Samsung unveiled the ultimate vanity cameras this morning with an LCD Screen on both the front and back to help users better compose self-portraits. The Samsung DualView cameras – the TL225 and TL220 models – both have a 1.5-inch LCD screen on the front that gives the user a live view of what is about to be photographed. The idea is that this will prevent heads and faces from being cut off when a photographer tries to capture a self or group shot by holding the camera in front of them.
Samsung executives at a press conference in New York City today said the DualView concept arose from studying "behavioral trends" of consumers.
"Through our research we found that the creator of photos also likes being the subject of photos," said Tim Baxter, co-president of Samsung Electronics America. "Half of the consumers we surveyed are taking self photos for use on social networking sites."
The higher-end model, the TL225 ($349) has a 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD on the back with an impressive 1.1 million (1,152K) pixels of resolution. The TL225 also has an optional HDMI adapter.
The TL220 ($299) has a 3-inch, 230,000-pixel touchscreen on the back. Both cameras have 12.2-mepapixels of resolution and feature 4.6x optical zooms using 27mm Schneider Kreuznach lenses. The cameras also offer 720P high-definition movie recording.
The Über-Connected Camera
Along with the two DualView models, Samsung released a stylish, slim camera with a bevy of GPS and wireless capabilities. Called the CL65, this 12.2MP camera has built-in GPS to allow photographers to tag their photos with geographical coordinates so they know where and when they took them. The CL65 will even display the city name in the image to make sorting through travel shots easier.
Bluetooth 2.0 in the camera lets you wirelessly transmit and receive images to and from other mobile devices such as smart phones. The built-in Wi-Fi lets you email or upload images and videos directly to websites such a Facebook, Picasa, and YouTube. The CL65 is also compatible with the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) standard which lets you wirelessly send your shots to an HDTV via a home network.
"This is the ultimate connected camera," said Reid Sullivan, senior vice president for Samsung Electronics America.
The CL65 ($399) also features a 5x Internal Optical Zoom to maintain the camera's slim profile even when zooming in on subjects. Like the TL225, it has a 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD with 1.1 million (1,152K) pixels of resolution.
Made for the Me 2.0 Generation?
Though the CL65 should attract über-connected tech geeks, the DualView cameras may have a broader appeal amongst Web 2.0 users who enjoy self-documenting their lives.
"C'mon, you've all done it. Admit it," said Sullivan, while mimicking the self-shot pose of holding the camera in front to take a photo. "With these models, all it takes is a tap of the finger to bring these LCDs on the front to life. The front LCD helps you become a better photographer."
In self-timer mode, there's a visual countdown of "3-2-1" on the front screen to let you and the group you're photographing get ready for the photo. Also intriguing is the child mode which displays an animated clown and other visuals on the front LCD to help get a baby to smile for a photo.
"It's the modern adaptation of 'watch the birdie,'" Sullivan said.
The LCD screens on the back of the TL225 and TL220 use haptic technology which pulses out a short vibration when you touch the screen to confirm a command. You can rotate the image on the back by drawing a circle with your finger on the touchscreen, and scroll through images just by swiping the screen. Meanwhile, Samsung's Smart Gesture User Interface (UI) uses a built-in Gravity sensor which controls some functions just by tilting the camera.
We had some brief time to play with the DualView cameras after the press conference and were impressed with the technology. One nice feature about the front screen is that along with presenting a Live View for self-portraits, the camera's Smart Face Recognition and Smile Shot are employed to help capture better photos of faces.
All three cameras will begin shipping in September.
More info is available in the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
SAMSUNG LEADS THE WAY IN THE DIGITAL CAMERA EVOLUTION
Social Networking at the Heart of Latest Compact Camera Series
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – August 13, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., today unveiled the Samsung DualView Cameras – the TL225 and TL220 – as well as the CL65. These three new compact devices are highlighted by innovative new features, groundbreaking technology, easeof-use and design. Representing the next step in the evolution of the digital camera, the Samsung TL225, TL220, and CL65 give consumers a whole new approach to personal photography.
