Not only does the outwardly rather conventionally designed pocket model feature a best-in-class 21x optical zoom with a focal range the 35mm equivalent of an ultra wide 23-483mm supported by optical image stabilisation, it marries this to a 16-megapixel effective resolution from the standard sized 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor sporting 16.8 total MP.

Megapixel format packs a whopping 5.4Mb pictures at the highest resolution of 4320x3240 pixels!

Sensor size is perhaps the best barometer of image potential, though the industry seems to go to great lengths to disguise it.

Furthermore, with single images files as large as almost 13 MB in size from the 14.1 megapixel sensor, you have more than enough pixels to do some serious Photoshop work even without having RAW files to work with.

The reason I purchased the camera was the 24mm wide angle capability and the relatively low price.

I like the wide angle of the lens- great for group shots.

Not explained is that to switch back and forth for shutter and aperture setting (while in manual mode, you control BOTH), you must press down on the left side of the ring (where it is labeled for flash) while one or the other controls is highlighted in blue.

The camera takes a burst of exposures, bracketing the aperture, and then automatically combines them to produce a single image with a well-lit foreground.

The basics, in 2012, for a camera to qualify as a modern compact travel zoom appears to be 15x zoom or better, a BSI sensor, and at least some HD video capability.

The camera is comfortable to hold, controls are reasonably intuitive, and it has good optical zoom and GPS.

x 2.34 in x .98 inch thick and a weight of 6.7 oz., the Samsung is notably slimmer than the 6.6 oz.

She complained the picture qualities were not as sharp as her other older compact cameras.