2009년 7월 29일 수요일
2009년 7월 27일 월요일
Black as Coffee…. ….with milk :)
[Samsung Pro815 1/8 ㅣf/4.6 ㅣISO 100ㅣ7.4mm]
Black and white are colors, but I think everyone thought about them as they were not colors What a complicated idea:) ( Someone once wrote a comment to this photo above, that, as it feels to see the smell of coffee, came probably good)
[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/2000 ㅣf/5.6 ㅣISO 80ㅣ7.7mm]
[Samsung Pro815 1/15 ㅣf/3.2 ㅣISO 50ㅣ25.7mm]
At the beginning did not like to do black and white photos, also admit that it is quite difficult. This is not so easy as I thought. More to say, it is very difficult, I hadn’t any idea how to do it.
[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/180 ㅣf/6.6 ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.3mm]
[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/350 ㅣf/5.1 ㅣISO 200ㅣ4.3mm]
I watch a lot of photos taken by others, the wife said that I am addicted and need to be treated! How much will I run the camera and then sit there and do something? All because of digital photography - that is right for everyone.
[Samsung Pro815 1/60 ㅣf/2.8 ㅣISO 50ㅣ14.2mm]
[Samsung Pro815 1/250 ㅣf/4.0 ㅣISO 50ㅣ7.4mm]
Black and white pictures on the world looks very different - intriguingly mysterious.
[Samsung Pro815 1/100 ㅣf/5.6 ㅣISO 50ㅣ14.2mm]
[Samsung WB1000(TL320) 1/90 ㅣf/2.8 ㅣISO 100ㅣ4.3mm]
The same photo in full color looks terrible sometimes, changing them to black and white or shades of gray become an entirely different dimension.
[Samsung Pro815 1/160 ㅣf/8 ㅣISO 50ㅣ7.4mm]
[Samsung Pro815 1/13 ㅣf/3.5 ㅣISO 100ㅣ10.3mm]
Unfortunately I have to admit that even I can not work around without the help of a computer program: (- all the time I teach new tricks to go better and better.
[Samsung Pro815 1/30 ㅣf/3.2 ㅣISO 50ㅣ15.5mm]
[Samsung Pro815 1/20 ㅣf/5.0 ㅣISO 50ㅣ23.2mm]
But on the other hand, these are my ideas. So it seems to me that I ‘do’ it to the end. I think that was right?
[Samsung Pro815 1/30 ㅣf/2.2 ㅣISO 100ㅣ7.4mm]
[Samsung Pro815 1/30 ㅣf/2.2 ㅣISO 100ㅣ7.4mm]
[Samsung Pro815 1/100 ㅣf/3.2 ㅣISO 50ㅣ19.4mm]
Is black-and-white world does not seem interesting to you? Try it and enjoy it for sure …
[Samsung Pro815 1/160 ㅣf/5 ㅣISO 50ㅣ9.0mm]
All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors 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.
All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung Pro815 and WB1000(TL320)
2009년 7월 26일 일요일
[Twitter] The H106 has found its master
A couple of weeks ago, we ran our very first Twitter, with great success. The raffle, which consisted two of our flagships, the Samsung H106 full-HD SSD camcorder, and the Samsung WB1000(TL320), was coupled with a lot participants, and it definitely felt great to give something back to the people, who’ve been following us on Twitter.
And finally, the raffled Samsung H106 camcorder has reached its new owner. @Digitalforge, who was the lucky one drawn, was so kind to provide us with a quote:
“Thank you Samsung Digital Imaging for the H106 HD camcorder. I won the Twitter raffle on my birthday and it was a great surprise. The camera is very easy to use and makes high quality video and stills. We will use it often to make family movies and videos of our kids’ sporting events. My son and I will also use it to make short films and videos for clients. Thanks again.”
Our second winner, who won the Samsung WB1000(TL320) digital camera, is expected to receive its new camera by end of this month.
If you wonder, if we’re planning to repeat those kind of events our answer is a definite “YES”! When? How and up to what extend? We can’t reveal anything specific yet but keep your eyes and ears open for our new products, which will hit the market this year!
Once again, we thank everyone on Twitter for their endless support!
For further information’s regarding this raffle visit: http://www.samsungimaging.net/hello-twitter-hello-you/ or http://www.samsungimaging.net/twitter-raffle-and-the-winner-is/.
Thank you,
Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd.
And finally, the raffled Samsung H106 camcorder has reached its new owner. @Digitalforge, who was the lucky one drawn, was so kind to provide us with a quote:
“Thank you Samsung Digital Imaging for the H106 HD camcorder. I won the Twitter raffle on my birthday and it was a great surprise. The camera is very easy to use and makes high quality video and stills. We will use it often to make family movies and videos of our kids’ sporting events. My son and I will also use it to make short films and videos for clients. Thanks again.”
Our second winner, who won the Samsung WB1000(TL320) digital camera, is expected to receive its new camera by end of this month.
If you wonder, if we’re planning to repeat those kind of events our answer is a definite “YES”! When? How and up to what extend? We can’t reveal anything specific yet but keep your eyes and ears open for our new products, which will hit the market this year!
Once again, we thank everyone on Twitter for their endless support!
For further information’s regarding this raffle visit: http://www.samsungimaging.net/hello-twitter-hello-you/ or http://www.samsungimaging.net/twitter-raffle-and-the-winner-is/.
Thank you,
Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd.
Samsung announces two new compact cameras for easy and simple use
Posted by sammy on Jul 14, 2009 • (0)
28mm Wide Angle 5x Optical Zoom PL70(SL720) offers 720p HD Movie & HDMI Connectivity
12.2 Mega Pixel PL50(SL502) Provides Smart Features for Family Use
Seoul, Korea - July 14, 2009 – Samsung Digital Imaging Company today extended its PL-Series of easy-to-use, compact digital cameras with the introduction of the new PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502). Offering 12.2 mega-pixels, 5x optical zooms and eye-catching style, the new PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502) are the perfect cameras for consumers looking to capture all those important memories with easy and simple use.
“These are two of the most full-featured compact digital cameras on the market,” said Choong Hyun Hwang, vice president of Strategic Marketing at Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “Typically, consumers may feel like they have to sacrifice functionality in order to find a digital camera priced within their means, but that’s not the case with the new PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502). Samsung is giving consumers the ability to experience the latest and most advanced digital imaging technology, helping them step up to a more robust, feature-packed camera which will help take their photography to a whole new level.”
With the PL70(SL720), users have access to a 28mm wide angle lens, while the PL55(SL502) offers a standard 35mm lens. The PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502) offer powerful 5x optical zooms and are each paired with image stabilization to help reduce blur caused by hand movements. The PL70(SL720) offers Dual Image Stabilization, which combines both optical and digital stabilization technology. The PL55(SL502) features Digital Image Stabilization. Users can also frame their shots and review their images on the cameras’ large LCD screens. The PL70(SL720) features a 3.0 inch LCD and the PL55(SL502) features a 2.7 inch LCD.
The PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502) incorporate a host of intuitive and smart features which simplify how users take and view their photos. Both cameras include Samsung’s Smart Auto shooting mode, an advanced setting which automatically chooses from one of the cameras’ 11 scene modes, to produce the best possible image. When finished taking photos, the PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502) feature Smart Album, a useful tool that 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 such as the date or week the image was taken, the overall color tone, portraits or specific file types, including photos, videos, or voice memos.
The PL70(SL720) features advanced Face Recognition technology that automatically stores up to 10 preferred faces to the cameras’ internal memory. While taking a portrait, the PL70(SL720) will automatically recognize if one of the user’s preferred faces is in the frame and identify them as a priority for focus and exposure. Users can also save time sorting through their photos and instead search for photos that contain a specific face up to 15. Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System can also be found on the new PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502), which includes Face Detection, Smile Shot, Blink Detection and Samsung’s Beauty Shot.
The new PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502) offer consumers advanced video recording options. With the PL70(SL720), users can record 720p, high-definition video which can be played on an HDTV through an optional HDMI adaptor sold separately. The camera also utilizes H.264 compression, an advanced codec that allows users to record video for longer periods of time. The PL55(SL502) features high-quality MJPEG video recording at a resolution of 640×480.
