Review: Samsung ST500 / ST550

The Photographyblog posted a review about Samsung ST550 dual LCD digital camera.

Samsung Digital Imaging today announced the arrival of the ultra slim, 12.2-megapixel ST550 and ST500 compact cameras, which boast a ‘world first’: front and back LCD display technology for easy self-portraits. The hidden 1.5” LCD located on the front of the camera allows consumers to take accurate portraits using the front image as a guide – whether it’s a group shot with friends or a snap of yourself on holiday. There is no need to even press the shutter button – a big smile is enough to trigger the cameras to take the picture. On the reverse, the Samsung ST550 features the world’s highest resolution 3.5” wide touch screen LCD. A Smart Gesture User Interface with built-in orientation sensor, means a simple tap or hand gesture allows users to access key features quickly. Furthermore, the ST550 and ST500’s One Touch Auto Focus feature allows you to focus on a user-defined part of the frame by simply touching the desired area. Both the ST500 and the ST550 come with a 27-124mm equivalent zoom lens. 720p video recording at 30 frames per second rounds off the feature set of the new cameras, the difference being that only the ST550 also features HDMI connectivity via an optional adapter. The ST500 will be available in silver, red and blue colours, and the ST550 will come in black, gold, orange and purple from late August. The US versions of these cameras are called the Samsung TL220 and the Samsung TL225, and will hit the shelves in September priced at $299.99 and $349.99, respectively.

Samsung Press Release

SAMSUNG UNVEILS ST550 AND ST500 DIGITAL COMPACT CAMERAS – INNOVATIVE CAMERAS WITH WORLD’S FIRST FRONT AND BACK LCD SCREENS

Front and back display helps you take the perfect self portrait

13th August 2009 - Samsung Digital Imaging, leaders in innovation and technology, today announced the arrival of the ultra slim and stylish ST550 and ST500 compact cameras which boast yet another ‘world first’: front and back LCD display technology.

Delivering an unrivalled user experience, the hidden 1.5” LCD located on the front of the camera allows consumers to take accurate portraits using the front image as a guide – whether it’s a group shot with friends or a snap of yourself on holiday. There is no need to even press the shutter button – just a big smile will trigger the cameras to take the picture.

On the reverse, the Samsung ST550 features the world’s highest resolution 3.5” wide touch screen LCD*, almost four times the size of many other cameras, complete with haptic feedback for ease of use.

Complementing this, the 12.2 mega pixel cameras also use the perfect combination of a 27mm wide angle Schneider KREUZNACH lens with 4.6x optical zoom. This gives the photographer a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, producing clear, clean images with even resolution from the centre of the picture right to the edges.

“These cameras are the very first of their kind,” said Steve Mitchell, General Manager Marketing, Samsung Digital Imaging Division.

“The use of digital imaging technologies has evolved and we are offering functionality and capabilities that no other digital camera manufacturer has yet addressed. These cameras will be must-haves for those individuals that use popular social networking websites and for families that want to get everyone, including the photographer, in the picture.”

Smart Gesture User Interface (UI)

Showcasing further innovations, a Smart Gesture User Interface (UI) with built-in orientation sensor, means a simple tap or hand gesture allows users to access key features quickly. A simple tap can also turn the front LCD on instantly, ready to take the perfect self portrait photo.

One touch shooting and Auto-Focus

Sometimes the focal point of your picture is not always in the centre of the frame. The ST550 and ST500’s One Touch Auto Focus feature allows you to focus on a different part of the shot by simply touching the desired area. Once you’ve selected the focal point, you can simply leave your finger on the screen for two seconds or push the shutter button to take the picture.

Smart Auto (Scene Recognition)

Take professional-looking photos with Samsung’s advanced Smart Auto feature so you never have to worry about your photos being washed out, too dark or out of focus. Smart Auto analyses key elements of your composition such as colour, brightness, motion and subject and then automatically adjusts to take the perfect shot.

Smart Face Recognition

Samsung’s innovative Smart Face Recognition technology actually remembers faces it sees frequently and then prioritises them when focussing and exposing future shots.  It can store up to 20 recognised faces in the cameras’ internal memory and allows users to search for their favourite faces in playback.  This can be done quickly by using the ‘Face’ search in Smart Album, instead of viewing every single photo on the memory card.

In “Blink Detection Mode” the camera will take a series of shots when closed eyes are detected so everyone is captured with their eyes open; in “Smile Mode” a picture is automatically taken when smiles are detected and, in “Beauty Shot” mode, facial skin is retouched to three different user defined levels for brighter and smoother skin tones.
HD Movie Recording

The ST500 and ST550 record HD video in 1280x720p resolution at 30 frames per second in H.264 format. This format allows more than twice as much recording capacity as the MP4 format, so gives you more room on your memory card for images and movies. The ST550 also features HDMI connectivity via an optional adapter, so you can see your HD video creations in glorious HD on an HD TV.

Dual Image Stabilization/Perfect Self Portrait & Perfect Self Timer

Samsung’s Dual Image Stabilization technology combines advanced Digital and Optical image stabilization to ensure outstanding photos without blur – even in low light conditions.  Couple this with the new front facing LCD screen and Samsung’s Perfect Self Portrait & Perfect Self Timer functions, and taking professional looking pictures of yourself and others is easy.

The ST500 is available in silver, red and blue colours and the ST550 is available in black, gold, orange and purple colours. All will be available from leading high street and online retailers from late August 2009. Samsung Cameras include a one year warranty. Customers requiring further information should call 0845 726 7864 or visit samsungcamera.co.uk

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