Samsung S630
For maximum versatility, the S630 can be powered by optional Samsung rechargeable Ni-MH batteries as well as available-everywhere AA alkaline batteries.
Other features include:
- A bright 2.5” LCD display
- Red-eye reduction capabilities
- 20 megabytes of internal memory, and can accept Secure Digital (SD) flash memory cards up to 4 gigabytes (includes SD, MMC and SDHC)
- Dedicated modes for common-yet-difficult shooting situations, including Close-Up (to capture all of the detail at a subject at a close focal range), Sunset (to take advantage of soft, waning light), and Backlight (to compensate for a dark subject lit from behind)
- Movie mode lets users capture video in one of four resolutions, from 320×240 to 640×480, at up to 15 frames per second in AVI (MJPEG-4) format. Image stabilisation can be engaged to compensate for unwanted camera movement and subject blur when recording
- A built-in microphone allows a 10-second voice memo to be attached to any still image
- Voice recording for up to one-hour, voice memo and “One-touch Playback” for instant playback of an image, even when the power is off.
- Includes Samsung’s Digimax Master software (compatible with Windows 98/2000/ME/XP and Macintosh OS X 9.2 through 10.4), enabling beginners to edit and manage their pictures as soon as they start using the camera
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This camera was bought through an insane Ritz Camera Father’s Day promotion in which the Epson Stylus Photo Ultra High-Resolution R260 was essentially free (after mail-in rebate) with the purchase of any digital camera. I brought up the digital cameras on the Ritz website and they listed a keyring camera for $9.99 which would have gotten me the R260 for less than $10.00. However, I decided to get a relatively inexpensive camera to carry around with me. One I could put in a pants pocket or in a backpack pocket or even in a small case strapped to my belt. At $99.99, the S630 seemed a good compromise between price and features and I haven’t been disappointed. I haven’t printed any S630 photos on the R260 yet, but based on what I am seeing on my computer screen, the photos I’m taking with it bear general comparison with the ones taken with my digital SLR’s (Nikon D100 and D50, both with very good lenses). I’m sure if I really tried, I’d discover the Nikon photos are somewhat better in ways which are probably more measurable than perceptible, but certainly for photos for general use on the web, this camera is just fine and is certainly much more convenient to carry around with me than the Nikon SLR’s. At this stage, you can certainly find this camera somewhere for $100 or less and at that price, it’s almost as good as it gets.
If it has any cons other than the ones you’d expect related to such a tiny camera, they start with NO VIEWFINDER. You’ll be framing all of your shots using the LCD, which is rather large, I must say. When my friends complain about battery life in their cameras, usually I say “God gave you a viewfinder. Use it.” I’m sure that most of the battery problems people have are caused by the viewfinder draining the battery, and by constantly turning their camera on and off. It takes energy for that little zoom lens to be going in and out all the time. I soon learned that this camera’s batteries last much longer if I just leave it on when I’m on a picture-taking stroll. Then, there’s the plastic body (but can I really expect metal at this price?). Finally, there’s the situation with the manual. There is an excellent 98-page one online if you look for it. I think you can find it on the Ritz site if nowhere else. It’s absolutely essential for you to get because the little manual that comes with the camera is, to put it mildly, a joke. What you discover when you download the manual is that this little camera is jam-packed with features that aren’t readily apparent until you are told how to access them. I consider the manuals that came with my two Nikons more than adequate, and both of them are smaller in physical dimensions and contain approximately as much information. I downloaded it and took it to Kinko’s to be bound ($4.99) and I’m very glad I did. It was $4.99 well spent. This little camera has so many features that I’m a long way from knowing how to use them all. At the same time, basic point-and-shoot work is quite easy. Just put the camera in PROGRAM or 100% AUTO mode and almost every shot will look great.
FYI - the maual is on the CD that comes with the camera
I’m aware of that, but I generally will download a manual from the manufacturer’s website because that is likely to be the same or more recent than the one on the distribution CD.
Tom, Thanks a lot for your time to review the camera. How would you rate the camera (out of 5 stars)?
Bearing in mind that the stars are “at this price point,” I’d give it a good solid 4 stars.
