Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom
Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom Overview
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is a smartphone-camera hybrid. Unlike any other device currently on the market, the Zoom offers a 16MP camera and also includes a strong range of smartphone features.
The S4 Zoom is definitely aimed at the photography-focused. While there are of course superior point and shoot cameras available, they are unable to offer a fully-fledged mobile phone operating system within the same device.
At a glance, the Galaxy Zoom looks like a compact camera thanks to the large lens on its rear, which features a x10 optical zoom and Xenon Flash. However, besides its obvious camera enhancements, the S4 Zoom is similar in style to the Galaxy S4 Mini.
There are now several handsets that derive their names from Samsung’s flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S4; there’s the S4 Active - the water and dust resistant version of the S4; the S4 Mini - a scaled down version of the flagship handset; and now the S4 Zoom, which is essentially the S4 Mini with a hefty set of camera features.
Before we go on to look at the S4 Zoom’s features from a smartphone perspective, let’s have a look at its camera offering.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom Camera Features
Xenon Flash
16MP BSI CMOS Sensor
24-240mm 10x optical zoom
Optical Image stabilisation
F3.1-F6.3 Lens
4fps Burst Shot
ISO 100-3200
1080p video recording
Dedicated shutter key
Zoom Ring for quick sharing of photos and access of the handset’s interface 1.9MP front facing camera
Expert Mode for you to change shooting parameters
Smart Modes to help you choose the best settings for your photo
HDR Mode
Panorama
Best face to adjust smiles and eyes
Several other filters and modes to enhance your photos
We’re sure you’ll agree that that’s quite a list of features! One that’s worth looking at in even more detail is the Zoom ring.
The Zoom ring is a control positioned around the outside of the lens, which can be twisted to activate additional controls. If you’re on a call and want to send an image to the person that you’re speaking to, you simply twist the zoom ring and it will take a photo and send it to the contact via MMS. It can also be used to activate the Quick Launch and Short Cut features to take you into the camera interface as quickly as possible.
As the name suggests the Zoom ring can be used to zoom in and out when taking a photo. Alternatively you can use the volume rocker, although the ring offers a greater degree of control. When zooming and out the S4 will play a clicking sound to notify you of the action. The capacitive buttons either side of the home button are also disabled whilst using the camera interface so as to avoid pressing them accidentally.
Moving on from the Zoom Ring, there are many software features to talk about on the S4 Zoom. Inheriting some of the TouchWiz features from the Galaxy S4, the Zoom offers Action Shot (which combines a burst of photos into one frame), Best Face (to make sure everyone in the photo is smiling) and Story Album, which will arrange your photos into galleries based on time, date and location.
For the tinkerer that likes to ensure the settings are just right to take the perfect photo, there is Expert Mode, which lets you adjust various shooting parameters yourself. However, if you want to take a quick snap or are unsure which are the optimal configurations to use, there’s Smart Suggest Mode, which will recommend settings for you.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom Smartphone Features
Now to have a look at what would be referred to as the phone features of the S4 Zoom. As previously mentioned, the S4 Zoom takes its design aesthetic from the S4 Mini. It also shares its screen size (4.3”) and has a similarly spec’d processor – 1.5GHz dual core on the Zoom compared to 1.7GHz dual-core on the Mini.
Like its S4 siblings, the Zoom comes with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and Samsung’s custom Android skin, Touchwiz. This brings a wealth of features that won’t leave you wanting. Here’s a run through of what else the S4 Zoom has to offer:
8GB Internal Storage (5GB user-accessible)
MicroSD slot (expandable up to 64GB)
NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G
MHL for video out
IR Blaster
3.5mm earphone Jack
Accelerometer, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Gyro, RGB Light
A-GPS and GLONASS for navigation
2330mAh battery
1.5GB RAM
125.5 x 63.5 x 15.4 mm
208 g weight
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is a smartphone-camera hybrid. Unlike any other device currently on the market, the Zoom offers a 16MP camera and also includes a strong range of smartphone features.
The S4 Zoom is definitely aimed at the photography-focused. While there are of course superior point and shoot cameras available, they are unable to offer a fully-fledged mobile phone operating system within the same device.
At a glance, the Galaxy Zoom looks like a compact camera thanks to the large lens on its rear, which features a x10 optical zoom and Xenon Flash. However, besides its obvious camera enhancements, the S4 Zoom is similar in style to the Galaxy S4 Mini.
There are now several handsets that derive their names from Samsung’s flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S4; there’s the S4 Active - the water and dust resistant version of the S4; the S4 Mini - a scaled down version of the flagship handset; and now the S4 Zoom, which is essentially the S4 Mini with a hefty set of camera features.
Before we go on to look at the S4 Zoom’s features from a smartphone perspective, let’s have a look at its camera offering.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom Camera Features
Xenon Flash
16MP BSI CMOS Sensor
24-240mm 10x optical zoom
Optical Image stabilisation
F3.1-F6.3 Lens
4fps Burst Shot
ISO 100-3200
1080p video recording
Dedicated shutter key
Zoom Ring for quick sharing of photos and access of the handset’s interface 1.9MP front facing camera
Expert Mode for you to change shooting parameters
Smart Modes to help you choose the best settings for your photo
HDR Mode
Panorama
Best face to adjust smiles and eyes
Several other filters and modes to enhance your photos
We’re sure you’ll agree that that’s quite a list of features! One that’s worth looking at in even more detail is the Zoom ring.
The Zoom ring is a control positioned around the outside of the lens, which can be twisted to activate additional controls. If you’re on a call and want to send an image to the person that you’re speaking to, you simply twist the zoom ring and it will take a photo and send it to the contact via MMS. It can also be used to activate the Quick Launch and Short Cut features to take you into the camera interface as quickly as possible.
As the name suggests the Zoom ring can be used to zoom in and out when taking a photo. Alternatively you can use the volume rocker, although the ring offers a greater degree of control. When zooming and out the S4 will play a clicking sound to notify you of the action. The capacitive buttons either side of the home button are also disabled whilst using the camera interface so as to avoid pressing them accidentally.
Moving on from the Zoom Ring, there are many software features to talk about on the S4 Zoom. Inheriting some of the TouchWiz features from the Galaxy S4, the Zoom offers Action Shot (which combines a burst of photos into one frame), Best Face (to make sure everyone in the photo is smiling) and Story Album, which will arrange your photos into galleries based on time, date and location.
For the tinkerer that likes to ensure the settings are just right to take the perfect photo, there is Expert Mode, which lets you adjust various shooting parameters yourself. However, if you want to take a quick snap or are unsure which are the optimal configurations to use, there’s Smart Suggest Mode, which will recommend settings for you.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom Smartphone Features
Now to have a look at what would be referred to as the phone features of the S4 Zoom. As previously mentioned, the S4 Zoom takes its design aesthetic from the S4 Mini. It also shares its screen size (4.3”) and has a similarly spec’d processor – 1.5GHz dual core on the Zoom compared to 1.7GHz dual-core on the Mini.
Like its S4 siblings, the Zoom comes with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and Samsung’s custom Android skin, Touchwiz. This brings a wealth of features that won’t leave you wanting. Here’s a run through of what else the S4 Zoom has to offer:
8GB Internal Storage (5GB user-accessible)
MicroSD slot (expandable up to 64GB)
NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G
MHL for video out
IR Blaster
3.5mm earphone Jack
Accelerometer, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Gyro, RGB Light
A-GPS and GLONASS for navigation
2330mAh battery
1.5GB RAM
125.5 x 63.5 x 15.4 mm
208 g weight
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