You can capture what you see, feel, and talk about in every day life!

Here is a user review about Samsung ST50 digital camera.

The first ultra-slim Smart auto digital camera with protruding-type lens
Samsung cameras’ new targets have been noticeable with the new start with 2009 Samsung Digital Imaging. Starting with 24-340mm WB500, there are multimedia convergence digital camera of SAMSUNG CAMERA, high-class ultra-wide angle slim manual digital camera, and casual and active ultra-slim ST50 targeting youngsters. New cameras from Samsung Digital Imaging show distinct targets according to their concepts. It seems 2009 of Samsung starts out a bit bustling, but it shows more energy and passion about its products than any other brands.

Taking a look at the Samsung’s new lines, we can feel its enthusiasm to compete with best sellers from other brands that focus on compact digital cameras. ST50 is the first highly efficient ultra-slim digital camera with protruding-type lens. With its fast start-up time, slim and stylish body, easy operation, and smart auto function, it appeals to young students or active and sensitive gentlemen or career women.

Stylish and luxurious slim body is relatively new image to Samsung. ST50 supports every kind of smart functions of auto digital camera, so you can capture what you see, feel, and talk about in every day life, just like in a diary. In charge of a new line-up, ST50 will be remembered as the first ultra-slim auto digital camera with protruding-type lens from Samsung. Form now on, let’s take a look at the product.

Strong stainless steel body
Red ST50 was given to Popconet. It is vivid red color with strong impact. The color changes according to the light angle, and it reminds of red passionate wine. The whole body is light-weighted and strong stainless steel. The front side is with hairline design, and it is glossy-coated on the surface, so it looks smooth and luxurious. ST50 arouses users’ desire to own it.

Front side
Classy red color and black lens barrel look harmonious. The lens barrel and the front side are smoothly rounded, and light reflected here makes the body look greater. On the upper part of the middle area, there are an assist light and a self-timer lamp. And flash is located on the opposite side of grip so that the hand will never disrupt flash.

Put in a pocket! 14.2mm ultra-slim
It has 14.2mm protruding-type ultra-slimness. It is a bold change for a Samsung camera. It may remind of card series from Casio, but if you take a closer look at it, what ST50 is seeking is somewhat different. The grip part where you put the thumb is around 14mm, and from the monitor to the front side is around 16mm. From the monitor to the lens barrel is around 19mm.

Top
Slim top part looks dynamic with black lining. There are Smart/Power button, shutter button, zoom dial, and a speaker.

Spring is coming up soon, and now it’s time for easy-to-carry ST50 that fits right into any pocket in your pants or jacket. It doesn’t get scratches easily by frictions, so you can carry it in your purse with other stuff without worries.

2.7inch 230k, pixels, wide view angle monitor
I wonder if it will turn into 3inch in later lines, but 2.7inch monitor looks suitable to ST50. It fills the entire back part, and still is compact as size of name cards. The 230k pixels LCD quality and wide view angle help express a variety of angle shots outside. It looks a little bluish and contains a cool grey Contax tone. It’s hard to find color noise even inside, so it’s always nice to take pictures. There’s a reflected light but also a good transmittance, so there is not much inconvenience in outside shootings.

Back side
On the back side, there are a camera status lamp, a mode switch button, a menu button below that, 4-directional function buttons, and play and delete button.

Hardy and solid grip
Being slim doesn’t necessary mean bad grip. The important thing is how strongly and stably it supports the thumb area on the back and the middle finger area on the front. Of course, it cannot compare to thick high-end digital cameras, but compared to other slim bodies ST50 has better grip. A thumb and a middle finger feel a solid grip. When shooting, if you lightly support the monitor area with the opposite hand, it gets more comfortable to operate zoom dial or other buttons.

AC adapter and USB dual charging system
You can charge it by connecting the body directly using 20pin connector. The AC terminal is also a USB/AV terminal and it is located on the side of the grip part with a camera strap. It can be charged by putting USB terminal into AC adapter or by directly connecting to PC suing the USB terminal. It is ok to use at work or at home, but having to use the body can be inconvenient at times.

