Samsung TL500

The small prosumer compact camera segment of the point & shoot camera market has gained popularity in the last few years, thanks to the widespread popularity of the Canon PowerShot G-Series. Most major camera companies are boasting their own respective flagship point & shoots to offer a nice package between size and function. Samsung recently unveiled the TL500 to challenge the likes of the pre-existing releases such as the Canon PowerShot G11 & S90, the Panasonic LX-3 and the Leica D-LUX 4. The camera shares many of the same manual functions as its peers in addition to having a f1.8, 24 mm lens combined with a 10.0 MP 1/1.7” CCD sensor. The camera will release this season with a suggested retail price of $450 USD.

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 possible. Using this mode requires minimal effort and does not sacrifice image quality for simple operation.

Specifications
TL500
Mega-Pixels 10 mega-pixels
Optical Zoom 3x optical zoom / ultra-wide 24mm
LCD Size 3.0” swiveling AMOLED
Lens Schneider KREUZNACH
Ultra-Bright f/1.8 lens
Movie Mode 640×480 @30fps / H.264
Size 114.3mmx63.2mmx29.2mm
Special Features – Ultra- Bright f/1.8 lens
- 24mm Ultra-Wide-Angle Lens
- 3.0” Swiveling AMOLED
- Dual Image Stabilization (Optical + Digital)
- Manual Controls: A/S/M
- RAW support
- Smart Auto 2.0 (Still & Movie)
- Large 1/1.7 inch, high sensitivity CCD
- Front Wheel Control

Availability Spring 2010
Pricing $449.99