PMA 2009 Tradeshow
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Samsung's SL820 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Samsung: Four new digicams for PMA
By Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 08:01 EST)

With the annual Photo Marketing Association spring tradeshow fast approaching, Samsung has today unveiled four new digital camera models.

The Samsung SL30, Samsung SL202, and Samsung SL620 are all due to start shipping in the USA from March 2009, while the Samsung SL820 is set to follow from May 2009. The lowest-cost of the group is the SL30, a ten megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5" LCD display, and AA battery power which is expected to retail at about $100. Next up the line is the proprietary Lithium Ion-powered SL202, priced at about $150 and boosting the LCD size to 2.7" diagonal. Another $50 steps up to the $200 SL620, with a higher-res 12.2 megapixel imager, 5x optically stabilized zoom lens, and 3.0" LCD display. Finally, the SL820 tops the price range of the group at $280, replacing the lens with a wider-angle type and adding both 720p high-def video plus an HDMI connection.

Unfortunately, detailed specifications aren't currently available, but some more info on each model can be found in our Samsung SL30 preview, Samsung SL202 preview, Samsung SL620 preview, and Samsung SL820 preview respectively.

Samsung SL30
Samsung's SL30 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerSamsung
Model NumberSL30
Planned Price$99.99
Planned Availability March 2009
Image Capture
Sensor Type10.20 megapixels (effective)
Image Dimensions10.2 megapixels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD2.5"
Lens
Lens TypeSamsung lens
3x optical zoom
Image Stabilization Yes (Digital Image Stabilization)
Focal Length6.3 - 18.9mm (actual)
Creative
Movie FormatMotion JPEG
Power
Battery TypeAlkaline disposable
Battery Form Factor2 x AA
More Photos
Samsung's SL30 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL30 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL30 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Samsung SL202
Samsung's SL202 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerSamsung
Model NumberSL202
Planned Price$149.99
Planned Availability March 2009
Image Capture
Sensor Type10.20 megapixels (effective)
Image Dimensions10.2 megapixels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD2.7"
Lens
Lens TypeSamsung lens
3x optical zoom
Image Stabilization Yes (Digital Image Stabilization)
Focal Length6.2 - 18.6mm (actual)
Aperture Rangef/2.8 (wide) / f/5.2 (tele) - ???
Creative
Movie FormatMotion JPEG
Power
Battery TypeLithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary
More Photos
Samsung's SL202 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL202 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL202 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL202 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Samsung SL620
Samsung's SL620 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerSamsung
Model NumberSL620
Dimensions3.7 x 2.3 x 0.9"
94.0 x 59.0 x 23.7mm
Planned Price$199.99
Planned Availability March 2009
Image Capture
Sensor Type12.20 megapixels (effective)
Image Dimensions12.2 megapixels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD3.0"
Lens
Lens TypeSamsung lens
5x optical zoom
Image Stabilization Yes (Dual Image Stabilization)
Focal Length6.3 - 31.5mm (actual)
35 - 175mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.5 (wide) / f/5.5 (tele) - ???
Creative
Scene Modes11 scene modes
Movie Format MPEG-4
More Photos
Samsung's SL620 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL620 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL620 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL620 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Samsung SL820
Samsung's SL820 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerSamsung
Model NumberSL820
Dimensions3.7 x 2.3 x 0.9"
94.5 x 58.9 x 22.5mm
Planned Price$280.00
Planned Availability May 2009
Image Capture
Sensor Type12.20 megapixels (effective)
Image Dimensions12.2 megapixels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD3.0"
Lens
Lens TypeSamsung lens
5x optical zoom
Image Stabilization Yes (Dual Image Stabilization)
Focal Length5.0 - 25.0mm (actual)
28 - 140mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.4 (wide) / f/5.8 (tele) - ???
Creative
Scene Modes11 scene modes
Movie FormatH.264
More Photos
Samsung's SL820 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL820 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL820 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's SL820 digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung Electronics America Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

Samsung Extends Popular SL-Series With Four New Models

Four New Digital Cameras Elevate Stature of SL-Series with High-Performance Features

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – February 17, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America today extended its popular SL-Series with the introduction of four new models, comprising two 12.2 mega-pixel and two 10 mega-pixel digital cameras. Stylish and advanced, the new SL-Series models elevate the stature of the user-friendly family of digital cameras, allowing consumers to experience higher-end features and performance at more affordable price points.

