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Samsung intros wide angle, 10x zoom digicam
updated 05:00 pm EST, Mon February 9, 2009
Samsung WB500 camera
Samsung on Monday introduced what it claims to be the world's first digital camera with a wide angle, 24mm lens and a 10x optical zoom with the 10.2-megapixel WB500. The camera also has both hardware and software image stabilization to help eliminate blurry images. It is capable of recording H.264-format video at up to 720p high-definition resolution.
The WB500 uses Schneider-Kreuznach optics and has face detection software and a file management system that categorizes content into Smart Albums, capable of sorting them by date or file type. Available in black or silver, the price for the WB500 is set at the equivalent of about $288. [via Akihabara]
And pretty fast...
02/09, 05:15pm reply
...at f3.3 - great news that basics such as the lens seems to be getting attention from camera makers again - perhaps the digital goldrush is finally waning & image quality will become increasingly important - digital technology offers options such as distortion correction that was impossible with film, so we may see ultra-wides (21mm & less) that can do things film never could... who will break this next barrier ? bring it on!
bobolicious
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2002
fast...
02/09, 07:17pm reply
Er...f3.3 isn't fast. Many lamented Canon abandoning F2 lenses in the G series with the move to f2.8 on the G7's and later. F2...now that was fast! The Panasonic LX3 already has an F2 24mm wide-end. The distinction for this camera is the zoom range, as the Panasonic's range is uncomfortably short!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999