Samsung rolls out HZ30W series compact ultrazooms
updated 07:30 pm EST, Mon January 18, 2010
Samsung HZ30W, HZ35W hit 15X zoom
Samsung chose a post-CES launch add to its camera line for the US. At the top of the unveilings are the HZ30W and HZ35W, both of which tout some of the highest zooms ever in the compact class: either 12-megapixel unit jumps from 10X to 15X, enough to rival recent "prosumer" long-range shooters. They still keep a 24mm equivalent close focus for wide-angle photography.
Appropriately, both have optical image stabilization as well as software compensation if absolutely necessary. As cameras, either has typical full-auto modes (including auto scenes) and will capture 720p video in the increasingly common H.264 format. An HDMI output provides a life-size preview on each.
The two cameras are separated mostly by display and positional data. The HZ30W as the simpler of the two has a 3-inch LCD, while the HZ35W gets a more color-rich 3-inch AMOLED and adds GPS for geotagging its shots.
Samsung hasn't given pricing for either but promises to ship them together in March.
HZ30W
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2003
Nice looking cameras
These look like the sort of high end compromise between optics, sensor and zoom factors that I'm looking for. I'll keep an eye out for them in March (and keep an eye on the price, too).
A note to the article's author, however: learn the distinction between "either" and "both". I feel "either" has been mis-used a couple of times in the article. It implies one or the other, rather than both.
Cheers.