Now, I don’t have a lot of experience with cheap cameras, I admit, but I’d call this an overall good experience. Where is there room for improvement? 1) ship a complete paper manual with the camera (but it seems very few manufacturers are doing that with electronics anymore); 2) a viewfinder; 3) some sort of sun hood for the LCD display.
As you can see, though, those complaints would apply to the majority of cameras in this price range. There are some shocking limitations to someone who’s used to the flexibility of full manual shooting: only two aperture selections are available: f/2.8 and f/8, but then I have to remind myself that this is a camera for people who would be tempted to buy The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Photography and might even consider that a difficult reading. And, once again, what can one realistically expect at this price? It should be a mere toy. It’s not. It’s quite a bit better than that.
I have to correct a comment I made. In fiddling around with MANUAL mode, I did bring up more than just the two aperture settings, so I’m a little less shocked in that area.
It doesn’t matter anyway, the photos are quite acceptable, especially considering the almost rock-bottom price.
(Comments wont nest below this level)I’ve looked and can’t find the manual, even at Ritz. Where did you get yours?
I agree this cam’s great Tom. Now there’s only one ‘problem’.
You can get another Samsung model with all about the same functions with 8.0 mega pixels and also at the same price with all the usual goodies bundle (free mini-tripod, memory card).
It’s out in the stores here in Singapore as I write, but I haven’t really the time to take down its model number!
May be do some shopping around if you haven’t bought your digital cam yet.
Happy 2008!
Which model is this?! I’m in Aus but I wanna know too..XD (Parents going back to SG for a bit, haha..)
Hello! I was wondering if one of you can help me. I have a Samsung S630 and and am trying to load the pictures onto my PC. Unfortanately, i do not have the software since my PC isnt automatically pulling up the window to upload, also USB mass storage for this device doesnt show up on My Computer either. Looks like it’s not reading it… Do you know where I can download a driver or do I have any other options?
Thank you very much,
Natasha
Hi Natasha, you might find the driver/software you’re looking for here
If your computer doesn’t even see that the port is in use, that’s not a driver problem. So, first, a dumb question: You have tried hooking up the camera and switching it on, right? The computer will see your camera until you switch it on. Just asking.
Well, someone has given you a link, but it sounds like your main problem has to do with Windows or your USB hardware. I would do a “repair reinstall” if I were you (google those words and you’ll easily find step-by-step instructions, which you should print out before you begin).
If that doesn’t solve your connection problem, take your computer to a repair shop and they will figure out what’s wrong with your hardware, possibly replacing it or adding in a USB card. If you have a working USB port, you can also buy a hub to add more ports.
Hi,
yes u can do this.If u have memory card reader simply remove memory card from camera and u can directly copy images from camera memory card to ur PC. no software required and if u don’t have memory card reader just buy it from market and its cost will be Rs.250 Inr.
Regards
Kapil
I bought this camera with the full intention of using it as a video camera for some webcasts that I have been planning for some time now. Like you, I am impressed by the very good still pictures. (God help you if someone takes a close up, and you don’t have flawless skin. Every pore looks like Meteor Crater.) Additionally, I am very impressed by the 30 frames per second in video mode. The videos that I took are just a little grainy, but it was also in a dark room with only the computer screen for light.
I was frankly very mad when the camera turned itself off after only about 8 minutes. It seems to me that an electronic device would have a power cord, especially when it has an LCD screen that saps power, and it also has a plug on the side of the camera right beside the USB plug. However, having thought ahead, I knew to buy some rechargeable batteries and a charger. I got all of them at the same time. I haven’t really taken it out on the road for a real test yet, but I look forward to doing so very soon.
Thank you for your review, and also for the directions for finding the manual.
Be safe
Well, when I go out I leave the camera on to save batteries. I really think that it’s that zoom lens going in and that really drains battery. Also, you gotta have rechargeables with today’s cameras, and take 2 or 3 spare sets out with you. I can’t comment on movies, but I’ve gone out and shot photos whenever I felt like it for 2 hours and didn’t have a battery problem with a freshly charged pair. My #1 tip on battery life is don’t be turning your camera on and off all the time.