Specifications
28mm Wide Angle 5x Optical Zoom PL70(SL720) offers 720p HD Movie & HDMI Connectivity
12.2 Mega Pixel PL50(SL502) Provides Smart Features for Family Use
Seoul, Korea - July 14, 2009 – Samsung Digital Imaging Company today extended its PL-Series of easy-to-use, compact digital cameras with the introduction of the new PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502). Offering 12.2 mega-pixels, 5x optical zooms and eye-catching style, the new PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502) are the perfect cameras for consumers looking to capture all those important memories with easy and simple use.
“These are two of the most full-featured compact digital cameras on the market,” said Choong Hyun Hwang, vice president of Strategic Marketing at Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “Typically, consumers may feel like they have to sacrifice functionality in order to find a digital camera priced within their means, but that’s not the case with the new PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502). Samsung is giving consumers the ability to experience the latest and most advanced digital imaging technology, helping them step up to a more robust, feature-packed camera which will help take their photography to a whole new level.”
With the PL70(SL720), users have access to a 28mm wide angle lens, while the PL55(SL502) offers a standard 35mm lens. The PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502) offer powerful 5x optical zooms and are each paired with image stabilization to help reduce blur caused by hand movements. The PL70(SL720) offers Dual Image Stabilization, which combines both optical and digital stabilization technology. The PL55(SL502) features Digital Image Stabilization. Users can also frame their shots and review their images on the cameras’ large LCD screens. The PL70(SL720) features a 3.0 inch LCD and the PL55(SL502) features a 2.7 inch LCD.
The PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502) incorporate a host of intuitive and smart features which simplify how users take and view their photos. Both cameras include Samsung’s Smart Auto shooting mode, an advanced setting which automatically chooses from one of the cameras’ 11 scene modes, to produce the best possible image. When finished taking photos, the PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502) feature Smart Album, a useful tool that 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 such as the date or week the image was taken, the overall color tone, portraits or specific file types, including photos, videos, or voice memos.
The PL70(SL720) features advanced Face Recognition technology that automatically stores up to 10 preferred faces to the cameras’ internal memory. While taking a portrait, the PL70(SL720) will automatically recognize if one of the user’s preferred faces is in the frame and identify them as a priority for focus and exposure. Users can also save time sorting through their photos and instead search for photos that contain a specific face up to 15. Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System can also be found on the new PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502), which includes Face Detection, Smile Shot, Blink Detection and Samsung’s Beauty Shot.
The new PL70(SL720) and PL55(SL502) offer consumers advanced video recording options. With the PL70(SL720), users can record 720p, high-definition video which can be played on an HDTV through an optional HDMI adaptor sold separately. The camera also utilizes H.264 compression, an advanced codec that allows users to record video for longer periods of time. The PL55(SL502) features high-quality MJPEG video recording at a resolution of 640×480.
Specifications
10 things of WB1000(TL320) you’ve been fascinated
Posted by POPCONET on Jul 15, 2009 • (1)
1. Prologue
Premium mini DSLR camera with 24-120mm ultra wide lens
DSRL users always want to have a sub-compact camera. This is because compact cameras have portability. Compact cameras have charming functions and much easier to carry outside than DSLR cameras. The most important things in a subcompact camera are FOV and handling. Its definition and power of expression are also important, but if you do not expect the same quality with a DSLR camera from it, a sub-compact camera with definition above an average compact camera and fast shot performance is good enough. A digital camera, the WB1000(TL320) which is combined with analogue features and has 24-120mm wide lens, HD video recording, and full manual control functions is the very thing attracting fine users in that point.
The flagship of a Samsung compact digital camera with 3.0” AMOLED screen
The WB is the high-end series of Samsung compact digital cameras. When the camera was named, the name the WB1000(TL320) was changed from the WB1000(TL320) because it is a higher model of the WB550(HZ15w). Although the WB1000(TL320) doesn’t have higher magnification than the WB550(HZ15w)., it has an AMOLED screen which has the best color expression, full manual control, and higher level functions. It has a strong and slim body of good make. So, when you carry just the WB1000(TL320)to take pictures, you will be satisfied. That’s the privilege of the flagship product.
Kodak introduced a 23mm dual lens compact digital camera before, but Samsung has had the title for the best wide-angle lens camera after the company introduced a 24mm wide-angle lens camera. Like the WB550(HZ15w)., the WB1000(TL320) also has from 24mm wide-angle to 120mm 5x Schneider optical zoom lens. Wide-angle lens plays an important part in taking scenes and snap pictures. The company is in a good competition with Panasonic which has won popularity with wide-angle lens.
Smart dial fun and easy to operate
The WB1000(TL320) has a smart dial which is much better to operate than any other compact digital cameras that adopt wheel type. The smart dial could be a negative thing in the camera, but it is more convenient to use than a command dial of a DSLR camera because it has fast reaction time and is easy to manipulate.
H.264 format HD movie
The HD movie has become one of the major functions of a compact camera. Users who are interested in the WB1000(TL320) should see this movie function which is upgraded from the NV24HD. The WB1000(TL320) offers H.264 1280ⅹ720 of video resolution, and with a separate cradle you can watch HD videos more lively on HDTV connected by HDMI cable.
Seeing the core of the WB1000
The important thing is high performance of the WB1000(TL320). In addition to explanation above, the WB1000(TL320) has a lot of good functions―smart auto, dual IS, beauty shot, full manual control, etc. Whether a camera has many functions is important, but it is more important whether these functions would operate properly when users use the camera. I’ll make a thorough review of the camera and give you all the information about it. The WB1000(TL320) is the last Samsung digital camera for the first half year and it is the best product from the representative brand of Korea, Samsung.
2. Premium
Premium stylish design
Design of the WB1000(TL320) is very stylish and attractive, so you will want to get one if you see this camera. It is slim but strong, and finishing is excellent. It is worth having this premium digital camera. Though the view varies with people, I think it is less classical but more charming than previous NV series with the rounding corners. This external appearance is good enough to attract both men and women. Mini dashboard, which is associated with a car’s dashboard, with battery and memory status gauges, a smart dial of the back side, and a big 3-inch AMOLED make the overall appearance a lot nicer.
Analogue type mini dashboard
The top of the WB1000(TL320) is special. Two status gauges that are associated with a car’s dashboard give you its residual battery and memory quantity information. Because it is more accurate to check the information from the gauges than the LCD, users can work with this camera on the basis of the information more effectively. And it will never happen that the battery is gone dead or the memory is full when it really counts. After pressing the power button, gauge indicators move and show you its residual quantity about battery and memory.
Blue ring lamp, blue dot shutter, and excellent mode dial
There is a mode dial on the right side of the top and it sticks out slightly, so handling by the thumb is easy. The mode dial has P / A / S / M / Auto / Smart auto / Video / SCN / Dual IS / User mode functions. Beauty shot is included in SCN. You can store and use your own setting through the user mode. The reaction time and handling of the mode dial is far better than other Samsung cameras’. The power button and shutter have blue lights―blue dot and blue lamp―which symbolize Samsung. The position of shutter is also excellent.
The speaker is dented as if clay is pushed by fingers. On this part your index finger is put on for comfort shots. At this time, because fingers hide the speaker, AF and shutter sounds are also stopped. Microphone is located on the top as stereo.
Ultra wide angle lens hid in 21mm
The rounding grip part is impressive. Rounding the grip part with moderate friction and the connection part, the body gives classical feeling. The front made of strong metal is so smooth. Inside, hairline process is made. It looks steady to scratch or anything from outside. AF and flash are located on the other side of the grip. The 24-120mm Schneider lens which is a face of the WB1000(TL320) is located. The blue ring encloses the lens barrel. Looking at it like this, I’m wondering how it is if the edge is not rounded.
Optimized button position, great grip
The 3 inch AMOLED fills the back. Zoom button is controlled up/down. The zooming is so smooth, but when adjusting the zoom lever, the snapping sound can be recorded when recording a video. The position of various buttons and smart dial is ideal. On the 4 way button of the smart dial, display, flash, macro, and self timer are allocated, and to show the function icons, the position of icons can be confusing, because their positions are not a little indistinct. Especially, the strap ring holds your thumb comfortably, so you can take a shot with better grip.
Satisfactory battery performance
The battery is 3.8V 1130mAh SLB-11A which is better than other Samsung cameras’. This battery can take more than 300 pictures. For me, I took 340 photos for 3 hours, recorded 20 videos of 15 sec, and then the battery was out. The battery performance is changeable depending on the number of flash and power on/off, but this is so satisfactory. One more spare battery will be perfect just in case.
