Samsung GX-1L SLR Review

The controls on the grip side of the camera: the Power switch / Preview and Shutter Release button, the +/- exposure compensation button which is used in Manual mode to change the aperture value. The data LCD is not illuminated but current settings can be seen on the color LCD using the Info button (see next page).

The data LCD display indicates: (1) Shutter speed, (2) Aperture value, (3) Flash Information (Auto, Flash-On, Flash-Off, Red-eye reduction), (4) Single frame/Continuous advance/Bracketing, Self-timer, Remote control, (5) Focusing area, (6) AE Metering information, (7) Auto bracketing, (8) White balance information, (9) Battery level, (10) EV compensation and (11) Number of recordable images/EV compensation value.

The Mode Dial has positions for: Flash Off, Night Scene Portrait, Moving Object, Macro, Landscape, Portrait, Auto Scene Program, Scene, Program AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Manual and Bulb.

On the back is the e-dial which is used to change shutter speed, aperture and other settings. In playback it functions as the Index-Zoom dial (see next page for digital controls). The AE-L is used to lock the Auto Exposure to allow you to reframe without changing the exposure value.

Below the Mode Dial is the Flash Release button to open the pop-up flash when in any mode other than No Flash or Auto Picture.

Images are stored on Secure Digital (SD) flash memory cards. Samsung guarantees compatibility with SD card capacity up to 1GB, although we tested successfully with a 133x 2GB SD memory card.

Approximate storage

The above table shows the approximate image storage capacity when using a 128MB SD memory card.

Input/Output ports are on the left side, on top is for the optional wired release button

Combination USB 2.0 (high speed) and Video Out (selectable NTSC or PAL format)

Bottom is jack for DC IN from optional Pentax D-AC10 power supply.

The Samsung GX-1L can powered by either four AA type (lithium, alkaline, nickel-metal hydride) or two CR-V3 lithium batteries. Lithium type provide the best performance for one-use batteries and offer the longest "shelf life" and low temperature usability. Rechargeable NiMH AA's are more economical and ecologically sound than one-use batteries that end up in the landfill.