Shawn,
Make sure when you use regular or rechargable batteries that your camera is programed to use either or.
Somebody please, I need help! I was uploading some photos and decided to make folders within the folder it already pops up in, but now… on the actual camera itself, my photos are not found AND when I tried to take them out of the separate folders to hopefully undo the problem, it didn’t go back into the actual camera. So I’m wondering if there is anyway to fix this and somehow be able to upload my photos back into my camera or if they are stuck on my computer for good. Please somebody let me know. Much Appreciated.
I don’t know what happen to my Samsung S630, but all of a sudden it can’t turn on, when I press the power button all it does is beep three times. Anyone knows whats wrong?
Mine does this too, but after a while itll start working again. I get really pissed off and frustrated and tend to want to throw it, but usually after i plug it into my computer and restart my computer with the camera on while its plugged in and then unplug it, it works again
or if i delete all the files
or add files on from my computer
I dont know whats wrong with it, but try to do different things, who knows maybe it doesnt like the batteries you put in it, bc my camera doesnt work with non rechargables nor with duracel or what ever
o doesnt work with cheap brand rechargables either
Shannon, it sounds like a memory card problem. Find another camera that takes the same media and try loading from that camera. If they load okay, it was the camera. If not, then either it’s a bad card or the camera is writing the card incorrectly.
I have the same problem. The batteries went dead and the lens is frozen open. I put new batteries in and the camera beeps 3 times and shuts off when I want to take a picture. I’ve changed the memory card and put a new set of batteries, so this is not the problem. Though,the low batteries to begin with started the problem.
Please tell me what is wrong. It’s driving me crazy.
Same problem here 3 beeps then shuts off
Well, I called Samsung and they told me to send the camera back. What happened was the battery was low — too low for the lens to close and it jammed. So, now it won’t close and won’t take a picture.
They are repairing it - or so they say they will since it is only 2 months old.
Good luck!
(Comments wont nest below this level)I am glad I have found this website, as I am having exactly the same issue. Currently trying to contact Samsung.Fingers cross they repair mine also
Marie,
Anything going on with your camera. Ours is having that same problem. Did Samsung fix it?
I’m having the same problem except my lens didn’t freeze. I’ve tried 3 packs of batteries and it always says low battery. This camera ruined our chances of getting pictures in NYC with a relative who has never been there. We spent over $30 on batteries (NYC prices) to try to get it to work.
Hey
I also found that was a problem with this camera. I was really disapointed and annoyed!
However
Soon after doing some research on the camera i used Duracell Rechargables. They work really well! Use some of them and your problem should be over…
Also on the menu change the battery type from alkaline to the other options:D
Hope this helps =]
xx
my computer drivers messed up and i cannot download the disk they give u is there and alterant elinkl to donwload this
thanks
You can try to download the driver here
Camera Overview
Advantages:
1. Option 3:2 (10 * 15) ratio pictures, i.e. what u picture is what u print.
2. 30fps 640*480 video with option to zoom in and out during the filmmaking, the camera change expose & focus very quick when the light & the distance of the object change.
3. reasonable picture quality for very cheep camera. quality it’s matter of taste, so u can judge by your self:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peretzb65/sets/72157601461810773//
4.Option to print the date on the picture, some may say it’s not professional, but I say let the photographer to decide. for example when a son just born the date and time is very important part of the picture
5. very easy to use, simple menus and quick move to shoot mode, just press the shutter (even if u in display or configuration mode)and u can take pictures.
6. Option to use the camera as a recorder for long as the memory available.
7. Option to Effect pictures different backgrounds, a few different shoots on the same pictures and more. it’s not something that u can’t do on any simple picture editing SW, but it nice to have it on the camera and have the effect right away without working after.
8. Open very fast (from 2 shoot) so it easy to turn it off with loosing good pictures due to bad open timimng
Disadvantages
1. Bad Battery life 100 pictures and a few movies at the most with 2700mah GP rechargeable batteries. also it needed a few intervals i.e. the camera close for low battery and after a little rest it was possible to take a few more pictures.
2.While zooming in or out during taking video the sound is cutted during the zoom operation.
