First look / review Android-camera smartphone Samsung Galaxy K Zoom (SM-C115)

Package Includes:

• Camera
• Charger with USB-cable
• Battery Li-Ion 2430 mAh
• Hand strap
• Instruction

Important preface. Since the company Samsung has only prototypes, then evaluate photofraction on these devices can not be as full and conduct a comparison with other devices. In late May, when there will be commercial samples, we will update this first look and share a large number of images. Also on Friday will be added here a lot of test shots with the prototype, they will give you an idea of ​​the possibilities of the camera – I think it would be quite legitimate. Currently there are noises in some shooting modes, the picture is soap.This promise to fix to the commercial version. Keep this in mind when you evaluate these or other images.

Positioning

In Samsung try to emphasize that the line Zoom – it is a separate line in the development of smart devices, a kind of hybrid cameras with smartphones. The first generation S4 Zoom has not made a furore – the camera was released in June 2013, has become a niche product.But even then, the positioning of the device was clear – this is a camera for those who want good shots that are possible in different conditions, the presence of the zoom, which was made possible thanks to the integrated optics. Zoom line appearance in some way cast doubt on the existence of such a product as the Galaxy Camera – why buy a smart camera on Android, which is not able to call if you can buy a smartphone with similar characteristics, that is, a device that connects two directions at once.

Many consumers say that for them it is very important image quality, but this quality under one understands something of his own. The vast majority of people think that the photos should look great on the screen look like these pictures on the laptop screen or TV, they do not care. Yes and prints pictures today a very small number of people.

Handset manufacturers are constantly improving the quality of PV modules, in most common solutions used module Sony EXMOR of a generation, they are the best. Optics plays a role, but in a limited height shell smartphone, build normal lenses do not seem possible.Zoom line created as an intermediate between the cameras and smartphones, that is a device that takes the best of both worlds.Perhaps a hybrid will be interesting to those who shoots a lot, does not want to lug around two devices and satisfied image quality of modern phones, but still yearns to be able to use the optical zoom. Availability zoom camera – it does a great thing, which creates new opportunities for pictures, sometimes you can not get closer, but I want to make a picture – many of these situations, from the zoo to the other side of the road pictures or details of the building.

The number of those who are fond of pictures and does not have a permanent camera is very small. Number mirrorless cameras that do not have built today NFC / Wi-Fi, and is rapidly declining – to convey a snapshot on your smartphone for a long time is no longer a difficult task. Therefore, the existence of products such as Galaxy K Zoom raises questions, they do not exactly need the mass market, too expensive for him. For enthusiasts of this interesting toy for the average consumer – decent but expensive camera that replaces a bar of soap. There are scenarios in which such a decision wins (eg, sequential shooting and instant publishing pictures on the network), but very little. As well as the first S4 Zoom was a niche solution is not for everyone, and the second generation looks exactly the same. It is possible that by some miracle he can become widespread, but that today there are no serious grounds.

Design, size, controls

The ideology of this device are similar to the predecessor – S4 Zoom. Sufficiently massive body – 137.5h70.8h16.6 (20.2) mm, weight 200 grams. In Galaxy S4 Zoom size was smaller – 125.5h63.5h15.4 mm, weight 208 grams. But on the other hand, both products are such that they can pocket jeans put, but they will stick out much. This is the typical size of a small soap dish, not a smartphone.

I repeat my point made in the previous year, – Zoom range is positioned closer to smartphones, is the idea of ​​marketing, which is harmful.Modern smartphone should easily fit in your pockets, not just the top.

On the back side of the device can see the lens, then there is no turning rings, all control is automated – the lens itself extends when the camera activation. On the right side – the volume rocker, a little lower – on / off button, and below – the camera key. Silly, but to activate the camera button can not shoot, it’s forbidden for fear of damage to the lens when the inadvertent disclosure in a pocket or bag. This is logical, but still expect that such an option should be provided. Interestingly, in the menu, you can choose to activate recording when the unit – that is, it turns out that after all come to the same, with which fought, but the camera button is still not activated.

Around the lens is visible speaker, left – a xenon flash. On the left side is a slot for memory cards microSD, it is covered by a flap.

The back panel is made under the Galaxy S5, but the material is quite different, this is the usual plastic. No protective body does not possess any special coating on it is not applied.

Cover is easy enough to open, you will see the battery inside, underneath – a slot for microSIM-cards. To build quality no complaints, everything is pretty well fitted, which, however typical for Samsung.

On the front side you can see the center key, she Manual, flanked by two touch buttons. About the speaker – front 2-megapixel camera, and proximity sensor.

At the top end – 3.5 mm audio jack for a headset or headphones, immediately one of the microphones, the second on the bottom, there is a connector for charging microUSB.

