Samsung Intros High-End Compacts

By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 3/9/2009

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. — Samsung will ship to dealers in May its second compact digital camera to incorporate an Active Matrix OLED display.

The company will also ship a 12-megapixel ultra-zoom model this month.

The 12-megapixel TL320 features a 3-inch, 460,000 dot Active Matrix OLED display. According to Samsung, it consumes less power, has a wider viewing angle and provides a higher contrast ratio vs. the TFT LCD display technology traditionally used in digital cameras.

The TL320 incorporates face detection, blink detection, a smile shot mode and a beauty mode, which is said to improve the look of faces in portraits.

The camera offers a 5x optical zoom (24mm), 720p video recording, the ability to zoom while recording, an HDMI output and optical image stabilization. Additional features include manual exposure, Samsung’s advanced picture mode for adjusting color temperature, and smart auto, which automatically chooses from 11 scene modes based on shooting conditions.

A smart album function lets users search for stored images based on date, color tone or file type. It ships in May in black and silver for $379.

The 12-megapixel HZ15W sports a 10x optical zoom lens (24mm), optical stabilization, 720p video recording with use of the zoom and HDMI output. It offers a 3-inch LCD, manual exposure, face and blink detection, smile shot, beauty mode, smart auto and smart album.

It is due in March for $329.