Like most GPS-enabled cameras, it isn't easy to connect in the middle of a city in between tall buildings if you're out in the open it connects quickly and stays locked on. However, once you flip the switch, there's no indication that the camera is actually searching for satellites there's just an onscreen icon that says 'On.' It wasn't until after 15 minutes of shooting that the icon turned green and my location appeared onscreen that I realized it had been searching for a signal. It starts out well because Samsung put an actual switch on top for turning the receiver on and off-definitely better than going into menus to do it. Unfortunately, the out-of-the-box experience of using the GPS is less than intuitive.

One of the biggest selling points for the HZ35W is the built-in GPS receiver for geotagging photos while they're being taken. Despite the large, heavy lens, the camera is well-balanced and comfortable to hold and use. It's a nice-looking, unassuming camera-at least with the lens retracted-and fits easily in a jacket pocket or bag and awkwardly in a pants pocket. The body is a mix of dark gray metal and chrome plastic and feels sturdy.

It has a brilliant high-resolution 3-inch AMOLED screen, too, which performed very well in direct sunlight. To be fair, though, it has the widest and the longest lens in this class.

The HZ35W is one of the larger compact megazooms I've tested this year. Yes, by computer or wall adapter (included)

Samsung intelli studio building year