Samsung NV100HD digital camera

A 3in touch-sensitive screen on the back of a digital camera means that physical buttons and controls can be kept to a minimum.

In the case of Samsung’s retro-styled NV100HD, though, does it make for ease of use or is it just a gimmick?

Our first impressions were good. This metal-bodied snapshot camera offers a high resolution that, at 15 megapixels, betters that offered by more professional digital SLRs, allowing prints above poster size.

Its 3x zoom lens also starts wider than most, which is handy for cramming more into your group portraits and landscapes, plus it features face detection and image stabilisation to ensure sharp images despite a little camera shake.

The NV100HD is one of a handful of digital compact cameras that can shoot high-definition video as well as stills, though at 1,280x720 pixels the resolution is not quite as high as its gets (so-called full HD is 1,920x1,080 pixels).

On powering up, the Samsung’s screen was quick to respond to inquisitive prodding, with easily identified icons providing access to the menu toolbars. However, a busy layout meant we found it too easy to accidentally select a function either side of the one required, and had us wishing for the return of dedicated buttons.

In terms of picture quality, straying above a light sensitivity setting of ISO1600 (up to ISO3200 is offered) meant a resolution drop to three megapixels to limit image noise – the grain-like flecks visible in shadow areas of a digital image that become more pronounced the higher the setting. Above ISO800 (at full resolution) this became a problem, with pictures resembling a TV with dodgy reception.

With plenty of light around, it came up with colourful, well-saturated results. Generally the images had a definite feel of being digitally produced, partly because they were very sharp.

While that may offend photography purists, the plus side is that it means most users will be able to avoid having to edit the images and can make do with results straight from the camera.