3. When the batteries finish the camera turn it self off without inserting the len. i.e. u r stuck with the len out and can’t even get it back to the camera case.
4. On full details display u can see the date the picture taken but u don’t see the time. this is a very important data sometimes that u able to see only after u download the pictures.
5. When shooting horizontal pictures the camera or the download SW does not rotate the picture and u have to rotate each picture after u download the pictures, there is an option to edit the pictures on the camera but the rotating doesn’t save.
6. long time between pictures with flash.
Peretz, your disadvantages mostly are due to the fact that the camera is extremely inexpensive, but for a $100 camera (what I paid for mine), it’s plenty of camera. And as I’ve said regarding battery life, turn it on and leave it on. It’s the turning on and off that eats up most of the battery power. Sure, the display eats up power and if I could redesign the camera, it’d have a viewfinder and I’d use that to compose shots, with the display only being used for a 5 second confirmation of the shot (and perhaps not even that).
I’m not sure why one needs to refer to the camera for the exact time, unless one forgot to wear his watch that day.
As for the shots not being rotated in the camera, I have SLR’s that don’t do that, so it isn’t a valid complaint for a cheap point and shoot. Rotating images in software like ThumbsPlus takes only a couple minutes and I don’t find it to be drudgery. And besides, the camera can only guess at what rotation you want. For example, when shooting from a standing position, I generally rotate the camera clockwise, but if I lay down to shoot, I will usually default to laying on my right side, in which case the camera is rotated to the right. I think in the second case, the camera would guess 180 degrees wrong. In any case, one has to review the shots anyway, doesn’t one? Adding the duty of rotating the ones that need it isn’t much of an added burden.
Hi Tom,
Regarding the 2 disadvantages I mention.
1. Rotating the picture became a standard that I thing Samsung should support. I got old Canon A80 & new Nikon D50 and both do it. Of course u can do it with any basic photo editing SW but it’s take time (the most expansive resource in the world).
2. Regarding the time display, as I said I got old Canon A80 & new Nikon D50 and both has this display that I used a lot for example while traveling I take pictures along the way and I’m calculating the time between different points, I know when I left and how much time left to get somewhere. The point of this exif data is to give the picture an added value, so why not giving it 2 the user while using the camera.
In general I bought this camera because I had in the past Samsung Digimax 350SE which I liked a lot ,specially the image quality and I though new Samsung can be a nice option for second compact camera to have in my bag instead of the A80 I had. The main purpose was to buy a cheep small camera that do good movies instead of my A80 that do old standard movies (15fps with no possible 2 change zoom , focus & expose).
Basically I’m satisfied with the camera which btw cost me 90$ with 1GB memory.
I bought this camera about a week ago… for me, it works decently.
$99.00 - Samsung S630 Digital Camera
$20.00 - 1 Year Warranty
$24.99 - 2GB SD Card
$29.99 - Energizer 4-Pack AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries & Car Charger (3 Hours Fully Charged)
= A great value for under $200.00 (CAN)
I’m happy with this camera, so far…
Rino.
I am interested in buying this camera. It sounds like a similar one (”SVP”) I had that died a week after the 1 year warranty was up. The main gripe I had with that camera was that there was a couple seconds delay between activating the shutter and the camera actually taking the picture. Can someone tell me if there is a wait and if so, how long between pushing the button and actual shutter activation with the SAMSUNG S630? Thanks!
Well, one runs into at least a slight delay with any camera that has auto focus, some worse than others. I can’t say that the delay with the S630 has bothered me particularly, and it certainly is nothing like several seconds.
I have a Nikon D100 and D50 and with both of them, there can be a delay as auto-focus does its magic. Of course, with those cameras one can override auto-focus and go to manual focus. Not so with the S630.
Anyway, I think you’ll be pleased with this camera’s performance.
Let me amend my comment to this extent. There is manual focus with this camera, but it’s clunky for most practical uses other than shooting still lifes. In that sense, it really effectively has no manual mode for most users and applications.
Clear enough for web shots and “daily prints”, mine came with a tripod stand, recharger, extra memory cards, etc at rock-bottom price of SG$199 (Singapore).
