Samsung’s new Wi-Fi-enabled EX2F compact is a nice example of Apple-like design thinking: In order to do some things really well, it sacrifices other options. Instead of the indecisive kitchen-sink approach of Microsoft to its Surface, Samsung has laser-focused the design of the EX2F. But that’s not to say it lacks features.
Wi-Fi is the headline feature, as it was with the previous model in this range. But now the maximum aperture of the lens is a wide-open ƒ1.4, double that of the EX1’s ƒ1.8, and letting in four times as much light as the ƒ2.8 typically found on compact cameras.
The compromise comes with the zoom — there isn’t one. The 24mm lens is fixed, so you’ll have to do some walking. Some whiners might call this a “deal-breaker,” but for many others a zoom with a murky maximum of ƒ3.5 or worse is a “deal-breaker,” too. It’s nice to see a camera maker doing something bold.
The 12MP sensor is also fairly large, at 1/1.7-inches (this means that it rivals many high-end compacts, but not DSLRs), and there is a built-in neutral-density filter, which can cut out light on bright days and let you still use the lens wide open to blur backgrounds.
Other features are a three-inch flip-out screen, 1080p video, full manual control and the ability to remote-control the camera from your phone.
The EX2F will be available in August for $550.
Source: Samsung
