Samsung Appeals to Enthusiasts with Unveiling of TL500

Samsung Appeals to Enthusiasts with Unveiling of TL500
Samsung has unveiled the TL500, a compact camera with a 1/1.7” CCD sensor and f/1.8 lens, features clearly intended to appeal to enthusiast and serious amateur type photographers. There’s a lot to like here, so let’s just do a quick run through of features that merit your attention:

• 10 megapixel 1/1.7″ CCD sensor
• f/1.8 lens at 24mm (24 – 72mm 35mm equiv.)
• Hot shoe for external flash
• 3″ AMOLED 614K tilt/swivel display
• Max ISO 3200
• RAW support
• Did we mention f/1.8?

These basic specifications are very much competitive with cameras like the Canon PowerShot G11, and the PowerShot S90, not to mention Panasonic’s LX3. One key similarity amongst all of these cameras: the wisdom to shift to slightly larger sensors (see the diagram to the right – the lighter blue square represents the average compact sensor), while keeping megapixels relatively low (they could be lower still– pixels this small will still succumb to diffraction issues as the aperture gets smaller). Any trend towards bigger sensors is one we certainly embrace, but we can’t help but to also be to attracted to the idea of an f/1.8 lens with a wide open range of f/2.4 at longer focal lengths. The Schneider KREUZNACH optics are pretty modest in overall reach, topping out at 72mm, which gives the G11 an edge in versatility (28mm-140mm), but they are still in a range that I suspect would satisfy most enthusiasts.

A noticeable miss with the TL500, not including HD Video to its list of impressive specifications, especially given the estimated pricing, currently pegged at $450. Still, I’m pretty excited about this offering from Samsung, the styling looks good, camera layout looks practical, I even see an attempt at a camera grip. Factor in the sensible sensor, and very attractive lens specs. and you can be sure we’ll be reviewing this one as soon as possible.

The Samsung TL500 will ship this Spring.

Additional Media

Specifications

Camera	Samsung TL500
Price (street)	$450
Max resolution	3648 x 2736
Low resolution
Image ratio w:h	4:3, 16:9
Effective pixels	10 megapixels
Sensor size	1/1.7"
Sensor type	CCD
ISO rating	80-3200
Zoom wide (W)	24mm
Zoom tele (T)	72mm
Digital zoom
Image stabilization	Dual image stabilization (optic and internal)
Auto Focus
Manual Focus
Aperture range	f/1.8-f/2.4 - ?
Min shutter
Max shutter
Built-in Flash	yes
Flash range
External flash
Flash modes
Exposure compensation
Metering
Aperture priority	yes
Shutter priority	yes
Focal length multiplier
Lens thread
Continuous Drive
Movie Clips	640 x 480
Remote control
Self-timer	yes, 2 sec., 10 sec,
Timelapse recording	no
Orientation sensor
Storage types	SD
Uncompressed format	yes
Quality Levels
Viewfinder	no
LCD	3 inch AMOLED tilt/swivel
LCD Dots	614k
USB	USB 2.0 High Speed
HDMI
Battery
Weight (inc. batteries)
Dimensions	4.5 x 2.5 x 1.1 in. (114 x 63 x 29 mm)

Press Release

Samsung Launches The TL500 – A High-End Compact With An Ultra-Wide And Bright F/1.8 Lens

Fast Operating Speed and Ultra-Sensitive 1/1.7” CCD Will Impress Enthusiast Photographers

Anaheim, CA (February 20, 2010) – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, proudly introduces the 10 mega-pixel TL500, a high-end compact digital camera designed specifically for today’s advanced and enthusiast photographers. The new flagship of the company’s compact digital camera family, the new TL500 incorporates a full-range of advanced features, including a high-performance imaging sensor and one of the brightest lenses ever featured on a compact camera – a 24mm ultra‑wide angle Schneider KREUZNACH, f/1.8. The TL500 will be on display during PMA 2010, February 21‑23, in the Samsung booth, #2227, in the Anaheim Convention Center.

“With the TL500, Samsung further differentiates its lineup from the competition and achieves yet another milestone in the industry,” said Mr. SJ Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “With ultra-wide angle capability and unparalleled speed, the TL500’s lens offers a new level of versatility allowing the user to be more creative and take better pictures.”

High-Quality Optics and Images
The Samsung TL500 is sure to turn heads thanks to its ultra-wide, f/1.8 Schneider lens – one of the brightest ever featured on a compact digital camera. The impressive f/1.8 lens offers photographers a wider range of aperture steps and shallow depth-of-field, giving them the ability to blur out the background of their images while maintaining focus on their subjects. The ultra-fast, f/1.8 lens also allows users to take better photos in low-light environments as more light is passed through to the new high-performance 1/1.7” CCD sensor. Larger than the sensors typically found in compact digital cameras, the TL500’s 1/1.7” CCD offers unrivaled sensitivity (max ISO 3200/full-resolution). Together with Samsung’s re‑engineered and fast, DRIMeIII imaging processor, the TL500 captures high-quality images, regardless of the lighting environment.

The high-end Schneider lens offers a 24mm, ultra-wide focal length and 3x optical zoom. Much wider than traditional compact cameras, the TL500’s 24mm ultra-wide angle lens allows photographers to capture more of a desired scene, such as beautiful landscapes and large groups of friends or family. For blur‑free images, the TL500’s lens is also paired with Samsung’s Dual Image Stabilization technology.

Versatile Display Enhances the Viewing Experience
Composing and reviewing images on the TL500’s three-inch, swiveling AMOLED screen is a pleasure. The rotating AMOLED display will allow photographers to precisely frame their images the way they want and shoot from just about any angle, including overhead or low‑to‑the-ground shots. Compared to the traditional TFT-LCD found on most digital cameras, the TL500’s AMOLED provides users with a higher contrast ratio, deeper blacks and more accurate, vivid colors, even when viewed from an angle or in direct sunlight. The TL500’s AMOLED display is also more efficient when it comes to power consumption, allowing photographers to maximize battery life and shoot longer on a single charge.

Multiple Shooting Options
The TL500 supports RAW and gives enthusiasts full control over their images thanks to its shutter‑priority, aperture‑priority and full Manual shooting modes. When using these settings, shooters can experiment with features such as slower shutter speeds and depth‑of‑field; however, for those who prefer ease-of-use over manual controls, the TL500 also offers Samsung’s Smart Auto 2.0 (Still & Movie) scene recognition technology. Applicable for video recording (640×480 / 30fps / H.264) and taking digital stills, this intelligent feature analyzes the scene and then automatically selects the appropriate settings for the best results po
ssible. Using this mode requires minimal effort and does not sacrifice image quality for simple operation.

* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

About Samsung Digital Imaging
Samsung Digital Imaging Co. Ltd. is a leader in photo imaging technology, digital cameras and optical devices. The company offers a range of high-performance digital compact and DSLR cameras, introducing cutting-edge features to meet consumer needs. Samsung began developing film cameras in 1979 and has led the growth of the digital imaging market through its advanced technology and innovation. For more information, please visit www.samsungimaging.com

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, digital imaging products, refrigerators and washing machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

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