Ridgefield Park, NJ—Samsung Electronics Co. unveiled the latest additions to its DualView camera portfolio—the 14.2 megapixel ST600 and ST100. The company also announced the compact PL200 with high-def video recording and powerful optics.
The new flagship models of the DualView camera family each received an upgrade to their front LCD screens, activated by a simple tap, which now measure 1.8 inches compared to the 1.5-inch front LCD screens of their DualView predecessors. The larger front LCDs help make it easier for consumers to properly frame themselves in their photos and videos and be part of the action by stepping out from behind the camera.
The DualViews will come in new colors, including purple (ST600) and pink (ST100), and are encased in a slimmer, compact frame with a metallic finish.
“Today’s launch is an important landmark for Samsung as it reinforces our position as a leading innovator in the digital camera market,” said SJ Park, president, Samsung Digital Imaging division. “Unlike any other feature found on digital cameras, consumers immediately recognize the value of what our dual LCD technology can do for them. There is no learning curve or technical understanding that must be achieved, as it is a natural extension of what our customers are already doing. Samsung is looking to simplify that task with the new ST600 and ST100, ensuring they have the ability to take the perfect profile shot, and never have to miss that perfect picture moment with family and friends, even if they’re not behind the camera.”
The DualView ST600 ($329.99) and ST100 ($349.99) feature Samsung’s Smart Auto (still & movie) scene recognition technology, which analyzes key elements of the composition, such as color, brightness, motion and subject, and selects the appropriate scene mode, and they employ Schneider-Kreuznach lenses supported by optical and digital image stabilization to help produce blur-free images. The ST600 combines a 27mm wide-angle focal length with a 5x optical zoom; the ST100 is the first Samsung DualView digital camera to feature an internal, 5x optical zoom (35mm).
Features that take advantage of the DualViews’ front LCDs include: self-portrait mode; a couples mode that automatically snaps a photo when it detects two faces tilted toward each other; a children’s setting that plays a cartoon with sound to encourage young ones to smile; and a self-timer with a visual countdown so everyone knows when to smile. The newest feature is jump shot mode, where the front LCD provides a visual prompt to those in front of the camera to jump in unison, and immediately triggers the cameras to take three consecutive images to capture a photo that freezes the subjects in midair.
Additionally, Samsung’s Smart Gesture user interface is designed for the quick access and use of key features, with either a simple tilt or a hand gesture. Users can scroll through photos by slightly tilting the camera in either direction, swiping their finger across the screen, or by selecting the appropriate photos for a slideshow.
PL200 High-Zoom Compact
The PL200 is an easy-to-operate 14.2MP point-and-shoot compact that provides high-definition video recording, powerful optics and a 3.0-inch LCD.
“The PL200 is the ideal digital camera for those who value simplicity but also long for a more immersive digital imaging experience,” said Reid Sullivan, senior vice president, Mobile Entertainment Marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “With the PL200, consumers can experience the versatility offered by more advanced digital cameras, along with a comprehensive suite of automatic controls, allowing them to step up to the next level of digital camera without stepping outside of their comfort zone.”
Measuring 3.9x2.3x0.83 inches, the PL200 incorporates a 7x optical zoom lens (31-217mm equivalent), dual image stabilization (optical and digital), 720p HD video recording at 30 frames per second in H.264 format, which offers three times more recording capacity than MJPEG video, and Samsung’s Smart Auto (still & movie) scene recognition technology. With the touch of a button, consumers can switch the PL200 to smart auto (still & movie) and it will analyze the shooting environment and subject and automatically select the most appropriate scene mode and settings. The PL200 also offers beauty shot, smile shot, blink detection, face detection and a smart album feature to help manage images. $179.99. samsung.com