Samsung is not afraid to break new technological ground with its various digital cameras released in the past 18 months, such as the DualView cameras that contain two LCDs. Samsung also has begun releasing DIL models that use interchangeable lenses, continuing its trend of offering some of the most interesting cameras in the market.
Here are the best new Samsung cameras.
1. Samsung NX10 DIL
Samsung
The NX10 from Samsung offers interchangeable lenses like a DSLR camera, but it is smaller in size because of its mirror-less design. (Cameras with a mirror-less design, such as the NX10, are called DIL or EVIL cameras.)
The NX10 has a 3.0-inch AMOLED screen, which is brighter than traditional LCD screens and uses less power. (AMOLED is short for active-matrix organic light emitting diode.) In addition, Samsung has included 14.6 megapixels of resolution with this model. Samsung is offering the NX10 in black, silver, or a limited-edition white, and this camera has won both a DIMA Award and a Plus X Award. It also made my list of the best cameras in 2010.
2. Samsung NX100 DIL
Samsung
The interchangeable lens Samsung NX100 has 14.6 megapixels of resolution, a 3.0-inch AMOLED display, 720p HD video recording, and geotagging with an optional GPS module. The NX100 also includes a technology Samsung is calling "i-Function lens," which allows users to make changes to the camera's settings with the left hand -- and while keeping their eyes focused on the subject -- by using a button and ring on the lens.
The mirror-less design of the award-winning NX100 makes it a DIL, or digital interchangeable lens, camera, rather than a DSLR.
3. Samsung DualView PL170
Samsung
Samsung's line of DualView cameras works well for shooting self-portraits, as you can frame the photo using the LCD screen on the front of the camera. One of the newest in this family is the Samsung DualView PL170.
The specification list for the DualView PL170 includes:
- 16MP of resolution
- 5X optical zoom lens
- 720p HD video
- 3.0-inch LCD on back
- 1.5-inch LCD on front
- Measures 0.75 inches in thickness
- Available in black only
I had a chance to review the DualView TL225 last year, and it was a lot of fun to use. The PL170 looks like a lot of fun, too.
4. Samsung DualView TL225
Samsung
The DualView TL225 (also called the ST500 outside of the United States) digital cameras from Samsung contains dual LCDs. One large 3.5-inch LCD exists in the traditional position on the back panel of the camera. A second, small LCD on the front of the camera, next to the lens, measures 1.5 inches diagonally. The LCD on the front can be used as a viewfinder, can display an animation that will keep the attention of children waiting to be photographed, or can display a countdown timer for timed photos. The DualView TL225 is available in orange or purple camera bodies, and it includes 12.2 megapixels of resolution.
The TL225 made my list of the best cameras for 2009.
5. Samsung ES80
Samsung
For a sub-$100 digital camera, the Samsung ES80 should provide a nice set of features for beginning photographers.
The ES80 is offered in three body colors -- red, black, or silver -- and it measures only 0.82 inches in thickness, making it a nice option for beginners. You'll find 12.2 megapixels of resolution, a 5X optical zoom lens, a 2.4-inch LCD screen, and 720p HD video capabilities with the ES80.
6. Samsung MV800
Samsung
Samsung is well known for its innovative point and shoot cameras. Where other companies are content to come up with models each year that increase the optical zoom or add more megapixels, Samsung looks to innovate, even within the inexpensive point and shoot market, adding dual LCDs and WiFi capabilities.
Now, the Samsung MV800 includes a flip LCD that can rotate 180 degrees until it's positioned over the top panel of the camera, allowing for easy self-portraits. Throw in a touch screen LCD, and you have a camera that's really easy to use.
It would be nice if the performance levels of the MV800 in low light were a little better, but this is still a fun camera to use with excellent autofocus capabilities.
7. Samsung PL200
Samsung
A couple of years ago, a slim, stylish camera, such as the Samsung PL200, would be just that -- slim and stylish -- without many desirable photography features.
However, times have changed.
The PL200 measures just 0.82 inches in thickness, it has a nice-looking curved body, and it's available in red, silver, and black. Samsung included plenty of nice photography features in the PL200, too, though. The PL200 has a 7X optical zoom lens, can shoot 720p HD video, and features dual IS technology. It also has a 3.0-inch LCD, and Samsung cameras typically offer high-quality LCD screens.
8. Samsung PL210
Samsung
The Samsung PL210 offers many impressive features, including a 10X optical zoom lens.
Few cameras in this price range offer such a large zoom lens. The PL210 also offers some slight wide angle capabilities, with a focal range of 27mm-270mm.
In addition, the Samsung PL210 has a 3.0-inch LCD screen, 14.2 megapixels of resolution, and 720p HD video capabilities. It also is a thin camera, measuring only 0.78 inches in thickness, and it's available in silver or black.
9. Samsung SL820
Samsung
Samsung's designers didn't seem to miss a trick in one of their newest point and shoot digital cameras, the Samsung SL820, which offers outstanding image quality, both indoors and outdoors. Its response times are excellent overall, with only slight shot to shot delays with the flash. The SL820, offered in black or silver, has 12.2 megapixels of resolution, a 5X optical zoom lens, and a 3.0-inch LCD.
10. Samsung ST80
Samsung
The ST80 has some cool features, including WiFi connectivity and a 3.0-inch touch screen LCD. Additionally, the ST80 includes 14.2 megapixels of resolution, a 3X optical zoom lens, and a 720p HD video option.
You'll find the ST80 in black, blue, red, and silver. The camera's software allows you to wirelessly send photos to e-mail addresses stored inside the camera, as well as upload images an videos to Facebook, YouTube, and other social networking sites.
11. Samsung TL500
Samsung
Unlike most point and shoot cameras, the lens is the star of the TL500 digital camera from Samsung.
The TL500 includes a wide angle Schneider Kreuznach f/1.8 lens, which provides strong optics. With the f/1.8 lens, the TL500 should have better low-light performance, a wider aperture, and a more shallow depth of field than most consumer-level cameras. The TL500 also has a fast imaging processor and a highly sensitive, large CCD image sensor.
This model's specification list looks like it's lacking a bit, but, because of the high-end optics and processing system, it's difficult to compare its specs directly to other cameras. The TL500 offers 10 megapixels of resolution, a 3X optical zoom lens, and a high-end 3.0-inch AMOLED screen.
12. Samsung WB700
Samsung
Ultra compact cameras have been around for a while. But pairing a strong zoom lens with the thin cameras is a fairly new phenomenon, and Samsung is among the leaders with its WB700 camera.
The WB700 includes an 18X optical zoom lens in a camera that only measures 0.85 inches in thickness. The lens has an equivalent measurement of 24-432mm, giving it some wide angle capabilities, too. Additionally, the WB700 has a 14-megapixel CCD image sensor and can shoot 720p HD video. The WB700 will be available in black only.
