Samsung HZ30W Review



Following on from the seven new digital camera models the company announced at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, Samsung announced its long zoom HZ30W in mid-January 2010. Most specifications for the Samsung HZ30W have yet to be revealed, with only a brief outline of the HZ30W's features and functionality so far available.

What we do know is that the Samsung HZ30W is based around a twelve megapixel image sensor, and includes a 15x optical zoom lens that provides 35mm-equivalent focal lengths ranging from a generous 24mm wide angle to a whopping 360mm telephoto. Thankfully, the HZ30W also includes Samsung's Dual Image Stabilization function, which couples optical (lens-based) image stabilization with a software anti-blur system. Images are framed and reviewed on a 3.0-inch LCD display, rather than the AMOLED display used in the HZ35W alongside which it was announced.

The HZ30W includes face detection capability, used to provide both a smile shot function that triggers the camera's shutter when your subject is smiling, and a blink detection function that warns when your subject's eyes were closed. Face detection is also used for a skin-smoothing beauty shot function, and a red-eye fix function that aims to correct the common photographic defect after capture. As well as a Smart Auto and (one presumes) a Program mode, the HZ30W includes several modes offering more manual control over the look of images. These include Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority and a fully Manual mode The Samsung HZ30W doesn't include the built-in GPS receiver that features in the HZ35W design. It does retain the 720p high definition 30 frames-per-second H.264 video mode though.

Pricing for the Samsung HZ30W hadn't been disclosed at press time. Availability is slated for March 2010.