Samsung ES80

Samsung ES80

The Samsung ES80 ($99.99 list) may not have all the bells and whistles found on more expensive cameras, but it manages to turn out good images at a modest price. It delivers sharp 12-megapixel images when used in good light, and its 5x zoom lens is an unusual feature for a camera in this class. This isn't a perfect camera, as its LCD is lackluster, its low-light performance isn't up to current standards, and it is slow to start up. But the ES80 offers a lot of performance for its price. Design and Features The ES80 is quite small, measuring just 2.3 by 3.8 by 0.8 inches (HWD) and weighing just 4.5 ounces. All of its controls, save the top-mounted Power button and shutter release, are located on the rear to the right of the LCD. Also located on the back, from top to bottom, are the zoom rocker, Menu and Mode buttons, a four-way toggle, and Play and Fn buttons. The control layout is very similar to that on the Editors' Choice Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 ($129.99, 4 stars), which measures 2.3 by 3.9 by 0.8 inches. The 2.4-inch LCD is one of the ES80's weak points. It's hard to see in bright light, and its low resolution makes it impossible to tell if your image is in focus.