Samsung’s High Performance Compact Camera

Samsung just announced four new point-and-shoot cameras, and the most interesting by far is the TL500, a high-performance compact camera that has a very bright f/1.8 lens and a comparatively large image sensor. These two features should make it much easier to get good shots in low-lighting conditions.

The $450 TL500, unveiled at the PMA show in Anaheim, Calif., also has an ultra-wide 24mm Schneider Kreuznach lens with a 3X zoom. It will go head to head with Canon’s highly regarded PowerShot S90, with has the same size sensor (1/1.7) and a maximum aperture of 2.0.

The TL500’s F/1.8 maximum aperture is the widest I’ve seen on a compact camera, so I’m eager to see how the camera does in hands-on reviews. It should enable users to capture better low-light images as well as provide some depth-of-field effects like a blurred background. The sensor offers a maximum ISO speed of 3200, which should also help it perform capably in low lighting.

The TL500 also includes dual image stabilization technology and a 3-inch AMOLED display that swivels for more flexible framing  AMOLED is the latest display technology that delivers brighter, crisper display while consuming less battery power.

As you’d expect from an enthusiast camera, the TL500 gives you the choice of shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual shooting modes; it also captures RAW images. Video is standard definition 640 by 480 at 30 frames a second.

One step down is the $350 TL350, a high-speed camera that can snap full-resolution stills at a rate of 10 per second and capture video at 1,000 frames per second, which enables super slow-mo playback (although the resolution is a very low 138 by 78).

At 30 frames per second, the TL350 can capture full high-definition 1080p video and enables you to snap still images while recording HD video. It has a versatile 24mm lens with 5X optical zoom and a 3-inch AMOLED display. It also offers RAW and manual control capabilities.

And at the lower end of the price spectrum, Samsung unveiled a camera that’s waterproof and another that is somewhat ruggedized. That’s an interesting approach, since waterproof cameras are also typically ruggedized as well (and vice versa).

The waterproof AQ100, priced at $200, is submersible down to 10 feet. It has a dedicated Aqua mode that optimizes camera settings for underwater photos and a nonprotruding 5X optical zoom.

The $130 SL605 is billed as a durable camera but it really doesn’t offer more than rubberized buttons and compartments to protect it from dust, dirt and sand. It has a 27mm lens with 5X optical zoom.

All cameras will be available in March.

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