Samsung Digimax L85 Digital camera

Posted by T3 Online on Fri 26 Oct 2007

This snapper with "optional" HD viewing looks more low-rent than Hi-Def.

Samsung breaks new ground with this compact. It might look distinctly retro, but this is also the world's first
HD-enabled camera.

When you view your pictures on a conventional television, the screen resolution is lower than your camera's resolution so detail is lost. The extra detail HDTVs offer helps alleviate this problem. However, to use the camera with an HD television, you'll have to invest in an additional kit comprising a cable, cradle and remote control. Considering the song-and-dance Samsung is making about this snapper's HD compatibility, this seems daft.

Once you've shelled out your extra �50, results are undeniably impressive. Using a 26-inch JVC HDTV, minute detail is visible on macro-focus pictures. You can clearly see the difference compared to a conventional TV. Despite its heavy build, this is no lumbering giant. It powers up in a respectable two seconds. Focussing times aren't bad, but they're not as fast as similarly priced models.

The eight-megapixel sensor enables you to print up to A3 though pictures are pretty average. Edges can be soft, but colours are strong. There's no optical stabilizer, though, so be wary of camera shake. A full range of manual and automatic scene settings are available and there are also various effects built in, although they're of dubious benefit.The LCD's bright enough indoors and out. The generous 5x optical zoom is quick.

This lets you view pictures in the rich hues of HD, but is otherwise relatively average. Unfortunately the �50 cost of the "HD pack" - basically a cable - takes the Michael... and loses more marks.