Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item

Samsung's TL9 digital camera. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Samsung: Retro-styled TL9 digicam
By
(Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 19:20 EDT)

Rounding out today's four announcements from Samsung Electronics of South Korea is the Samsung TL9 digital camera, complete with retro-style rotary analog gauges on the top panel that are bound to polarize opinion.

Unfortunately, few specifications are yet available on the Samsung TL9, which features a ten megapixel CCD image sensor behind a Samsung-branded 5x optical zoom lens. There's no optical viewfinder, with the TL9's images being framed on a fairly large 2.7" LCD display. The Samsung TL9's ISO sensitivity ranges from 80 to 3200, while shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 15 seconds are possible. The Samsung TL9 also includes a face detection function with both smile and blink detection, and has 13 scene modes aimed at keeping things approachable for beginner photographers while still offering a degree of control over images. The TL9 also includes Samsung's "Dual Image Stabilization" function, which combines both a true mechanical stabilization function, plus the ability to combat blur using the camera's firmware, automatically raising the camera's ISO sensitivity as needed.

The Samsung TL9 can capture movies MPEG-4 compression at up to a maximum resolution of 800x592 pixels, although the maximum frame rate of 30 fps can only be attained at a lower VGA resolution. The Samsung TL9 stores its images on SD or SDHC cards, and can also function as a portable media player with both MP3 and video playback capability, as the TL9 has both a headphone port and built-in speaker with SRS 3D technology included. The most eyecatching feature, though, has to be the two analog gauges on the camera's top panel. The needles in these rotary gauges indicate the camera's currently remaining battery and flash card capacity, and are the kind of design feature you'll either love or hate.

Other features include "Recycle Bin" function on the TL9 which functions much like that on a desktop PC, and what the company is calling "Digital Contents Management". In playback mode, this tool organizes photos by their capture date, theme, color tone, or file type. The Samsung TL9 ships from September 2008 priced at US$280, and will be available with either a silver or black body.

For more detailed information take a look over our Samsung TL9 preview. For specifications and the official press release, read on below.

Samsung TL9
Samsung's TL9 digital camera. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeUltra Compact
ManufacturerSamsung
Model NumberTL9
Dimensions3.7 x 2.4 x 0.8"
95.0 x 60.0 x 21.3mm
Planned Price$279.95
Planned Availability 2008
Image Capture
Sensor TypeCCD
10.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3, 16:9
Image Preview / Review
LCD2.7"
Lens
Lens Type5x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focusing SystemContrast Detect
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed15 - 1/2000 second
White BalanceImage Sensor
Creative
Scene Modes13 scene modes
Movie FormatAVI (MPEG-4) with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, Built-in
File SystemComplies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
ComputerUSB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed
Product Bundle
0.0MB
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Remote ControlNo
More Photos
Samsung's TL9 digital camera. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Samsung's TL9 digital camera. Courtesy of Samsung, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

SAMSUNG ADVANCES MULTIMEDIA CAPABLE DIGITAL CAMERA LINEUP WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW TL9

Ultra-Compact TL9 Features MP3/PMP Functionality and Dual Image Stabilization

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., July 16, 2008 – Samsung is proud to introduce the ultra-compact, 10.0 megapixel TL9; the latest camera in the company’s digital camera lineup to feature MP3 and PMP functionality. The camera is highlighted by a powerful, internal 5x optical zoom as well as Dual Image Stabilization, which combines both Samsung’s advanced Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Digital Image Stabilization (DIS). When selected, OIS and DIS work simultaneously to provide blur-free, detailed images with remarkable clarity.

The TL9 is encased in a silver, metal body, measuring 3.74” x 2.36” x 0.84”. A unique design element also graces the top of the camera’s body - dual analog gauges. The small gauges, located next to the power button, display remaining battery life and memory capacity in a way that’s easy for the shooter to access while on the go.  Thanks to the enhanced sensitivity of the TL9’s CCD sensor, which features a maximum ISO of 1600, and the camera’s Dual Image Stabilization, users can rest assured that they’ll be able to capture images in low-light situations, especially when the use of a flash is not desired.

The new TL9 also features an embedded contents management program called Digital Contents Management (DCM). DCM is useful tool that significantly reduces the time to find a photo. The program automatically organizes photos based on the date that they were taken, their contents, color, and themes. Users can search through their images by month or by using a timeline. Based upon the theme of the image they’re looking for, users can also search by whether it’s a portrait, couple, or group photo and can even search for those images that are either city or landscape shots. Additionally, the DCM program also automatically sorts images based upon color tones as well as whether it’s a photo, video, or voice/memo note.

“Longer optical zooms are becoming more of a desired feature on today’s digital cameras,” said Tony Sorice, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Digital Imaging, at Samsung Electronics America. “Although slim, the TL9 gives consumers the ability to go beyond the traditional 3x zoom found on compact cameras, to an impressive 5x zoom. What’s even more impressive is the fact that the long zoom is internal, meaning there’s no long lens barrel that protrudes from the camera. Samsung also managed to squeeze in Dual Image Stabilization – a unique feature for a digital camera in this class.”

The ultra-compact TL9 also features and advanced movie mode which offers users SVGA (800x592) MPEG-4 video with editing controls found right on the camera. By using the camera’s Successive Recording mode, users can pause and resume filming of a video clip without having to save the clip as separate individual files. While filming, users can also operate the camera’s optical zoom and engage a movie stabilizer to compensate for unwanted camera movement and subject blur.

When setting the camera to PMP mode, TL9 users can easily listen to their favorite MP3 files or watch their favorite video content on the camera’s large 2.7" high-resolution display. The bundled Digimax Converter software seamlessly converts the user’s MPEG, AVI, MOV, WMV and ASF files for viewing on the TL9.  For music on-the-go, the software can also convert MP3 and WAV audio files in several simple steps. The innovative software also allows users to view subtitles, adjust the screen size, and crop and stretch the image to fit the screen as desired. To listen to videos or music, the TL9 features a headphone port and an external speaker boasting SRS 3D acoustic technology.

Shooters can also benefit from a comprehensive suite of automatic controls designed to help them capture better images, specifically portraits and group shots of family and friends. The TL9’s Face Detection technology makes taking pictures of family and friends a snap, as it detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure better composition and image quality. Furthermore, the Smile Shot feature automatically triggers the TL9 to take a photo only when the camera detects smiles on the subjects’ faces, and Blink Detection will prevent a photo from being taken if the camera recognizes that a subject’s eyes are closed – a useful feature as it’s often difficult to distinguish closed eyes when composing a shot on an LCD screen. The TL9 also offers 13 scene modes to choose from, allowing shooters the ability to effortlessly adjust the camera and capture the best image possible in any setting.

The TL9 also puts an end to inadvertently lost images with a new feature called the Recycle Bin - a unique function that allows consumers to retrieve images which were deleted by mistake. When the Recycle Bin function is in use, the TL9 automatically creates a “trash” folder on the memory card which stores any image deleted from the camera. This special feature allows users to shoot, delete and restore images without the fear that they will be lost forever.

The Samsung TL9 will be available in September 2008 at an MSRP of $279.95

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.

#  #  #

Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item