Samsung GX-L1. Review from the reader Radozhiva

Review of the Samsung GX-L1 camera specially for Radozhiva, prepared Alexey Ovoshchnikov.

Samsung GX-L1

Samsung GX-L1

Back to the past with the Samsung GX-L1 (Pentax * ist DL2) camera.

This camera model is better known under the brand name Pentax. Samsung for a short time released its clones of Pentax cameras. The Samsung camera is fully compatible with all Pentax K af lenses (non-motorized autofocus lenses as well as manual lenses). Also compatible with a third-party lens under the K mount.

Samsung GX-L1 was produced since 2006 and became the last in the line of amateur DSLRs from Samsung. In fact, back in 2004 a very similar Pentax ist-DS camera came out. I was convinced of the complete identity of the above models. In 2007 - 2009, only semi-professional GX-10 and GX-20 were produced. In any case, all the DSLRs from Samsung have long been discontinued, because the Pentax K20 clone represented by the Samsung GX-20 was the last released SLR camera from Samsung.

Actually, how the ubiquitous and omnivorous company Samsung works for amateur photographers is outrageous. In the late eighties, Samsung released its first SLR camera with interchangeable lenses, but after several models the production was closed. This lasted about four years. In 2006, a line of digital SLRs was opened, which was described above. Four models in four years and production is closed. Then in 2010, the interesting line of Samsung NX mirrorless mirrors started with its own bayonet mount and its own optics park. Four series of cameras of different levels over 4 years, and the production of cameras in general and the NX line in particular, are being minimized. Now you can still buy Samsung NX optics and cameras, but there will be no new products and most likely no support either. Are there not too many fours in this story?))).

Samsung GX-L1

Samsung GX-L1

The technical characteristics of the Samsung GX-L1 camera in question are more than modest even ten years ago. Today, not everyone wants to mess with such an old camera. But the camera is not the worst and has a CCD matrix and its own pleasant color reproduction. We can say that the camera has its own charm. This is the beauty of a 6 megapixel CCD matrix. Matrix model - Sony ICX413.

Samsung GX-L1

Samsung GX-L1

Samsung GX-L1

Samsung GX-L1

The camera display is not tiny and you can watch the shots, but how it fades in bright light can interfere with normal operation. An undoubted advantage is the presence of a monochrome display on the top of the camera. Unfortunately, the monochromatic display does not have a backlight.

Samsung GX-L1

Samsung GX-L1

The camera supports Russian in the menu. The control menu in it is implemented unusually and requires some getting used to. Unfortunately, the performance in the menu of the camera itself is also not happy.

I would also like to note the lack of a USB 2.0 port in the camera. The camera only supports the first version of USB and works extremely slowly with information. Using fast memory cards does not solve the problem with brakes. To record a RAW photo onto a memory card format SD takes 3-4 seconds. This is despite the fact that the buffer of the camera itself can only hold three frames. Already in the second second of continuous shooting in RAW, strong brakes begin. Of course, the camera shoots better in JPEG, but I don’t really like on-camera JPEG. I would like to note that before the firmware update, the camera supports memory cards up to 2 GB inclusive, and after the update it can work with 16 GB memory cards. The camera stores more than a thousand frames in RAW format on 16 GB. A strange feature is that the camera cannot shoot RAW+JPEG. Probably the iron of that time did not hold up. It's better to shoot in RAW as the camera tends to underexpose the frame by 1/3-2/3 of a stop. With manual optics, the frame is even more underexposed.

Samsung GX-L1

Samsung GX-L1

Comfortable application is landscape, subject and maybe portrait photography.
I also successfully used this camera to create timelapse videos.

If you are interested in HDR processing and timelapse folding from photos, then write me about it in the comments. If there are many comments on this topic, then I will probably write a separate article.

Yes, this decision was successful. There is no intervalometer in the camera itself and comes to the rescue this here is the camera remote control. To shoot a series of frames, you must put the camera in burst mode. Then use the button lock in the depressed position on the remote itself. The remote control also fits Canon's amateur cameras, too.

Samsung GX-L1

Samsung GX-L1

The connector for connection is covered by a door that automatically locks when opening and closing. Unfortunately, the camera has a non-standard USB connector. The funny thing is that Pentax has long used this particular connector in its cameras. Even the K5 II has this not very common port. Only on K3 it was replaced by a completely standard USB 3.0. The Samsung GX-L1 camera supports power from the outlet through the power supply and this is a plus for working with the camera in the studio.

I would also like to note the poor implementation of power in a number of Pentax cameras (Samsung). Almost all older models have a problem with fast-draining AA batteries. This problem is well described on the Penta forum. The reason lies in the tiny maintenance-free battery that wears out quickly. As a result, even with well-charged batteries, the camera may turn off. This is especially true for 1,2 Volt batteries. No solution to this problem was found. You just need to use good fresh batteries and have a spare kit in reserve. This is actually very inconvenient.

Samsung GX-L1

Samsung GX-L1

When working with fresh batteries, the camera can take 400-600 photos. However, this is true in the warm season. In winter, batteries run much faster.

I haven’t personally checked it, but based on the information on the manufacturer’s website, this camera does not support autofocus with modern Pentax non-motorized lenses. I have never had a single such lens in my hands. In general, the fleet of modern Pentax lenses leaves much to be desired. How good a Pentax with good old manual optics is just as bad with a modern one. It is, but so far it is very few in use.

Image quality and high ISO noise. This is a clear plus of this camera. Comparing a few years ago, three completely different systems in the face Nikon D90 и Canon 550D and this Samsuns GX-L1, I came to the conclusion that at high ISO with its whale 18-55 Nikon leads quite a bit ahead of Samsung, but Canon is noticeably behind with its unpleasant color noise and terrible noise in the shadows. I myself was very surprised at how Canon merges the noise and how well the matrix of the ancient Samsuns GX-L1 works (to be precise, it was a Pentax IST DL). Of course Canon 550D much cooler in color reproduction and more convenient in post-processing if shot at low ISO.

Shot but whale Samsung D-XENON 18-55 mm f / 3.5-5.6. By the way, here Samsung was pleasantly surprised and its whale 18-55 is better than the Pentax whale. At Samsung, the sharpness is significantly higher. Perhaps because the first one has one more optical element in its design. There is also a photo on Vivitar 135 mm F1: 2,8 и Tamron SP 500 mm F1: 8

Almost all of the presented was shot for a long time and also became part of the story. Many frames with amateur processing. Here is such a camera from the past. Today it is more history than reality.

You will find more reviews from readers of Radozhiva here.

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Comments: 65, on the topic: Samsung GX-L1. Review from the reader Radozhiva

  • Sergio

    I agree, comparisons can be omitted, or a photo can be added for comparison, otherwise the photos are super.

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