Customer Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Deal - Great Camera!!
Comment: I bought this camera when it was priced at $99.99, so I don't believe there's a better value out there. While I was looking for one of those credit card-sized cameras, this one had such good reviews and was such a great deal I had to jump on it. I'm glad I did. The camera isn't big at all, much smaller than the old one. My old camera was a 4MP Samsung Digimax 430, and I loved it. I accidentally dropped it off a 40-foot tower. Surprisingly I could still take pictures with it, although the flash was broken and it took forever to start up and recycle for the next photo. I am currently serving in Iraq and I take photos all the time - I definitely needed to replace my camera and I did not want to pay $300 for a new one. At the same time I wanted something better than what I'd had before.
I think everybody here has done a very good job of selling this camera, so I am not going to get into all the great things about it, just the things I've observed that aren't already in print. One of the things I looked into was the time it takes to start the camera up. I didn't read anything about that on this camera, so I knew I was taking a chance at it being as bad as my old one, the one major negative feature. Fortunately this camera starts quicker than my old one and it doesn't take too long to be able to take the next photo either (I can't wait to try to take pictures of the dolphin show at Sea World again when I get home).
The one negative thing that was brought up in these reviews was the charging cable. One woman mentioned that the cable cannot be connected to the computer via USB for charging purposes; this is true. There is a charging cable that can be connected to either the camera or the docking station. To charge the battery in the camera, just plug it into the wall. The cable even has a built-in converter like on a laptop so it can be used on voltage from 100-240, meaning I don't need my huge converter that I sometimes have to use here in Iraq because our power is all on 220. I just need the European plug adapter, which of course I already have. So you can charge your camera if you're traveling to foreign countries easily enough. The USB cable for data transfer can also be connected to either the camera or the docking station, so I am not using the docking station at all.
I have a 128MB SD card from my old camera. If you use the largest picture setting (2592x1944) at super fine, the card holds 52 photos. I use 2272x1704 and super fine, and that gives you 63. This size makes wonderful 8x10 prints. I never print anything larger than that.
Well that's my 2 cents. I probably would not have purchased this camera had it been priced higher, but I think even at the $179 it's going for now it's a great deal. If that's in your price range, I'd say go for it... don't walk, RUN... I really don't believe you'll find anything better for the money, and I'd spent several days of online research, as well as comparing cameras/prices with everybody in my unit here, before deciding on this camera. Like I said, I'm very glad I took a chance on this one.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The reality of the camera
Comment: I have been readiing all the propaganda for this camera - positive and negative - and had to comment. I bought one before xmas and really like its features but it cannot do all it is said to be able to do. The video record time is about an hour with 1 gb not 2 hours with 256 mb. You can not zoom while taking movies although you can zoom in when in pause mode before shooting. Unfortunately the auto focus can screw-up on movies when the zoom is used by trying to focus away from the subject.
The worst feature for the camera is the cable. NO, YOU CANNOT CHARGE THE CAMERA FROM THE USB CONNECTION CABLE LIKE THE SAMSUNG AND AMAZON WEB SITE SAYS. You need to keep these particular, unfindable, cables with you while out - that is the only way to get the images out of the camera beside taking the memory out. This doesn't help when the rest of the world with mini usb cables all around.
This also the same port for charging the battery, with the other battery charging cable.
So if the camera suddenly needs a charge (and there is no warning or sluggish operation) you can't use any charger. You also can't watch movies on the tv without using the battery power.
That said, I do like the camera but the cable issue has been too hard to swallow and it got me good one time without notice.
The photos come out nice and there are lots of features that I am sure work somehow.
I am going for the Kodak v530, no separate USB port but a separate charge port, bigger screen, zoom active in video and a fast photo response time - even with the flash.
