Samsung intros wide angle, 10x zoom digicam

Samsung on Monday introduced what it claims to be the world's first digital camera with a wide angle, 24mm lens and a 10x optical zoom with the 10.2-megapixel WB500. The camera also has both hardware and software image stabilization to help eliminate blurry images. It is capable of recording H.264-format video at up to 720p high-definition resolution.
The WB500 uses Schneider-Kreuznach optics and has face detection software and a file management system that categorizes content into Smart Albums, capable of sorting them by date or file type. Available in black or silver

Samsung touts new tech in WB100 and WB550 snappers

While their PMP–packing PL10 might be ideal for 'the kids', Samsung isn't forgetting those of us who take our photos just a tad more seriously. They've just dropped details on two new immense compacts, both rocking unique tech to tickle your gadget fancy.The WB100 rocks a 3in AMOLED screen round the back, making it the first compact cam to do so. That means you get crisper views and better contrast, so you can tell on the spot whether your handiwork is of the Annie Leibovitz variety.Inside you'll find 12MP, full manual controls, the same 'smart album' tech as the PL10 for finding pics easily and a frame guide so folks taking pics for you on holiday know what you want before you hand them the camera.There's also HD movie capture, something that's becoming increasingly commonplace in compact cameras in 2009. On top of that you're looking at 5x optical zoom and 24mm ultra wide angle lens.The WB550 packs similar goods, barring that sexy screen and manual mode. Instead you get a massive 10x optical zoom, which Sammy is also claiming as a world's first.Both are due in April, with the WB100 clocking in at £329, with the WB550 at £299.

Samsung WB500

When Samsung introduced the NV24HD last year, the shooter's 24mm lens blew us away. We predicted then that the ultra-wide-angle trend would be a hit with consumers, and we were right--Panasonic's Lumix DMC-LX3 proved to be a success and the Korean cheabol is riding on this wave with its new WB500. This shooter was first seen at Photokina last September, and made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year.
To sweeten the deal and differentiate itself from its competition, Samsung has melded other useful functions such as a 10x optical zoom into the point-and-shoot. While it offers a variety of creative and exposure functions, we can't help but feel handicapped by the limited manual mode and the slight lag which presents itself when we taking high ISO or long exposure shots.
Note that the WB500 is known as the HZ10W in some countries such as the US.
Design
In the looks department, it appears that Samsung has taken a leaf out of Panasonic's book, and styled the WB500 similar to the Lumix DMC-TZ15 (which will be replaced by the upcoming ZS3). On the front of the Samsung is a large lens barrel flanked by an onboard flash and AF illuminator.
We found the positioning of the flash too near to the handgrip, and there were occasions when we accidentally covered it while shooting. This was probably due to the large lens barrel which takes up most of the camera front. A nice way to resolve this issue would be to make the flash unit pop up from the top, like with the NV24HD.
The WB500 is no slim shooter, and we don't fault it. The robust chassis has to house more lens elements as well as components necessary for the operation of this high-end point-and-shoot. Even so, the camera was well-balanced and we didn't have any difficulty shooting handheld with it for long periods.
The rear layout is simple with few buttons to clutter the rear estate. Functions are mapped to the four-way directional pad which surrounds the Menu button. The command lever on the thumbrest allows easy access to change exposure (or ISO or white balance) settings by rocking it left or right. The charger port beside the thumbrest is well protected with a cover that is easy to open.
The WB500 doesn't come with a dedicated battery charger, so depending on which camp you are in, it can be either a good or bad thing. The upside to this is that the travel charger is less bulky to bring around. The downside is, unfortunately, if you don't have a spare battery, you are tethered to the electrical point when the cell runs low on power.

Samsung WB500: Wide-boy superzoom

Samsung has announced a superzoom compact camera that brings us the best of both worlds, in more ways than one: the 10-megapixel WB500. It's called the HZ10W over here in the States, where we got our sticky fingers on it at CES 2009.
First off, the WB500 is trumpeted by Samsung as the world's first model to combine 24mm wide angle with a 10x optical zoom. That means you can zoom in further, and zoom out wider, than any other compact. The 10x zoom puts the WB500 in the bottom end of the superzoom category, but it's way more pocketable than the average superzoom brick. So you get a versatile zoom and a compact package. Lovely.
You also get high-definition video, optical image stabilisation and smart scene recognition, all in a package that may be familiar to fans of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5. With the Lumix G1 putting interchangeable lenses into a body the size of a superzoom, and Samsung attempting to ape the success of the compact TZ5, are we seeing the beginning of the end for longer-zoom superzooms?
Face detection is joined by the useful blink-detection feature, and the less useful smile mode. The vain will appreciate beauty shot, as also seen in Casio cameras, which retouches faces for a brighter and smoother skin tone.
Another interesting new feature is the angle/composition guide. This allows you to snap a picture you want to be in, then hand the camera to someone else. Your image is ghosted over the live view screen, so friend, policeman or random passer-by is sure to get the picture you want.
The WB500 will cost £229 and will be available later this month, compete with two-year guarantee

