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Samsung's Smart EX2F point-and-shoot now on sale for $500
It has taken Samsung a wee bit longer than expected, but the Korean outfit announced earlier that its intelligent, WiFi-equipped EX2F point-and-shoot is finally hitting US store shelves today. And while availability itself comes a few weeks behind schedule, it gave Samsung plenty of time to reconsider the initial $550 MSRP tag it gave when the camera was first unveiled, which means that $500 gets you in the "smart" shooter game with a 3-inch AMOLED display, 12.4-megapixel CMOS sensor and, of course, the lovely f/1.4-2.7 (24-79mm) lens. Still trying to figure out whether this is indeed the one for you? Then be sure to peruse over our own hands-on to help you decide if it's worthy of your hard-earned cash.
Samsung's MultiView MV900F begins shipping with 180-degree AMOLED display for $350
Shipping targets aren't set in stone, so we weren't terribly surprised to see Samsung miss its late-August goal for the new MultiView MV900F. Today, the Korean CE giant announced that its MV900F is now available for purchase at US retailers, still priced at $350. Those three and a half bills will net you a 16.3-megapixel shooter with the series' trademark 180-degree touchscreen -- this iteration packs many more pixels than its predecessor, with a WVGA AMOLED panel. The MultiView snapper lets you frame shots from in front of the camera, with a display that flips to face forward, while gesture controls enable you to fire a frame and zoom the lens with a wave. There's also 1080p video shooting, an f/2.5-6.3, 25mm 5x optical zoom lens and built-in WiFi, for direct image uploads. You can grab your MV900F at big box retailers and camera stores, along with US-based e-tailers beginning today.
Editorial: Android cameras -- could Samsung's Galaxy gamble save the point-and-shoot industry?
WiFi in a camera. No matter the practicality or the cost of adding wireless functionality, it's become a must for high-end point-and-shoots, and if they don't pack it now, they soon will. But access hasn't become as prolific as protocol prophets once preached -- we're at the mercy of pay gates, passwords and bandwidth limitations, even today. Our smartphones, on the other hand, are always connected. There's no need to fuss with hexadecimals or other cryptic keys -- assuming we haven't crossed an international border, getting online is as convenient as taking a breath. As the world's most prolific smartphone maker, Samsung is very much invested in cellular. Sure, there were gasps from the crowd at last week's Unpacked, but built-in 4G makes perfect sense, and while WiFi and a Micro SIM may make the Galaxy Camera an instant winner, it's Android that completes the package, as the glue that cements this latest category's promise. Samsung may be the pioneer, but should other manufacturers be scrambling to shift roadmaps, ready to embrace this new digital direction? Tap past the break for our take.
Samsung announces EK-GC100 Galaxy Camera with Android Jelly Bean, massive 4.8-inch display, 21x zoom, WiFi and 4G connectivity (hands-on)
During a visit to Samsung's headquarters in Korea earlier this year, we had a chance to talk shop with company execs. The electronics maker's existing mirrorless and point-and-shoot lineups were the primary topic of discussion, but we did catch wind of a Galaxy product possibly to come, from the camera division. A Galaxy camera? That could only mean Android, and a heavy heaping of touch and connectivity. At the time, reps admitted only that they were "considering" such a device, and declined to provide any hint as to design or functionality. And we haven't heard a further peep, until today. As you may have gathered from recent rumors, Samsung's Galaxy Note II is not the only product to be Unpacked this afternoon. Sure enough, the anticipated Galaxy Camera is also on order, and we have all the juicy details just past the break.%Gallery-163618%%Gallery-163626%
Samsung updates MultiView camera lineup with MV900F point-and-shoot for $350, we go hands-on
When we were first introduced to Samsung's MultiView series with last year's MV800, we were certainly intrigued by the original design -- the LCD flips up to face directly forward, resting just above the main camera module and enabling front-sided operation, for self-portraits and the like. What the camera appeared to offer in ingenuity, however, it lacked in image quality -- shots looked quite mediocre during PC-based reviews, and when viewed on the low-res capacitive touchscreen display. This year's iteration, the MV900F, promises improvements down the 800's list of shortcomings, ranging from an f/2.5-6.3, 25mm 5x optical zoom lens to added WiFi, which brings the model's social feature set in line with other Samsung SMART cameras. There's also a 16.3-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor on board, along with that 180-degree MultiView display, this time equipped with a 3.3-inch WVGA AMOLED panel. Physically, the camera is similar in appearance, but it's noticeably larger, to accommodate that larger touchscreen (the MV800 included a 3-inch display). We were able to take an early look at the MV900F, and the display improvements were immediately noticeable. We weren't permitted to review sample shots on a computer, but with so much room to grow from its predecessor, it's safe to say that this lens/sensor combo should yield a noticeable image quality boost. The front-facing display is certainly the star of the show, even enabling gesture controls -- you can zoom in and out or capture a shot just by waving your hand (there's a tutorial on-board, but the movements aren't difficult to master). There's also a handful of WiFi options, including Facebook integration, along with instant uploading to sites like Picasa and YouTube, and integration with Samsung's other products, including TVs and Galaxy smartphones. Video capture has also been boosted from 720p to 1080p, letting you take full advantage of HDTV playback, while a variety of photo and movie filters let you get creative in-camera, including a twilight mode that combines three sequential frames in order to snap steady shots in low light. The camera is set to ship in late August for $349.99, and will be available in black and white, so if you were considering the MV800 but opted to hold out while Samsung worked out the kinks, this may be the time to jump. Catch the MV900F in action, including those nifty gesture controls, in our hands-on video after the break.
