Samsung today announced their new HZ15W compact point-and-shoot camera which features a 12.2 megapixel sensor and a professional 24mm ultra-wide angle Schneider-Kreuznach lens. The lens also gets a whopping 10x optical zoom with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24-240mm.
The HZ15W’s lens makes it one of the most powerful compact point-and-shoot cameras around and features both optical and digital image stabilization to ensure blur-free images, particularly when used at full zoom. The camera also features the ability to record HD video at 720p, even at full 10x zoom and has full HDMI connectivity so you can plug it directly into an HDTV set.
The HZ15W is designed for amateurs and pros alike, with a choice of shooting modes including full manual, which gives you control of ISO, aperture, shutter speed and exposure levels. As with many modern digital point-and-shoot cameras, this model packs face and blink detection and also adds Smile Shot and Beauty Shot modes to help you improve your spontaneous portrait photography.
Samsung also announced a model called the TL320 which features an impressive 3-inch hVGA AMOLED display and quirky analog memory and battery level dials on the top edge. This one also comes equipped with a Schneider-Kreuznach lens, but sadly it’s limited to a 5x optical zoom.
The former HZ15W will be officially available from March, but is already listed on Amazon.com for $329.99. The latter TL320 will go on sale in May for a smaller $279.99.
Full Press Release Below:
SAMSUNG INTRODUCES PAIR OF 12 MEGA-PIXEL, 24MM ULTRA-WIDE ANGLE COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERAS
New TL320 Boasts Three-Inch AMOLED for Enhanced Viewing and Energy Efficiency HZ15W Offers 12 Mega-Pixel Resolution and 24mm, 10x Optical Zoom Schneider Lens
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – February 23, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America today unveiled two new 12 mega-pixel compact digital cameras boasting 24mm ultra-wide angle Schneider lenses. Samsung’s new TL320 raises the bar for innovation in the digital imaging industry as it is the world’s first digital camera to feature a three-inch AMOLED screen with HVGA resolution. The new HZ15W, Samsung’s second mega-zoom, point-and-shoot digital camera, offers consumers one of the most powerful lenses on a compact point-and-shoot with an impressive focal length of 24-240mm (35mm film equivalent).
The TL320
The new TL320 goes above and beyond traditional compact point-and-shoot digital cameras, offering an impressive list of features that set the camera apart from the competition. The TL320 features a Schneider lens, renowned for quality and trusted by professionals worldwide, and offers consumers a more versatile 24mm ultra-wide angle focal length paired with a powerful 5x optical zoom.Utilizing the same advanced technologies found in its revolutionary AMOLED televisions, Samsung was able to incorporate a three-inch, 460,000-dot HVGA AMOLED screen in the new TL320, the largest AMOLED screen on a digital camera to date. In comparison to a traditional TFT-LCD screen, the TL320’s AMOLED consumes less power and offers a higher contrast ratio of 10,000:1, producing darker black levels, more vibrant colors, and a brighter display which can easily be viewed outdoors and even in direct sunlight. Additionally, unlike a TFT-LCD, the TL320’s AMOLED screen has the ability to display images that can be reviewed at any angle, while fully maintaining the same color gamut.
Samsung’s new TL320 also offers advanced high-definition video recording at a resolution of 720p, as well as HDMI connectivity through the use of a cradle to view one’s video and photos in HD clarity on an HDTV. The camera’s 5x optical zoom can be used while recording, and because the camera utilizes H.264 compression (a codec for high-definition video that yields three times the recording length than that of MJPEG video) users can record HD video for longer periods of time with the TL320.
For added stability and blur-free images, Samsung has outfitted the TL320 with both Optical and Digital Image Stabilization. The shooter has the option of simply using Optical Image Stabilization or choosing Dual Image Stabilization, combining the strengths of Optical and Digital Image Stabilization.
For the more advanced user who prefers to have more control over camera settings, the TL320 offers aperture priority, shutter priority, full manual shooting, as well as Samsung’s unique Advanced Picture Mode. Much more precise than simple white balance presets, Advanced Picture Mode gives users the ability to fine tune color tones before image capture by adjusting the color temperature from 2,80010,000K, in 100K increments, or by manually configuring the camera’s color space shift.
For users looking for simplicity when it comes to taking digital images, the TL320 offers a comprehensive suite of automatic controls designed to help them capture better images with ease, including the camera’s Smart Auto mode. When selected, Smart Auto will automatically choose from one of the TL320’s 11 scene modes, determining which best suits the environment the user may be shooting in. For example, the TL320’s Smart Auto feature will automatically set the camera to its Landscape scene mode if the user is taking an image of a mountain range, and then switch gears and automatically select the Portrait scene mode if the user proceeds to take an image of an individual. No manual interaction is required.