Battery charge can be made by AC adaptor or PC USB. The connection port is on the bottom, and the port is not 20 pin frequently used for Samsung digital cameras, but the same as the battery the IT100(SL820) uses. This port is used for both AV output and charge, and once connecting a cradle separately purchased, you can enjoy HD videos and picture more vividly by the HDMI cable connected to an HDTV.
Compared with the strong body, the tripod mount on the bottom is made of plastic. It’s a bit weird. SD/SDHC memory slot is located together with the battery. The maximum SDHC capacity is 8GB which is the same as other Samsung models.
3. Ultra wide angle 5x zoom
24-120mm optical 5x zoom ultra wide angle OIS Schneider lens
The 24mm ultra wide angle can secure much wider region than 28mm which became common. It’s incomparable with 35-38mm normal wide angle. Even better thing is that it has less chromatism and no distortion for wide angle. The image quality on FOV is also good.
F2.8-5.8 good value
The F value is good as F2.8(Wide)~5.8(Tele). It’s a little dark on tele angle, but considering the 24mm wide angle, it’s understandable. The zoom adjustment is made with 10 levels, and these are the maximum value for each FOV.
It gets more than 36mm, the F value increases to F3.6 And on 70mm, the F becomes F5.0, so you should be careful of hand shake on tele angle region. When the WB1000(TL320) was released as the WB1000(TL320), the F value for tele angle was F7.3, so people could misunderstand that, but the real product has F5.8, so you don’t need to confuse anything. This value is enough to take a shot.
The special gift of ultra wide angle
Lens is the same as our eyes. Depending on its sight, it can capture some people and scenery or can’t. The ultra wide angle can take a huge region for scenery and snap shots, so it records as we see with our eyes. However, it might go over the place we don’t want, or for portraits, faces might be distorted. It sometimes makes some embarrassing moment.
When we take shouts with low/high angle using the ultra wide angle, legs become longer, or faces get distorted. It’s because of the feature of the lens which is stretched out if it gets to surroundings. This ultra wide angle lens is not everyone’s favorite, I think. For those who take pictures of human or baby, this angle may not be what they want. However, for women who want make their face small, height tall, or arms longer, it’s a different story.
If you want flat pictures without any distortion, you need to take picture with zooming in. Of course, it’s possible outdoors. If you zoom in, the FOV of background becomes narrow and you can take humans as they are. The picture below was comparison of maximum wide angle and tele angle pictures.
One more feature of the ultra wide angle is easy self shot. Of course, when taking self shots, arms are longer, or faces are distorted, but if you accept them as fun, you will enjoy the WB1000/TL320 the most. This camera is light and slim, and provides various functions for self shots such as face recognition, smile shot, and so on.
5cm Macro shot looks good as a specification, but considering the 24mm ultra wide angle, it’s not that good. Taking 5cm macro shots with 24mm, it’s fast, but the background goes to wide. You’d better take harmonious macro shots taking objects and background together. The tele angle macro shot is not that good, and exact focusing is not easy, too. When taking close-ups shots, the selection AF which users can move the focus region is better.
4. AMOLED & Smart dial
World best 3 inch 518K pixels (HVGA) AMOLED existing
Active Matrix-Organic Light Emitting Diodes
AMOLED (Active Matrix-Organic Light Emitting Diodes) which is the first developed by Samsung SDI has been a display in the future. It’s incomparable with LCD, and has 5 features such as Thin Form Factor, True color, Fast response time, Higher Contrast, and Free.
Slim (Thin Form Factor)
It’s slimmer because there’s no backlight and it uses organic material glowing itself.
True Color (Great Color expression)
Using the self glowing organic material, it expresses vivid colors under any light conditions. It doesn’t change colors depending on temperature, and always shows cool and natural videos.
Fast Response Time (0.001ms)
Because the response time is 30,000 x faster than TFT LCD, there’s no afterimage. Therefore, it can show natural images with less eye fatigue even when playing active videos.
Higher Contrast
It can express more detailed images of the dark parts with the high contrast of 100,000 : 1
Free (Wide viewing angle)
It plays the same clean colors from any angles, because the light is made on the face of the display. And it has the widest viewing angle.
Accurate color expression at any time anywhere
AMOLED – WB1000 Pixel pattern – Smooth dots, detailed dark part, accurate color expression
230K pixel LCD PL10 pixel pattern – Rough dots, cold colors, less detail
With the multi-coated panel having high reflection rate, there was no problem to see even under the strong sunlight. Comparing with normal LCDs, the difference is so noticeable. Vividness and wide viewing angle allow users to take pictures from various angles, even though it’s not tilt or swivel panel. The WB1000(TL320) users need to protect the panel. The outside panel is relatively weak to fingerprints or scratches.
The weak point of the AMOLED is high power consumption, but the battery efficiency of the WB1000(TL320) was better than I expected. The real problem is the difference between the real color and the color in the screen. You need to get used to the difference. The display is high brightness and less chroma on auto brightness. Among auto/bright/normal/dark, you might need to think of normal or dark.
Fast control ‘Smart dial’
The smart dial might become both merits and demerits, but it’s the best thing of the WB1000(TL320) with fast response and cool control. Especially, when operating A/SM manually, the smart dial is good. Basically, fast movement between menu and option is possible, and picture search is cooler when playing pictures.
Fn Menu quickly setting main functions
Fn menu can select the most frequently used options such as exposure, white balance, ISO, face recognition, photometry, drive (Way of shot), and picture style (Photo style selector). It has a merit to quickly set the main items, but for manual function and detailed options, you have to go into the internal menu inconveniently. Even though the menu consists of more than 1 page, picture size (picture ratio), AF region, and image compensation have to be included in the Fn menu, think. When taking pictures, I should click the menu more than twice for picture size setting.
5. Manual mode shot
P/A/S/M control full manual function
Because of the full operation function, there are many customers having a trouble to select one from the WB550(HZ15w) and WB1000(TL320) When it comes to the WB550(HZ15w), it can adjust only 2 irises, so manual operation is a bit limited. Especially, at night needing to adjust the shutter speed, it’s more. The iris value of the WB1000 changes depending on zooming. On wide angle, more minute adjustment is possible from F2.8 to F7.2 in 12 levels. The values are F2.8/F3.6/F4.3/F4.7/F5.1/F5.6/F6.0/F6.6/F7.2 which is kind of different from other cameras. On maximum tele angle, it changes from F5.8 to F7.5. It also has wide range of shutter speed as 16~1/2000 sec.
The brightness changes depending on the manual operation, but you’d better refer to the -, + exposure value displayed on half shutter rather than real brightness of the display. Slight bright is appropriate, and the exposure value should be a little negative value rather than 0.0. (On 0.0, the exposure value is not displayed.) The histogram is also moving in real time, so the manual operation is really good. There are only a few slim cameras supporting full manual operation, and if there is, they could have this good operation.
Use of the manual mode
The first thing I’m reminded of is the night view by the full manual mode. You can have faster shutter speed with closing the iris, and opening the iris, you will need faster shutter speed to have appropriate brightness. Using the manual mode, closing the iris with a slow shutter speed, you will get longer headlights of cars. Through this feature, smoother water flow can be made.
(Long time exposure)
The thing I’m not satisfied with is the less spread of light. However, looking at it more closely, there’s 6 way spread, so it’s much better than the WB550(HZ15w) which has always roundness. Uniquely, the WB1000(TL320) sometimes shows more vivid light spread with open iris.
The iris value changes the background blue. The tore opening, the more the background becomes blur and vise versa and gets more depth. If setting the iris to more than F5.6, the resolution is degraded, so you don’t need to raise the iris for macro or night scenery shots.
(Depth adjustment)
Manual operation is better for inside shots. Smart auto, auto mode, and program mode are also good for inside shots, but you can’t modify brightness and flash intensity freely. The manual mode is the way to get the pictures I want, and the privilege of the WB1000(TL320).
(Inside portrait shots)
Let’s practice the manual mode for inside portrait shots. When it comes to the smart auto mode, the ISO goes up to 400, but users can’t adjust the shutter speed. The 24mm wide angle of the WB1000(TL320) can get over shake with ISO400~800 and 1/15 sec shutter speed, so for lighter pictures, the manual mode is the best choice. It also makes colors more natural.
On top of that, the flash intensity is adjustable, so users can adjust them depending on the distance. Please refer to that sometimes the color feel looks different up to flash on/off. When the flash is activated, the color temperature is set to a little cold.
