Samsung Digimax V700 Review

The Digimax V700 is equipped with a 3X Schneider Varioplan zoom lens, 7.8-23.4mm (equivalent to 38 - 113mm in 35mm format) f/2.8 - f/5.1, multi-coated all glass lens with aspherical elements.  When powered down the lens automatically retracts and is protected by a built-in lens cap.

Featuring a TTL contrast detection AF system combined with a low-light focus assist illuminator with an unspecified range. The user can manually operate the focus with an onscreen distance guide.

Autofocus Range:

Normal: 80cm to infinity.
Macro: 4cm to 80cm (Wide), 25cm to 80cm (Tele).
Auto Mode: 4 cm ~ Infinity (Wide), 25 cm ~ Infinity (Tele)

The real-image zoom viewfinder has about 85% coverage, there is no dioptric adjustment. There are no framing or focus area indicators in the viewfinder. The two LEDs indicate auto focus and flash status.

The high-resolution 2.0-inch color LCD monitor

The built-in flash has modes for auto flash, fill-flash in low lighting and backlight condition, flash-on and flash-off and "Red-eye" reduction function which employs a single discharge. The flash working range in wide angle is approx. 0.2 to 3.0m, telephoto is 0.2 to 2.0m. Recharge time is approx. 7 seconds with fully charged battery.

The W-T zoom control functions as the image Index and Magnify buttons in play mode. To the left of the optical viewfinder is the AE-Lock/Copy button and the Manual Focus/Delete button. To the right of the color LCD is the Monitor button which controls the color LCD and the info displayed on it. Below that is the "S" button to enable the Exposure Menu to change (Exp Compensation, RGB colors, ISO speed, White balance) below the 4-way selector is the Play mode/Review button.

The 4-way selector switch is for navigating menu options, press the MENU/OK button in the center to call up the menu or accept a selection. Press "Right" to activate Self-timer or Remote mode, press "Down" to enable Macro and Super Macro focus mode, press "Left" to change flash modes and press "Up" to enable sound recording. In Play mode you press "Right" or "Left" to advance to the next picture.

On top you'll find the power On/Off switch and the shutter release with a control dial mounted around it that's used for adjusting shutter speeds, aperture values and manual focus distance. The Mode Dial has positions for Auto, Program AE, A/S/M, MySet, Voice Recorder, Movie, Night Scene and Scene.

Images, movies and sound clips are stored on either Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia Card memory cards. Samsung provides a 32MB size SD card with the camera.

The I/O ports are on the back and include a miniature connector for both the USB 2.0 data cable and the Audio / Video cable for connection to a TV set. The 3.3VDC IN port is for an optional AC power supply.

The Digimax V700 is powered by the included SLB-1137 3.7V 1130mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery pack that Samsung claims is good for up to 280 shots. Also included is a small AC charger.