Display

Diagonal screen size – 4.8 inches, and resolution – 1280×720 pixels, which is slightly different from the machine flagships with FullHD-resolution. On the other hand, this is quite enough for comfortable work, no complaints about the quality of implementation SuperAMOLED-screen does not. As well as in the Galaxy S5, there is a maximum power saving mode, which uses a gray color on the screen, which allows for more time to work. Also there are a large number of settings, you can select the color temperature, choose the brightness and color saturation for your perception. In Samsung provide maximum opportunities for control screens in their devices, but the default settings give a very bright, acidic image that can not be pleased. All at your fingertips, you can change how the display will work. The screen can be seen well.

Battery

The handset battery 2430 mAh Li-Ion. When used only as a camera-enabled phone can work 3G/4G-modulem couple of days and do three pictures. If you actively use component smartphone – call, write messages, social networking, then by the evening of the first day the device asks recharging. It is slightly larger than the current champions, but still not so good, especially for a hybrid device. If this addition to your smartphone, while the work is acceptable if it is the first device, then it is obviously low – although not distracting from what is on the market from other manufacturers or Samsung.

USB, Bluetooth, communication capabilities

Bluetooth. Version Bluetooth 4.0 (LE). When transferring files to other devices that support this technology is activated Wi-Fi 802.11 n, a theoretical transfer rate is about 24 Mbit / s. Checking Transmission 1GB file showed maximum speed of 12 Mbit / c within three meters between devices.

The model supports various profiles, in particular, Headset, Handsfree, Serial Port, Dial Up Networking, File Transfer, Object Push, Basic Printing, SIM Access, A2DP. Working with the headset does not cause any problems, everything is standard.

USB-connection. Version USB – 2, data transfer rate – about 25 MB / s. When USB-connected device is recharged.

MicroUSB connector also supports MHL, this means that using a special cable (it can be purchased at electronics stores), you can connect your phone to your TV (HDMI-output to). In fact, the standard and describes the ability to connect via microUSB to HDMI. This solution looks better than a single miniHDMI-connector on the chassis.

For GSM-networks EDGE Class 12.

Wi-Fi. Supported standard 802.11 a / b / g / n, master work is similar to that of Bluetooth. You can memorize the selected network to automatically connect to it. You can configure the connection to the router with one touch, to do this, press on a router, and enable similar button in the menu of the device (WPA SecureEasySetup). Of the additional options worth noting the setup wizard, it appears with a weak or fading signal. You can also configure the Wi-Fi work on schedule.

Wi-Fi Direct. Protocol, which is intended to replace Bluetooth or begin to compete with its third version (it also uses Wi-Fi version n to transfer large files). In the Wi-Fi menu settings section select Wi-Fi Direct, the phone starts to search for devices around. Select the desired device, activate the connection on it, and voila. Now in the file manager, you can view files on another device, and share them.Another option – just find the devices connected to your router, and submit to them the necessary files, you can do it from the gallery, or other sections of the phone. The main thing that device supports Wi-Fi Direct.

NFC. The device is present technology NFC, it can be used with a variety of additional applications.

S Beam. Technology that allows for a few minutes to transfer the file to another phone several gigabytes in size. In fact, we see in the S Beam combination of two technologies – NFC and Wi-Fi Direct. The first technique is used to authorize and bring phones, but the second – is to transfer the files themselves. Creative way to use recycled Wi-Fi Direct is much easier than using the connection of two devices, select the files and so on.

Memory card

The phone has 8 GB of internal memory available to the user initially about 5 GB. Also supports memory cards up to 64GB.

The amount of RAM is 2GB, after downloading about 900 MB free. This is sufficient for all applications.

Hardware Platform

This is the second device from Samsung, which uses a 6-core processor Exynos 5260, was the first Galaxy Note 3 Neo. Let me remind you that the performance of Neo compared with normal Galaxy Note 3 on Exynos is not amazing, but the work is not much different. Exactly the same situation in the Galaxy K, performance is markedly lower than in the Galaxy S5, but at the level of conventional current generation of smartphones. Not the fastest, but to call it slow is also impossible – only question is to what you are used to.

The processor core 4 slow A7 at up to 1.3 GHz, two quick A15 at up to 1.7 GHz.

Below you can see the results of synthetic benchmarks.

Software features – software for working with photos

I do not know, why did you decide to drop the name Galaxy S5 Zoom (in some menus present, as before), but the program stuffing (Android 4.4.2) is almost complete copy of Galaxy S5. Repeat all the features does not make sense, especially as it is done in a separate article. Let’s talk about the new chips related to photography.

Image editor renamed Studio, it also added the ability to edit video. It turned out pretty cute – editor rich in possibilities and closes the needs of the vast majority of users.

The annex also laid some of the social component, the list shows your name (tied to the Samsung Account), when you publish a photo you have increased levels. What are the advantages it gives to you personally, is not very clear. But in the future something like that will be on all fotoresheniyah from Samsung, which run on Android.

Left to say about what goes free with this unit – Vine service has prepared a special version of the application that she involved in creating opportunities Zoom 6-second commercials. Traditionally issued subscription 50GB and two years in DropBox (only for new users).Up to 1TB of space in Bitcasa for 3 months, which is not so interesting. Annex Blurb you get a coupon for $ 5 for printing your photo album. Fast Burst Camera app free for 3 months (it should load), it allows up to 30 pictures per second. The program also Picsplay Pro 3 months free, it has about 200 filters. Finally, the Share Lens program for broadcasting in real-time images.

