Samsung TL500 (EX1)

Opinion: I love this camera but I ABSOLUTELY HATE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE. The camera started producing a small area of red pixels above ISO 400 and also caught dust underneath the lens. Samsung had me send it in for warranty. 2 weeks later the camera returned from Digitech Samsungs warranty company and it appeared as if a 2 year old did the repair. The dust was still under the lens, the articulated screen was loose and obviously reassembled incorrectly even though there was no request to replace the LCD the case of the camera no longer lined up as if the internal frame was bent. I immediately contacted Samsung who put me in contact with their "executive customer relations team". After I explained my experience to Tracy she said they would exchange the camera for a new one and they would send me a UPS label by e-mail in 1-2 days. I waited for the label and nothing came, so on day 3 I made a return call. I was then told by Kevin that my exchange was approved, which I was never informed it was pending anything for approval and again that the label should be in my inbox in 1-2 days. 3 more days go by no label. I then call again to inquire what was happening and am told it was approved the 14th of July and the UPS label would be in my inbox in 4-7 days......what??? I then asked to speak to a supervisor "Shawna" . I explain, I am a landscape / adventurer photographer and I use this camera extensively while climbing to save much needed space. I also explain I this camera is part of my livelihood and as we are at 4 weeks now since I sent the camera in and on multiple instances now on Samsung's fault I have been left out to dry. I ask if there is a resolution to expedite the replacement camera and am told she needs to contact the exchange department to find out what can be done. I say ok but had Shawna agree to call me back by the end of her day to inform me of what is going on. No return call is received by the mentioned time. So once again I call back. Through all these conversations I have also had to every time explain the details of what has happened so far as the notes left by the staff have been inadequate for them to pick up where the previous agent left off. So after explaining everything once again to a new agent and asking to be returned to someone who has helped with me before I am now on hold for a supervisor. This day totals out to 3 hours on the phone with them and then the call drops. Every time they answer the phone they ask for a number which is good to call you back. Well no call back and when I attempt to call them back .......closed ...after hours now. So as the TL500 is a great camera ....one of the best professional P&Ss out there, SAMSUCK should realize that if they want to be successful in getting part of the profesional camera market they had better have good customer service. This has been one of the WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD IN MY WHOLE LIFE!!!

Opinion: Has been a great little camera so far. I purchased it in January and have already shot around 6000 pics with it. I am an avid adventurer and aspiring photographer. I have been using the camera mainly for landscape photos and creation of large stitch panoramas check out some examples @ www.perspectiveparadigm.com . The lens is phenomenal. Reproduction of colors is great right out of the box. I had to contact Samsung support to acquire the RAW conversion software for Mac which works great. This camera is an awesome always with you camera. A little short on the telephoto end but my main focus is Landscape. The articulated screen is great for artistic composition. One of the main reasons I bought this camera is to do photography of the scrambling, hiking, climbing and mountain biking around Sedona, AZ and it becomes cumbersome trying to pack the DSLR in for most of the trips and so far the image quality in my scenes has been of the same quality. High ISO is good for a little camera but compared to most DSLR's it doesn't compare. The advantage though is the ultra fast lens you can get away with lower ISO settings in dark settings.

Opinion: Well, my title sums it up. I wanted a compact camera with good low light ability, and I sure got it. I am amazed at the shots I can get almost in the dark. The colors are great, too, very natural, and the lens has excellent sharpness.

I also notice that photos taken at ridiculously long shutter speeds still come out sharp. I don't have a very steady hand, but at 1/5 second I can still get a good picture, so the OIS is very effective. Also, I have not taken full advantage of the excellent rotating screen before, and now that I've learned I can use it to steady the camera against my body instead of having to hold it in front of me unsupported, I am expecting even better results.

Opinion: I'm in a unique position to pass judgment here. As a college photography teacher I eventually get to handle and examine the results from nearly all the cameras out there. My students have everything from pro-level DSLRs to Casio point and shoots. They all come across my desk. My second camera is a Canon 5DmkII on which I shoot L series glass. That's right my second camera -- the TL-500 goes with me everywhere and I use it nearly every day; It's my first camera. I've been carrying a compact with me everywhere for years now, mostly Sonys. With the TL-500 I finally feel like my compact compromises nothing. I love this camera!

Seriously: I wouldn't trade my TL-500 for any of the entry level DSLRs fitted with their kit zoom lenses. I know my TL-500 will put them down. The lens on the TL-500 is superb. I've read complaints that it's only a 3X and that's not enough. You can't have everything and expect best-of-class quality at the same time. I believe the Samsung engineers decided to place maximum image quality at the top of their target list when they built this camera and they refused to compromise that. I am so grateful! I get worse CA from my $12000.00 Canon L series zoom than I get from the TL-500! It's only 10 megapixels. Believe me; 10 magnificent, clean, crisp, near-perfect megapixels is SO MUCH BETTER than 15 pixel-stuffed, soft, CA fringing, mucky megapixels.

The AMOLED tilt screen is beautiful. The controls on the camera were designed for a photographer. The +/- comp is finger ready where it should be not buried in a menu list. Overall build quality is excellent.

I shoot RAW and low ISO. I don't care how the camera preforms at ISO 1600. I don't care if it shoots video. I know it has a pop up flash that I've never used and never will use so I don't care about it.

I've been a photographer for over 35 years now. The TL-500 has brought back that feeling I used to get when I left the Hassleblad at home and just went out walking the streets Contax in hand. I love this camera!

Opinion: This camera has many pros, like very good lenses, big (relatively) sensor, very user-friendly screen.

Opinion: As a digicam user since sub megapixel camera era and a user of this website for many years, it's always a lengthy decision process to select the next compact to carry around on trips and for daily use. There are always new siblings claiming to be smaller, faster, better iso performance, more pixels on the market. Since pixel count reached 7m + by 2005, one can hardly count on any significant improvements in terms of image quality of these tiny sensor device. Nor the newer compacts offer the flexibility of compacts like Camedia of Olympus which came with filter threads and attachment lens. Ex-1 almost answers all needs for an upgrade, coupled with a much appreciated optical quality when aperture wide opened.

Opinion: I am an enthusiast. This little gem is wonderful. Picture quality is superb, flip twist screen is great! In-camera edits and effects also cool. I gave it 5 stars cos for the price it is unbeatable. Although some quirks exist, (not in terms of picture quality mind you) those can be overlooked or can be worked around. This camera is not so popular only due of lack of marketing. The more established brands take away the share. Buy this and you won't regret.
The wide end (24mm) and f1.8 are simply amazing & can take decent pictures in low light. "Smart range" takes 2 pictures at different exposure and combines them into one High range photo, great feature. Colors out of the camera are fantastic. And samsung always adds a little fun element in all its products (eg. mobile phones)

Opinion: Excellent image quality for small camera.
Moving autofocusing area is very easy with ok button.

Opinion: I have looked for a long time for a compact camera
that gives me control over the camera much like my
SLR. The TL500 (EX1) is that camera. The lens I use
most often on my D700 is the Nikkor 24-70; the
TL500t is like having that fast 24-70 in your pocket! I
kid you not. The camera operation is fast enough, the
JPG engine is great (not tried RAW yet), and the LCD
is among the best I have ever seen. It handles so so
well. I highly recommend this camera!