I was lucky enough to get my Samsung at Co-st-co and they have the most unbelievable return policy, any time length with a receipt.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fun Camera
Comment: I bought this camera for my 15 year old daughter and she loves it. She has the red model and it fits nicely in her purse (or even pocket). I think it's great that the batteries are rechargeable - you just plug it in like your cell phone. The screen is bright and she has used some of the options- video and sound - but has not used most of other features. The SD card is great too, since we have other equipment (flash, cameras) that use the same card. We use our SD reader to copy pictures to the desktop and our printer software to organize/edit since we have other cameras also. So far it has held up well, and she is pretty hard on her euqipment. We ordered from Adorama Camera - it also comes with a nice protective case. All in all takes nice pictures and easy to use.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Packed full of goodies
Comment: I've been a Nikon snob for years. I owned my own photo studio for 10 years. I'm now a State Trooper who shoots lots of auto crash scenes. I own a small Nikon digital camera that is great but pricy. A friend has a lower end Samsung digital camera. We were out in the mountains shooting wild flowers this fall and after going home we downloaded the images to my computer. I found not only her Samsung photos were beautiful but my Nikon images were no better. Had to have one immediately!
My Samsung Digimax U-CA5 lives up to everything they say it is. When I looked at the initial ratings on the page it didn't sound good but when reading the reviews, there didn't seem to be a problem with the camera. Trust me, this camera is great, from general snapshots to closeup and adding audio clips to the photos. The video clips look as good as some higher end video camera's on the TV and the sound, although mono is clear and precise. It's a $200.00+- camera that acts like a high end unit. I really like the in-camera video editing. The software that comes with it works flawlessly.
Now my Nikon is only a backup camera........
Enjoy, Trooper John
Customer Rating:
Summary: Lightweight and portable
Comment: Finally I don't have to carry a bag with the camera, I just carry it in my waist. The resolution is ok, and the mpeg4 video recorded looks like my 8mm camera's.
I didn't want my camera to be too noticed, so I selected to go with the blue one instead of this red version. There's a grey one as well.
I also purchased a Sandisk 1GB SD which gives this camera the ability to store 382 photos in full resolution, one hour and 8 minutes of video (68:00), or 25 hours 30 minutes of audio. (!)
Summary: Excellent Deal - Great Camera!!
Comment: I bought this camera when it was priced at $99.99, so I don't believe there's a better value out there. While I was looking for one of those credit card-sized cameras, this one had such good reviews and was such a great deal I had to jump on it. I'm glad I did. The camera isn't big at all, much smaller than the old one. My old camera was a 4MP Samsung Digimax 430, and I loved it. I accidentally dropped it off a 40-foot tower. Surprisingly I could still take pictures with it, although the flash was broken and it took forever to start up and recycle for the next photo. I am currently serving in Iraq and I take photos all the time - I definitely needed to replace my camera and I did not want to pay $300 for a new one. At the same time I wanted something better than what I'd had before.
I think everybody here has done a very good job of selling this camera, so I am not going to get into all the great things about it, just the things I've observed that aren't already in print. One of the things I looked into was the time it takes to start the camera up. I didn't read anything about that on this camera, so I knew I was taking a chance at it being as bad as my old one, the one major negative feature. Fortunately this camera starts quicker than my old one and it doesn't take too long to be able to take the next photo either (I can't wait to try to take pictures of the dolphin show at Sea World again when I get home).
The one negative thing that was brought up in these reviews was the charging cable. One woman mentioned that the cable cannot be connected to the computer via USB for charging purposes; this is true. There is a charging cable that can be connected to either the camera or the docking station. To charge the battery in the camera, just plug it into the wall. The cable even has a built-in converter like on a laptop so it can be used on voltage from 100-240, meaning I don't need my huge converter that I sometimes have to use here in Iraq because our power is all on 220. I just need the European plug adapter, which of course I already have. So you can charge your camera if you're traveling to foreign countries easily enough. The USB cable for data transfer can also be connected to either the camera or the docking station, so I am not using the docking station at all.
I have a 128MB SD card from my old camera. If you use the largest picture setting (2592x1944) at super fine, the card holds 52 photos. I use 2272x1704 and super fine, and that gives you 63. This size makes wonderful 8x10 prints. I never print anything larger than that.
