Samsung Digimax S500 (black)

Pros: Excellent image quality; Intuitive; Good shutter response

Cons: Bulky non-standard A/V cable; Little shutter door thingy got stuck open

Summary: Let me write this review in rebuttal to the CNET review. This camera does not have poor image quality. I own a Canon 20D with a 24-85 lens, and I would place the sharpness of the pics from the S500 next to the 20D. I was very impressed. I am comparing also to Kodak Easyshare and a recent model Fuji Finepix. This pics from those models are not as sharp as the S500. This camera comes with a "Samsung High Definition" (SHD) lens and the resulting pictures are very sharp and contrasty, especially when you use the decent integrated flash as a daylight 'fill flash'. For samples, check here:

http://cgwhites.phpnet.us/SamsungS500/S5000037.JPG

http://cgwhites.phpnet.us/SamsungS500/S5000049.JPG

Also nice is the shutter response. None of this 2.5 second 'bzzz-bzzz-flash-flash-click' business that you have with the Easyshares. The camera response is very fast for its price, I'd say approaching the higher-end Casios and Sonys. My intolerance for Shutter-lag is why I have a 20D for my more serious shoots. But I don’t mind the S500's speed at all.

There are a couple of problems though: The proprietary combination A/V and dock port cable is very bulky. There is no separate mini-usb or firewire port. If you use a card reader to transfer photos, then you are ok. Leave this monster cable in the box. Also, the little shutter cover started locking open after a few weeks, and I had to return the camera. I DID get a droplet of water on the lens the day before, so this may be the cause. I expect that the trap door is pretty standard technology.

All in all, I would highly recommend this camera. I'm looking on ebay for one right now. There's also the S600 with the larger sensor but same features. I cannot speak for its image quality but I expect it to be in line with the S500, and for only a few Hamiltons more.