Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Pro Reviews

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 has a huge display and runs Android, but its image quality lags behind others in its class.

For those looking for a versatile camera that will let you edit images and share them without ever having to move images to a separate device, Samsung’s Galaxy Camera 2 is a decent option without a whole lot of direct competition. Nikon’s Coolpix S800c and the recently announced CoolPix S810c are its main rivals. But those cameras also have a 16-megapixel sensor, and pack a lesser 12x optical zoom. The Galaxy Camera 2 is best suited to those who like Android and need a zoom lens, or those who don’t have a smartphone but still want to share their images without having to use a computer, tablet, or smartphone. But those who want the best image quality should definitely look elsewhere. Thanks to its full-blown Android OS, the Galaxy Camera 2 can do many things a regular camera can’t. And its 21x zoom lens means you can get shots that would be impossible with a smartphone. But the complications that come from running a smartphone OS on a camera will make the Galaxy Camera 2 confusing for novices. And serious camera users will want better image results, which you can get easily with a similarly priced mirrorless camera or high-end point-and-shoot. And if wireless and sharing abilities are what you’re looking for, those can be added to a better camera for as little as $40 with an inexpensive Eye-Fi card. Sure, Eye-Fi cards can be a bit clunky when transferring images from your camera to your phone, but we experienced very similar issues while testing the Galaxy Camera 2. Besides, many new cameras now include Wi-Fi, so you don’t need a camera like this for sharing purposes.

While it's definitely not the best compact camera on the market, nor the best that offers a high zoom range, it's a much more unusual option than the standard compact. For those who want the maximum amount of creativity, coming in the form of hundreds of available photography apps, this kind of camera will surely appeal, while the large zoom range elevates high above the average smartphone. The ability to share images quickly – if you have a Wi-Fi connection or are willing to tether it to your phone – is perhaps one of its most appealing prospects, although it's no longer particularly special in terms of specifications, since more and more cameras come equipped with this ability. The removal of 3G/4G connectivity makes it less able when travelling, so that's something to bear in mind. In terms of an upgrade, there's not much here to distinguish the Galaxy Camera 2 from its predecessor. It's an ever-so-slightly different shape, but not enough to be noticeable, and the processor makes a small, if not hugely significant, difference to the overall speed of the camera.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 hasn't change much from the previous version - there is a new processor and the body has changed - the whole of the front of the camera is rubberised, but other than that it looks much the same. It is an extremely ideal travel camera, when in use the zoom allows you to take wide landscape shots, or zoom in for close-ups. When you're not shooting you can use Android apps to edit and share your photos, play games, check your email, browse the web and much more. The HD screen makes the camera look extremely cool and will be a wow with your friends. Generally, image quality is good, but we found the panorama shots are poor and with a minimum focusing distance of 10cm it's difficult to shoot close-up macros. There are full manual controls so you can set your own aperture and shutter speed, with auto mode if you'd like the camera to adjust the settings automatically, making picture shooting easy. Although a little expensive if you're looking for a travel zoom, there is plenty to love about the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 and is therefore recommended.