Samsung Galaxy Camera Preview

by Roger Slavens

Samsung has considerable expertise when it comes to building smartphones and tablets on the Android OS platform. So it was inevitable that the company would bring its Android know-how to a full-fledged digital camera. The Samsung Galaxy Camera will not only boast the speed and smooth operation of Google's latest and greatest platform, Android 4.1 (aka Jelly Bean), but also includes both WiFi and either 3G or 4G connectivity.

As for photo-taking capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy Camera certainly appears it will far outpace what's offered in your typical smartphone by providing a 16.3-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, a 21x f/2.8 lens that delivers 23mm-483mm equivalent range, optical image stabilization, Full HD 1080p video (30fps) and a nearly 4.8-inch LCD Super Clear Touch Display.

But what may be most exciting about the Samsung Galaxy Camera is its ability to save and share your photos to the cloud and on your social networks the moment you take them via the Auto Cloud Backup and Share Shot feature. You can also connect the Galaxy Camera to a range of other Samsung Galaxy devices via WiFi with Dual Band and Channel Bonding, or 3G/4G if you're out of WiFi range. Bluetooth 4.0 is also built into the camera, but we're not sure exactly what it will let you connect to.

Like any Android-based device, the Galaxy Camera lets your browse the web (Google Chrome, of course) and download a host of apps for both work and play. It comes installed with the Google Play and Samsung App Stores, as well as apps including Search, Maps, Gmail, Latitude, Google Plus, YouTube and much more. It comes with 8GB of built-in memory, plus lets you add more via a micro SDSC/SDHC/SDXC slot. All the onboard computing is suppored by a 1.4GHz Quad-Core processor.

Many of the Samsung Galaxy Camera's features are aimed at making it easier for photo novices to take, edit and manage pictures with ease. The Samsung Galaxy Camera's Smart Pro functionality has 10 different modes that allow users to use preset photographic scenarios, ranging from Macro to Action Freeze. A set of 35 in-camera editing features in Photo Wizard mode allow for on-the-go picture enhancements, including Auto Face Calibration.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera comes in two connectivity options: a 3G and WiFi or a 4G and WiFi version.

In the US market, AT&T has revealed that it will be offering the Galaxy Camera on its network. Availability is set for Friday, November 16, for US$499.99, with or without a data plan.

AT&T also revealed pricing for data plans to support the Samsung Galaxy Camera. The company said its new AT&T Mobile Share plans will let new and current customers of the cellular company share "a single bucket of data across smartphones, tablets and other compatible devices," which includes the Galaxy Camera.

Here's a break down of monthly data plan options for AT&T Mobile Share:

• AT&T Mobile Share: $10 to share between 1 GB and 20GB
• AT&T DataConnect 250MB: $15 for 250MB
• AT&T DataConnect 3GB: $30 for 3GB
• AT&T DataConnect 5GB: $50 for 5GB

AT&T customers also have the option of using their current individual or family plans with the Samsung Galaxy Camera for sharing images and video wirelessly via the company's cellular network. For a limited time, AT&T is also offering customers up to $100 off the purchase of a second Samsung connected device, including the new camera, when they buy any Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

 

Samsung Galaxy Camera Overview Video

Philip Berne of Samsung walked us through the impressive features of the Samsung Galaxy Camera. Click on the Play button below to check it out!