6. HD movie
H.264 format 1280×720p HD video
Recent Samsung high level digital cameras have the HD video function basically. Depending on the model, the performance and functions are different, but the best is the WB550(HZ15w) among Samsung cameras. The WB1000(TL320) has also less noise, vivid voice, and good quality. However, it can’t record voices while zooming, and there’s no AF while zooming in which the WB550(HZ15w) has. But if you don’t take a close shot, it doesn’t lose the focus much, even though you use zooming.
A video is 1280×720(30fps) with 2 type of compressions, and 640×480 and 320×240 sizes are also possible. For the 320×240, 60fps is supported, and depending on the use, users can select various qualities. The maximum recording time is 20 min, and using 8GB memory, it can take 1 hour and 41 minutes for find compressed HD, and 3 hours and 18 minutes for 640×480.
The video quality is not so much detail. Chroma is relatively deeper than pictures, and more vivid on portrait. The FOV becomes narrower than pictures, too. It’s about 30mm?
Although pixels get rough, but it’s useful inside with less noise, I think. But smear effect caused by the direction of light or sun still exists. Therefore, you might see the unexpected vertical lines when taking videos outdoors.
You can apply various effects to videos. They are the photo style selector with various colors, and white balance, and exposure compensation. When recording, if you pause with the Ok button and record again, you will record various scenes on one file.
The great thing of HD video of the WB1000(TL320) is good color feel, various video effect, H.264 format, and noise reduction. The weakness is no voice recording while zooming, smear effect, less details, and narrow FOV. On the whole, the performance is good enough to take at times, but because it still has a few thing which the NV24HD users point out, so more upgrade will be needed.
7. Smart Auto
‘Smart auto’ pursuing the perfection of the auto mode
The green icon on the mode dial is the smart auto. The different thing from other auto mode is that it activates more auto systems, so uses face recognition, scene recognition, etc. together. For example, if the camera recognizes the scene as night port mode, it automatically activates a little longer shutter speed with flash, or if recognizing as backlight portrait causing shading faces, it automatically activates the flash.
There’s no option to adjust, so everything is up to the camera. It supports 11 scene modes such as scenery, white, night scenery, night portrait, backlight, backlight portrait, portrait, macro, macro text, tripod, and action.
Finding out the best scene
Applying the smart auto mode, it automatically recognizes the scene as 11 different scenes depending on the present environment, type of objects, and distance. And the Smart icon around the green icon is also changed in real time. The below picture is comparison of auto mode (Left) and smart mode (Right). The feature of the smart auto mode is the dark park is taken more brightly. Besides, without any change to macro mode, the focus is accurate and for scenery shot, chroma is deeper.
Compared with normal auto mode, the smart auto takes pictures with much more efficient photometry, and the flash function is also smarter. Especially, when it comes to backlight mode, ACB which is natural dark part compensation function of Samsung is automatically activated.
The best mode for night scenery is the M mode.
When taking a shot at night, the camera automatically recognizes a tripod. To recognize a tripod, the smart flash has to be set as off, and when the camera recognizes the tripod here, it’s set to ISO160 and takes pictures with a relatively long time exposure.
The best mode for night scenery is to use a tripod on M mode. Both the smart auto snap night scenery and tripod night scenery are good, not as much as the M mode quality. Taking with the M mode, it’s possible to capture the movement of cloud with the long time shutter.
Slow Syncro flash
Let’s use the slow syncro flash on the M mode or P mode which takes pictures for night portrait. It might be shaken a little, but it can take pictures with brighter background than night portrait. The important thing here is the flash set. No matter how great the smart auto as an auto mode, you need to be smart enough to turn off the flash.
The smart album is to sort video according to setting, movie files when playing files, and then enjoy them. There are 4 items to set such as file type (Picture, video, and voice), date (month), date (Week), and color. Using the zoom lever, sometimes this function can be slow depending on the number of files, so at this time, you can turn off the smart album function. It’s very convenient to sort and play when the memory is filled with videos and pictures.
File recovery function ‘Recycling function’
This function is to recover files mistakenly deleted. There’s some limit of quantity. When you delete wrong files, this function is really useful to restore your valuable pictures.
8. Perfect Portrait
The WB1000(TL320) focuses on the scenery rather than portrait, but like other products, it also has enough functions of portrait. The difference from the WB550(HZ15w) is that there’ s no beauty shot mode in dial, but in the scene mode. All functions such as face recognition, blink detection, smile shot, and self guide are included.
Beauty shot to make flawless skin
Same Samsung, Same beauty shot, but they are slightly different. When it comes to the WB1000(TL320), the beauty shot is more red and brighter. The warm color feature of the WB1000(TL320) is reflected on the beauty shot as it is.
You can set the compensation intensity and skin brightness to 3 levels. The compensation intensity affects the skin more than the brightness. Level 1 or 2 is appropriate. Setting it to 3, scenery and portrait might seem weird or too unnatural.
Beauty compensation with taken pictures called post-process is also possible. Not only the beauty compensation, but also chroma and brightness compensations are also possible continuously. Like this, the post-process function of the WB1000(TL320) is really powerful.
Various face recognition function
The face recognition can be applied to any mode. This is to set bright exposure when faces are getting darker, not only for face focus. The face recognition function gets better, but sometimes under special circumstances, such as backlight, the face recognition box doesn’t show up. I hope this will recognize side face, and the usefulness will be higher.
The self guide is useful for taking self shots by making beep sounds with short interval when faces come to the center. This helps and guides self shots without any help from others. When faces are coming to the center, the sound interval gets shorter, and when faces move around, the interval increases. And if faces disappear from the screen, it doesn’t make beep sounds any more.
The smile shot captures the smiling moment, and automatically takes a shot itself without any shutter control. It can be used as self timer, and takes a shot more accurately and quickly. I feel this is a lot better than former models. There’s a slight delay between detection and shot, so I hope this will be reduced.
Blink detection function is to take 2 consecutive shots when it detects blink, and one without blinking can be selected. Although you set the blink detection, if you open your eyes, it only takes one picture. I hope incorporated function which is combination of this and the self guide function will come out.
With the frame guide, you can ask someone to take a picture on your own composition and background. This frame guide also can be set from the scene mode. Once taking a picture on your composition, then the person can take pictures with transparent background on both sides.
9. Photo style & Shooting
Photo Style selector which is the special of the WB1000
The Photo style selector is Samsung’s trade mark. For each mode, it provides characteristic color expression and depending on the situations such as portrait, scenery, night scenery, and so on, you will adjust this option much. This function can be selected by the Fn button on the back among normal, vivid, soft, forest, retro, cool, calm, classic, and negative.
Gradation is a little bit degraded, but the most powerful color is the Forest. The vivid was also stronger than the normal, but not very noticeable. Especially, olive color is very strong. If you like deep chroma, the forest will be appropriate the most for scenery and night scenery. The most natural mode is the calm, and the retro with brown or cool can be used to give some special feeling. For portrait, calm or normal will be great. Other than the photo style, separately, contrast, chroma, and sharpness can be adjusted to 5 levels.
Dual IS (Image Stabilization mode
The Dual IS is the best IS mode which is combined with OIS and Advance DIS. Firstly, the body shake is compensated by the lens compensation, and the second is the advanced DIS using high shutter speed and 2 level noise elimination. Taking pictures with the Dual IS mode indoors, generally ISO moves up to ISO 800, and this will do the best to prevent the shake of objects, noise elimination, and maintaining colors.
You can rely on the Dual IS inside. This might be a better choice than the Smart auto mode. Because the performance is so high, I recommend this to beginners, but in this mode, you can’t activate the flash.
Great Shooting performance
The booting speed is a little more than 1 sec. The AF speed is not so fast, but it can set less than 0.5 sec under any circumstances. Besides, you can rarely feel the release lack between shutter and real shot. When taking tele portrait or macro, this used to set auto focus on background not objects, so more accurate AF system is needed for tele portrait and macro.
45 regions setting AF
It supports central, multi, and selection AF. I recommend the selection AF for macro shot. The multi AF is good at focusing on close objects, but for higher accuracy, the selection AF is better. Unfortunately, AF region and spot photometry on the region can be integrated. The spot photometry can only be set on the center as a point of reference.
At the best resolution, you can take 1.5 shots per sec, but this will be getting slow when taking a lot.
Natural Dark spot compensation function ACB
The ACB only compensates dark spots naturally, and is also applied to the backlight mode of the smart auto mode. You can’t adjust the intensity of compensation, and it reduces the contrast between bright and dark spots. The ACB could be applied for both when taking and after taking, and the after taking compensation is a bit more powerful. Please do not depend on the ACB for backlight portrait. The ACB or face recognition would be good.
