Wave for the camera! Samsung MV900F adds gesture control

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posted Friday, July 20, 2012 at 3:11 AM EDT

Samsung's MV900F digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung. Click for our Samsung MV900F preview!A new digital camera from Korea's Samsung Electronics promises to save you walking back and forth adjusting your photo framing--and perhaps, to have passers-by giving you an unusually wide berth. The reason? An interesting gesture-control system that lets you control zoom and self-timer from a distance without a remote, simply by waving your hand.

The Samsung MV900F retains much the same MultiView tilting LCD panel design from the MV800, along with the touch-sensitive interface, but switches to a larger display (and has a wider, taller body in which to fit this.) The MV900F also sports a new backside-illuminated CMOS image sensor whose 16 megapixel resolution is near-identical to that of the MV800's CCD. It drops that camera's Schneider-Kreuznach branded 5x zoom lens for a Samsung-branded 5x lens that's ever so slightly wider, brighter at wide angle, and dimmer at telephoto than was previously the case.

Much more detail can be found in our Samsung MV900F preview.

Samsung MV900F
Samsung's MV900F digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung. Click here for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type Ultra Compact
Manufacturer North America: MV900F
Dimensions 3.9 x 2.4 x 0.7 in.
(99 x 60 x 17 mm)
Weight 4.7 oz (132 g)
Planned Price $350
Planned Availability August 2012
Image Capture
Sensor Type BSI CMOS CMOS
1/2.3" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
17.01 megapixels (total)
16.31 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio 16:9, 4:3
Image Dimensions 4608 x 3456 (15.9 megapixels)
4608 x 3072 (14.2 megapixels)
4608 x 2592 (11.9 megapixels)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
1984 x 1488 (3.0 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
1024 x 768 (0.8 megapixels)
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder No
LCD 3.3 in. diagonal
Playback Zoom 14.4
OLED Screen Yes
Touchscreen Yes
Lens
Image Stabilization Yes
Focal Length 4.5 - 22.5mm (actual)
25 - 125mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/2.5 (W) / f/6.3 (T) - ??
Focusing System Contrast Detection: Multi AF, Center AF, Face Detection AF, Smart Touch AF, Smart Face Recognition AF, One Touch Shooting AF
Has AF assist lamp
Focusing Range Normal: 33" - infinity (80 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - 33" (5 cm - 80 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed 8 - 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes Program
Metering Modes Multi, Center-weighted, Spot, Face Detection AE
Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent_H, Fluorescent_L, Tungsten, Custom
Internal Flash Modes: Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash Off, Red-eye fix
Range: Wide: 0.2 - 4.6m; Tele: 0.5 - 1.2m (Auto ISO)
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- EV
Creative
Scene Modes Scene, Live Panorama, Gesture Shot, Low Light Shot, Beauty Shot, HDR Plus, Split Shot, PIP, Magic Frame, My Magic Frame, 3D Photo
Digital Zoom Up to 5x
Self Timer Yes, 2, 10, or Double seconds
Movie Format MP4 (Video: AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC) with audio
Storage
File System Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format JPEG, MPO
Connectivity
Other DC input (4.2v)
Power
Battery Type 3.7v 880mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor Proprietary BP88B
Product Bundle
Software iLauncher
Battery / Charger 1 x Proprietary BP88B Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
PictBridge Compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
Tripod Mount Yes
Remote Control No
Notes Built-in Wi-Fi (Social Sharing, E-Mail, Mobile Link, Remote Viewfinder, Auto Backup, AllShare Play, Cloud). Available in white or black.
More Photos
Samsung's MV900F digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung. Click here for a bigger picture!
Samsung's MV900F digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung. Click here for a bigger picture!
Samsung's MV900F digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung. Click here for a bigger picture!
Samsung's MV900F digital camera. Photo provided by Samsung. Click here for a bigger picture!
 

