Photography

Samsung outs new Dual View and budget-friendly camera models

Samsung outs new Dual View and budget-friendly camera models
Samsung has announced two new Dual View digital camera models and a budget-friendly, HD-capable, feature-rich model too
Samsung has announced two new Dual View digital camera models and a budget-friendly, HD-capable, feature-rich model too
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The ST600 sports a more familiar pop-out 5x optical zoom Schneider KREUZNACH lens
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The ST600 sports a more familiar pop-out 5x optical zoom Schneider KREUZNACH lens
All of the menus, image previews and snaps gallery on the ST600 can be accessed via the 3.5 inch touchscreen display to the rear
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All of the menus, image previews and snaps gallery on the ST600 can be accessed via the 3.5 inch touchscreen display to the rear
The ST100 has benefited from a front screen size upgrade, activated by a single touch
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The ST100 has benefited from a front screen size upgrade, activated by a single touch
The ST100 features an internal 35mm equivalent, 5x optical zoom Schneider KREUZNACH lens
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The ST100 features an internal 35mm equivalent, 5x optical zoom Schneider KREUZNACH lens
Like the ST600, the 3.5 inch touchscreen display of the ST100 features Samsung's Smart Gesture User Interface that responds to gestures or tilts for quick menu access and image viewing
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Like the ST600, the 3.5 inch touchscreen display of the ST100 features Samsung's Smart Gesture User Interface that responds to gestures or tilts for quick menu access and image viewing
The 3.9 x 2.3 x 0.83 inch PL200 camera
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The 3.9 x 2.3 x 0.83 inch PL200 camera
In addition to the company's Smart Auto scene recognition technology on the PL200, there's also Beauty and Smile Shot modes and Blink and Face Detection
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In addition to the company's Smart Auto scene recognition technology on the PL200, there's also Beauty and Smile Shot modes and Blink and Face Detection
The PL200 has a 14.2 megapixel sensor, a 7x optical zoom and benefits from both digital and optical image stabilization
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The PL200 has a 14.2 megapixel sensor, a 7x optical zoom and benefits from both digital and optical image stabilization
The PL200 records 720p high definition video in H.264 format at 30 frames per second
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The PL200 records 720p high definition video in H.264 format at 30 frames per second
Samsung has announced two new Dual View digital camera models and a budget-friendly, HD-capable, feature-rich model too
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Samsung has announced two new Dual View digital camera models and a budget-friendly, HD-capable, feature-rich model too
The ST600's front panel features a front-facing self portrait mode, a couples mode, a special children's setting and a new jump shot mode
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The ST600's front panel features a front-facing self portrait mode, a couples mode, a special children's setting and a new jump shot mode
View gallery - 11 images

Samsung has announced that the time has come to add a couple of new flagship cameras to its Dual View range. The new models benefit from even bigger LCD's at the front and rear, some interesting photo modes and both sport 5x optical zoom lenses, one of which has internal zoom functionality. At the same time, the company has also unveiled a feature-rich budget point-and-shoot model capable of recording high definition movies.

There's little noticeable difference in the technical specifications of the two new Dual View models but they look quite different. That's because, for the first time in the Dual View range, the ST100 features an internal 35mm equivalent, 5x optical zoom Schneider Kreuznach lens, while the one on the ST600 pops out from the body. Both have a 14.2 megapixel sensor with full resolution ISO3200 and benefit from a larger, touch activated 1.8-inch LCD panel at the front and a 3.5-inch touchscreen display at the rear.

The ST100 features an internal 35mm equivalent, 5x optical zoom Schneider KREUZNACH lens
The ST100 features an internal 35mm equivalent, 5x optical zoom Schneider KREUZNACH lens

In common with the previous models, the rear display features Samsung's Smart Gesture User Interface that responds to gestures or tilts for quick menu access and image viewing. The front panel features a front-facing self portrait mode, an intriguing couples mode (which automatically snaps a shot when the camera detects two faces tilted toward each other) and a children's setting, which will play a cartoon animation with sound to encourage young ones to smile for the camera. When using the timer, those being photographed will see a visual countdown and there's a new addition called jump shot mode. This takes three shots at the moment those in front of the camera are provided with a visual cue to jump in unison.

As well as both optical and digital image stabilization, there's also something called Smart Auto technology for both still images and movies. This automatically selects the appropriate scene mode to get the best results, taking such things as color, brightness, motion and subject matter into account. Both also record 720p high definition video at 30 frames per second.

The ST600's front panel features a front-facing self portrait mode, a couples mode, a special children's setting and a new jump shot mode
The ST600's front panel features a front-facing self portrait mode, a couples mode, a special children's setting and a new jump shot mode

There's a slight difference in the price to reflect the different lens configurations, the ST100 costing US$349.99 and the ST600 costing US$329.99 when they both become available for purchase in September.

Top tech at a budget-friendly price

Samsung has also announced a September launch for a budget-friendly, high definition capable point-and-shoot digital compact in the form of the PL200. Like the others mentioned here, the 3.9 x 2.3 x 0.83-inch camera has a 14.2 megapixel sensor, benefits from both digital and optical image stabilization and records 720p high definition video in H.264 format at 30 frames per second.

The PL200 has a 14.2 megapixel sensor, a 7x optical zoom and benefits from both digital and optical image stabilization
The PL200 has a 14.2 megapixel sensor, a 7x optical zoom and benefits from both digital and optical image stabilization

In addition to the company's Smart Auto scene recognition technology, there's also Beauty and Smile Shot modes, Blink and Face Detection and a Smart Album feature to help with image management. The PL200 has a 31mm to 217mm equivalent, 7x optical zoom lens and a 3-inch, 230,000 dot LCD display. It will cost US$179.99 upon release.

View gallery - 11 images
2 comments
2 comments
Ed
But Samsung has the dubious honor of manufacturing cameras with less than adequate image quality
sidmehta
This is worse than an Ad. What is this doing in the editorial section? Publications have ethics and principles, why not Gizmag?