Samsung Intro TL320 & HZ15W (WB100 & WB550) Digital Cameras with 720p HD Video Capture

Samsung has unveiled two new compact 'point and shoot' digital cameras
in the form of the TL320 and HZ15W (known as the WB100 and WB550 in
Europe), both of which feature 12 megapixel sensors (12.2 MP and 12MP,
TL320 and HZ15W respectively) as well as 3 displays - the HZ15W
offering a standard LCD screen whilst the TL320's display is an AMOLED
affair offering a purported 10,000:1 contrast ratio.

Offering 5x and 10x optical ultra wide zoom lenses (TL320 and HZ15W
respectively) both of Samsung's new compact digital cameras come with
dual-image stabilisation, full manual exposure control and apart from
being capable of capturing 720p video come with HDMI connectivity - via
a bundled cradle in the case of the TL320 and directly via the camera in
the case of the HZ15W.

Samsung's official press release concerning their new TL320 HZ15W
(WB100 WB550) compact cameras details their respective features as
follows;
Samsung TL320/ WB100

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 2,800-10,000K, 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.
Samsung HZ15W/ WB550

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
highly-intuitive 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.

Samsung's HZ15W/ WB550, which will be released next month, will set you
back around $330 whilst the TL320/ WB100 is set to begin shipping in May
and will set you back around $380.