Lithium ion battery lasting 200 shots
The battery is 3.7v 720mAh, good capacity as a slim body camera. The actual shooting capacity is about 200 shots CIPA standard. It is enough for daily use, but if you are on a trip or go away for photographing, you might need an extra battery for backup. Charging with AC adapter takes about 120 min. and it is inserted at the bottom with SD memory.
Battery/Memory cover is opened by a lock switch; it is very elastic and securely supports battery latch as well. The maximum memory capacity is as big as 8GB, but if you own memory larger than 16GB, you may feel a bit short.

Auto scene detection function is becoming a basic function of auto cameras. Samsung also equips this Smart mode as a main theme that does everything when pressing the shutter. Smart mode activates when you press the Smart button on the top. Then, the menu option becomes simplified, green Smart icon shows up on the top of the screen, and the icon changes according to shooting scenes. What you set up on Smart mode is size of pictures, flash on/off, and timer. If you switch to Smart mode, you can just rely on the camera without considering this and that.

Smart mode can automatically detect up to 11 scenes. Depending on the place, the kind of subject, and the distance from subject, it automatically selects scene mode. When it cannot select one, it shoots as a Smart auto.

Scenery, White, Night Scene, Night Portrait, Backlight, Portrait, Macro, Macro Text, Tripod, and Action
Out of these, White mode is used for very bright background. And Tripod mode automatically detects the stabilization at night shooting and applies low sensitivity (ISO160) and long exposure (maximum 8 seconds). Action mode applies when the subject is moving fast. It is hard to provide the detailed review of the features because the product I’m reviewing is not an official version. But it showed high detection rate in Scenery, Portraits, Night scene, Backlight, and Macro. Also, Macro Text quickly detects subjects with letters in white background in short distance.

The lowest shutter speed, which works when the flash is off at inside or night scene snap shots, is 1/8 sec, and the maximum sensitivity is ISO800. Those are figured out considering the quality decrease and trembling. I think it would be efficient if indoor high sensitivity mode is added to the kinds of Smart mode scene detection. If the range widens up to ISO1600, it would help image stabilization.

With Smart Album is a managing system for you to categorize the images and videos under kind of files (image, video, and voice), dates (weekly), and colors for the later search. Thumbnails are available in 3, 8, 20 divisional display. It is a convenient system for those who use large capacity memory. They can set the thumbnail style using a zoom lever when they play back files, and move thumbnails using the left/right button. But it is inconvenient that it takes some time to change thumbnail styles. Especially, categorizing under colors is very unique. It detects the colors of central subject and the whole picture, analyzes them into red, yellow, or green, and distributes them. If the color is ambiguous like white background, it goes into ETC. You can appreciate the pictures taken when you have free time such as in transportation or during break time using slideshow. If you apply various sounds and play effects, it could get more dynamic.

Various face detection functions for pretty face
Other than Beauty shot, there are many face detection functions, including smart and interesting ones like Face detection/ Self-portrait/ Smile shot/ Blink detection.

ACB that brightens dark part
ACB is function to modify the dark area. On sunny day, it presents natural contrast in the whole picture by editing the dark part of people or scenery. The editing intensity is just good when applied to people or scenery, making the result very natural. For the portrait shots, if you are not used to controlling exposure, take advantage of ACB and face detection function. It’s also effective in backlight.

Optical 3x zoom lens
ST50 is equipped with slim and small optical 3x zoom lens. The focal length ranges 25-105mm and aperture ranges F3.0-F5.6, which are good enough for daily use. In the wide angle, 3x zoom operation time is about 1.5 sec, and the zoom is a protruding type. And the size of lens barrel is same in wide angel and telephoto zoom. The lens barrel is pretty small and cute. The peripheral area tends to show lower quality in wide angle, but the overall quality of central area is fairly good from wide angle to telephoto zoom.

Read more: http://www.samsungimaging.net/you-can-capture-what-you-see-feel-and-talk-about-in-every-day-life/#ixzz0aJhZRXe4

Leading the trends, Samsung Camera and ST50

Here is a user review about Samsung ST50 (TL100) digital camera.