Samsung reduces EX2F point-and-shoot price to $499 before August arrival
Samsung's EX2F camera isn't even on the market yet, but it has a brand new feature that you're bound to appreciate: a lower price. If you'll recall, we recently went hands-on with Sammy's kit, which features an f/1.4-2.7, 24-79mm lens, a 12.4-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor and a 3-inch AMOLED display. Most recently, Samsung confirmed that consumers can snag this point-and-shoot camera at just $499, which is a full $50 less than we'd previously known. The EX2F is still on track for an August debut, and with the new, lower price, you'll now have a nice excuse to replace your memory card at the same time.
Samsung EX2F point-and-shoot with f/1.4 lens hands-on (video)
We've been generally unimpressed with the latest round of basic point-and-shoots, including those from Samsung's mid-range Smart series, but we do tend to take heed whenever a manufacturer opts to focus on optics rather than bumping up the megapixel count to boost sticker appeal. Compared to sub-$200 shooters, there's a fairly limited market for $549 pocketable models -- a price point that often prompts would-be owners to dig beyond superficial specs in search of full manual control, solid high-ISO performance, fast focusing and a lens that enables both low-light shooting and shallow depth of field. Samsung's EX2F appears to fit the bill, offering a 12.4-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor, a top extended ISO setting of 12,800, a 3-inch VGA-res AMOLED display and -- the crown jewel -- an f/1.4-2.7, 24-79mm lens. That optic delivers an additional one 2/3 stop of sensitivity over the EX2F's predecessor, the two-year-old TL500. Other advantages include a lighter magnesium alloy body, an NX power pin-enabled hot shoe for adding an external mic or flash, and a new micro-USB trigger cable. Though the EX2F was noticeably lighter than the 2010 model during our hands-on, it retains much of the TL500's heft -- at least from a size perspective. The camera's footprint makes it too bulky to slip in a pocket, as we were able to do with the Sony RX100, though the flip-out AMOLED display is certainly a welcome addition. An NX-like smart UI mode enables instant access to key settings, as do the dual control dials, which let you adjust shooting modes (on the right) and capture speed (on the left). There's also a new in-camera HDR mode which merges two back-to-back shots (one underexposed and the other overexposed) in order to retain additional shadow and highlight detail. The camera was quite responsive during a quick shoot earlier today, powering on, focusing and capturing an image quickly. We'll need to spend much more time snapping outside of an office environment before passing any formal judgement, but it's easy to see the appeal of such of device -- and the advantage over less-abled point-and-shoots. For now, you can take a closer look in the gallery below, and in our hands-on demonstration after the break.%Gallery-160014%
Samsung upstages Sony with f/1.4-equipped EX2F point-and-shoot for $549
Samsung's been flaunting its WiFi-equipped Smart cameras throughout the last year, but with a generally significant tradeoff in image quality, we haven't been terribly impressed. The EX2F, however, is a model we're finally eager to get our hands on. This 12.4-megapixel CMOS shooter packs an f/1.4-2.7 lens -- quite a feat for any point-and-shoot -- along with a full-size hot shoe, dual image stabilization, a top ISO setting of 12,800 (extended), a 24-79mm 3.3x lens and a 3-inch swivel VGA-resolution AMOLED display. That's in addition to the full manual shooting mode, RAW option, 1080/30p HD video capture and the standard plethora of WiFi options, including Remote Viewfinder and Auto Backup. Accessory add-ons include an optical viewfinder, external mic and a secondary flash (a smaller pop-up model is built-in, and retracts when not in use). There's no hint of pricing or availability, but with that industry-leading f/1.4 lens, pro-level features and AMOLED display, we're certain that the EX2F won't come cheap. Full PR is after the break. Update: It appears that the EX2F includes a 1/1.7-inch sensor, compared to the significantly larger 1-inch sensor on the Sony RX100. Samsung has also confirmed that the camera will be priced at $549, and is scheduled to hit stores in August.
Samsung outs four WiFi-enabled shooters, wants you to get 'Smart'
Banking on consumers' unending need for instant gratification, Samsung's announced a line of four WiFi-enabled "Smart" cameras. Along with the previously announced DV300F DualView point-and-shoot and 21x zoom WB850F, the line-up (an apparent off-shoot of the SH100) allows for uploading to Facebook, Twitter and Picasa as well as e-mail and Auto PC Backup. The WB850F touts a 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, 1080p video, GPS and simultaneous still and video capture. It will be available in April for $379. It's little and less expensive brother, the WB150F sports a 14 megapixel sensor, 18x optical zoom, 1080p video recording and is slated to hit shelves sometime this month for $229. Rounding out the family, is the ST200F -- available in three different colors with significantly scaled down specs (720p video, 16 megapixels and 10x optical zoom) -- coming February for $199. Hit the gallery below to lay your eyes on Sammy's Smarts and peep the PR below for more details.