2 disadvantages:
the 2 AA batteries (bought sperately) do not allow for continious video shoot. A good recharge of the 2 AA batteries allowed me to shoot video (records audio too) for less than 22 minutes.
The USB wire that is plug-and-play for computers also tends to malfunction somewhat (computer detects it as some unknown device when detection should be automatic after the Samsung CD set-up) so be gentle - do not make too many “twirls” when tying it up for storage.
HELP!!! i lost alot of pictures that i took because i made a change in the setup of my s630 camera. in setup2 i changed Format from no into yes. since then all the pictures dissapeared… it was a mistake and i dont know how to re-do this… can anyone help me out please!!
thanks…
Maarten
You can use one of these softwares to restore your files;
- PC CardRecovery
- Flash File Recovery 2.1
- RecoverPlus 2.5
I’ve never tried it myself, but each software developer claims that their product is able to recover formatted images or files on memory card. So I guess you should give it a try..
Hope that helps..
Hmm….unless you have some kind of backup on memory card, I do not see how the format can be undone. I know a lot of people will mistaken “format” as an option for either gif or jpeg pictures, but it’s not. “Format” wipes out everything including videos!
Anyone out there can help Maarten?
Aloha to all! I just picked this camera up tonight, but I noticed something that irks me already– there’s a single column of pixels, almost in the middle of the LCD, that appears to be discolored depending on what I’m shooting; they usually go green or blue while all the rest of the pixels are happily conforming to what’s going on in front of the lens. Sometimes they show up in the playback pic, sometimes they don’t; they never show up once I download them onto the laptop, but still, it bugs me… is this normal, should I take it back, or should I quit griping and be happy with what I’ve got?
For some reason I Can’t take more than 12 pictures and then Im out of memry. What can I do?
My “review” is from my own personal use of the camera. I hardly touched the manual that came with it!
Oh thanks dphotojournal for listing those software.
DON’T BUY THIS CAMERA!
I used it for less than one hour and the batteries died. I put new ones in and it still won’t power up…I see and image for 1 second, it gives me a low battery message and then powers down. My mother has the same camera and her batteries don’t last much longer either.
Ryan, the camera comes with a warranty. You should send it in for a repair or for a brand new one that works with new batteries. I wouldn’t buy anything without warranty.
The camera may be nice, but now it doesn’t work. When I turn the camera on, it makes “3 beeps” and then shuts off. If you go to the COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY USELESS Samsung website, they give ZERO information, nothing, nada, squat about trying to identify the problem. I should have saved my money and bought something little better instead of this piece of crap from a piece of crap company.
Try changing batteries! While the Samsung site may lack certain information, try looking for a service centre (bring your camera there). There may be something in your camera that may be malfunctioning.
Well i received this camera for christmas. One thing that i really liked was the color of the camera. I have the red s630, and yeah the battery life is very short. It came with two AA batteries both those didnt last too long, i bought another pair of AA batteries and those lasted a little longer, but still not enough. I recommend you purchase NiMH batteries (rechargeable). But if you do change your batteries to rechargable, make sure to edit that in camera settings, or else itll show low battery again. But compared to the price, its reasonable. I was surprised at how clear the pictures came out. I used to have a Sony Cybershot, and that was about $400. If i compare the pictures with the Cybershot and the Samsung, i actually prefer the Samsung pictures. The effects are very cool, and it has a clear zoom. Another little thing i really like about the camera is the fact that you can actually change the noise that appears when you take a picture, or turn on or off the camera. Um as to the problem of how they connect the camera, and the user doesnt appear. That happened to me as well. It wouldnt matter if i connected to the comp with USB drive, or if i pluged in the memory card, it would not show up on my comp. What you have to do, is go to my computer, and just click on all of the folders. one of them says dcim or something like that. double click on that and your pictures show up. Just save them to your comp because they dont automatically save. I havent used the manual mainly because i went through it and it was sort of like ok, duh. I dno i like this camera, just be careful that the lens does not crack, the LCD screen is sensitive.
my samsung s630 camera won’t turn on. can someone help me please
Hi guys, I recently got my s630 and its totally awesome, the quality of the pics are really great to the point that if u use the cam for a close up when using macro mode all the countours, wrinkle and sweat pores will show up looking very sharp and crisp… its only a disadvantage if u dont have smooth skin like mine…lol
Concerning the battery problem, change ur batteries to a rechargeable one and make sure u have 2 to 3 spares.