In addition to Smart Auto, the TL320 also incorporates Samsung’s proprietary Smart Album program. Smart Album is useful tool which allows users to easily search for a specific image they have saved on their memory card. Smart Album automatically organizes the user’s digital images and gives them the ability to narrow their search based on specific criteria. Users can quickly sort by the date or week the image was taken, the overall color tone, as well as whether they’re searching for portraits or specific file types, including photos, videos, or voice memos.
Users can also take advantage of the TL320’s Face Detection, Blink Detection, Smile Shot, and Beauty Shot technologies. Designed to help capture better portraits and group shots of family and friends, Face Detection technology detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure better composition and image quality. Smile Shot automatically triggers the TL320 to take a photo only when the camera detects smiles on the subjects’ faces, and Blink Detection will automatically fire two consecutive shots if the camera detects that a subject’s eyes are closed. Beauty Shot is a unique functionality which will automatically enhance and balance skin tones as well as remove blemishes.
Featuring a brushed stainless steel finish, the TL320 is as stylish as it is advanced. The camera offers a compact form factor highlighted by two analog dials found on top of the TL320’s body. The two dials give the TL320 a retro look and provide users with the ability to quickly glance down at the camera for an approximate readout of remaining battery life and memory capacity.
The HZ15W
The step up model from the HZ10W introduced in January at CES 2009, the 12 mega-pixel HZ15W offers consumers one of the most powerful lenses on a compact point-and-shoot digital camera, featuring a 24mm ultra-wide angle Schneider lens coupled with a generous 10x optical zoom. For blur-free images, especially when using the HZ15W at its maximum zoom, Samsung includes both Optical and Digital Image Stabilization. Optical Image Stabilization can be used independently or shooters can choose Dual Image Stabilization, which combines the strengths of Optical and Digital Image Stabilization.Like the HZ10W, the HZ15W puts high-definition video recording in the palm of users’ hands. With the HZ15W, consumers have the ability to record high-definition video at a resolution of 720p, and utilize the camera’s full 10x optical zoom. Samsung also incorporates H.264 compression and offers consumers true HDMI connectivity, which allows the camera to be connected directly to an HDTV without the need for a cradle. Additionally, the HZ15W’s ultra-clear, three-inch LCD screen is sure to turn heads and gives consumers the ability to easily frame their shots and review their images and video in any condition, even in direct sunlight.
Designed for a range of consumers, including entry-level photographers and advanced amateurs, the HZ15W offers a variety of shooting modes, including Manual. The camera’s Manual shooting mode allows users to manually configure settings such as shutter speed, aperture, exposure, and ISO values. Similar to the TL320, the HZ15W also features a highlyintuitive suite of automatic controls designed to help improve one’s ability to take great digital images. The camera’s advanced automatic shooting options include Face Detection, Smile Shot, Blink Detection, Beauty Shot, as well as Smart Auto, which automatically selects the appropriate scene mode for the user, and Smart Album, which simplifies the process of searching for an image saved on a memory card.
Specifications
TL320 Mega-Pixels 12.2 mega-pixels Optical Zoom 5x optical zoom / Schneider lens LCD Size 3.0” hVGA AMOLED Lens Schneider – KREUZNACH Movie Mode 720P HD Resolution With HDMI Connectivity
(An optional cradle needed.) Size 97mm x 60mm x 21.8mm Special Features – 24mm Utlra-Wide-Angle Schneider Lens
– 5x Optical Zoom
– 3.0” hVGA AMOLED (460K dots)
– Dual Image Stabilization (Optical + Digital)
– Full Manual Mode (A/S/M) supported
– Advanced Picture Mode (manually adjust color tones)
– High-Definition 720p Video With HDMI Connectivity
– Smart Auto / Smart Album
– Face Detection / Smile Shot / Blink Detection /
Beauty Shot / Self Portrait / Red-eye Fix
– Frame Guide
– Recycle Bin
– Dual Analog Gauges (Memory Capacity / Battery Life) * Specifications are subject to change without notice.Available in black or silver, the TL320 will be available in May 2009 at an MSRP of $379.99.
Specifications
HZ15W Mega-Pixels 12.0 mega-pixels Optical Zoom 10x optical zoom / Schneider lens LCD Size 3.0” TFT-LCD (230k pixels) Lens Schneider Lens f = 4.2 ~ 42mm (35mm equivalent : 24~240mm) Movie Mode 720P HD Resolution Size 105 X 61.4 X 37.2 mm Special Features – 24mm Ultra-Wide-Angle Schneider Lens
– 10x Optical Zoom
– High-Definition 720p Video With HDMI Connectivity
– Dual Image Stabilization (Optical + Digital)
– Smart Auto / Smart Album
– Face Detection / Smile Shot / Blink Detection
Self Portrait / Beauty Shot / Red-eye Fix
– Function Description, Photo Style Selector
– Frame Guide
– Recycle Bin * Specifications are subject to change without notice.The Samsung HZ15W will be available in March 2009 at an MSRP of $329.99
Sources:
SlashGear and LetsGoDigital
