X

Eyes on Samsung's Galaxy S4 Zoom (pictures)

This smartphone's 10x optical zoom makes it more point-and-shoot than phone.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica is a passionate content strategist and team leader across the CNET family of brands. She leads a number of teams, including commerce, performance optimization and the copy desk. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on the iPhone and Samsung devices. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began her leadership role managing CNET's How To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones to home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick in the UK.
Jessica Dolcourt
Samsung-Galaxy-S4-Zoom-Camera-9435.jpg
1 of 15James Martin/CNET

Eyes on Samsung's Galaxy S4 Zoom

One look at the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom and you'll agree: it's a camera with a smartphone, not a smartphone with a camera.
Samsung_Galaxy_Zoom_35792092-8692_2.jpg
2 of 15Josh Miller/CNET

Zoom, baby, zoom

You can operate the 10x optical zoom by rotating the element or using on-screen controls.
Samsung_Galaxy_Zoom_35792092-8682_2.jpg
3 of 15Josh Miller/CNET

Use at your own risk

Warning: If you're not using a Bluetooth headset, you will expose yourself to certain ridicule.
Samsung_Galaxy_Zoom_35792092-8661_2.jpg
4 of 15Josh Miller/CNET

Not so pocket-friendly

The Zoom's a tight fit.
Samsung_Galaxy_Zoom_35792092-8751_2.jpg
5 of 15Josh Miller/CNET

High profile

The lens rises two inches above the phone's face. That and the camera grip make it easier to hold onto, but a little lumpy.
004Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Zoom_35792092_.jpg
6 of 15Sarah Tew/CNET

Wake up!

If the phone's unlocked, you can press and hold the shutter button to launch camera mode.
Samsung-Galaxy-S4-Zoom-Camera-9437.jpg
7 of 15James Martin/CNET

Taking shortcuts

Turn the lens from the home screen to select and launch common modes.
Samsung_Galaxy_Zoom_35792092-8761_2.jpg
8 of 15Josh Miller/CNET

A la mode

The camera app settings contain even more modes for all sorts of lighting situations and creative effects.
008Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Zoom_35792092_.jpg
9 of 15Sarah Tew/CNET

Expert controls

For more advanced photography, you can set white balance, metering and ISO; color; and shutter speed and aperture.
001Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Zoom_35792092_.jpg
10 of 15Sarah Tew/CNET

Android backbone

The Zoom runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean like its S4 cousins. It's a smaller phone than the original Galaxy S4.
Samsung_Galaxy_Zoom_35792092-8739_2.jpg
11 of 15Josh Miller/CNET

Storage and more

There are only 8GB of internal storage on the Zoom, but a microSD card slot holds up to64GB more. It's equipped with a tripod mount on the bottom edge.
Samsung_Galaxy_Zoom_35792092-8726_2.jpg
12 of 15Josh Miller/CNET

Battery compartment

The battery is fully removable, and resembles a point-and-shoot camera's compartment.
002Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Zoom_35792092_.jpg
13 of 15James Martin/CNET

Blast off!

Here you can see the profile of the lens, the headset jack, and the IR blaster for remotely controlling your TV.
006Samsung_Galaxy_S4_Zoom_35792092_.jpg
14 of 15James Martin/CNET

Truly gripping

The bump you see is the Zoom's hand grip, which incorporates the device's Micro-USB charging port.
Samsung-Galaxy-S4-Zoom-Camera-9446.jpg
15 of 15James Martin/CNET

Flash forward

The Zoom's auto focus light sits next to the xenon flash.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
Do You Know About These 17 Hidden iOS 17 Features?
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

Do You Know About These 17 Hidden iOS 17 Features?

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos