make some Tutorial DVDs.
The film quality is very good, although the "steadying" (which is essential for using the 18 x zoom) means panning is a little jurky. Also the sound recording quality is only addiquate (but what do you expect).
The other day my wife had me remove a big spider from the stairs, and while it was in the glass tumbler I took a close up photo, and you can see every hair and all 6 beady eyes.
Very impressive ; VERY SCAREY !!!!!!

I wanted a compact camera with a large zoom range. When I saw this recommended on EBay at £59.99 I felt I t would be ideal. Others I looked at were £149 to £199 and going by reviews were not that good. But at £59.99 I felt the Samsung would be a good buy.
I find the camera does have disadvantages for me - No viewfinder and a need to hunt through the menu quite a bit. Image quality at the 18X zoom is not that good, but WOW it only copst £59.99 and takes very acceptable HQ Video - an added bonus! Great at the price.

Two major concerns. Firstly, no instruction booklet, relying instead on internet and CD-RoM. Secondly, MS Windows compatible, but what about Apple MacBook? Had to ask Apple how it was done.

So many features and I am taking time to find out what they are and how to make best use of them. It was bought to create quality photographs for objects to be offered for sale on e-Bay! My only comparison is with the basic photos from the iPhone which can be edited in the MacBook. No point in buying a second camera when this one looks as if it will fulfil the need. Camera is a handy size, neatly laid out; lens projects when switched on; flash is useful. Have added a flash card for extended memory; like the internal battery - short power cord doubles as USB connection to computer. Not being a professional photographer cannot comment on quality of panorama, landscape, portraits etc. What I have seen is good for me.

Samsung WB690 12.0 MP Digital Camera - Silver is good in picture quality and features and also like the 18x Optical zoom lens and smart auto 2.0 Still & Movie. Size and weight average.Value for money good.