Delivering twice the fun of any other compact digital camera, Samsung DualView Cameras, the innovative TL225 and TL220, truly put the photographer in the picture. Samsung DualView Cameras feature Dual LCDs with one on the front of the camera and another one on the back. Embracing the latest consumer trends, Samsung’s new CL65 provides unprecedented connectivity as it incorporates geo-tagging, Bluetooth 2.0, DLNA, and Wi-Fi* capabilities, giving social networkers the ability to share their images while on the move and breaking the confines of uploading and sharing content in the traditional way.
“Today’s product launch is an important milestone for Samsung, reinforcing our position as a leading innovator in the digital camera market and setting a new benchmark for digital camera technology,” said Sang Jin Park, Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Digital Imaging Co. Ltd. “It is our goal to continue to lead the evolution of the industry while delivering a first-class consumer experience through ease-of-use and the design of our ‘Smart Cameras’. We’ve listened to what consumers want and need, particularly in the social networking field, and I consider these latest products to surpass even the highest expectations of today’s budding photographer, providing fun and excitement to the user.”
Samsung DualView Cameras: TL225 and TL220
Samsung DualView Cameras bring the latest in compact camera innovation to consumers with Dual LCD screens on the front and back, offering twice the fun of any camera and allowing the user to take photographs they simply couldn’t take before. The growing popularity of social networking sites has given rise to the self-portrait or profile picture with many consumers turning their digital camera on themselves to become the subject of their photo.
The 1.5” LCD now on the front of the TL225 and TL220 allows consumers to take these selfportraits and profile pictures with ease, showing the user exactly what the picture will look like, enabling the desired result every time. Incorporating a 3.5” wide, 1,152K resolution touchscreen LCD, the TL225 delivers one of the highest resolution screens available on a digital camera. Complementing this is a 12.2 mega-pixel CCD and 27mm wide-angle Schneider KREUZNACH lens with 4.6x optical zoom, allowing a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, and producing clear, clean images with balanced resolution from the center of the image to the edges.
Another innovation found on the TL225 and TL220 is Samsung’s new powerful Smart Gesture User Interface (UI) with a built-in Gravity sensor. Once the camera is powered on, a simple tap on the front LCD activates it and the camera is automatically set to Self Portrait Mode with smile detection. This means that if users want to take a self portrait, they only need to tap and smile, and the picture will be taken automatically. Teamed with innovative Samsung technologies such as Smile Shot, Smart Face Recognition, and Smart Auto, users are given the ability to take the perfect image with ease.
Samsung CL65
With the ability to capture and share photo memories on the move, the Samsung CL65 allows users to truly connect with family and friends. Packed full of innovation and encased in a sleek compact frame, the CL65 incorporates an unprecedented combination of geo-tagging technology, Bluetooth 2.0, DLNA compatibility, and Wi-Fi connectivity options.
The camera’s wireless functionality enables users to send and post pictures almost as quickly as they take them, while its GPS capabilities keep track of where users travel, giving them the ability to manage their images intelligently with geographical location data embedded directly into each corresponding EXIF file. With the increasing importance of content sharing for consumers, the CL65 provides an unrivalled experience and is a great way to keep one’s network of friends and family in the know.
The CL65’s built-in geo-tagging allows users to record the details of the location and time the image was taken. Bluetooth 2.0 allows images to be distributed wirelessly to supporting devices such as mobile telephones, and Wi-Fi means that users can now email photos directly from their camera and upload their photos or videos to popular social networking websites, including Facebook®, Picasa™, and YouTube®. The camera’s DLNA compatibility also allows it to wirelessly connect to another DLNA compatible device, such as an HDTV, within a user’s networked home to view and share their precious moments.
Introduced to the world via a series of themed events in New York, Beijing, Bangkok, London and Seoul, the TL225, TL220 and CL65 will be available to consumers in September 2009.