Samsung's 10MP compact with manual modes — 1/1.8in CCD, 35-105mm-equiv zoom, AA power, from 2007.
The Samsung S1030 was a 10-megapixel compact announced in February 2007, part of Samsung's mainstream S-series of AA-powered digicams. It offered unusually complete exposure control for a budget camera of its era, arriving as high pixel counts trickled down to entry-level models.
Specifications included a 10.1-megapixel 1/1.8in CCD, a 3x optical zoom covering a 35-105mm equivalent range, and a 2.7in LCD. Alongside full auto and 15 scene modes it offered aperture-priority, shutter-priority and full manual exposure, with shutter speeds to 1/1500sec and sensitivity to ISO 1600. It carried a generous 45MB of internal memory, took SD and MMC cards up to 2GB, recorded 640x480 MPEG-4 video at up to 30fps, and ran on two AA batteries with NiMH recommended.
The manual exposure modes make it more interesting than most AA compacts for learners who want to experiment beyond point-and-shoot, and the larger 1/1.8in CCD gives pleasant daylight colour. It remains a slow, flash-dependent performer indoors, as expected for the class.
Buyers should note a known quirk reported by owners: the camera drains AA cells even when switched off, so many users remove batteries between outings — check for alkaline leakage damage in the battery bay. Confirm the SD slot works (2GB card ceiling), test zoom and flash, and inspect the 2.7in screen for pressure marks.