Concerning downloading ur pics to the pc, when i got mine i bought a “Hp Photosmart 8050″ printer, it comes with a card reader for 4 different types of cards. So i dont use the Usb cable at all. And the printer gives quality prints on A4 and other photo sizes too. And for u guys looking for automatic download get “Adobe photoshop Album starter edition http://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/photoshopalbum/win/3.x/Photoshop_albumSE_en_us_320.zip
All in all it is a great bargain for such a low price. I recommend this camera for novice as well as cammera saavy ppl. And make sure u read the online manual it teaches u how to get the most out of ur Samsung s630 digi cam.
I am ready to toss the camera. I bought the rechargeable batteries..the correct ones, and it didn’t make any difference. I returned to the ordinary AA batteries just to see if it would work when I returned to them… Nope.
And they were brand new batteries.
So, all I have is a Samsung camera, less than 3 months old that doesn’t work. Had to take shots this morn using the VERY OLD, but reliable PentaxK…that is heavy as lead, but at least you know you can always take picts and no battiers required.
Unless Samsung can provide some good answers for this problem, I will not purchase any Samsung product from now on.
judy in Tenn
My parents bought me this camera for Christmas, and I have to say it is the most frustrating little device I have ever tried to use. I was able to take 1 picture before the camera immediately beeped 3 times, stated low battery, and turned off. I turn it on, and it turns right back off after another annoying beeping noise. I purchased a 2-gig memory card which I thought might help, but didn’t. I’ve gone through 2 16-packs of batteries so far and I was able to take 6 pictures and a short movie, an this is with having the camera for about a month. This is my first camera, and I’m planning on becoming a photographer when I grow up, so this is a real disappointment to me. Personally I think the Samsung S630 is a huge waste of money and time.
Some batches of Energizer batteries manufactured in China do not last as long as they should. I highly suggest people to use rechargeable batteries for not only this digicam, but for all digicams.
My parents bought me this camera for christmas. It was great until a friend of mine let it drop about 1 inch onto the kitchen table. Now the lens is stuck out and it won’t power up. Tried new batteries and rechargeables. Nothing works. Samsungs support web site is totally useless. It doesn’t even mention this model. I called tech support, but because of the 1 inch drop the warranty is void. If a camera can’t take that much, it is junk. Has anyone tried opening the camera up to see if there is anything obviously broken?
It’s a peice of crap. I got it in April and it broke not even a month afterwards. It doesn’t even have a scratch on it. It just didn’t turn on one day. Beeps & nothing happens. The lens don’t even close now. Peice of junk, I swear.
It did take good pictures while it lasted though.
Dude, your piece of junk worked for 7 months. If you got it in April 07 and it’s broken in Jan 08 (not due to dropping or smashing it), then you still have your warranty.
The smaller a camera is, the more likely it is to be ultra-sensitive and this model isn’t the slimmest nor smallest.
But if you’re smart, you can go for a 8.3 megapixels camera for the same or lower price as this model.
Guys, guys… hold it… before u condemn ur cam, make sure u buy a rechargeable NiMh battery, it will resolve the “3 beeps and shutdown” situation. Normal Alkaline batteries are just waste of money.
I also had this problem too, I thought the cam was spoilt, because the lens wouldn’t go in so I bought rechargeable batteries, with two extra spares and ever since I haven’t experienced any troubles.
Though mine has had a couple of falls, they didn’t cause any damage… and my cam still works like a champ. So ppl be sure u’ve done everything right before dumping ur cam in the bin.
Kexy is right ON-THE-DOT!
I mentioned before in a previous comment - to use rechargeable batteries. Another reason is because some battery manufacturer in China is producing normal batteries that are not “up to standard” and many of their batches were recalled….but I think there are still some poor-quality batteries in the market.
Wanna spice up your photos and videos? Check out my blog –> http://www.myqute.com I took my videos with Samsung S630. Those videos which are “poor quality” weren’t DIVX-encoded by my video-editing software. Overall, Samsung S630 does its job nicely as long as you encode your videos properly.
Can sum body help plse..
I cannot seem 2 download the software to my computer its saying a compatability problem with windows vista, has any1 else experienced this and is there any solution to the problem…
Is the computer software for the s630 compatable with windows vista?
It should be compatible. If you’re having a problem, could you take a snapshot and post it online? May be someone can help.
The camera is a piece of SH..!
I have tried many sets of top brand alkaline batteries, before purchasing a Nimh recharger with top name rechargables. I still was able to take maybe 10 pictures, transfer them to PC, and then get 3 beeps & low battery message. I then switched to the spare pair that was freshly charged only two days ago, and the camera won’t turn on. 3 beeps, low battey… Sorry, but you can’t tell me that the camera poses this much of a drain on the batteries, just to turn on. And I’m sure it’s not defective batteries from China. It’s been like this with ANY batteries I’ve tried. And I’ve had way too many of them in and out of this camera! This model was a waste of money, and for Samsung to not even recognize the issue, is unacceptable.
It seems that your camera has a malfunction.
At first when I bought it, I was wondering too about the short lifetime of the batteries (about 2 hours with flash). With rechargeable NiMH cells the problem was solved for me. I bought some cheap cells and switched the cameras’ battery mode from Alkali to NiMH. I also reduced the brightness of the display and the flash brightness. Now the time until “battery low” comes is about three or four hours, even with flash. I have three battery packs and run never more out of power.
Two things are bad with the camera: First, audio recording is muted in video clip mode when you zoom. That’s very bad. Second, video clips have low compression. 10 Minutes with 640×400/30fp and you have a 675MB “clip” file (you buy the camera with raw 16MB, remember). With xvid compression (available on the 830 model I think) this will have under 100MB with nearly same quality. But who believes they let you buy for 80 Euros a full photo AND movie camera ? - This is NOT a pro’s camera, but always good for some fun photos. Give it a chance, after its repaired.
I agree with you on this Bob. Bring it over to a Samsung Care Centre. They should know of this problem.
Mine worked much much better with rechargeable batteries but they never seem to last longer than 45 minutes.
Oskar has a point!
Wow
after reading all the comments I should apologize to my daughter. Her complaints about the camera mirror every one. Low battery life, weve tried all, now the lens is stuck open, after this has happened before. The camera is 7 months old. I dont want it fixed I will be trying to get her money back. Too bad, the pictures it took were good. I would not recommend this camera to anyone.
Good luck, Mona! Although I don’t think you will get the full retail amount back, not to mention many retailers have a ‘no-refund after 1 week’ kind of policy. You have a better chance if you approach Samsung directly. Just my opinion so don’t hold my words to it.
I know a lot of people will mistaken “format” as an option for either gif or jpeg pictures, but it’s not.
thomas
I have the S630 and my problem is that it doesnt seem to want to focus, say if I want to take picture of a room it is all blurry until I zoom in to a point where it is to close to be an acceptable picture. I’ve tried different scene settings, portrait, held the button half way to let if focus, nothing helps.?
thanks for any help
I have the samsung s630 and i have an issue. It works just fine, but the the other day I tried to put back into the camera pictures that were downloaded to my computer (PC). the pics show up on the camera drive on the comp, but when i disconnect the usb and try seeing it on the camera it says “No image”. Again i connect to comp and the pics show up on the comp in the camera’s memory card (1GB). help please.
It worked fine with the batteries it came with, but they ran out of juice really quickly. I put my parents’ rechargeables in it, and it worked fine. When my parents left for a trip they took their batteries, so I put some partially charged ones in. It started to power up, then shut down with the lens sticking out. Since then I’ve tried other batteries, but nothing will get it going. A little green light flashes on and off, but otherwise nothing happens (I turned the sound off, so maybe that’s why mine isn’t beeping?). I’m really disappointed in the camera, I wish I hadn’t gotten it. I can’t afford to waste money on a piece of junk… I should have checked this website first. Has anyone had any luck with contacting Samsung?