Samsung Redefines Innovation

May 19, 2009 by Janey

Simplicity and style is what best defines the newest Samsung products recently launched in the market.

First on the list is the highly portable and ultra slim 12.2 megapixel digital camera ST50. It is only about 16mm thick (excluding the retractable lens) and with a large 2.7-inch LCD screen for angling your shots and reviewing images and videos. Samsung also has 3x optical zoom.

What I love about the ST50 is the Smart Auto feature, which is so convenient when you are traveling or during a fast-paced tour. Bubba points out the handiness of not switching from one program to another to suit inside or outside setting. Ease-of-use is taken to a new level by automatically selecting one of the camera’s 11 scene modes which best suits the environment the user is shooting in.

What I find difficult for the ST50 to do though is get a rapid shot. Shutter speed is quite slow and like most point-and-shoot cameras, shaky hands give off a bit of noise in the photo.

The camera also offers consumers Face Detection but what piqued my interest the most are the added detective features like Smile Shot, Blink Detection, and Beauty Shot technology. This is definitely innovation working at its best to capture the best facial expressions. Face Detection automatically recognizes up to nine faces in a frame and adjusts camera settings to maximize image quality, while Smile Shot captures an image the moment the ST50 recognizes a smile. Cool huh? No need to do an awkward second shot where the smile is partially forced.

On the other hand, the Blink Detection option automatically takes two successive shots when the shutter button is fully pressed, and a third shot will be taken if the camera detects that a subject’s eyes are closed. This is a more frequent case in photos. You take a group shot and all 11 people are beaming while you look like you are half-asleep.

The most unique feature though and most intriguing for “ladies” is the Beauty Shot mode. This option retouches imperfections like blemishes and dark spots on a subject’s face to improve skin tones. Users are able to control the level of retouching to any image. While most cameras can edit the photos during “post-processing,” the ST50 automatically clears out the spots.

The ST50 grabs attention with its sleek and posh style displaying brushed stainless steel body and slim profile. It incorporates Samsung’s proprietary Smart Album program, which enables users to search the files they have saved on their memory card for any specific image. Smart Album automatically organizes users’ digital images and gives them the ability to narrow their search based on the date or month the image was taken, the overall color tone, and the file type, be it a photo, video, or voice memo which acts like your personal organizer or file finder within the camera.

The Samsung ST50 is available in Black, Red, Silver, Blue at a recommended retail price of Php15,490. Innovation usually comes at a price but Samsung still makes it within your means. Currently, this is the most affordable and inventive slim camera in the market that has spirited chic style as well.

WB500

The 2^nd but definitely the one on my wish list is Samsung’s WB500. It is the world’s first ultra-wide 24mm Schneider lens with 10x optical zoom. 10x optical zoom!!!

The WB500 offers a host of manual controls, including the ability to adjust shutter speed, aperture, exposure and focus to give users greater control in how they shoot images. Think the lightest and handiest DSLR!!! Ultra wide at 24mm S-C-H-N-E-I-D-E-R lens!!! No need to keep backing up to get the whole range of your shot, particularly in BIG group shots.

Samsung has also incorporated Optical and Digital Image Stabilization to help reduce image blur in the 10.2-megapixel WB500.

Wait, there’s more!!! WB500 also offers video shooting at its finest. Capture videos in 720p high-definition at 30 frames per second (fps). Yes, you read that right, HD baby! Phoebe who sampled the camera was ecstatic about this fact. Testing the camera herself, she was quite satisfied with the performance.

Additionally, shooters can utilize the Optical Image Stabilization function and the camera’s 10x optical zoom while recording video, as well as Samsung’s Successive Recording mode, which allows the user to pause and then resume filming without having to save the clips as individual files. My current camera can’t do this, which is a bummer if I’m trying to make one raw video without post-editing. On the style, I love the vintage look of the camera more than the modern look of ST50. What timing because I am really looking for a “vintage” camera. Plus, the camera has an easy grip on the right side. I’m finding more and more reasons to purchase one!