Samsung 12MP HZ30W (WB600) 15x SuperZoom Review by TR With Rating 8/10

On Jaunary 19 2010, Samsung announced the world's slimmest cameras with 15x zoom and 24mm equivalent wide angle - one of the two even features built-in GPS and a 3-inch AMOLED screen. The Samsung HZ30W (aka WB600) and HZ35W (aka WB650), with the latter being the GPS/AMOLED model. The HZ30W has no GPS unit and comes with a more traditional 3-inch LCD screen. The two cameras are otherwise identical: both features a 12 Megapixels sensors, 24-360mm equivalent Schneider-Kreuznach lenses and 720p HD video recording capabilities. 

Both the Samsung HZ30W and the Samsung HZ35W offer semi-automatic and full manual exposure control, optical image stabilisation and HDMI ports. The HZ30W is currently selling at around $150 (drop from $200 about 4 months ago). Here is the summary of a latest review by TrustedReviews, giving the camera a rating of 8 out of 10:

"We also liked the fact that the full extent of the zoom is accessible when shooting video, despite the fact that there's a low operational buzz when adjustments are made. However, as a bit of a cheat, the WB600's audio drops out when zooming begins and then kicks in again when any adjustments are finished. So you can have the sound or the zoom, but not both at the same time. We see the logic here but ultimately think it's a bad move. Colours from the Samsung are generally on the warm side and flatteringly so, though we did notice some cool blue daylight tones creeping randomly into certain images. This is nit picking however, as in general terms and for general scenes image quality is much, much better than expected, sharpness well maintained from edge to edge even at maximum wide angle and crisp results achievable when shooting handheld at the maximum telephoto setting. Even bridge cameras costing two or three times the price deliver their fair share of soft results in similar circumstances. They also mostly suffer from barrel distortion at maximum wideangle. Even with its 24mm equivalent setting, the WB600 doesn't. Slightly disappointing however is the WB600's low light performance. There is noise/grain even in evidence at the lower settings, which start out at ISO80 and incrementally progress towards a top whack ISO3200. Above ISO800 the results are verging on unusable for anything but the most casual of snaps intended for Facebook only. 

With a build quality more robust than its asking price indicates, the WB600, whilst not exactly the 'sexiest' big zoom compact we've ever seen, comes across as offering exceptional value.  The plus points here are, obviously, a big internally stacked zoom with a broad focal range, pocket sized dimensions yet a robust and solid build, and a greater range of specifications, including some manual control options, than usually found for similar outlay. The 'only' negatives are the audio dropping out when zooming during video recording, some quite prohibitive noise which creeps in at lower ISO settings than one would expect, occasional white balance issues and the fact that design-wise it's a bit of a lump, though not prohibitively so if you really are looking for a capable 'travel zoom'. So, chunkier than more fashion conscious rivals, the WB600 nevertheless offers more photo and video creation options than similarly priced competitors. This makes it very hard to knock it. Incidentally, if you have got a tad more to spend there's also a very similar WB650 model available, which boasts the same zoom range but adds GPS and an AMOLED view screen."

Nice camera, Ronald L. Hyman - Jan 20 2013
This camera takes very nice pictures and it's easy use. The price was right and i would recommend it for everyday picture taking. As alway's Amazon was a pleasure to deal with....

JUNK!!!, Richard - Aug 04 2012
I have owned two of these cameras. The first one was purchased a little over a year ago and wouldn't work out of the box. It wouldn't zoom in or out and when it did it froze and stopped working . Nothing would correct the problem so I returned it for a replacement. When the replacement arrived it worked OK; seeing very little use until now. Same problem as before; zoom froze in the op...

Takes great pictures, but not at max zoom, W. Reagan - Jun 12 2012
Excellent camera for the price. At standard zoom, the picture quality is top notch and crystal clear. When going to digital zoom and maxed out, quality of very grainy and sometimes not useable. Multitude of settings will keep camera fans happy, but the auto feature does and awesome job. Pictures are easily transferable but you will need a memory card with this, so plan a...

Worked okay for a year then problems, Nick "demon_f16" - Dec 24 2011
Purchased this camera last year (Nov 2010) based upon the favorable reviews. Gave it to my wife for christmas and she has been using it regularly for the last year. It worked good for at least 9-10 months then started to develop minor issues. I used it this fall at my son's basketball game and I had a hard time taking action photos. I tried all the settings and nothing improved th...