Engadget: Samsung SIV Zoom ‘Messy Marriage of Smartphone and Camera’ – might want to hold out for Nokia Lumia 1020

Engadget have just reviewed the Samsung Galaxy SIV and they don’t seem to be all that impressed! Despite the SIV name this isn’t actually an SIV with the extra camera.

The screen is smaller, and actually has even less pixels on screen than the 1020. 960×540 vs 1280×768. But that’s not even where it matters. You can’t even see the screen properly on the SIV zoom on a cloudy day let alone a sunny one. This is meant to be a camera centric device – a view finder is sort of important. BTW, the SIV zoom is thicker and heavier than the 1020.  I remember the 920’s weight being used against it a lot. 208g is what the SIV Zoom weighs.

They haven’t reviewed the Nokia Lumia 1020 yet but say if you’re ok with Windows Phone, you should consider the 1020. If you want Android, they don’t seem to be all that eager recommending this one.

 If you’re willing to give Windows Phone a try, you may also want to hold out for the Nokia Lumia 1020, though the jury’s still out on image quality there. Instant access is phenomenally convenient, but if you care about performance and accuracy, there simply isn’t an Android camera yet that we can recommend.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/12/samsung-galaxy-s4-zoom-review/

The Nokia Lumia 1020 reviews will come out soon. Given how quickly Nokia’s got this out after announcement (as opposed to the many months wait we’re accustomed to) reviewers will get Amber to play with and so none of the significant changes we’d have hoped MS to have brought out. Thankfully, Samsung seems to have dropped the ball in the SIV zoom.

• During regular use, the device felt incredibly sluggish. Dual core – ok on other devices but not for Android.
• “ Launching menus within apps or the OS came along with a sometimes seconds-long delay, and jumping from one activity directly to the camera app to capture a shot sometimes meant uncomfortably long holds. Unfortunately, this puts the Zoom at a serious disadvantage compared to just about any dedicated point-and-shoot.”
  
• Mediocre Image Quality (MNB drinking game, a shot when this word is seen online)
• Plasticky design, doesn’t feel like a premium device
• And how do the stills look? Not so great, unfortunately. Image quality is fairly inconsistent, even when shooting in bright daylight, with color balance and exposure shifting from shot to shot
• Android running on a point-and-shoot, but for now, the drawbacks of sluggish performance and poor battery life far outweigh the benefits.

But, as Nokia and MS should know, don’t ever take the competition lightly.

Source: Engadget

Cheers ms.nokia  for the tip!

Category: Lumia, Nokia