Samsung HMX-H106 high definition camcorder

With Samsung's new HMX-H106 camcorder you don't need to mess around with tapes or memory cards - just record directly to its internal memory. It features a solid state hard drive, so you don't need to worry about bashes and bumps, and with 64GB of storage you can record up to 12 hours of HD footage. If that's not enough, then there's an SD card slot so you can easily slip in more. There's a 2.7in screen for watching back what you've shot or you can hook it up to a big screen TV via HDMI. The HMX-H106 will be available in April, see Samsung for further details.

Samsung HMX-R10 camcorder due April

Samsung HMX-R10 camcorder due April

The Samsung HMX-R10 camcorder, the world’s smallest full 1080p camcorder, has been dated for the UK. Read on to find out when you’ll be able to get your paws on the pico sized HD camcorder.
It may be little, but the Samsung HMX-R10 camcorder still packs some impressive tech. Inside the Samsung HMX-R10 camcorder there’s a 5x optical zoom, 9MP sensor that’s capable of filming video at the full 1080p, and even taking 12MP stills with a bit of interpolation trickery.
The Samsung HMX-R10’s real selling point is its size though: the Samsung HMX-R10 weighs in at just 229 grams and measures 130×38x58mm, yet still manages to squeeze in a 2.7 inch touchscreen display.
The Samsung HMX-R10 will go on sale in the UK in April, so you’ve only got a few weeks to wait. We’re still chasing Samsung for pricing but we’ll update you when we hear.

Samsung HMX-R10 First Impressions Camcorder Review

The Samsung HMX-R10 is creating quite a stir among gadget lovers for its unique sloping lens and curvilinear design. At the heart of the new camcorder is a new grip: the angled lens means that you hold the camcorder at an angle that's more comfortable for your wrist. But there are some interesting features under the hood too: an enormous 1/2.33-inch, high resolution sensor, a bevvy of still photography features, and the same elegantly intuitive menu system and manual controls that Samsung featured in last year's lineup.Lens & SensorThe HMX-R10 has a unique 8x optical full HD lens. There is no lens cap, but the tempered glass is designed to withstand bumps and scratches. The lens is also angled at 25 degrees, which changes the way you hold the camcorder. The new grip is unintuitive at first, but ultimately more comfortable and ergonomic. The R10 is also equipped with the highest resolution sensor of any Samsung camcorder—and one of the largest. This could produce impressive low light results and it promises to make the R10 an intriguing choice for a video/still hybrid.

Front

The front of the HMX-R10 is what's getting the most attention: this angled lens gives the camcorder its unique retro-futuristic aesthetic. But it's also what allows for the new ergonometric hand-hold.

Right

The right side is more noteworthy for what it's missing than what it contains. You'll see a concave surface and a wrist strap tether, but no hand strap. Perhaps the new grip is so comfortable that no hand strap is needed? While the R10 is certainly comfortable to hold, we think a lot of experienced videographers will have trouble adjusting to life without a hand strap.

Back

The curvilinear design of the HMX-R10 is carried over into the back of the camcorder, where a circular motif centers the zoom toggle and record button. Below is a single port cover for the AV outputs and DC input. Above is a mode button for toggling between video and still modes.

Left

The left side of the HMX-R10 is matte silver or black and unusually flat for a camcorder. With the LCD panel closed, there are no features to be seen. Even opening the LCD reveals little more. Inside the cavity is a playback speaker, iCheck button, EasyQ mode button, and power button. On the LCD is a secondary record button, secondary zoom toggle, and Quick Menu button. The LCD itself is a 2.7-inch touch screen that flips out from the body.

Top

The top offers little more than a prominent shutter button for still photography.

Bottom

The bottom is home to the enclosure for the battery and SD/SDHC card slot, a tripod mount, and stereo microphone.