New start with Samsung Digital Imaging

On Feb 1^st 2009, the digital camera department from Samsung Techwin put out newly as Samsung Digital Imaging. As the number one Korean digital camera maker, Samsung finally makes more progressive move. Actually, Samsung already has made its products one of the global hits. Samsung has become the number 3 brand in the global compact digital camera market. In Korea, Samsung stays unchallenged in compact digital camera market. Specialists analyze that its success results from its unique design and new interface, and differentiation from Japanese products. Samsung Digital Imaging is getting ready for lots of new lines to release. The first item of it is 14mm-slim ST50.

Slim digital camera with 12,000,000 high pixels
ST50 has ultra-slim thickness of 16.6mm, which could be said revolutionary. 16.6mm may not be new to slim digital cameras, but ST50 has something unique. It could be said revolutionary due to its use of protruding type lens. It is widely known that protruding type lens makes better results than inner zoom. That is why we cannot help but pay attention to ST50 style. So 35-105mm in 35mm equivalent 3x optical zoom seems rather weak. But 16.6mm slimness is not everything about ST50. 12,000,000 high pixels could be one of the outstanding specifications. Maybe it reflects the fact that only the slimness cannot attract consumers.

Clicking a button makes it smart. How easy!
One who has great senses never hangs one’s head anywhere. ST50’s Smart Auto function offers suitable recording mode for each situation. If setting up a mode is a trouble for you, just click the Smart button on the top of the camera. It’s that easy. It is the biggest strength of this camera that it can deal with any circumstance. Total 11 scene modes -Landscape, White, Night Scene, Night Portrait, Backlight, Backlight Portrait, Portrait, Macro, Macro text, Tripod, and Action- cold be set automatically. It is AI system that considers distance and exposure. This Smart Auto function that is equipped in ST50 for the first time will be useful for the beginning users who are not accustomed to various environments. However, you cannot expect 100% satisfactory result. Instead, you can set up many things on Program mode. If you’re an advanced user, you can respond to many situations depending on your experience.

Expect the best Portrait shots.
Face Detection offers functions such as Beauty Shot, Self Portrait, Smile Shot, and Blink Detection. Finally, with Red eye removal function from Flash mode, ‘Perfect Portrait System’ is completed. It offers strong retouch effect that is essential to female users who feel sensitive with portrait shots. Face Detection function detects faces on the screen and automatically controls focus and exposure. It can detect up to 10 faces, so there is no problem with group shots. Beauty Shot is a mode that edits facial blemish, and you can control the face retouch and brightness degree in three steps. When taking self-pictures, Self Portrait notifies you by beeping sound if your face appears on the screen. It prevents face cut-out and enables awesome self-pictures with auto focus and exposure. Smile Shot automatically takes smiley faces without pressing the shutter, and Blink Detection detects blinking of the subject during shooting and takes two successive photos. Red eye removal prevents the eyes of subjects turning red like those of rabbits’ when flash is used.

Advanced Digital Image Stabilization
ST50 offers Advanced DIS (Digital Image Stabilization). It may seem disappointing that it doesn’t offer Dual IS anymore because OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is out. However, Advanced DIS shows good enough performance. If the former DIS produced less-noise image by combining one with short exposure and the other with long exposure, new Advanced DIS captures one with high speed and then removes noise in the second step. Not only it removes color noise, it also keeps the image saturation as it is. Therefore, it can stabilize images a lot faster than former DIS.

Magical photo manager, Smart Album
Many times, you get lazy with managing the pictures taken. People enjoying taking pictures, but when it comes to sorting and organizing those, they easily get bored. ST50 offers Smart Album function that organizes picture for you and enables you to spot the one you want conveniently. It is easy to manage the picture because it categorizes them under files, colors, and dates (day & week). Especially, sorting by colors is very useful for doing photo works. If you press Menu button on Play mode, you can select 1, 3, 9, or 20-slide to see the photos.