AEB exposure change
The AEB is to select on among 3 pictures taken with different exposure interval (0.5). The speed of shots is very slow, but it’s displayed on the screen, so users can check out the exposure while taking shots.
Various picture ratios
4:3/3:2/16:9 and 1:1 sizes are supported. When it comes to 1:1, the FOV gets narrower and the pictures will be 2976×2976 size.
Like some people say this square mode is the most comfortable position in the wild, this eliminates other miscellaneous background and provides stable composition. Besides, it feels like giving more focus on the objects.
10. Resolution
Warm and deep colors
The WB1000(TL320) has less reddish and more natural color feel than the WB550(HZ15w) or other models. Through the photo style selector I mentioned, you can realizes various color feels, but on normal, once taking pictures of portrait, they are less reddish and more yellow tone. It’s so different from the WB500(HZ15w) and PL series. I’m not sure it’s because of the wide angle, but it has less exposure over effect by image color or background than other products, and it’s rather deep and warm than splendid.
Stable White balance, color temperature, and minute white balance adjustment
This can catch white color well. I think Samsung is the best to deal with various light sources. Especially, if sunlight comes a bit inside, skin expression is so natural. It supports 7 kinds of white balances including custom white balance, and color temperature from 3000K to 10000K by 100K. It’s different up to the situations, but I suppose 3500~4000K would be appropriate inside.
The WB1000(TL320) even supports the minute white balance adjustment. Unfortunately, you can’t use this function for the auto white balance, so you’d better set the sunlight white balance at outside, and custom white balance or color temperature K mode inside. Moving a point from the G(Greem)/A(Amber)/M(Magenta)/B(Blue) graph, the right color would be decided.
Wide angle 12.2M pixels resolution without distortion
The detail of the 12.2M pixels is moderate. It has less chromatism, no distortion, and good resolution on the central part. The closer it goes to surroundings, the lower the sharpness is. And when it goes to tele angle, the quality gets degraded and has dent effect. The image quality degradation of surroundings is the common thing of compact digital cameras. The more the iris opens the better. And like other compact digital cameras, the quality is noticeable degraded, so users need to know this.
The WB1000(TL320) is based good image quality and color expression in ultra wide angle. The less distortion deserves to get a high grade. But the great sharpness of central part should also be reflected on the overall region including surroundings. Nothing can be perfect, but including me, everybody always wants the best as the same.
Enlarging the sensor, the body and lens have to be larger, so the appropriate solution is expressed not to harm the slim design. Those who want the great sharpness are not satisfied with this, but this would be enough for snap, scenery pictures in ordinary life. Compared to color expression and functions, this has a lot of advantages.
Max ISO ISO3200
The feature of the WB1000(TL320) in high sensitivity is the smoothness without color noises. Therefore, this becomes an advantage for inside portrait shots. While reviewing, because the range of FOV was so wide, I didn’t use more than ISO800 much. This supports up to ISO3200, and on ISO3200, the size decreases to 3M.
Generally, particles are relatively large. Up to ISO400, it sustains certain details, but from the ISO800, the particles get smooth, and details start to be degraded. And even though the ISO increases, it doesn’t harm the detail and has less color noise. It’s normally good to use up to ISO 800, but from ISO 1600, the resolution gets detailed. It’s a good way to take on ISO 400 manual mode with the flash at the 1/8~1/20 sec low shutter speed or if the flash is not necessary, it’s nice to use the Dual IS mode. Those can keep the good image quality on the same pictures. Of course, with the low speed shutter of manual mode, you can’t vividly capture moving objects.
11. Epilogue
High level Full manual operation compact digital camera with wonderful control
The high graded and firm appearance is unique, less male and classical. This is a great premium compact digital camera for those who take rather scenery and snap than portrait. The things I like the most is wide FOV, good color feel and balance, and manual operation. Especially, the manual operation is the best among the same range compact digital cameras, I think. And the operation of the smart dial is also good. The operation response is so fast, when taking shots with manual shots. When setting menu or functions, it moves quickly.
Cool shooting using ultra wide angle and AMOLED
The WB1000(TL320) is good enough with the ultra wide angle. Through the vivid display ALOLED, the screen on the ultra wide angle takes the world more dynamically. The vision, color expression, and vividness of the AMOLED are unbelievable. There’s a slight difference between real pictures and the screen, but the pictures are stable, so I could always enjoy taking shots.
Samsung’s masterpiece in 2009
The WB1000(TL320) is the finishing product with Samsung’s spirit for the first half of 2009. Some unsatisfactory things are reminded, but looking at the functions, design, and operation, this is the best digital camera from Samsung, I’m sure. It’s time to wait for the next model after the WB1000(TL320). Samsung digital imaging. I’m giving my best applaud to their technology team.
1. Prologue
Premium mini DSLR camera with 24-120mm ultra wide lens
DSRL users always want to have a sub-compact camera. This is because compact cameras have portability. Compact cameras have charming functions and much easier to carry outside than DSLR cameras. The most important things in a subcompact camera are FOV and handling. Its definition and power of expression are also important, but if you do not expect the same quality with a DSLR camera from it, a sub-compact camera with definition above an average compact camera and fast shot performance is good enough. A digital camera, the WB1000(TL320) which is combined with analogue features and has 24-120mm wide lens, HD video recording, and full manual control functions is the very thing attracting fine users in that point.
The flagship of a Samsung compact digital camera with 3.0” AMOLED screen
The WB is the high-end series of Samsung compact digital cameras. When the camera was named, the name the WB1000(TL320) was changed from the WB1000(TL320) because it is a higher model of the WB550(HZ15w). Although the WB1000(TL320) doesn’t have higher magnification than the WB550(HZ15w)., it has an AMOLED screen which has the best color expression, full manual control, and higher level functions. It has a strong and slim body of good make. So, when you carry just the WB1000(TL320)to take pictures, you will be satisfied. That’s the privilege of the flagship product.
The world first 24-120mm ultra wide angle zoom lens
Kodak introduced a 23mm dual lens compact digital camera before, but Samsung has had the title for the best wide-angle lens camera after the company introduced a 24mm wide-angle lens camera. Like the WB550(HZ15w)., the WB1000(TL320) also has from 24mm wide-angle to 120mm 5x Schneider optical zoom lens. Wide-angle lens plays an important part in taking scenes and snap pictures. The company is in a good competition with Panasonic which has won popularity with wide-angle lens.
Smart dial fun and easy to operate
The WB1000(TL320) has a smart dial which is much better to operate than any other compact digital cameras that adopt wheel type. The smart dial could be a negative thing in the camera, but it is more convenient to use than a command dial of a DSLR camera because it has fast reaction time and is easy to manipulate.
H.264 format HD movie
The HD movie has become one of the major functions of a compact camera. Users who are interested in the WB1000(TL320) should see this movie function which is upgraded from the NV24HD. The WB1000(TL320) offers H.264 1280ⅹ720 of video resolution, and with a separate cradle you can watch HD videos more lively on HDTV connected by HDMI cable.
Seeing the core of the WB1000
The important thing is high performance of the WB1000(TL320). In addition to explanation above, the WB1000(TL320) has a lot of good functions―smart auto, dual IS, beauty shot, full manual control, etc. Whether a camera has many functions is important, but it is more important whether these functions would operate properly when users use the camera. I’ll make a thorough review of the camera and give you all the information about it. The WB1000(TL320) is the last Samsung digital camera for the first half year and it is the best product from the representative brand of Korea, Samsung.
2. PremiumPremium stylish design
Design of the WB1000(TL320) is very stylish and attractive, so you will want to get one if you see this camera. It is slim but strong, and finishing is excellent. It is worth having this premium digital camera. Though the view varies with people, I think it is less classical but more charming than previous NV series with the rounding corners. This external appearance is good enough to attract both men and women. Mini dashboard, which is associated with a car’s dashboard, with battery and memory status gauges, a smart dial of the back side, and a big 3-inch AMOLED make the overall appearance a lot nicer.
Analogue type mini dashboard
The top of the WB1000(TL320) is special. Two status gauges that are associated with a car’s dashboard give you its residual battery and memory quantity information. Because it is more accurate to check the information from the gauges than the LCD, users can work with this camera on the basis of the information more effectively. And it will never happen that the battery is gone dead or the memory is full when it really counts. After pressing the power button, gauge indicators move and show you its residual quantity about battery and memory.
