I got my new camera today, the Samsung NV4, a nice upgrade to my sadly broken NV3. The form factor is about the same. Decent size, decent width. The GUI is definitely pumped up a bit, and I got a nice additional megapixel out of the upgrade. Gone are the two “knob” speakers that were present on the NV3, which seemed to confuse everyone who thought the speakers were buttons. Instead one speaker remains, and the other got switched out for the mode selection dial.
I rather like this camera. I got it in silver, and not black this time. I thought I could use a change of color scheme. The best part about the NV3 was the solid feel. The construction was full metal and it was a sturdy device. While the NV4 is also full metal, for some reason, the entire device is covered in some sort of acrylic “sheild”, which gives the entire body a plastic feel.
Why, Samsung? Why would you coat metal in acrylic? It’s not like the device will be better protected? At first I tried to peel off the acrylic, thinking it was the packaging plastic to prevent scratches. No luck. In fact the acrylic probably scratches better than the metal.
But all is well. The NV4 is a worthy upgrade. A solid successor to my NV3, bless its soul. Photos are crisp and fast, and lighting is well sensed. Well done Samsung, just don’t put an acrylic layer on my device again. Please.