Samsung that keeps transforming
Every spring season, new products with various features pour out. But sometimes, there come out some products with no difference from the past. Only difference may be the change of appearance like Chinese Bianlian. It could be analyzed as excessive attachment to design. Samsung might be not much different until last year. However, Samsung Digital Imaging from 2009 is definitely changing. Not only design but functions are certainly reinforced. This is proven by the review of WB500. The ST50 review could be the stage to reaffirm the strong will of Samsung cameras.

Stylish 16.6mm
ST50’s ultra-slim 16.6mm body seems to be as slim as it could be. (14mm excluding lens part) It is stylish as well as thin and small. The rounded edge is also very attractive. Except the LCD part, it looks simple using glossy-coated stainless steel overall. Metallic body is highly durable and also visually aesthetic. According to Samsung Digital Imaging, the color will come in 4 versions; silver, black, blue, and red. It will appeal to users in wide range of ages including young female users.

Protruding type lens hidden under slim body
So far, all the ultra-slim products in Samsung Camera had equipped inner zoom lens. But ST50 selected protruding type lens in 16.6mm slim body. The point is that it is well hidden so it wouldn’t distract the slim stylish look. The fact that it could reduce the volume without selecting inner zoom show how much Samsung’s technology has developed. When you turn on the camera, the little lens comes out quickly. But the operation latency is 2 seconds, which is a bit slow. It has 3x optical zoom lens that covers 35-105mm in 35mm equivalent, and aperture F3.0 – 5.6. It starts from F3.0, but comparing to other competing products, it’s fairly good.

Front side with no grip part
Whoever that sees the ST50 for the first time will think that it looks like a cell phone. They’re alike in that both fit in one hand. The clean slash-patterned front side excluded the grip part. I guess they decided to omit it for slimmer design. It may help look stylish but the one-hand grip is somewhat unstable. To hold it with one hand, you’d better use hand scrap for safety. But using both hands, you can better concentrate on shooting more comfortably. (The surface of it looks different according to the light angle.)

Metallic middle line
The metallic middle line certainly separates the border between front and back side. In addition, it gives strong impression overall and more impact on edge. On the upper side of middle line, there are Smart button, Power button, Shutter, zoom lever, and speaker in order. It is easy to reach the Smart and Power button since they are in close area from left and right hand. When you press those buttons, blue light turns on. But it seems weaker than blue ring, the symbol of Samsung Camera series.

6.9cm LCD that is definitely not small
It has 230,000-pixel 2.7inch TFT LCD monitor. Some might compare it to 3.0inch LCD monitors of recent products, but they can’t be in comparison. ST50 offers the most ideal LCD size in proportion to the body size, unless no buttons on the back plus touch screen type. If you expect a bigger screen than that, you must give up the small size of ST50. Reinforced plastics could be put on top of the LCD so it could prepare for scratches or exterior shocks. Intelligent LCD automatically controls the brightness depending on lighting. I like it that it offers good viewing angle no matter where.

20pin charging port and battery holder
There is a charging port on the right side of the camera. 20pin charging type enables using both the AC adaptor and USB. On the bottom, there are battery and memory card holders. It uses SC card for storage and Lithium ion battery made for ST50. Tripod socket is made with plastics so it could get worn away if you use tripod often. It could have been better if it used metal.

Instinctive interface with buttons
On the back of ST50, there is a manual-type button interface. You can select recording mode for photos and videos using a switch on the upper right side. Right below that, there is a menu button that enables controlling of recording functions, sound, screen, and other setups in detail. 4-directional ring button offers setting for recording information, timer, close-up, flash, etc. On the far bottom, there are Play mode and Delete button. You can easily check the images without turning the power on.

This is what ultra-slim is.
What would people who studies design or have good tastes will say when they see ST50? Probably ‘I’ve gotta have it’ even before saying ‘Simple & Stylish.’ Protruding lens form 16.6mm slim body gives beauty of unexpected reversal. And it deserves praise for keeping the good style. Somewhat weak grip feeling could be compensated with the aesthetic effect. Instinctive button-type interface that maximizes the use of your thumb will approach to touch-sensitive users rather honestly. It seems obvious that not everything that is thin can be called ultra-slim.

