Samsung is really taking its two-LCD camera concept and running with it. The company has just announced two new members of its DualView line of compact digital cameras, the ST100 and ST600. These two new models are follow-ups to the TL220 and TL225 DualView cameras, improving on several technical aspects.
Here are the main specs similarities:
– 14MP Sensor for both cameras
– Front LCD screens are 1.8 inches
– 3.5 inch touch screen on the back
– 5x optical zoom
And the differences:
– The ST600 uses a 27mm-equivalent 4.9-24.5mm Schneider-Kreuznach lens.
– The ST100 features a 35mm-equivalent 6.3-31.5mm Schneider Kreuznach lens.
Besides the lens, the two new cameras are functionally identical, and beyond sensor resolution and screen size share almost all pertinent features with the TL220/225. They feature the same dual digital/optical image stabilization, the same 720p/30 HD video recording, and in-camera image editing and organization functions as their predecessors, taking advantage of the large LCD touchscreen.
Both the ST100 and ST600 will ship in September, with suggested retail prices of $349 and $329, a final step up from the less expensive TL220 and TL225. Considering the older models offer extremely similar features for less than $300, the two new DualView cameras could be a tough sell for consumers.
Here’s the breakdown chart:
Specifications
ST600 | ST100 | |
Mega-pixels | 14.2 Mega pixels | 14.2 Mega pixels |
Optical Zoom | 5x optical zoom / 27mm wide | 5x optical inner zoom / 35mm angle |
LCD Size | TFT LCD, Main Display: 3.5″ (8.9cm), Front Display: 1.8″(4.6cm) | TFT LCD, Main Display: 3.5″ (8.9cm), Front Display: 1.8″(4.6cm) |
Lens | Schneider f = 4.9 ~ 24.5mm.
27mm wide |
Schneider f = 6.3 mm ~ 31.5 mm.
35mm angle |
Image Stabilization | Dual IS (Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) + Digital Image Stabilization (DIS)) | Dual IS (Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) + Digital Image Stabilization (DIS)) |
Size | 4.07″ X 2.34” X 0.78” (WxHxD) | 3.94” X 2.36” X 0.79” (WxHxD) |
Shooting (still image) | Smart Auto, Auto, Smart Movie, Movie, Program, Dual IS, Scene Smart Auto: Portrait, Night Portrait, Backlight Portrait, Macro Portrait, Night, Backlight, Landscape, White, Natural Green, Blue Sky, Sunset, Macro, Macro Text (Smart Guide), Macro Color, Tripod, Action, Fireworks |
Smart Auto, Auto, Smart Movie, Movie, Program, Dual IS, Scene Smart Auto: Portrait, Night Portrait, Backlight Portrait, Macro Portrait, Night, Backlight, Landscape, White, Natural Green, Blue Sky, Sunset, Macro, Macro Text (Smart Guide), Macro Color, Tripod, Action, Fireworks |
Editing (still image) | Image Edit: Resize, Rotate, Trimming Photo Style Selector: Normal, Soft, Vivid, Forest, Retro, Cool, Calm, Classic, Negative, Custom RGB Smart Filter: Miniature, Vignetting, Fish Eye1, Fish Eye2 ,DeFog, Sketch Effect Image Adjust: Face Retouch (Level 1) |
Image Edit: Resize, Rotate, Trimming Photo Style Selector: Normal, Soft, Vivid, Forest, Retro, Cool, Calm, Classic, Negative, Custom RGB Smart Filter: Miniature, Vignetting, Fish Eye1, Fish Eye2 ,DeFog, Sketch Effect Image Adjust: Face Retouch (Level 1) |
Recording (movie) | With Audio or without Audio / Zoom Mute included on ST600 (Zoom Mute on, off Option) (Max Recording time: 20min) Size: 1280×720(30/15fps) High Quality, 1280×720(30/15fps) Standard Quality, 640×480(30/15fps), 320×240 (30/15 fps) |
With Audio or without Audio
Size: 1280×720(30/15fps) High Quality, 1280×720(30/15fps) Standard Quality, 640×480(30/15fps), 320×240 (30/15 fps) |
Effect (movie) | Color Style: Normal, Soft, Vivid, Forest, Retro, Cool, Calm, Classic, Negative, Custom | Color Style: Normal, Soft, Vivid, Forest, Retro, Cool, Calm, Classic, Negative, Custom |
Edit (movie) | Pause during recording, Still Image Capture, Time Trimming | Pause during recording, Still Image Capture, Time Trimming |
Software | Intelli Studio | Intelli Studio |
Features | • Front LCD ON – Tap or Front LCD Hot Key Button • Front Display (Self Shot, Self Timer, Jump Shot, Function Info, Children mode, Couple shot, Smile Shot. User can change the flash file of children mode by downloading new file from Samsung Website) • Smart Gesture UI • Touch Lock Function |
• Front LCD ON – Tap or Front LCD Hot Key Button • Front Display (Self Shot, Self Timer, Jump Shot, Function Info, Children mode, Couple shot, Smile Shot. User can change the flash file of children mode by downloading new file from Samsung Website) • Smart Gesture UI • Touch Lock Function |
Availability | September | September |
Price | $329.99 | $349.99 |
Press Releases for the cameras can be found Here.
Gallery
What do you think? Is a new lens, slightly higher resolution, and a larger front-facing screen worth the extra $50-70? Is the whole two-screen concept genuinely useful, or just a gimmick?