Samsung's TL320 digital camera gets hands-on treatment
By Laura June 
posted Mar 5th 2009 12:42PM
posted Mar 5th 2009 12:42PM
We've been keeping our eyes peeled for the snappy, handsome Samsung TL320 ever since we first spied it. Well, now it's on hand at PMA 2009, and the fine folks at Pocket-Lint have gotten some time alone with the 12.2 megapixel digicam, and we have to say -- it's looking pretty sweet. If you'd forgotten, this baby boasts 5x optical zoom, a 3-inch HVGA AMOLED display, 720p video recording, an HDMI output, dual image stabilization, plus some really awesome twin analog gauges for checking out memory capacity and battery life. The TL320 is expected to be available in May of this year for about $380. Check out another shot after the break, and hit the read link for a full set.
Too bad the UI looks like ass compared to Canon/Nikon.
Samsung has made a lot of nice looking cameras, but from looking at reviews and test images their imagine quality seems to not be a priority for them. Hopefully that is getting better?
ya hopefully!
looks ok
I'm about a week away from buying the TL9. That's almost half the price of this thing.
I'd be interested if the 720p recording is halfway decent and the price drops by about $100. We'll know soon enough, I suppose.
dam that digi actually looks kinna sexy :]
This camera is a joke. Those analog gauges are nothing more than a gimmick thrown on top of the camera to get people's attention. Memory capacity and battery life can be easily shown on the LCD monitor. Much more useful (for photography) would be if Samsung had included some actual manual controls on the camera.
Hate to break it to you, but this camera has "aperture priority, shutter priority, full manual shooting".
Note that I said "manual controls" not manual settings. There's a difference.
What "manual controls" do you expect them to put on a pocket P&S? I seriously doubt you can expect them to put DSLR levels of control on this thing.
My point is that I think your post seems overly critical when this camera handles "manual settings" exactly the way 99% of pocket sized P&S cameras do...via the menu tree.
Are the dials a "gimmick"? Perhaps. Is this camera a "joke" because of them? Hardly.
These dials might be a "joke" if they weren't functional, but it seems to me that there is some value in having these gauges located off of the power hungry LCD.
Samsung's TL & NV lines are feature rich and uniquely styled. If Samsung has improved their questionable image quality, they might have a future in this segment with offerings like this.
Have manual setting or not,
this is a fugly camera,
the gauges were stupid,
the UI sucks,
and I think the lens the messed up by the Sammy brand.
All I can see is this is seriously a Panny's LX-3 wannabe,
Too bad Sammy would end up like Sony,
producing toys instead of camera.
The industry needs so new breakthrough at the moment,
hope some white knight would come out and save the industry.
Nice cam!
This camera looks sweet!
Sweet looking Camera.
On par with some gorgeous CyberShots out there.
to andy_usa
I am not a sony fanboy but I don't think Sony makes such shitty cameras. Yeah they are not Canon but who is? Sony makes pretty good cameras for regular people and their T300 series and so on is AMAZING. Have you played with that camera? The size, the weight, the menu, the LCD is just outstanding. I am sorry if it doesn't have manual settings but 99% of people don't use them.
Also in regards to image quality and Sony, Sony makes some CCDs for Canon because I remember Sony had a recall that involved some powershots.