Fundamentals that is beyond Smart
Not everyone with high IQ is called smart. Likewise, ST50 cannot be called capable only because it has Smart Auto function. However, it is true that it offers various functions that are good as well. ST50 has fundamentals that help it become smart such as optimal exposure, right angle, video recording and editing functions, etc.

ACB that sets up the optimal exposure
ST50 supports ACB (Auto Contrast Balance) function. It automatically revises exposure under the circumstances where there’s huge contrast between dark and light area. It’s good when there is an overlap of dark indoor and bright outside area, and also works well in backlight. If you don’t know how to edit later or want to get the best picture simply by pressing the shutter, I recommend you to always turn the ACB on.

Guidance of composition, Frame Guide
When you want to take a picture of yourself with the awesome background during travel, you normally ask strangers to take a picture for you. But half the time the composition of the photo is disappointing. But it is hard to ask as many times as needed until you get the picture you want. Under this kind of situation, Frame Guide mode could be very useful. First, you set the background composition you want, and then just give it to the person who will take a picture. The picture-taker can easily get the intended composition by matching the frame and the actual scene.

Average level video recording
ST50 doesn’t offer HD video recording like NV400HD or WB500. However, it offers three types of video recording resolution in MPEG format; 800×592, 640×480, and 320×240. It’s good enough for recording daily lives. Besides, you can use many options like zoom, pause/retake, photo style, white balance, image stabilization, etc while recording. Editing functions cannot be used.

Fun way to look at the images, Multi-Slide show
ST50 offers a slide show function. You can select 7 different effects; Calm, Pleasant, Pastoral, Refreshing, Lively, Cheerful, and Cozy. The term to shift the images could be set as 1, 3, 5, or 10 seconds. To make the viewing more fun, it supports BGM for each theme of Haze, Spring nymph, Autumn, Dawn, Party, Water drop, and Journey. It’s good to enjoy appreciating the pictures, not just simply checking the pictures taken.

Read more: http://www.samsungimaging.net/leading-the-trends-samsung-camera-and-st50/#ixzz0aJfKcBNh

What is the most memorable moment that people want to keep the record of?

Here is a user review about Samsung ST50 (TL100) digital camera.

Digital camera war has started. Beginning with the first quarter, which could be said A match among the companies, every kind of digital cameras have been pouring into market. And the Korean leading company Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd is introducing stylish and simple ST50.

Cameras have been a means for people to express and prove themselves; from formal and stiff black-and-white family pictures taken with films cameras to funny self-portrait pictures taken with digital cameras. They have been the common recording device for a long time and the technology has developed constantly.

As the technology develops, engineers confront a big question. “What is the most memorable moment that people want to keep the record of?” In order to figure out and satisfy consumers’ desire, many engineers developing camera technology have put much thought into useful functions for portable digital cameras. And one of the conclusions from it is ‘portrait-centered technology.’ ST50 of Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd has made with that consideration on basis, so it helps take various portrait shots more easily, quickly, and stylishly.

ST50 has ultra-slim size of 94.2 x 55.7 x 16.6mm(excluding protruding area). And its metallic feeling from stainless steel material and glossy-coated surface emphasizes simple and smooth bodyline, plus convenient button arrangement.

Not only its tasteful color and slim and stylish design, it has 12.2 megapixels and a lens with 3x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom. Also, live view, which is essential for digital cameras, offers clear scene on 2.7 inch large LCD.

ST50’s ‘SMART’ mode, newly introduced from Samsung, is one of the most noticeable features. ‘SMART’ supports the optimal mode without users’ complex setup. With one click of ‘SMART’ button, ‘Program mode’ and ’Video recording mode’ can change into ‘Smart Auto mode’ and ‘ Smart Video recording mode,’ enabling the best photos or video clips easily and quickly.

These two smart modes change setup value according to recording environment. For instance, when you take nature shots in ‘Smart Auto mode,’ CCD takes in the scenery from the lens, and Image Solution analyzes it and automatically changes to Mountain mode. This brilliant ‘SMART’ mode replaces the manual mode of high-end cameras, so this portable camera helps you to enjoy the optimal recording mode in any circumstance or situation without feeling any pressure of operating manually.