The SL820 and SL620
Samsung’s new 12.2 mega-pixel SL820 and SL620 offer users large three inch LCD screens and powerful 5x optical zooms. With the SL820, users have access to a 28mm wide-angle lens, while the SL620 offers a standard 35mm lens. Both the SL820 and SL620 are paired with Optical and Digital Image Stabilization to help reduce blur caused by hand movements.  Shooters have the option of simply using Optical Image Stabilization, ideal for well-lit environments, or choosing Dual Image Stabilization and combining the strengths of Optical and Digital Image Stabilization.

A first for Samsung’s SL-Series, the new SL820 offers consumers high-definition video recording at a resolution of 720p, as well as HDMI connectivity, allowing the camera to be connected to an HDTV through a cradle for reviewing footage and photos. The camera also utilizes H.264 compression, an advanced codec that allows users to record video for longer periods of time. The SL620 offers users advanced MPEG-4 video recording at a resolution of 640x480. For added versatility, with both the SL820 and SL620, consumers can use the cameras’ 5x optical zooms and Optical Image Stabilization while recording video.

The new SL820 and SL620 offer an array of automatic controls, including Samsung’s Smart Auto mode. When selected, Smart Auto will automatically choose from one of the cameras’ 11 scene modes, determining which best suits the environment the user may be shooting in. For example, if the user is taking a photo of a mountain range, Smart Auto will automatically select the Landscape scene mode. If the user then proceeds to take photo of an individual, Smart Auto will switch to the Portrait scene mode - no manual interaction is required.

In addition to Smart Auto, the SL820 and SL620 also feature Samsung’s proprietary Smart Album program. In addition to Smart Auto, the SL202 features Samsung’s Smart Album program. Smart Album is useful tool which allows users to easily search for a specific image they have saved on their memory card. Smart Album automatically organizes the user’s digital images and gives them the ability to narrow their search based on specific criteria. Users can quickly sort by the date or week the image was taken, the overall color tone, as well as whether they’re searching for portraits or specific file types, including  photos, videos, or voice memos.

Other automatic features found on the SL820 and SL620 include Face Detection, Blink Detection, Smile Shot, and Beauty Shot. Designed to help capture better portraits and group shots of family and friends, Face Detection technology detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure better composition and image quality. Smile Shot automatically triggers the SL820 and SL620 to take a photo only when a smile is detected on the subjects’ faces, and Blink Detection will automatically fire two consecutive shots if a subject’s eyes are closed. Beauty Shot is a unique functionality which will automatically brighten and even out skin tones as well as remove blemishes.

The SL202 and SL30
Ideally suited for families and entry-level shooters looking for an easy-to-use digital camera, the 10 mega-pixel SL202 and SL30 present users with a range of features that will help them effortlessly capture digital images without having to worry about becoming entrenched in technical specifications or terminology. The SL202 and SL30 offer consumers a quality Samsung lens with a 3x optical zoom, as well as Digital Image Stabilization to help reduce blurry images.

The SL202 boasts a stylish, compact design which is accentuated by an elegant, brushed metal finish. Powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, the SL202 gives users the ability to record high-quality MJPEG video at VGA resolution with a frame rate of 30fps. The video, along with photos, can be reviewed on the SL202’s 2.7 inch LCD screen. Furthermore, the camera’s advanced movie mode will allow users to pause and then resume recording video without having to save the clips as individual files.

When it comes to snapping digital images, the new SL202 does a bulk of the work for the user thanks to a host of advanced automatic features, including Samsung’s new Smart Auto mode and Smart Album program. Other automatic controls found on the SL202 include Face Detection, Blink Detection, Smile Shot, and Beauty Shot.

For added convenience, the SL30 is powered by easily available, AA alkaline batteries, assuring end-users that they can find a replaceable power source no matter where they may be.  Like the SL202, the SL30 also offers users MJPEG, VGA video recording, Face Detection, which detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure, as well as Beauty Shot, which automatically enhances subjects’ skin tones. Photos and videos can be reviewed on the camera’s 2.5 inch LCD screen.

The SL820 will be available in May 2009 at an MSRP of $279.99.
The SL620 will be available in March 2009 at an MSRP of $199.99.

The SL202 will be available in March 2009 at an MSRP of $149.99
The SL30 will be available in March 2009 at an MSRP of $99.99

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), based in Ridgefield Park, NJ, is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The company markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products, as well as oversees all of Samsung’s North American operations including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, the company was ranked #6 in the Electronics Industry segment in Fortune Magazine’s “Most Admired Companies 2008,” and named as one of Fast Company’s “Fast 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2008.” Among popular BusinessWeek rankings, the company ranked #26 in the publication’s “Most Innovative Companies of 2008” and #21 in the “100 Best Global Brands” for 2007.  Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd. is also a top patent holder, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2007.  Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

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