Blue ring lamp, blue dot shutter, and excellent mode dial
There is a mode dial on the right side of the top and it sticks out slightly, so handling by the thumb is easy. The mode dial has P / A / S / M / Auto / Smart auto / Video / SCN / Dual IS / User mode functions. Beauty shot is included in SCN. You can store and use your own setting through the user mode. The reaction time and handling of the mode dial is far better than other Samsung cameras’. The power button and shutter have blue lights―blue dot and blue lamp―which symbolize Samsung. The position of shutter is also excellent.
The speaker is dented as if clay is pushed by fingers. On this part your index finger is put on for comfort shots. At this time, because fingers hide the speaker, AF and shutter sounds are also stopped. Microphone is located on the top as stereo.
Ultra wide angle lens hid in 21mm
The rounding grip part is impressive. Rounding the grip part with moderate friction and the connection part, the body gives classical feeling. The front made of strong metal is so smooth. Inside, hairline process is made. It looks steady to scratch or anything from outside. AF and flash are located on the other side of the grip. The 24-120mm Schneider lens which is a face of the WB1000(TL320) is located. The blue ring encloses the lens barrel. Looking at it like this, I’m wondering how it is if the edge is not rounded.
Optimized button position, great grip
The 3 inch AMOLED fills the back. Zoom button is controlled up/down. The zooming is so smooth, but when adjusting the zoom lever, the snapping sound can be recorded when recording a video. The position of various buttons and smart dial is ideal. On the 4 way button of the smart dial, display, flash, macro, and self timer are allocated, and to show the function icons, the position of icons can be confusing, because their positions are not a little indistinct. Especially, the strap ring holds your thumb comfortably, so you can take a shot with better grip.
Satisfactory battery performance
The battery is 3.8V 1130mAh SLB-11A which is better than other Samsung cameras’. This battery can take more than 300 pictures. For me, I took 340 photos for 3 hours, recorded 20 videos of 15 sec, and then the battery was out. The battery performance is changeable depending on the number of flash and power on/off, but this is so satisfactory. One more spare battery will be perfect just in case.
Battery charge can be made by AC adaptor or PC USB. The connection port is on the bottom, and the port is not 20 pin frequently used for Samsung digital cameras, but the same as the battery the IT100(SL820) uses. This port is used for both AV output and charge, and once connecting a cradle separately purchased, you can enjoy HD videos and picture more vividly by the HDMI cable connected to an HDTV.
Compared with the strong body, the tripod mount on the bottom is made of plastic. It’s a bit weird. SD/SDHC memory slot is located together with the battery. The maximum SDHC capacity is 8GB which is the same as other Samsung models.
3. Ultra wide angle 5x zoom
24-120mm optical 5x zoom ultra wide angle OIS Schneider lens
The most important thing for scenery and snap shots is the FOV. The WB1000(TL320) has the widest angle among compact digital cameras. It has 24mm on 35mm, to realize this with a digital DSLR (1.5x cropped), 16mm wide angle lens is needed. Then, the lens has to be bigger. Based on a small sensor, I’d like to give a huge applaud to the lens covering 24-120mm made on our own technology. Because it can extend the FOV more than the NV24mm supporting optical 3.6x, it will be sufficient for tele angle. It only takes 1.3 secn for zoom adjustment from wide to tele angle, and moreover, OIS function has been installed.
FOV comparison
The 24mm ultra wide angle can secure much wider region than 28mm which became common. It’s incomparable with 35-38mm normal wide angle. Even better thing is that it has less chromatism and no distortion for wide angle. The image quality on FOV is also good.
F2.8-5.8 good value
The F value is good as F2.8(Wide)~5.8(Tele). It’s a little dark on tele angle, but considering the 24mm wide angle, it’s understandable. The zoom adjustment is made with 10 levels, and these are the maximum value for each FOV.
It gets more than 36mm, the F value increases to F3.6 And on 70mm, the F becomes F5.0, so you should be careful of hand shake on tele angle region. When the WB1000(TL320) was released as the WB1000(TL320), the F value for tele angle was F7.3, so people could misunderstand that, but the real product has F5.8, so you don’t need to confuse anything. This value is enough to take a shot.
The special gift of ultra wide angle
Lens is the same as our eyes. Depending on its sight, it can capture some people and scenery or can’t. The ultra wide angle can take a huge region for scenery and snap shots, so it records as we see with our eyes. However, it might go over the place we don’t want, or for portraits, faces might be distorted. It sometimes makes some embarrassing moment.
When we take shouts with low/high angle using the ultra wide angle, legs become longer, or faces get distorted. It’s because of the feature of the lens which is stretched out if it gets to surroundings. This ultra wide angle lens is not everyone’s favorite, I think. For those who take pictures of human or baby, this angle may not be what they want. However, for women who want make their face small, height tall, or arms longer, it’s a different story.
If you want flat pictures without any distortion, you need to take picture with zooming in. Of course, it’s possible outdoors. If you zoom in, the FOV of background becomes narrow and you can take humans as they are. The picture below was comparison of maximum wide angle and tele angle pictures.
One more feature of the ultra wide angle is easy self shot. Of course, when taking self shots, arms are longer, or faces are distorted, but if you accept them as fun, you will enjoy the WB1000/TL320 the most. This camera is light and slim, and provides various functions for self shots such as face recognition, smile shot, and so on.
5cm Macro shot looks good as a specification, but considering the 24mm ultra wide angle, it’s not that good. Taking 5cm macro shots with 24mm, it’s fast, but the background goes to wide. You’d better take harmonious macro shots taking objects and background together. The tele angle macro shot is not that good, and exact focusing is not easy, too. When taking close-ups shots, the selection AF which users can move the focus region is better.4. AMOLED & Smart dial
World best 3 inch 518K pixels (HVGA) AMOLED existing
Active Matrix-Organic Light Emitting Diodes
AMOLED (Active Matrix-Organic Light Emitting Diodes) which is the first developed by Samsung SDI has been a display in the future. It’s incomparable with LCD, and has 5 features such as Thin Form Factor, True color, Fast response time, Higher Contrast, and Free.
Slim (Thin Form Factor)
It’s slimmer because there’s no backlight and it uses organic material glowing itself.
True Color (Great Color expression)
Using the self glowing organic material, it expresses vivid colors under any light conditions. It doesn’t change colors depending on temperature, and always shows cool and natural videos.
Fast Response Time (0.001ms)
Because the response time is 30,000 x faster than TFT LCD, there’s no afterimage. Therefore, it can show natural images with less eye fatigue even when playing active videos.
Higher Contrast
It can express more detailed images of the dark parts with the high contrast of 100,000 : 1
Free (Wide viewing angle)
It plays the same clean colors from any angles, because the light is made on the face of the display. And it has the widest viewing angle.
Accurate color expression at any time anywhere
The former model NV24HD also adopted the AMOLED, but that was not an issue. The WB1000(TL320) has bigger 3 inch and 518K pixels (HVGA) which is more than twice. It means the best display in the digital camera world now. What I felt the most is the color expression, details, and clean wide viewing angle. The AMOLED of the WB1000(TL320) expresses colors so brightly and also has a bit pastel tone.
AMOLED – WB1000 Pixel pattern – Smooth dots, detailed dark part, accurate color expression
230K pixel LCD PL10 pixel pattern – Rough dots, cold colors, less detail
Vivid even under the strong sunlight
With the multi-coated panel having high reflection rate, there was no problem to see even under the strong sunlight. Comparing with normal LCDs, the difference is so noticeable. Vividness and wide viewing angle allow users to take pictures from various angles, even though it’s not tilt or swivel panel. The WB1000(TL320) users need to protect the panel. The outside panel is relatively weak to fingerprints or scratches.
The weak point of the AMOLED is high power consumption, but the battery efficiency of the WB1000(TL320) was better than I expected. The real problem is the difference between the real color and the color in the screen. You need to get used to the difference. The display is high brightness and less chroma on auto brightness. Among auto/bright/normal/dark, you might need to think of normal or dark.
Fast control ‘Smart dial’
The smart dial might become both merits and demerits, but it’s the best thing of the WB1000(TL320) with fast response and cool control. Especially, when operating A/SM manually, the smart dial is good. Basically, fast movement between menu and option is possible, and picture search is cooler when playing pictures.
