Samsung HZ15W and hands-on, with friends

We're not exactly enthused at all the granularity makes up Samsung's wide assortment of digital compacts, but it's not like they're the only offenders in the industry. In the high end they've got the HZ15W and TL320 -- we've seen the TL320 and is marvelous analog dials in the wild before, but the HZ15W is a new one on us. Overall the camera is a bit bulky for this segment, and we'd have a hard time sticking it into a pants or jacket pocket without discomfort. That said, the camera is flush with functionality like HDMI out, 720p video recording and a wide view lens. The second look at the TL320 reminded us how completely in love we are its analog dials, though unfortunately the pre-production model we were looking at was having trouble with its OLED screen. The rest of the line, including the SL820, SL620 and SL202, was hanging out for the photo op, but there wasn't much that stood out.

Samsung HZ15W and hands-on, with friends

[Sea Urchin Posted Mar 31st 2009 1:46PM]

Finally, a Reccesion Antidote we can all use.

[YpoCaramel Posted Mar 31st 2009 1:57PM]

It's funny because the TL320 is retro-chic but it doesn't look like a retro-camera. I primarily shoot with an early 1980's era FE2 and have read enough about Leicas and 60's, 70's type cameras to know that usually the dial is a 0-36 film counter, not a E to F memory card (these cameras hardly needed batteries either; their batteries would last years and really only worked autoexpousure and the meter). Of course what reminds me of the 70s era cameras are the shutter knobs, ISO knobs, aperture ring...

So I do sound like a photo snob. Too bad. But still, the TL320's dials are pretty cool, but they're chic not historical.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 31st 2009 2:01PM]

Perhaps a little bit of copy editing would be useful??

[totwo Posted Mar 31st 2009 2:17PM]

@Jared

You know that any remote chance you ever had of winning a recession antidote giveaway just went to hang out in the basement, don't you?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 31st 2009 2:11PM]

holy crap, finally a camera with the shutter button on the left side...wow, that took long enough...

[jonyah Posted Mar 31st 2009 3:23PM]

ah, that may actually be a deal breaker for me. i've gotten too used to it the other way around.

[Plothole Posted Mar 31st 2009 5:36PM]

Assuming that is a second shutter button, it seems almost useless considering that the zoom toggle is surrounding the one on the right. However I think that's just part of the aesthetics.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 31st 2009 2:17PM]

nice!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 31st 2009 2:31PM]

I finally will get my hands on the TL320 (WB 100) tomorow. Cant wait to fall in love with the OLED screen and those dials. but on the technical front i am look foward to the samsung stich recording system to pause and record a movie clip so they come out as a collage (only thing beside the OLED and Looks) thats had me put down hard cash to get one. hope its better than the panasonic FX550. fingers crossed xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[jonyah Posted Mar 31st 2009 3:21PM]

hmmm. i've been patiently waiting for canon to release the new 970IS. My next camera must be able to shoot 720p video in h.264, so it looks like i may have more than one option now (i almost got the sony just because it was available, but reviews were horrible).

I've a big fan of canon and have had lots of their cameras, so i may still stick with that.

[peestandingup Posted Mar 31st 2009 4:36PM]

Samsung makes OK cameras, but their video implementation is mostly garbage. Seriously, try zooming in video mode with one of these & then play the footage back on your computer. The zoom motor noise is horrendous. You can mute the mic during zoom, but what good is that??

Im just saying. Other camera makers can do this & not ruin your footage. And if Im gonna spend $300 on a Samsung, I'll go ahead & spend a little extra for quality.

[Wwhat Posted Mar 31st 2009 5:56PM]

Many other cameras can't zoom at all during video.

[Wwhat Posted Mar 31st 2009 5:56PM]

So what you are saying is: "Pocket Size (note: Vaio P standard pocket)'

[dosguy Posted Mar 31st 2009 6:05PM]

Another nice-appearing camera without an optical viewfinder. Doesn't anybody take pictures outdoors anymore? Maybe it's just me, but I absolutely cannot see an LCD screen in the sunlight.

[Plothole Posted Mar 31st 2009 6:31PM]

The target consumer doesn't seem to understand this benefit.

In any case, they do make special pop-up shades that can attach to the LCD. I've yet to try one, but I've heard they work well enough.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 31st 2009 8:01PM]

nice, now what junk that i never use anymore can i sell so i can buy one!!!

[brujogarza Posted Jun 6th 2009 8:02PM]

well so far i am happy with my purchase. it take very nice videos at wide angle. it takes decent photos, when possible. i say possible because i had a nikon d40 and this cant take its place obviously. ill post new updates asap. i am not an expert by the way can i post photos on here via photobucket? thanks all

[brujogarza Posted Jun 8th 2009 2:53PM]

the camera is loud during recording video ,so during playback, you can hear the actual sound of the cameras motor slash processor working! this is annoying, but i guess not to shabby considering its a digicam not a full camcorder?! the mics on this thing work well, very well in fact!

[brujogarza Posted Jun 9th 2009 6:38PM]

[brujogarza Posted Jun 9th 2009 6:41PM]

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss125/LGbrujo/DSCI0004.jpg

[brujogarza Posted Jun 9th 2009 6:42PM]

[IMG]http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss125/LGbrujo/DSCI0003.jpg[/IMG]