After releasing their NX10 the other day, Samsung is back for more with a string of six new compact cameras. Unlike the entry-level cameras we’ve been seeing lately, Samsung has four upper-tier, premium compact cameras to announce. First off are their TL240 and CL80 cameras which have massive touchscreens; the latter even has WiFi and Bluetooth… followed by their unique Dual View TL205 and TL210 cameras; both have dual LCD displays - one for conventional shooting and a front-facing display for self-portraits. The last two cameras are lower end offerings.
One thing that really baffles me is why two similar cameras can have two completely different names, plus another two names for use in some parts of the world.
Samsung TL240 and CL80
also known as ST5000 and ST5500
(Premium compact cameras)
- 14 effective megapixels
- 31 – 217 mm (f3.3 – f5.5) 7X optical zoom lens
- Optical image stabilization
- 3.5 inch LCD touchscreen for TL240; 3.7 inch AMOLED touchscreen for CL80
- No manual controls (just point-and-shoot operation with scene modes)
- Face, smile and blink detection; Smart Auto 2 with auto scene selection
- Smart Album organizer in playback
- CL80/ST5500 only: Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
- Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in February; price to be announced
Samsung TL205 and TL210 Dual View
also known as PL100 and PL150
(Premium cameras)
- 12 effective megapixels
- TL205/PL100: 35 – 105 mm (f3.0 – f5.6) 3X optical zoom lens
TL210/PL150: 27 - 135 mm (f3.5 - f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens - TL210/PL150: optical image stabilization
- TL205 has 2.5 inch LCD; TL210 has 3.0 inch LCD
- Second, front-fracing 1.5 inch LCD
- Face, smile and blink detection; Smart Auto with auto scene selection
- Smart Album organizer in playback
- 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
- Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in March; price to be announced
Samsung SL50 and SL600
(Entry-level cameras)
- SL50: 10 effective megapixels
SL600: 12 effective megapixels - 27 – 135 mm (f3.5 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
- 2.5 inch LCD
- Face, smile and blink detection; Smart Auto with auto scene selection
- VGA (640 x 480) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
- Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in February; price to be announced