Fn Menu quickly setting main functions
Fn menu can select the most frequently used options such as exposure, white balance, ISO, face recognition, photometry, drive (Way of shot), and picture style (Photo style selector). It has a merit to quickly set the main items, but for manual function and detailed options, you have to go into the internal menu inconveniently. Even though the menu consists of more than 1 page, picture size (picture ratio), AF region, and image compensation have to be included in the Fn menu, think. When taking pictures, I should click the menu more than twice for picture size setting.
5. Manual mode shot
P/A/S/M control full manual function
Because of the full operation function, there are many customers having a trouble to select one from the WB550(HZ15w) and WB1000(TL320) When it comes to the WB550(HZ15w), it can adjust only 2 irises, so manual operation is a bit limited. Especially, at night needing to adjust the shutter speed, it’s more. The iris value of the WB1000 changes depending on zooming. On wide angle, more minute adjustment is possible from F2.8 to F7.2 in 12 levels. The values are F2.8/F3.6/F4.3/F4.7/F5.1/F5.6/F6.0/F6.6/F7.2 which is kind of different from other cameras. On maximum tele angle, it changes from F5.8 to F7.5. It also has wide range of shutter speed as 16~1/2000 sec.
The brightness changes depending on the manual operation, but you’d better refer to the -, + exposure value displayed on half shutter rather than real brightness of the display. Slight bright is appropriate, and the exposure value should be a little negative value rather than 0.0. (On 0.0, the exposure value is not displayed.) The histogram is also moving in real time, so the manual operation is really good. There are only a few slim cameras supporting full manual operation, and if there is, they could have this good operation.
Use of the manual mode
The first thing I’m reminded of is the night view by the full manual mode. You can have faster shutter speed with closing the iris, and opening the iris, you will need faster shutter speed to have appropriate brightness. Using the manual mode, closing the iris with a slow shutter speed, you will get longer headlights of cars. Through this feature, smoother water flow can be made.
(Long time exposure)
The thing I’m not satisfied with is the less spread of light. However, looking at it more closely, there’s 6 way spread, so it’s much better than the WB550(HZ15w) which has always roundness. Uniquely, the WB1000(TL320) sometimes shows more vivid light spread with open iris.
The iris value changes the background blue. The tore opening, the more the background becomes blur and vise versa and gets more depth. If setting the iris to more than F5.6, the resolution is degraded, so you don’t need to raise the iris for macro or night scenery shots.
(Depth adjustment)
Manual operation is better for inside shots. Smart auto, auto mode, and program mode are also good for inside shots, but you can’t modify brightness and flash intensity freely. The manual mode is the way to get the pictures I want, and the privilege of the WB1000(TL320).
(Inside portrait shots)
Let’s practice the manual mode for inside portrait shots. When it comes to the smart auto mode, the ISO goes up to 400, but users can’t adjust the shutter speed. The 24mm wide angle of the WB1000(TL320) can get over shake with ISO400~800 and 1/15 sec shutter speed, so for lighter pictures, the manual mode is the best choice. It also makes colors more natural.
On top of that, the flash intensity is adjustable, so users can adjust them depending on the distance. Please refer to that sometimes the color feel looks different up to flash on/off. When the flash is activated, the color temperature is set to a little cold.
6. HD movie
H.264 format 1280×720p HD video
Recent Samsung high level digital cameras have the HD video function basically. Depending on the model, the performance and functions are different, but the best is the WB550(HZ15w) among Samsung cameras. The WB1000(TL320) has also less noise, vivid voice, and good quality. However, it can’t record voices while zooming, and there’s no AF while zooming in which the WB550(HZ15w) has. But if you don’t take a close shot, it doesn’t lose the focus much, even though you use zooming.
A video is 1280×720(30fps) with 2 type of compressions, and 640×480 and 320×240 sizes are also possible. For the 320×240, 60fps is supported, and depending on the use, users can select various qualities. The maximum recording time is 20 min, and using 8GB memory, it can take 1 hour and 41 minutes for find compressed HD, and 3 hours and 18 minutes for 640×480.
1280×720(30fps) High
1280×720(30fps) Standard
640×480(30fps)
320X240(30fps)
The video quality is not so much detail. Chroma is relatively deeper than pictures, and more vivid on portrait. The FOV becomes narrower than pictures, too. It’s about 30mm?
Although pixels get rough, but it’s useful inside with less noise, I think. But smear effect caused by the direction of light or sun still exists. Therefore, you might see the unexpected vertical lines when taking videos outdoors.You can apply various effects to videos. They are the photo style selector with various colors, and white balance, and exposure compensation. When recording, if you pause with the Ok button and record again, you will record various scenes on one file.
The great thing of HD video of the WB1000(TL320) is good color feel, various video effect, H.264 format, and noise reduction. The weakness is no voice recording while zooming, smear effect, less details, and narrow FOV. On the whole, the performance is good enough to take at times, but because it still has a few thing which the NV24HD users point out, so more upgrade will be needed.
7. Smart Auto
‘Smart auto’ pursuing the perfection of the auto mode
The green icon on the mode dial is the smart auto. The different thing from other auto mode is that it activates more auto systems, so uses face recognition, scene recognition, etc. together. For example, if the camera recognizes the scene as night port mode, it automatically activates a little longer shutter speed with flash, or if recognizing as backlight portrait causing shading faces, it automatically activates the flash.
There’s no option to adjust, so everything is up to the camera. It supports 11 scene modes such as scenery, white, night scenery, night portrait, backlight, backlight portrait, portrait, macro, macro text, tripod, and action.
Finding out the best scene
Applying the smart auto mode, it automatically recognizes the scene as 11 different scenes depending on the present environment, type of objects, and distance. And the Smart icon around the green icon is also changed in real time. The below picture is comparison of auto mode (Left) and smart mode (Right). The feature of the smart auto mode is the dark park is taken more brightly. Besides, without any change to macro mode, the focus is accurate and for scenery shot, chroma is deeper.
Compared with normal auto mode, the smart auto takes pictures with much more efficient photometry, and the flash function is also smarter. Especially, when it comes to backlight mode, ACB which is natural dark part compensation function of Samsung is automatically activated.
The best mode for night scenery is the M mode.
When taking a shot at night, the camera automatically recognizes a tripod. To recognize a tripod, the smart flash has to be set as off, and when the camera recognizes the tripod here, it’s set to ISO160 and takes pictures with a relatively long time exposure.
The best mode for night scenery is to use a tripod on M mode. Both the smart auto snap night scenery and tripod night scenery are good, not as much as the M mode quality. Taking with the M mode, it’s possible to capture the movement of cloud with the long time shutter.
Slow Syncro flash
Let’s use the slow syncro flash on the M mode or P mode which takes pictures for night portrait. It might be shaken a little, but it can take pictures with brighter background than night portrait. The important thing here is the flash set. No matter how great the smart auto as an auto mode, you need to be smart enough to turn off the flash.
Picture management ‘Smart album’
File type
Date
20 thumbnails
The smart album is to sort video according to setting, movie files when playing files, and then enjoy them. There are 4 items to set such as file type (Picture, video, and voice), date (month), date (Week), and color. Using the zoom lever, sometimes this function can be slow depending on the number of files, so at this time, you can turn off the smart album function. It’s very convenient to sort and play when the memory is filled with videos and pictures.
File recovery function ‘Recycling function’
This function is to recover files mistakenly deleted. There’s some limit of quantity. When you delete wrong files, this function is really useful to restore your valuable pictures.
Recycling function
8. Perfect Portrait
The WB1000(TL320) focuses on the scenery rather than portrait, but like other products, it also has enough functions of portrait. The difference from the WB550(HZ15w) is that there’ s no beauty shot mode in dial, but in the scene mode. All functions such as face recognition, blink detection, smile shot, and self guide are included.
Beauty shot to make flawless skin
Same Samsung, Same beauty shot, but they are slightly different. When it comes to the WB1000(TL320), the beauty shot is more red and brighter. The warm color feature of the WB1000(TL320) is reflected on the beauty shot as it is.
You can set the compensation intensity and skin brightness to 3 levels. The compensation intensity affects the skin more than the brightness. Level 1 or 2 is appropriate. Setting it to 3, scenery and portrait might seem weird or too unnatural.Beauty compensation with taken pictures called post-process is also possible. Not only the beauty compensation, but also chroma and brightness compensations are also possible continuously. Like this, the post-process function of the WB1000(TL320) is really powerful.
Various face recognition function
The face recognition can be applied to any mode. This is to set bright exposure when faces are getting darker, not only for face focus. The face recognition function gets better, but sometimes under special circumstances, such as backlight, the face recognition box doesn’t show up. I hope this will recognize side face, and the usefulness will be higher.