Press Release

Samsung’s MV900F Camera Delivers Beautiful Portraits from Any Angle, Plus Built-In Wi-Fi Sharing On-the-Go Easy

Stylish Design with MultiView Display, 3.3-inch Touch Screen Make Capturing High-Quality Images a Snap, or Thanks to New Gesture Control, a Wave

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., July 18, 2012 – Samsung Electronics America Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the availability of the MV900F, the latest digital camera to join the company’s Wi-Fi enabled SMART line-up. Following the success of Samsung’s MV800, the MV900F also features Samsung’s innovative 180-degree MultiView display, making it easy to capture and share creative self-portraits from any angle. The MV900F’s shooting flexibility does not end with its rotating display. With Samsung’s unique Gesture Shot, which uses motion-sensing technology, users can zoom and snap a photo with simple hand motions from across the room.

Featuring advanced creative functionality and Samsung’s Wi-Fi connectivity, the MV900F is a leader in the compact camera category. With an F2.5 bright lens to capture crisp, detailed photos even in low-lit environments, a powerful 16.3M pixels BSI CMOS sensor that produces high-quality photos and video, and a wider 25mm lens for fully framed images, the MV900F is a high-performing and versatile camera. The 5x optical zoom also makes it easy to shoot distance subjects.

“The MV900F’s stylish design and incredibly bright and fast lens, makes it the ideal camera for a night out on the town – as it will capture fantastic videos and photos, even in dimly-lit places. Now more than ever, we want to share these experiences instantly with friends and family, so the MV900 will take images consumers will be proud to share using the camera’s SMART Wi-Fi features,” said Reid Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Mobile Entertainment, Samsung Electronics America. “The unique MultiView display, intuitive touch screen and cutting-edge SMART camera technology means that superior quality images can be captured from any angle and shared at any time.”

Creatively Capture Group and Self-Portraits
The innovative 3.3-inch, 180-degree flip-out display on the MV900F helps shutterbugs easily capture and frame images from any angle, whether it’s a large group of friends or a full-body self-portrait. Additionally, taking self-portraits or group shots are easy thanks to Samsung’s unique Gesture Shot, which applies motion-sensing technology so that users can control the camera remotely using hand gestures alone. By simply making a circular hand motion, users can control the camera’s zoom functions. When the shot is properly framed, users move their hand up and down to snap the photo.

Even when subjects aren’t ready for their close-up, the MV900F has a range of functions to easily create professional beauty shots. With Samsung’s new Beauty Palette feature, users can choose from ten different make-up options to smooth, brighten and add color to profile shots directly in the camera. No computer needed – all the editing is done using the intuitive touch screen display.

Designed for All Lighting Conditions
The 16.3-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and brighter F2.5 lens help deliver top-notch image quality even in low-light situations without the typical bleaching effect of artificial light. The Low Light Shot mode automatically selects the camera’s best setting when shooting in low light conditions. By taking three continuous shots and merging them together into one, this feature helps to create an image without the blurs and noise. In addition to low-light settings, the MV900F is also designed for ease of use in the brightest sunlight. The upgraded display boasts a 3.3-inch WVGA AMOLED touch display for seeing clearer images even in intense light.

Instant Sharing without Compromise
The first camera in the MultiView line to incorporate Wi-Fi technology, the MV900F instantly connects with Facebook, Picasa, Photobucket and YouTube and devices without the need for pesky wires or cables. At the touch of the SMART LINK button, or through the easily navigated touch screen, it is easier than ever to instantly share and securely store pictures. The MV900F seamlessly interfaces with Samsung’s line of SMART televisions, Blu-ray players, mobile PCs and smartphones for a truly unique and integrated ecosystem with painless sharing and synching across all devices.

Create, Play and Share with Added Creative Options
Boasting 1920x1080 Full HD video recording at 30fps, the MV900F creates high-quality movies that users would be proud to share. Combining the best of still photography with dynamic videos, the Motion Photo feature cleverly brings subjects to life while everything else in the background appears at a standstill. Thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity, video masterpieces can be uploaded to YouTube in no time.

Pricing and Availability
Available in sophisticated white and black models, the MV900F will be available in late August from authorized Samsung retailers for $349.99 MSRP. For more information on the MV900F, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, digital imaging products, refrigerators and washing machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

*The Remote Viewfinder and MobileLink apps are compatible with GALAXY S smartphones with Android 2.2 OS or higher and 7-inch or 10.1-inch Galaxy Tabs.

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