Samsung PL90 Review

By

Review posted 02/10/2010

Quick Take
Price
Pros
  • Incredibly compact
  • Easy to use and carry
  • Wide 4x optical zoom lens
  • Excellent overall image quality
  • USB arm is very useful
  • Good battery life
Cons
  • Slow camera performance
  • microSD cards are slower, easy to lose and not as common
  • No HD video capabilities
  • No AV cable included
Bottom Line
The Samsung PL90 is an ultra-compact point-n-shoot model with great image quality. Although its startup and shot-to-shot are slow, this is an excellent camera for the price. Read more in our Full Conclusion.
samsung_PL90_red_550.jpgSamsung continues to roll out new compact cameras this summer, including the new PL90. This is yet another affordable point-n-shoot camera to add to their ranks, which boasts some standard features for a camera in this price range. These include 12-megapixels, a 4x optical zoom lens, 2.7-inch LCD screen, and standard definition video recording at 640x480. 

The PL90 also boasts Smart Auto, AF tracking, their Perfect Portrait System, and a built-in USB plug, which hides inside the body until released. This allows for effortless sharing and uploading of photos when connected to your PC and also charges the camera's Li-ion battery at the same time.

Samsung PL90 key features include:
  • 12.2-megapixels of resolution for large prints
  • SAMSUNG 4x optical zoom lens
  • 2.7-inch LCD with 230k pixels
  • SD 640x480 video capture @30 fps with sound
  • Advanced Smart Auto exposure mode
  • Perfect Portrait System: Beauty and Smile Shot modes, etc.
  • microSD/SDHC card slot
  • Li-ion battery pack
  • Built-in, flip-out USB plug for transferring files and charging the battery
The Samsung PL90 is available now in two color choices (black/red or black/sliver) for a suggested retail price of $149.99 US.

What's in the box?:
  • Samsung PL90 camera
  • USB to AC adapter
  • Manual
  • Software CD-ROM



Additional Views

samsung_PL90_red_usb_550.jpg


samsung_PL90_back-slant_550.jpg
samsung_PL90_silver_550.jpg





Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.

Buy related cameras and accessories from Amazon.com
Related Product Description Price
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x f/2.5 Ultra Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and 3.5-Inch Touch LCD  (White) Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x f/2.5 Ultra Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and 3.5-Inch Touch LCD (White) $499.00
Samsung Digimax 350 SE 3.3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom Samsung Digimax 350 SE 3.3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom $419.99
Olympus Stylus FE-280 8MP Digital Camera with Dual Image Stabilized 3x Optical Zoom (Blue) Olympus Stylus FE-280 8MP Digital Camera with Dual Image Stabilized 3x Optical Zoom (Blue) $179.99
Fujifilm FinePix AV200 14 Megapixel Compact Camera - Silver. FINEPIX AV200 SILVER 14MP 3X WIDE ZOOM HD MOVIE CAMERA. 2.7' LCD - 3x Optical Zoom - Electronic (IS) - 4288 x 3216 Image - 1280 x 720 Video - Motion JPEG (AVI) - PictBridge Fujifilm FinePix AV200 14 Megapixel Compact Camera - Silver. FINEPIX AV200 SILVER 14MP 3X WIDE ZOOM HD MOVIE CAMERA. 2.7' LCD - 3x Optical Zoom - Electronic (IS) - 4288 x 3216 Image - 1280 x 720 Video - Motion JPEG (AVI) - PictBridge $112.01
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 Digital Camera (Silver) + 8GB SDHC Memory Card Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 Digital Camera (Silver) + 8GB SDHC Memory Card $111.99
STK's Samsung BP70A Battery Charger - for Samsung MV800, Samsung PL120, Samsung ST76, Samsung ST66, Samsung ST65, Samsung TL205, Samsung SL605, Samsung ST700, Samsung PL20, Samsung ES80, Samsung PL200, Samsung SL600, Samsung TL105, Samsung ST100, Samsung PL100, Samsung ST90, + more (see product description) STK's Samsung BP70A Battery Charger - for Samsung MV800, Samsung PL120, Samsung ST76, Samsung ST66, Samsung ST65, Samsung TL205, Samsung SL605, Samsung ST700, Samsung PL20, Samsung ES80, Samsung PL200, Samsung SL600, Samsung TL105, Samsung ST100, Samsung PL100, Samsung ST90, + more (see product description) $69.99
Samsung Digital Camera BP70A Battery for TL105, TL110, TL205, ES65, ES70, SL5... Samsung Digital Camera BP70A Battery for TL105, TL110, TL205, ES65, ES70, SL5... $34.99