Schneider lens (makes it all worth it) lots of practical features classy looking metal front shell reasonable price for full featured P&S value-Samsung features and Schneider lens, competitively priced with equivalent models without either

somewhat weaker than other cameras in low light NOT pocketable long zoom not practical for casual user without a tripod ergonomics a little weak when it comes to secure grip and one hand shootingFlimsy feeling film door

I do not have any training in photography but I still value good quality pictures. So please excuse me if I don't have all the photography technical background and its resulting explanations. I have grown up with Olympus Stylus P&S and recognize them as the standard for mass market daily use cameras in this class. I read about the trend of the "posh" point and shoots using high end German lenses such as Zeiss, and heard that Samsung used Schneider lenses. I was on my way to vacation to Asia and decided to buy the newest Samsung with the Schneider lens, and that was this one, the 170SE. (It's labeled as the Vega series outside the US instead of Evoca.) All of the other models with the Schneider lens are from 2000 not 2001. The new Evoca Neo line due out 2002 are all nearly identical to this camera in different focal lengths. I shopped around and found out that HK has alot of deals on all types of electronics, but only if it is commonly found there. Many stores in Mongkok, the area known for cameras and electronics shopping, carried mostly Japanese brands. Olympus, Canon, Fuji, etc. German brands were hard to come by. I was pricing a Contax T3 for my father if I came across a good deal. I could not. Olmpus, Pentax, no problem. Contax, Leica, only in a handful among a sea of stores. The pricing was nearly identical to that of B&H here in the US. Samsung, being Korean, and not as big a name as Olympus in the P&S market was still fairly rare. Not as bad as German cameras though. I bought it for about $210 USD and also bought the remote for another $5. This was fair as it was going for over $250 in the states at the time. The first thing I noticed was size. Other reviewers think its small for what it does. For a pocket camera to carry with you everywhere, it's way too big. It cannot fit discreetly in pants or jacket pocket. You will need to put it in your pack or just carry it. I am told that since it has such a long zoom that the thickness is necessary. Also it doesn't have the contours for the hand that you could grip firmly on an Olympus. On an Olulmpus you can grip it firmly with one hand. The Samsung gives you a lip on the front for your fingertips and a grid of tiny bumps for your thumb to grip on the back. I alwys feel like I'm holding it with my finger tips. It's not ergonomic enought to grasp one handed and just shoot. Yes it has alot of features,

Customer Service

No mechanical problems with the camera to date.

Similar Products Used:

Most Olympus Stylus cameras over past ten or so years

Solid Build. Excellent finish and good design features for the price. Excellent Scheneider Lens which has a world reknowned reputation. Smooth and user friendly operation system.

Auto focussing system can sometimes be tempremental, resulting in out of focus shots. A little more care and time is therefore needed to ensure sharp pics. This could be a disadvantage. There is is some dropping of flash coverage at the edges of the frame- more prevalent at the wider angle range. Lens/AF system also sometimes mis-focus resulting in blurred pics. Back body of camera is cheap plastic- the film door chamber on my particular camera is creaky and moves up and down when I grip the camera. Poorly written and not very informative user manual. Lack of information on the internet or in photograhic magazines(UK), on this camera or Samsung products in general.

The 'Vega 170s' as it's known here in Europe, is a well built and finished product with an excellent lens for a compact camera. It has enough facilities and user options to satisfy even a professional user, albeit a spot-metering option would be an added bonus. The lens although rather slow at the tele range, produces very sharp and clear pictures. Certainly more than enough quality to satisfy the average 'Point n Shoot' user. General ergonomics is very good although a lack of grip due to the slippery, metallic front finish, sometimes caused camera shake. Zoom operation is swift and smooth. In sum, an excellent, well built camera with a better than average lens. Better than the majority of mainstream competitors; Pentax, Nikon et al...that are of a similar price/spec range.

Customer Service

Not used so far.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus, Nikon, Pentax zoom Point and shoots of similar spec and range. ALL I FEEL HAVE POORER LENS PERFORMANCE COMPARED TO MY VEGA/EVOCA 170s.

Sharp and long (170mm!)Schneider Kreuznach Lens
60 secs bulb exposure
Easy to use dial
Fast autofocus
Dioptre
Panorama mode
Zoom flash
Metallic cover
Landscape mode

Very slow at Tele end
Would have been better if wider than 38 mm

Evoca 170 is very easy to use. Size is good, neither too small like Olympus Stylus nor too big like Canon point and shoots. SLR user will not be disappointed with this camera because of it's good lens and features. Spot focus and continuous mode (almost 1.5fps) is good for shooting active children. I like it's macro mode too (1:5). Very good bridge camera between the countless point and shoot cameras and semi professional SLRs.

Customer Service

No need

Similar Products Used:

Stylus 80