The self guide is useful for taking self shots by making beep sounds with short interval when faces come to the center. This helps and guides self shots without any help from others. When faces are coming to the center, the sound interval gets shorter, and when faces move around, the interval increases. And if faces disappear from the screen, it doesn’t make beep sounds any more.
The smile shot captures the smiling moment, and automatically takes a shot itself without any shutter control. It can be used as self timer, and takes a shot more accurately and quickly. I feel this is a lot better than former models. There’s a slight delay between detection and shot, so I hope this will be reduced.
Blink detection function is to take 2 consecutive shots when it detects blink, and one without blinking can be selected. Although you set the blink detection, if you open your eyes, it only takes one picture. I hope incorporated function which is combination of this and the self guide function will come out.
With the frame guide, you can ask someone to take a picture on your own composition and background. This frame guide also can be set from the scene mode. Once taking a picture on your composition, then the person can take pictures with transparent background on both sides.
9. Photo style & Shooting
Photo Style selector which is the special of the WB1000
The Photo style selector is Samsung’s trade mark. For each mode, it provides characteristic color expression and depending on the situations such as portrait, scenery, night scenery, and so on, you will adjust this option much. This function can be selected by the Fn button on the back among normal, vivid, soft, forest, retro, cool, calm, classic, and negative.
Gradation is a little bit degraded, but the most powerful color is the Forest. The vivid was also stronger than the normal, but not very noticeable. Especially, olive color is very strong. If you like deep chroma, the forest will be appropriate the most for scenery and night scenery. The most natural mode is the calm, and the retro with brown or cool can be used to give some special feeling. For portrait, calm or normal will be great. Other than the photo style, separately, contrast, chroma, and sharpness can be adjusted to 5 levels.
Dual IS (Image Stabilization mode
The Dual IS is the best IS mode which is combined with OIS and Advance DIS. Firstly, the body shake is compensated by the lens compensation, and the second is the advanced DIS using high shutter speed and 2 level noise elimination. Taking pictures with the Dual IS mode indoors, generally ISO moves up to ISO 800, and this will do the best to prevent the shake of objects, noise elimination, and maintaining colors.
You can rely on the Dual IS inside. This might be a better choice than the Smart auto mode. Because the performance is so high, I recommend this to beginners, but in this mode, you can’t activate the flash.
Great Shooting performance
The booting speed is a little more than 1 sec. The AF speed is not so fast, but it can set less than 0.5 sec under any circumstances. Besides, you can rarely feel the release lack between shutter and real shot. When taking tele portrait or macro, this used to set auto focus on background not objects, so more accurate AF system is needed for tele portrait and macro.
45 regions setting AF
It supports central, multi, and selection AF. I recommend the selection AF for macro shot. The multi AF is good at focusing on close objects, but for higher accuracy, the selection AF is better. Unfortunately, AF region and spot photometry on the region can be integrated. The spot photometry can only be set on the center as a point of reference.
‘Motion capture’ good for making GIF
The motion capture is take 6 pictures successively with 640×480 size up to 30 pictures at a high speed. Although the size is not that big, but to make GIF, this would be the best. 
At the best resolution, you can take 1.5 shots per sec, but this will be getting slow when taking a lot.
Natural Dark spot compensation function ACB
The ACB only compensates dark spots naturally, and is also applied to the backlight mode of the smart auto mode. You can’t adjust the intensity of compensation, and it reduces the contrast between bright and dark spots. The ACB could be applied for both when taking and after taking, and the after taking compensation is a bit more powerful. Please do not depend on the ACB for backlight portrait. The ACB or face recognition would be good.
AEB exposure change
The AEB is to select on among 3 pictures taken with different exposure interval (0.5). The speed of shots is very slow, but it’s displayed on the screen, so users can check out the exposure while taking shots.
Various picture ratios
4:3/3:2/16:9 and 1:1 sizes are supported. When it comes to 1:1, the FOV gets narrower and the pictures will be 2976×2976 size.
Like some people say this square mode is the most comfortable position in the wild, this eliminates other miscellaneous background and provides stable composition. Besides, it feels like giving more focus on the objects.
10. Resolution
Warm and deep colors
The WB1000(TL320) has less reddish and more natural color feel than the WB550(HZ15w) or other models. Through the photo style selector I mentioned, you can realizes various color feels, but on normal, once taking pictures of portrait, they are less reddish and more yellow tone. It’s so different from the WB500(HZ15w) and PL series. I’m not sure it’s because of the wide angle, but it has less exposure over effect by image color or background than other products, and it’s rather deep and warm than splendid.
Stable White balance, color temperature, and minute white balance adjustment
This can catch white color well. I think Samsung is the best to deal with various light sources. Especially, if sunlight comes a bit inside, skin expression is so natural. It supports 7 kinds of white balances including custom white balance, and color temperature from 3000K to 10000K by 100K. It’s different up to the situations, but I suppose 3500~4000K would be appropriate inside.
The WB1000(TL320) even supports the minute white balance adjustment. Unfortunately, you can’t use this function for the auto white balance, so you’d better set the sunlight white balance at outside, and custom white balance or color temperature K mode inside. Moving a point from the G(Greem)/A(Amber)/M(Magenta)/B(Blue) graph, the right color would be decided.
Wide angle 12.2M pixels resolution without distortion
The detail of the 12.2M pixels is moderate. It has less chromatism, no distortion, and good resolution on the central part. The closer it goes to surroundings, the lower the sharpness is. And when it goes to tele angle, the quality gets degraded and has dent effect. The image quality degradation of surroundings is the common thing of compact digital cameras. The more the iris opens the better. And like other compact digital cameras, the quality is noticeable degraded, so users need to know this.
Maximum wide angle 24mm (Rare distortion) 
Resolution by iris value
The WB1000(TL320) is based good image quality and color expression in ultra wide angle. The less distortion deserves to get a high grade. But the great sharpness of central part should also be reflected on the overall region including surroundings. Nothing can be perfect, but including me, everybody always wants the best as the same.
Enlarging the sensor, the body and lens have to be larger, so the appropriate solution is expressed not to harm the slim design. Those who want the great sharpness are not satisfied with this, but this would be enough for snap, scenery pictures in ordinary life. Compared to color expression and functions, this has a lot of advantages.
Max ISO ISO3200
The feature of the WB1000(TL320) in high sensitivity is the smoothness without color noises. Therefore, this becomes an advantage for inside portrait shots. While reviewing, because the range of FOV was so wide, I didn’t use more than ISO800 much. This supports up to ISO3200, and on ISO3200, the size decreases to 3M.
Generally, particles are relatively large. Up to ISO400, it sustains certain details, but from the ISO800, the particles get smooth, and details start to be degraded. And even though the ISO increases, it doesn’t harm the detail and has less color noise. It’s normally good to use up to ISO 800, but from ISO 1600, the resolution gets detailed. It’s a good way to take on ISO 400 manual mode with the flash at the 1/8~1/20 sec low shutter speed or if the flash is not necessary, it’s nice to use the Dual IS mode. Those can keep the good image quality on the same pictures. Of course, with the low speed shutter of manual mode, you can’t vividly capture moving objects.
11. Epilogue
High level Full manual operation compact digital camera with wonderful control
The high graded and firm appearance is unique, less male and classical. This is a great premium compact digital camera for those who take rather scenery and snap than portrait. The things I like the most is wide FOV, good color feel and balance, and manual operation. Especially, the manual operation is the best among the same range compact digital cameras, I think. And the operation of the smart dial is also good. The operation response is so fast, when taking shots with manual shots. When setting menu or functions, it moves quickly.
Cool shooting using ultra wide angle and AMOLED
The WB1000(TL320) is good enough with the ultra wide angle. Through the vivid display ALOLED, the screen on the ultra wide angle takes the world more dynamically. The vision, color expression, and vividness of the AMOLED are unbelievable. There’s a slight difference between real pictures and the screen, but the pictures are stable, so I could always enjoy taking shots.
Samsung’s masterpiece in 2009
The WB1000(TL320) is the finishing product with Samsung’s spirit for the first half of 2009. Some unsatisfactory things are reminded, but looking at the functions, design, and operation, this is the best digital camera from Samsung, I’m sure. It’s time to wait for the next model after the WB1000(TL320). Samsung digital imaging. I’m giving my best applaud to their technology team.
This review represents the sole opinion of their individual authors and POPCONET 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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