Camera – shooting possibilities

Focal length of the lens – 4.4-44 mm aperture – from 3.1 to 6.3. Tenfold optical zoom (the previous model is the same). The camera module is not very expensive, it is BSI-matrix 1/2.3 inches, exactly the same used in Sony Z1/Z2. Presence of a normal lens offset by a small matrix, which is inherent in smartphones, not the camera, it is the biggest drawback of this device. Maximum image resolution – 20.7 megapixels.

Meaning ISO – from 100 to 3200. Interestingly, in most cases, the machine tends to put small values ​​ISO, and rightly so. Also separately I want to note that the machine fulfills bad white balance, surprisingly for such a camera.

For most users, the device makes no sense to manually setting the values ​​ISO, in most cases the automatic work out all right. ISO 800 is working, then clearly seen blurry pictures.

Of the curious innovations worth noting separate focus and exposure exposure, you can click on the image on the screen, and then select another after focusing part of the picture, on which will be exhibited and exposure.

And this is how the function works optical zoom, it is interesting in most situations, except in certain scenarios. First and foremost, the maximum zoom can not be used with smart modes, then the result becomes unpredictable.

Video recording is supported in FullHD, it could be like 30 or 60 frames per second.

Comparison with other devices – tablets

In comparison, the paper had a Samsung Galaxy K Zoom specifications with other devices that give these tablets, someone they can be useful.

	Galaxy S4 zoom	Galaxy K zoom
OS	Android v4.2 JB	Android v4.4 Kitkat
Display	4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED	4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED
AP	Dual Core 1.5GHz	Hexa Core (Quad 1.3GHz + Dual 1.7GHz)
Memory	1.5GB LPDDR2 8GB + MicroSD slot	2GB LPDDR3 8GB + MicroSD slot
Lens	10x Optical zoom OIS 24-240mm F3.1-F5.9	10x Optical zoom OIS 24-240mm F3.1-F6.3
Main Camera (Rear)	16MP 1/2.3 “BSI CMOS	20.7MP 1/2.3 “BSI CMOS
Sun Camera (Front)	1.9MP	2.0MP
Video Recording	FHD 1920×1080 / 30p	FHD 1920×1080 / 60p
Flash	Xenon	Xenon
Battery	2330mAh	2430mAh
Network	LTE Cat.3 (100Mbps)	LTE Cat.4 (150Mbps)
Dimension (mm)	125.5×63.5×15.4 (27.0)	137.5×70.8×16.6 (20.2)
Weight (g)	208g	200g

	Galaxy S5	Galaxy K zoom
OS	Android v4.4 Kitkat	Android v4.4 Kitkat
Display	5.1-inch FHD Super AMOLED	4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED
AP	Quad Krait 2.5GHz	Hexa Core (Quad 1.3GHz + Dual 1.7GHz) + M7Mu
Memory	2GB 16GB or 32GB + MicroSD slot	2GB LPDDR3 8GB + MicroSD slot
Lens	1X zoom No OIS Approx. 31mm	10x Optical zoom  OIS  24-240mm  F3.1-F6.3
Main Camera (Rear)	16MP 1/2.6 “	20.7MP 1/2.3 “BSI CMOS
Sun Camera (Front)	2.0MP	2.0MP
Video Recording	UHD	FHD 1920×1080 / 60p
Flash	LED	Xenon
Battery	2800mAh	2430mAh
Dimension (mm)	140×72.5×8.1	137.5×70.8×16.6 (20.2)
Weight (g)	145	200

Impressions

Sales Galaxy K Zoom to begin in late May and early June. The cost of this device is 24 990 rubles, catastrophically lot, especially on the background rates Galaxy S4 Zoom, which was at the start of sales of 19 900 rubles, and today this model costs about 12 000 rubles (4G-version), the regular version costs about 10 000 rubles (Euronetwork just such a price at the time of this writing).

What causes such a high price, I personally do not understand at all. Attempt to pull it up close to the Galaxy S5? But contrary to the company trying to avoid comparing them to breed and quite different niches. It is clear that the cost of components in the Galaxy K Zoom is high enough, but she can not be so high as to justify a marked increase in prices compared to the previous generation device. Perhaps Samsung decided that the weakening of the ruble plays a role, and therefore changed so the cost for a niche product.

In my opinion, no reason to buy a camera for the money is not. It costs just indecently expensive. I’m not saying that for comparable money can buy SLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses, though it is possible. Exactly the same device from Samsung, but last year, is twice cheaper. Photo quality is comparable, just different resolution and zoom the same as the optics. Certainly, there is a small number of those chasing novelty. But these people have very little. And indeed the niche in which plays Galaxy K Zoom, very small.Expect any significant sales should not, this product is definitely not for everyone. The turmoil in the market from its release will not happen, as this did not happen a year ago for the Galaxy S4 Zoom.