Well that's my 2 cents. I probably would not have purchased this camera had it been priced higher, but I think even at the $179 it's going for now it's a great deal. If that's in your price range, I'd say go for it... don't walk, RUN... I really don't believe you'll find anything better for the money, and I'd spent several days of online research, as well as comparing cameras/prices with everybody in my unit here, before deciding on this camera. Like I said, I'm very glad I took a chance on this one.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The reality of the camera
Comment: I have been readiing all the propaganda for this camera - positive and negative - and had to comment. I bought one before xmas and really like its features but it cannot do all it is said to be able to do. The video record time is about an hour with 1 gb not 2 hours with 256 mb. You can not zoom while taking movies although you can zoom in when in pause mode before shooting. Unfortunately the auto focus can screw-up on movies when the zoom is used by trying to focus away from the subject.
The worst feature for the camera is the cable. NO, YOU CANNOT CHARGE THE CAMERA FROM THE USB CONNECTION CABLE LIKE THE SAMSUNG AND AMAZON WEB SITE SAYS. You need to keep these particular, unfindable, cables with you while out - that is the only way to get the images out of the camera beside taking the memory out. This doesn't help when the rest of the world with mini usb cables all around.
This also the same port for charging the battery, with the other battery charging cable.
So if the camera suddenly needs a charge (and there is no warning or sluggish operation) you can't use any charger. You also can't watch movies on the tv without using the battery power.
That said, I do like the camera but the cable issue has been too hard to swallow and it got me good one time without notice.
The photos come out nice and there are lots of features that I am sure work somehow.
I am going for the Kodak v530, no separate USB port but a separate charge port, bigger screen, zoom active in video and a fast photo response time - even with the flash.
I was lucky enough to get my Samsung at Co-st-co and they have the most unbelievable return policy, any time length with a receipt.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fun Camera
Comment: I bought this camera for my 15 year old daughter and she loves it. She has the red model and it fits nicely in her purse (or even pocket). I think it's great that the batteries are rechargeable - you just plug it in like your cell phone. The screen is bright and she has used some of the options- video and sound - but has not used most of other features. The SD card is great too, since we have other equipment (flash, cameras) that use the same card. We use our SD reader to copy pictures to the desktop and our printer software to organize/edit since we have other cameras also. So far it has held up well, and she is pretty hard on her euqipment. We ordered from Adorama Camera - it also comes with a nice protective case. All in all takes nice pictures and easy to use.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Packed full of goodies
Comment: I've been a Nikon snob for years. I owned my own photo studio for 10 years. I'm now a State Trooper who shoots lots of auto crash scenes. I own a small Nikon digital camera that is great but pricy. A friend has a lower end Samsung digital camera. We were out in the mountains shooting wild flowers this fall and after going home we downloaded the images to my computer. I found not only her Samsung photos were beautiful but my Nikon images were no better. Had to have one immediately!
My Samsung Digimax U-CA5 lives up to everything they say it is. When I looked at the initial ratings on the page it didn't sound good but when reading the reviews, there didn't seem to be a problem with the camera. Trust me, this camera is great, from general snapshots to closeup and adding audio clips to the photos. The video clips look as good as some higher end video camera's on the TV and the sound, although mono is clear and precise. It's a $200.00+- camera that acts like a high end unit. I really like the in-camera video editing. The software that comes with it works flawlessly.
Now my Nikon is only a backup camera........
Enjoy, Trooper John
Customer Rating:
Summary: Lightweight and portable
Comment: Finally I don't have to carry a bag with the camera, I just carry it in my waist. The resolution is ok, and the mpeg4 video recorded looks like my 8mm camera's.
I didn't want my camera to be too noticed, so I selected to go with the blue one instead of this red version. There's a grey one as well.
I also purchased a Sandisk 1GB SD which gives this camera the ability to store 382 photos in full resolution, one hour and 8 minutes of video (68:00), or 25 hours 30 minutes of audio. (!)
Samsung Digimax U-CA5 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Grey) Reviews: Page 2 of 3
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