Other than this talent ‘SMART’ function, it also has Program mode like most of the digital cameras. In addition, it supports exposure control, white balance, ISO, face detection, photo size, picture quality, A.C.B (Auto Contrast Balance), sidelights, recording methods, frame guide, AF domain, photo style, image editing, D.I.S (Digital Image Stabilization), and sound functions.

Main functions of Perfect Portrait System
Perfect Portrait is a system that automatically detects faces in frame and controls focus/ exposure/ recording in a way to emphasize the face. Many digital camera users take pictures to upload their self-portraits or pictures with their friends on their blogs or home pages. Therefore, face detection/ beauty shot/ self-portrait/ smile shot/ blink detection/ red eye removal functions are also included as a part of this system.

‘Face detection’ function detects faces on frame and emphasizes them by automatically controlling focus and exposure.

‘Beauty shot’ function detects faces and fixes dark area under eyes, and makes skin tone and noise smoother and brighter. Therefore, you can take clear and bright portrait shots without using extra editing programs.

Self-portrait
For expressing the clear and bright face, there is another function called ‘Self-portrait.’ It notifies you by repeating beeping sound when your face is detected on frame. After it detects the face on frame, if the face places in the center it makes a little different beeping sound. Since you cannot look at the LCD monitor when taking self-portrait shots, it is a very convenient function.
‘Smile shot’ function takes a picture automatically without pressing shutter when it detects smiley face. But it only detects better when teeth show or smile is wide enough. ‘Blink detection’ helps get the best picture by taking three successive shots when it detects blinking on the moment the shutter is pressed.

Flash red eye removal function finds eyes using face detection of Perfect Portrait System. And red eye detection algorism spots the red eyes resulting from flashlights and automatically edits them to natural color.

‘Video recording mode’ supports SD quality, offering 800×592(20fps), 640×480(30fps & 15fps), and 320×240 (30fps & 15fps) resolution. When recording videos, 3x optical zoom is available and the operating sound is recorded when you use zoom. If you don’t want the operating sound to be recorded, you can activate ‘Mute sound during zoom operation’ function. Using MPEG4 for compressing the files, it offers good image quality and doesn’t take up much space thanks to its high compression rate. You can either record the sound or not, and the program in ST50 enables image stabilization, pause during recording, still image capture, and movie clip abstraction. There are also other convenient functions such as Frame Guide, Photo Style Selector, and Smart Album.

Frame Guide
Frame Guide takes a sample picture first for guidance, and then takes an actual shot. It is a function that helps to take a picture in an angle as you want by leaving the frames of the sample pictures for a picture taker to compare when taking actual shots. This function is very useful when you take a sample shot in an angle you like and ask someone to take a picture for you.

Photo Style Selector helps to express each photo in various feelings using pre-set style effect. You can select out of gentle feeling of Soft, strong feeling of Vivid, natural and clean image of Forest, brown-toned Retro, sharp image of Cool, composed feeling of Calm, antique feeling of black-and-white Classic.

After reading a thin manual, even complete beginners can easily operate ST50.

Digital cameras have become a part of consumers’ daily life. People want to capture the precious moments more quickly and easily, and it is utilized as one of the lifestyle item.

ST50 is slim, colorful, simple, but smart. You don’t need to stop for taking pictures. You can just go with the flow. And in the flow, it helps focus on you or people around you and captures lively facial expressions. ST from Samsung’s ST50 stands for Stylish. I think meaning of stylish ‘chic, fashionable, trendy’ plus ‘clever, quick, sharp, and acute’ meaning from ‘SMART’ mode is the real concept ST50 seeks. In this busy and fast moving world, this camera could be the means to express yourself and the messenger to mutually communicate you and the world.

This review represents the sole opinion of their individual authors and HANDSONMOBILE and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such.
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Read more: http://www.samsungimaging.net/what-is-the-most-memorable-moment-that-people-want-to-keep-the-record-of/#ixzz0aJciPjPk