Samsung GX-1S DSLR reviewed
By Ryan Block 
posted April 22nd 2006 8:15PM
posted April 22nd 2006 8:15PM
It's been a couple
of months since Samsung dropped their first
DSLR, the GX-1S, and we'd yet to
hear anything of it since -- until now. DigitalCameraInfo has a review up of the sub-$1g DSLR, and they were pretty
thorough in giving it the once-over. The reviewer found the device to be rather small for its class -- which of course
we love to hear -- but didn't like the way it felt in the hand, and weren't particular impressed with its button
layout. It scored on ease of use, color, and low noise on low ISOs, even though it underexposed a few too many shots
and apparently wasn't quick to the draw on autofocus. Basically it doesn't sound like the camera to wait around for,
which doesn't surprise us given Samsung's less than mindblowing digital camera releases to date. Even if you just want
something with a Pentax lens mount that's not a Pentax, the
GX-1S "seems to be a re-branded Pentax" according to DCI, so you should probably put that credit card away
for now and see what develops in time for Photokina in a few months.[Via DPBlog]
So, Samsung drops a camera and you wonder why nobody talks about it? Why would anyone talk about a camera that isn't in production anymore anyway?
They mean dropped ONTO the market. Not dropped as in stopped production.
The $64,000 question: How many times can Pentax rename the *ist Digital and still call it a new camera? With names such as Konica-Minolta and Mamiya bailing from the biz, I wonder if Pentax may be next?
It even looks like one of the *istD models. Ugh, they're all too small. Gimme my D50 any day.
The real question is why they saw it fit to do a full review on a camera we know is exactly the same as the Pentaxes already reviewed.
This is just a rebranded Pentax *ist DS2. Samsung even changed the Pentax lens' name to Schneider. Yawn.
If it really is just a rebadged Pentax, then the autofocus will be noticeably faster with lithium batteries (they only tested with NiMHs apparently).
Almost every other review I've seen of Pentax cameras has praised their button layout and handling (I bought one based on that, after trying it in the shops)... I just don't trust this review site at all. They make claims that the NiMH batteries won't last as long as proprietary lithiums, without any actual testing (they didn't even try the non-rechargeable lithium options for the GX-1S).
Boy, nothing says "this photographer ain't getting me any closer to Hollywood with this nude photoshoot" than when he's pointing a DSLR marked SAMSUNG at you.