Samsung GX-1L SLR Review

The camera's built-in P-TTL popup flash unit makes taking pictures with well-balanced foreground and background exposures simple. It has a Guide number of 15.6 (at ISO 200/m) with an 28mm angle of view coverage. Flash synch speed is 1/180 second. Flash-On, Red-Eye Reduction and Flash-Off modes are provided. When shooting the Auto Picture mode, the flash will open automatically when needed, in other modes the user needs to press a release button when flash is desired.

The GX-1L has an ISO hot shoe (but lacks a standard PC flash sync port) for connection to external flash equipment.

The GX-1L functions in full TTL mode with the Samsung SEF-36PZF Power Zoom Flash. It includes an AF-assist beam for focusing in low light or low contrast situations; its working range is 3.3 to 23 feet.

Effective flash range is from 2.3 to 17.8 feet. Power zoom head covers from 20mm (with wide angle panel) to 85mm. Vertical bounce possible, click stops provided (-10°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°), lock provided at 0°.

The eyelevel viewfinder employs an optical pentamirror, showing approx 96% of the captured image with 0.85x magnification (with 50mm F1.4 at infinity). There is a -2.5 – +1.5 diopter adjustment. Around the viewfinder is a soft rubber eyepiece that fits comfortably against your face or eyeglasses.

The viewfinder uses a Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen. The indicators includes: (1) AF frame; (2) Spot AF frame; (3) Flash status; (4) ISO sensitivity warning; (5) Continuous mode; (6) Auto Scene mode icon; (7) Focus indicator; (8) Shutter speed; (9) Aperture value; (10) Exposure compensation factor; (11) Number of recordable images; (12) Manual focus; (13) SCN mode icon; (14) AE lock indicator.

Here is the layout of the 16-segment multi-pattern metering system. User-selectable Multi-Segment, Spot and Center-weighted options are provided.